The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism - Paperback

The perfect introduction to Jewish mysticism—Daniel C. Matt's masterful anthology presents the heart of Kabbalistic wisdom through carefully selected passages from the Zohar, Sepher Yetzirah, and other essential texts, making the profound teachings of Kabbalah accessible to modern readers.

The Essential Kabbalah offers a comprehensive yet approachable journey into the mystical dimensions of Judaism. Daniel Matt, one of the world's foremost Kabbalah scholars and translator of the acclaimed Pritzker Zohar, has curated the most important and illuminating passages from centuries of Kabbalistic literature, presenting them with clear introductions and insightful commentary that reveal their timeless wisdom.

What you'll discover:

• Selections from the Zohar—the crown jewel of Kabbalistic literature
• Passages from the Sepher Yetzirah and other foundational texts
• Teachings on the sefirot—the ten divine emanations that structure reality
• Kabbalistic cosmology: creation, the nature of God, and the soul's journey
• Mystical interpretations of Torah and the hidden meanings of Hebrew letters
• Practices of meditation, contemplation, and spiritual transformation
• The relationship between the human and the divine
• Wisdom from the great Kabbalists: Isaac Luria, Moses Cordovero, the Baal Shem Tov, and others

Matt's translations are both scholarly and poetic, capturing the beauty and depth of the original texts while making them comprehensible for contemporary readers. Each selection is introduced with context that illuminates its significance, and the book is organized thematically to guide readers through the core concepts and practices of Kabbalah.

This book is perfect for anyone seeking an authentic introduction to Jewish mysticism. Whether you're new to Kabbalah or deepening your study of the tradition, The Essential Kabbalah provides a solid foundation in the primary texts and central teachings that have inspired seekers for centuries.

About the author: Daniel C. Matt, Ph.D., is one of the world's leading authorities on Kabbalah. He is best known for his monumental translation and commentary on the Zohar (the Pritzker Edition), which has been hailed as a landmark achievement in Jewish scholarship. His work makes the profound wisdom of Kabbalah accessible to scholars and spiritual seekers alike.

Perfect for: Those new to Kabbalah seeking an authentic introduction, students wanting to read primary Kabbalistic texts, readers of the Sepher Yetzirah and Bahir looking for broader context, practitioners of Jewish meditation and mysticism, scholars of comparative mysticism, and anyone drawn to the mystical dimensions of Judaism.

This paperback edition includes 240 pages of essential Kabbalistic wisdom—a carefully curated anthology that opens the door to the heart of Jewish mysticism.