Kabbalah And The Art Of Being »

This new approach introduces Kabbalah as a spiritual Jewish way of living, a practical wisdom for living, creativity and well being, and not merely a religious phenomenon or esoteric theology. Professor Shokek suggests that the Kabbalistic theme of Creation is the central ingredient in the spiritual teachings of Jewish mysticism. He skilfully reveals the core questions that emerge from the wisdom of the Jewish sages, opening up a lively avenue of debate in this increasingly popular area of study.

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Drawing on 1994-98 lectures, Shokek (Baltimore Hebrew U.) treats the existential-psychological aspects of the mystical Kabbalah tradition. Included is discussion of and the Jewish art of waiting, art illustrations, and a glossary. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

1. The Mystery of Creation; I. The "Stem Cell" Called Creation; II. The Existential Element in the Kabbalistic Creation Myth; III. The Psychological Element in the Kabbalistic Creation Myth; IV. Devekut and the Breaking of the One into the Two; Notes for chapter 1; 2. A Note on Creation in Philosophy, Mythology, and Gnosis; I. Creation in the Philosophy of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity; II. Creation in Mythology and Gnosis; Notes for chapter 2; 3. Kabbalah on God's Intent and Language in Creation; I. Ein-Sof, Sefirot, and Atzilut; II. God's Intent in Creation; III. Kabbalah and Language: Thirty-Two Paths of Wisdom; Notes for chapter 3; 4. Creation and Imitatio Dei: Lurianic Kabbalah and Hasidism; I. The Creation Myth in the Kabbalah of Cordovero and the ARI; II. The Creation Myth in Hasidism; III. The Jewish Way of Imitating God; Notes for chapter 4; 5. Kabbalah and God's Individuation; I. God's Shift from the Ayin to the Yesh; II. The Worlds Below and Above: a Chain of Being; III. God's Individuation; Notes for chapter 5; 6. Kabbalah and the Art of Being; I. Awakening, Courage, Creativity, and Loving; II. Kabbalah and Self Discovery; Notes for chapter 6