The Zohar 1: Pritzker Edition, Volume 1 FROM THE PUBLISHER
The first two volumes of The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, translated with commentary by Daniel C. Matt cover more than half of the Zohar's commentary on the Book of Genesis (through Genesis 32:3). This is the first translation ever made from a critical Aramaic text of the Zohar, which has been established by Professor Matt based on a wide range of original manuscripts. The extensive commentary, appearing at the bottom of each page, clarifies the kabbalistic symbolism and terminology, and cites sources and parallels from biblical, rabbinic, and kabbalistic texts. The translator's introduction is accompanied by a second introduction written by Arthur Green, discussing the origin and significance of the Zohar.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
The foremost classic of Kabbalah, the Zohar is a mystical combination of Bible, medieval homily, spiritual fantasy, and imaginative commentary (or midrash) on the Torah. In it, a group of rabbis (Rabbi Shim'on bar Yohai and his disciples) wander through the hills of Galilee, telling stories of their encounters and discussing aspects of the Torah. In Volume 1 of the Pritzker edition-so named for Margot Pritzker, chair of the Zohar Educational Project-Matt (Jewish spirituality, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA) introduces the entirety of the Zohar and explicates the Creation and Noah's Ark stories in Genesis. Along with the text, he also provides a running commentary, making the mysteries of the Zohar more accessible. Libraries that own the five-volume Soncino Press edition of the Zohar (translated by Maurice Simon & others) should certainly purchase Matt's more critical 12-volume edition as well. His text is the most authoritative English translation and the only English edition that goes directly to the source, unearthing many of the major surviving manuscripts of the original language. A new volume is scheduled to appear approximately every year, with Volume 2 due this December. Highly recommended.-David B. Levy, Charles E. Smith Jewish Day Sch., Rockville, MD Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
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