"Jewish mysticism is not something one can 'do'" but rather "an attitude toward reality," writes Lawrence Kushner, the prolific Massachusetts rabbi whose books on mysticism include Honey from the Rock and The River of Light. Kushner notes this distinction at the beginning of The Way into Jewish Mystical Tradition, an excellent primer for lay readers who know nothing about mysticism, and a useful refresher for more advanced students of mysticism. The book's organization is inspired by Psalm 19, which Kushner says summarizes the "ways of Jewish mysticism" into three parts. It begins with "an inexpressible reverence before the awe and mystery of creation" then moves toward "the conviction that sacred text contains the key to unlocking the secret of being," and finally results in a "yearning to lead a life of holiness and righteousness." In The Way into Jewish Mysticism, each of these three stages is illustrated by key Jewish mystical ideas, drawn from every phase of Jewish history: Heikhalot mystics (beginning in the first century B.C.), for instance, developed a metaphor called shiur koma, which "attempted to describe the size of God's body"; and Lurianic mystics (in the 16th century) were preoccupied with the possibility of past lives and the transmigration of souls. Each of these ideas is preserved in a pithy phrase or biblical verse, offered in both English and its original Hebrew or Aramaic. And each idea, Kushner suggests, is just one part of the larger mystical worldview, which sees that "beneath the apparent contradictions, brokenness, and discord of this everyday world lies a hidden divine unity." --Michael Joseph Gross

From Publishers Weekly
Jewish Lights adds another installment to its The Way Into... series with this examination of Jewish mysticism, which fails to live up to the standard of earlier volumes on such subjects as prayer and God. While those books each succeeded in presenting a basic introduction to one important concept in Judaism, most readers will find that Jewish mysticism continues to be a mystery after reading Kushner's murky primer. This is a shame, since Kushner is a genuine expert on Jewish mysticism and has authored much better books (Honey from the Rock; The River of Light) on the subject. Here, he relies largely on "classical texts" that turn on unfathomable passages drawn mostly from obscure 18th-century Hasidic rebbes. The material is organized into three parts, based on his division of Psalm 19 into a "triptych of Jewish mystical tradition." Throughout, Kushner offers 50 "Jewish mystical ideas": phrases, words or brief biblical quotations that are supposedly explained by the citations from the Hasidic rebbes. Some attempts at clarification become gross oversimplifications; for example, Kushner confounds Jewish mysticism with political activism, asserting that the mysticism of Abraham Joshua Heschel, "like most Jewish mysticism, was one of political activism." Such dubious statements are disappointing in a work that ought to elucidate the Jewish mystical tradition, not shroud it in further layers of obfuscation. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
The emptiness of a material existence and the loss of a central meaning in life have led many to look for access to spirituality through mysticism. Another entry in Jewish Lights' "The Way Into" series, this book by well-known rabbi, NPR commentator, and prolific author Kushner (Eyes Remade for Wonder, LJ 11/98; Hebrew Union Coll.) is directed to just such an audience, providing guidelines for the expansion of this discipline and the fulfillment of an often unacknowledged yearning. Kushner examines the primary themes of this mystical tradition through translated excerpts from classical texts. Each of the book's short chapters opens with one or more of these texts, after which the author of the excerpt is identified and the text is discussed in the context of mystical scholarship. The texts are chosen for their clarity, accessibility, and concise approach to the topic discussed. Kushner forms a clear path by which a novice in mystical learning can gain an understanding of the tradition and embark on a path of study. This is recommended for larger public libraries or smaller collections where there is an interest in mystical and spiritual movements. Idelle Rudman, Touro Coll. Lib., New York Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The Way Into Jewish Mystical Tradition, guided by Lawrence Kushner, explains the principles of Jewish mystical thinking, their religious and spiritual significance, and how they relate to our lives. Kushner offers us a step-by-step exploration of: ￯﾿ﾽWhat "Jewish mysticism" means—the key concepts in mysticism, with classic texts to explore and learn from. ￯﾿ﾽWhy mysticism is a part of the modern Jewish experience. ￯﾿ﾽThe goals of mysticism, and how they relate to broader Jewish spirituality. Here is a book that allows us to experience and understand the Jewish mystical approach to our place in the world.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Jewish Lights adds another installment to its The Way Into... series with this examination of Jewish mysticism, which fails to live up to the standard of earlier volumes on such subjects as prayer and God. While those books each succeeded in presenting a basic introduction to one important concept in Judaism, most readers will find that Jewish mysticism continues to be a mystery after reading Kushner's murky primer. This is a shame, since Kushner is a genuine expert on Jewish mysticism and has authored much better books (Honey from the Rock; The River of Light) on the subject. Here, he relies largely on "classical texts" that turn on unfathomable passages drawn mostly from obscure 18th-century Hasidic rebbes. The material is organized into three parts, based on his division of Psalm 19 into a "triptych of Jewish mystical tradition." Throughout, Kushner offers 50 "Jewish mystical ideas": phrases, words or brief biblical quotations that are supposedly explained by the citations from the Hasidic rebbes. Some attempts at clarification become gross oversimplifications; for example, Kushner confounds Jewish mysticism with political activism, asserting that the mysticism of Abraham Joshua Heschel, "like most Jewish mysticism, was one of political activism." Such dubious statements are disappointing in a work that ought to elucidate the Jewish mystical tradition, not shroud it in further layers of obfuscation. (May) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

The emptiness of a material existence and the loss of a central meaning in life have led many to look for access to spirituality through mysticism. Another entry in Jewish Lights' "The Way Into" series, this book by well-known rabbi, NPR commentator, and prolific author Kushner (Eyes Remade for Wonder, LJ 11/98; Hebrew Union Coll.) is directed to just such an audience, providing guidelines for the expansion of this discipline and the fulfillment of an often unacknowledged yearning. Kushner examines the primary themes of this mystical tradition through translated excerpts from classical texts. Each of the book's short chapters opens with one or more of these texts, after which the author of the excerpt is identified and the text is discussed in the context of mystical scholarship. The texts are chosen for their clarity, accessibility, and concise approach to the topic discussed. Kushner forms a clear path by which a novice in mystical learning can gain an understanding of the tradition and embark on a path of study. This is recommended for larger public libraries or smaller collections where there is an interest in mystical and spiritual movements. Idelle Rudman, Touro Coll. Lib., New York Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

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