The Bahir Paperback – April 1, 1989

This one I think maybe the cliff notes but it is all that's need.It is a mind blowing book if you are a religious person an want talk religion and you HAVEN'T read this book or the zohar.....GO AWAY.... comeback when you have.

Learning book

One of those books that you always wanted to buy but always procrastinated.So I finally bought it and yes, fantastic reading.Perfect for a long flight or a lazy summer afternoon by the pool and anything in-between.There is a lot of wisdom in this book and just as much knowledge and info.Very well sourced as well.

It's rare to find a book this brilliant, with wisdom that not many rabbis know about, nor is understood and appreciated by all scholars. Aryeh Kaplan is a most profound, unusual, erudite kabbalic master. The best part for me is learning about the role of meditation among its earliest practitioners. No matter how many times it is read, it is always new, and reminds me of what is needed in spiritual practice. Aryeh Kaplan, as another reader wrote, is one of a kind. He is a hero, a liberator, a rishi. No one else writes with as much depth on this subject.

This Tome Of Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan Is Another Outstanding Work Of This Treasured Rabbi. I Highly Recommend This Book.

The book of the Bahir states "it is for this reason that the Hebrew word for Heaven, Shamayim, is always in the plural, Sham, meaning "there". It therefore literally refers to all places, that can be considered "there". The concept of "there", however, while a single concept, also implies all directions. The heavens are therefore said to be spread out.""Science shows how the Heavens go, Scriptures show how to go to Heaven." GALILEO 1615"The most amazing prediction of string theory is that the universe consists of 10 dimensions, Of these ten dimensions, three are the familiar infinite dimensions of space, while the remaining seven have become "compacted" during the process of creation.""The Kabbalah speaks of ten sefirot, which describe the spiritual "world above". Of the ten sefirot of the "world above", three remained "intact" while the other seven became "broken" during the process of creation. We identify the 10 dimensions of the physical universe, the "world below" as the counterpart of the ten sefirot spiritual "world above". The three "intact" sefirot correspond to the familiar three infinite dimensions of space. The 7 compacted dimensions of the "world below", are the counterparts of the seven broken sefirot of the "world above".Thus, there is a correspondence between Kabbalah's account of the creation of the universe, and scientific account of creation. Which is based on the Big Bang Theory of Cosmology, Einstein's theory of gravity, and string theory."Why does evil exist? Evil is a result of secondary elements of creation, since it's only purpose is to let free choices to exist. Thus bringing about the primary purpose, which is mans attachment to God. God has maximum pleasure when evil is transformed into good, man was given 'free will' as to overcome Evil, this being the purpose of creation. When evil is overcome, their purpose is fulfilled. In a deeper sense, the more one overcomes evil, the more he makes use of his free will. In doing so, the more he resembles the Creator. God will ultimately cleanse all evil, where his primary purpose will be revealed.If God were to bestow his GOOD freely without its being earned, it would not be a perfect GOOD. For one thing, since it was not earned it would be a "bread of shame" (Magid mesharim, Bereshit). Furthermore, since the recipient is receiving without giving, he does NOT AT ALL resemble God if he were to receive, this is the concept of shame. Therefore, in order that they be perfect, IT MUST BE EARNED. This is the concept of "Righteousness" (Tzedek), Where a fair reward is given, for a fair job of earning it. You get out, what you have given in, If you put God last, he puts you last, If you disregard him, he disregards you completely.

Rabbi Kaplan has translated this complicated text on the letters of Creation and the entire spiritual blueprint that is represented by the Torah.

A book of Great Power to Enlighten the world! Metaphysical Judisam is one of God's most precious gifts to humanity and is a Key to answer many of the Mysteries that perplex Mankind today! Keep reading folks!