Daniel Matt - The Essential Kabbalah: Heart of Jewish Mysticism

The Essential Kabbalah: The Heart of Jewish Mysticism (HarperCollins, 1995). Edited and translated by Daniel C. Matt.

ISBN: 9780062511638 | 240 pages | PDF


This translation of key texts from the Kabbalah for the layperson includes a compact presentation of each primary text and features a practical analysis and vital historical information that offer insight into the various aspects of Jewish mysticism. The sampling of works ranges from the earliest medieval European texts to 20th-century interpretations, and includes poems, symbolic stories, meditations, and ruminations by such important figures as Moses de Leon, Moses Cordovero, Isaac Luria, and Abraham Isaac Kook. Matt's translations have both a spareness and a poetic flair that makes reading these highly esoteric selections a richly moving experience.

A short introduction traces the history of Kabbalah, explaining its salient concepts and symbols, and notes provide background on the featured texts and writers. A brief bibliography is provided for those who want to explore more of these extraordinary texts.