2006-12-04 16:27:20 · 6 answers · asked by Double Bubble 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Read the Zohar. It's nice. You'll put it down and think it was quite a lovely book. You won't understand a word of it unless you've studied Tanakh and Talmud for many years, though.
2006-12-04 16:33:36 · answer #1 · answered by koresh419 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've read the Zohar.
Basically it has a lengthy introduction, and then follows the order of the Torah. Generally, the average person will find some interesting stories, a few good quotes to stir a person to be better out of fear of G_d, and a lot of dizzying explenations of things we don't understand.
The truth is that most of it is is indecipherable without a teacher with a verifiable tradition teaching you and a broad knowledge of the material its based and commenting on. Otherwise, reading it is similar to picking up an unillistrated medical text for neural surgeons and reading it for inspiration.
Also its written in Aremaic. If you read it translated, your likely reading a translation of a book the translator didn't understand and translated using a Talmudic dictionary rather than knowledge of the language.
A better option for a Jewish person with a inclination for the mystical is the Midrash Rabbah, which is translated from an easier Aremaic and Hebrew. Comments on the BIble, and has delightful stories in addition to the mysticism.
2006-12-05 04:45:47 · answer #2 · answered by 0 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im jewish and the way it works for us is that only ppl on a high level of knowledge and understanding coould learn it. like the tora its not just a book 2 read like a story. we learn concepts of kabbala but we dont read the zohar randomly and i hope u wont.
2006-12-05 00:43:43 · answer #3 · answered by damselindistress 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you mean the Cabala.yes I have tried to read it got lost in some of the ideas and trying to read to many different books at once. and put it aside for awhile. It is every much worth reading and trying to understand it.
2006-12-05 00:37:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, Thanks!! I found this link and it sounds great! I love to study mysticism. And I write mystical poetry myself that no one understands, so I an sure that I will understand this. Thanks!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohar
2006-12-05 00:58:20 · answer #5 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I listened to it on audio tape. It reminds me a lot of some Buddhist teachings. The middle path etc.
2006-12-05 01:09:54 · answer #6 · answered by dharmabear 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋