The Practical Kabbalah Guidebook

THIS BOOK SUMMARIZES AN OVERVIEW HOW THE INTERPRETATION OF THE TREE OF LIFE HAS EFFECTED HISTORY WITH EXCELLANT ILLUSTRATIONS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN REVIEWING THE DIFFERENT APPROACHES THAT THE TREE OF LIFE REPRESENTS THEN THIS IS AN EXCELLANT REFERNCE. I FOUND THIS BOOK ESPECIALLY INSIGHTFUL IN GIVING ME MY THESIS SUBJECT IN ADAPTING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS WITHIN KABBALAH'S TREE OF LIFE. THE AUTHOR ILLUSTRATES THE TREE OF LIFE WITH THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN UNDERSTANDING THE FREEMASONS TAKE OF JACOB'S LADDER, THE AUTHOR DOES A THROUGH EXPLANATION WITH ILLUSTRATIONS THAT I NEVER SEEN BY ANOTHER AUTHOR. THE AUTHOR DOES AVIOD IN SPECIALIZING AN INDEPTH TAKE ON THE TREE OF LIFE, MAINLY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER AUTHORS WHO ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE READER'S SATIFACTION.

This book was never intended to be used for in-depth study. I have studied the Kabbalah for many years and I use this book as a reference when I need a quick reminder, a simple definition or just want to organize my thoughts when I am doing a presentation about Kabbalah. I recommend this book for people who are curious about the Kabballah but don't know if they want to commit to serious study. Traditional texts and classes can get you bogged down very quickly, but this book presents a clear, concise description of what the Kabbalah is and how it can be used. Great for beginners.

The editorial review is a little harsh and I have no doubt that for the experienced Kabbalah reader it doesn't do much for them. For myself, someone just trying to get some basic information on it, it was a great primer. It lays out the Kabbalah, the Tree of Life and the Ladder of Light and their associations fairly clearly. There were many times I was left with lots of questions, but that only makes me want to read more. I don't think that the author intended this to be an indepth analysis of the Kabbalah. The visual characteristics are clear and help visually to explain what he is talking about. There is also a good brief history and how other areas of mysticism link to the Kabbalah. It's a good place to start, but not one where you would want to end.