The Zohar: An English Translation (Volume Three)

By Maurice Simon

Book Overview

This five-volume set is the only complete English rendering of The Zohar, the fundamental rabbinic work on Jewish mysticism that has fascinated readers for more than seven centuries. In addition to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Unknown Binding
• ISBN: B000NCYKKQ
• Release Date: January 1
• Publisher: The Soncino Press
• Weight: 2.10 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful purchase!

I purchased the Zohar 5 volume set as a christmas gift for a friend. She is half way through the first book and already raving about the insight she is receiving from the book.

The Zohar is a jewel.

This five volume set offers the best translation of the Zohar available in English as yet. While it does not contain the entire Zohar, it offers enough so that if one feels inclined, they may also read the Kabbalah centre translation. What is refreshing about the soncino edition is they did not add commentary to the text like so many other translators do. This is the problem with such translations as the one by Daniel Matt or the Kabbalah centre, while their commentary may have some jewls of wisdom in it, the bulk is very misleading, and reptative. In Daniel Matt's translation, he also misplaces certain esoteric sections of the Zohar into a separate book, like a section describing the chambers in the palace of light. Not knowing that All sections were placed in their order for a reason. For these reasons, I would recomend the soncino edition. And because the Zohar is so obscure, it is a good idea to study it with someone who knows the text most intimately from a mystical perscective, without such a guide, one will likely find reading the Zohar confusing and cryptic. The Ari of safed used to engadge in a practice where he would read a section of the Zohar over and over and over until he could see what it meant. This is actualy the only way that I know of to understand the Zohar. The Zohar is a great jewel of wisdom for those who can look and see. Praise the most High!

Magnificent effort

Despite the length (over 2000 pages) this English translation is only a part of the actual Sepher ha Zohar (Book of Splendor). The rest was to a large degree untranslatable due to its symbology, plays on words, etc. Yet, the authors (and it took a team to do it) did a great service to Kabbalah in particular and mysticism in general but completing this herculean effort. The Zohar presents itself as a Midrash or commentary on the Bible. This is an ancient literary form. It attributes its authorship to Shimon bar Yohai, an ancient Kabbalistic master who is also the main character in the book. To a large degree, the book is about the wanderings of this itinerant master with his disciples--especially their discussions and encounters. Gershom Scholem attributes the work to Moses de Leon in medieval Spain. de Leon claimed that he discovered the text but didn't write it. Moshe Idel argues that de Leon (judging from his other works, for example) could not have written it alone, was evidently part of a Kabbalistic circle of masters including Joseph Gikatilla, and that it was written by the group (perhaps based on a discovered scrap or fragment). Who knows? The work stands on its own as the reputedly greatest Kabbalistic work of all time. However, anyone at all familiar with Kabbalah knows how steeped in symbolism it was. Indeed, much of it was passed on by word of mouth. Thus, publication of the Zohar was a watershed event. The only other great work that might rival it, Moses Cordovero's "Garden of Pomegranetes," has not been translated into English, unfortunately. The Simon, Sperling, et al translation is by far the most comprehensive (as far as I know) and does include some descriptions and analysis, but it is most definitely NOT a commentary on the Zohar. Most of them are one volume long and not all that helpful (see Scholem's or Yehuda Liebes's commentaries). So, whatever you do, do NOT make this your first read Kabbalah book. Rather, read some of the numerous introductory books (e.g. "Introduction to Cabala" by Halevi) or any of many others. Then try some intermediate texts and commentaries such as those of Aryeh Kaplan (he did commentaries on the Bahir, Sepher Yetzirah, and Nachman's Tales) and, above all read lots of Gershom Scholem's works, especially "Kabbalah" and "Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism." Then, and only then, try this book. Its a challenge, but well worth the time for those who are ready for it. I found it to be complicated and very variable as to style. There are straight-forward (though symbolic to a degree) teaching stories as well as rather mysterious passages of unknown intention. It should be noted that the Zohar includes some later additions such as the Tikkuney Zohar which sometimes conflict with the basic text. This is a book for the serious student of Kabbalah. For such folks, however, it is indispensible.

Most Complete English Zohar

The Zohar is the most important text of the Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition. Though there are many partial translations available, this is the most comprehensive. In 5 volumes, the authors translate about 35% of the full text of the Zohar. It only translates the main core of the Zohar, the part that interprets the Bible. The rest of the books of the Zohar are omitted. Sometimes the translation seems to be inaccurate, and notes are very sparse, so a good knowledge of Kabbalah is recommended. Comes with introduction, glossary, and explanatory essays. A good buy if you're interested in Kabbalah.