Midwest Book Review ● The Judaic Studies Shelf
Synopsis: Rabbi Yehhuda Lev Ashlag’s underlying message in “Giving: The Essential Teaching of the Kabbalah by ”Baal Hasulam” is that the purpose of our lives is to grow step by step toward a fundamental transformation. Instead of always seeking some form of self-gratification, we can learn to give to others with no self-interest at all.
This is the essential teaching of the Kabbalah portrayed in these essays by Baal Hasulam – the greatest modern explicator of Kabbalah. Rabbi Gottlieb provides an illuminating commentary as a living chassidic rebbe devoted to the practice and teaching of Baal Hasulam’s spiritual path.
Critique: A very special contribution to the growing library of Kabbalah studies, “Giving: The Essential Teaching of the Kabbalah by ”Baal Hasulam” is an extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, synagogue, community, and academic library Contemporary Judaic Studies collections in general, and Kabbalah supplemental curriculum studies lists in particular.
Editorial Note: Aryeh Siegel has a Ph.D. in philosophy of logic and metaphysics from M.I.T. and is a Diplomate in Logotherapy (Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy). Having studied for over 20 years the Kabbalah of Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag (Baal Hasulam) from Rabbi Avraham Mordechai Gottlieb, he publishes articles and delivers lectures on the philosophy of Kabbalah and Logotherapy.
Jewish Book Review 