Jewish Mysticism: An Anthology

Rabbi Cohn-Sherbok deserves applause for the clarity and brevity of this slim, engrossing introduction to Jewish mysticism, which he characterizes as the age-old search ""to know God and experience his divine presence."" A helpful chronological table of Jewish history precedes the introductory chapter, a 30-page overview of major events and figures in Jewish mysticism. Having thus set the stage, Cohn-Sherbok presents nearly 200 thoroughly annotated, brief excerpts from the greatest mystics, all chosen to pique interest in topics as diverse as the divine messenger Metatron, the influence of daily actions on cosmic restoration (tikkun) and the Hebrew alphabet as a source of mystical knowledge and experience. The selections are chronologically arranged in four chapters, each with its own introduction and list of contents. This rich spiritual banquet fascinates but does not satiate. (Mar.)