The Kabbalah: The Religious Philosophy of the Hebrews

by Adolphe Franck

Overview

First published in French in 1843, this well-known classic is the first book that made the Kabbalah understandable and remains an essential reference today. The positive importance of the Kabbalah is explained, showing that no other doctrine in the history of philosophy or religion gives man a higher rank. It shows how we are not only in the image of God, but are the divine presence on Earth. It explains the origin of man, his future destiny, and his relation to the Divine Being. The author also presents information on the history of Kabbalah, covering similarities with the Alexandrians, Gnostics, Platonists, Neoplatonists, Philo, and Christianity, but traces the strongest philosophical concepts back to the ancient Zoroastrians. He includes chapters on the Sepher Yetzirah and the Zohar, the two most definitive works on the Kabbalah, and is able to trace their origins back many centuries before their first known publication in the thirteenth century CE. From examining the ancient Zoroastrian beliefs, the author concludes that the major doctrines of Kabbalah originated around 500 BC during the Hebrews' Babylonian exile, when Zoroastrianism was active in the same geographical region. This well-researched book should be in the library of every serious student or practitioner of the Kaballah.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781585093885
Publisher:	Book Tree, The
Publication date:	09/17/2018
Pages:	226
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.48(d)

Table of Contents

Publisher's Preface; Diagram Of The Sephiroth; Summary Of Contents; Preface To The English Translation; Preface To The German Translation Of The First French Edition; Foreword To The Second French Edition; Preface Of The Author; Introduction; Part One; The Antiquity Of The Kabbalah; The Kabbalistic Books. Authenticity Of The Sefer Yetzirah; The Authenticity Of The Zohar; Part Two; The Doctrine Contained In The Kabbalistic Books. Analysis Of The Sefer Yetzirah; Analysis Of The Zohar. Allegorical Method Of The Kabbalists; Analysis Of The Zohar. The Kabbalists' Conception Of The Nature Of God; Analysis Of The Zohar. The Kabbalists' view Of The World; Analysis Of The Zohar. view Of The Kabbalists On The Human Soul; Part Three; Systems Which Offer Some Resemblance To The Kabbalah. Relation Of The Kabbalah To The Philosophy Of Plato; Relation Of The Kabbalah To The Alexandrian School; Relation Of The Kabbalah To The Doctrine Of Philo; Relation Of The Kabbalah To Christianity; Relation Of The Kabbalah To The Religion Of The Chaldeans And Persians.