Meditation and the Bible

Rating:
Summary: Save That Space Next to the Bible!
Review: I can't over recommend this book. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, of Blessed Memory, produced one of the most important scholarly works to the Bible, since the publication of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Meditation is a largely misunderstood subject and often dismissed as a relic of Oriental mysticism, or worse, as an introduction to the occult as stated by the conservative Christian wing. What it is, however, is an invaluable tool for spiritual growth. In this book, Rabbi Kaplan, explores the traditions of the prophets, word study and traces the history of the various rabbinic movement as they were influenced by incorporating meditation in their services.

As with all things that help us to grow, wisdom and self-discipline are the keys. Meditation and the Bible, provides the foundation and Rabbi Kaplan's Jewish Meditation provides the exercises. As Rabbi Wayne Dosick said in his book, Living Judaism, meditation is wisdom. And, I certainly agree.

Rating:
Summary: Save That Space Next to the Bible!
Review: I can't over recommend this book. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, of Blessed Memory, produced one of the most important scholarly works to the Bible, since the publication of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Meditation is a largely misunderstood subject and often dismissed as a relic of Oriental mysticism, or worse, as an introduction to the occult as stated by the conservative Christian wing. What it is, however, is an invaluable tool for spiritual growth. In this book, Rabbi Kaplan, explores the traditions of the prophets, word study and traces the history of the various rabbinic movement as they were influenced by incorporating meditation in their services.

As with all things that help us to grow, wisdom and self-discipline are the keys. Meditation and the Bible, provides the foundation and Rabbi Kaplan's Jewish Meditation provides the exercises. As Rabbi Wayne Dosick said in his book, Living Judaism, meditation is wisdom. And, I certainly agree.

Rating:
Summary: The Jewish viewpoint on Meditation
Review: Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan, author of this book, was an orthodox Jew with a rare gift for explaining Jewish mysticism in clear, accurate layperson's terms. When this book first came out, it was a major theological breakthrough, in that it presented an authentically JEWISH view of meditative practices that are hinted at in the Bible. In my opinion, it is required reading for anybody -- Jew or gentile -- who wants to understand how Jews meditate, with authentic references to prove that meditation is kosher.

I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Fine Contribution
Review: The late Aryeh Kaplan was a Rabbi, scholar, and Kabbalist. In addition to his valuable and readable commentaries on Sefer Yetzirah and Sefer Bahir, he wrote three books on meditation. The other two are: "Meditation and Kabbalah" and "Jewish Meditation." From a practical perspective, "Jewish Meditation" is far and away the best, however, reading the other two provides one with a more inclusive, theoretical background and context within which to practice. This volume is quite valuable and a contribution to both meditation per se and to Bible study. I'd put it in the middle of the 3 in value, if forced to choose. It's rare to find an author who is both scholar and practitioner, so Kaplan's books on meditation and on Kabbalah are particularly valuable and accessible to the reader. Of course, they are not introductory books--of which there are innumerable versions in bookstores. It helps to have a solid background in the basics before tackling Kaplan's texts. But it isn't essential." Kaplan's texts are appropriate to both the serious student and the serious practitioner of meditation and of Kabbalah.

Rating:
Summary: "Meditation for Fun and Prophet"
Review: The lore is that Rabbi Kaplan, the author, died at the tender age of forty-six because G-d felt Kaplan had exposed enough of His secrets and decided it was time to recall this particular soldier. This book does nothing to undermine that hypothesis. Rabbi Kaplan, arguably the most prolific, cogent, and accessible of writers on Jewish esoterica and mysticism, explores how the Torah's Prophets used meditation as a tool to foster their prescience. The book also serves as an incisive gloss on aspects of the Torah, explicating the esoteric meaning underlying various elements of it. The section on Psalm 119 alone is worth the price of the book. Kaplan's objective in all of his works is to get at the heart of Judaism, to use the form to understand the substance. Meditation and The Bible is an important part of his oeuvre. Irrespective of one's religion, this book instils the sense that the reader is being let in on secrets of The Bible previously unknown to all except true Initiates, whoever they might be. Add it to your Kaplan collection. If you don't have a collection of his other books, this should inspire you to start one.

Rating:
Summary: "Meditation for Fun and Prophet"
Review: The lore is that Rabbi Kaplan, the author, died at the tender age of forty-six because G-d felt Kaplan had exposed enough of His secrets and decided it was time to recall this particular soldier. This book does nothing to undermine that hypothesis. Rabbi Kaplan, arguably the most prolific, cogent, and accessible of writers on Jewish esoterica and mysticism, explores how the Torah's Prophets used meditation as a tool to foster their prescience. The book also serves as an incisive gloss on aspects of the Torah, explicating the esoteric meaning underlying various elements of it. The section on Psalm 119 alone is worth the price of the book. Kaplan's objective in all of his works is to get at the heart of Judaism, to use the form to understand the substance. Meditation and The Bible is an important part of his oeuvre. Irrespective of one's religion, this book instils the sense that the reader is being let in on secrets of The Bible previously unknown to all except true Initiates, whoever they might be. Add it to your Kaplan collection. If you don't have a collection of his other books, this should inspire you to start one.

Rating:
Summary: Making the propets come alive
Review: This book is full of gems and exposition on some hard to explain versus of the Bible. While most people read the prophets with confusion, Mr. Kaplan sheds some light on some common ground between them with his understanding of Hebraic idioms and command of the language finding links where otherwise there were none. His knowledge of extrabiblical sources is invaluable to understanding the concept and practice of meditation within the Bible. For the complexity inherently contained in this subject, Mr. Kaplan writes in a manner that is easy to follow and understand, yet doesn't leave the reader incomplete. This book is a necessary compliment to his work "Jewish Meditation" and a primer to "Meditation and Kabbalah."

Rating:
Summary: Making the propets come alive
Review: This book is full of gems and exposition on some hard to explain versus of the Bible. While most people read the prophets with confusion, Mr. Kaplan sheds some light on some common ground between them with his understanding of Hebraic idioms and command of the language finding links where otherwise there were none. His knowledge of extrabiblical sources is invaluable to understanding the concept and practice of meditation within the Bible. For the complexity inherently contained in this subject, Mr. Kaplan writes in a manner that is easy to follow and understand, yet doesn't leave the reader incomplete. This book is a necessary compliment to his work "Jewish Meditation" and a primer to "Meditation and Kabbalah."

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Insights from a Jewish perspective.
Review: This book should be read by anyone interested in meditation. Kaplan explores several key Hebrew ideas concering meditation and enterting God's presence. As a Christian, I found his ideas helpful and inspiring.