Editorial Reviews:
The first two volumes of The Zohar: Pritzker Edition, translated with commentary by Daniel C. Matt, cover more than half of the Zohar?s commentary on the Book of Genesis (through Genesis 32:3). This is the first translation ever made from a critical Aramaic text of the Zohar, which has been established by Professor Matt based on a wide range of original manuscripts. The extensive commentary, appearing at the bottom of each page, clarifies the kabbalistic symbolism and terminology, and cites sources and parallels from biblical, rabbinic, and kabbalistic texts. The translator?s introduction is accompanied by a second introduction written by Arthur Green, discussing the origin and significance of the Zohar. Please see the Zohar Home Page for ancillary materials, including the publication schedule, press release, Aramaic text, questions, and answers.
Further information on the Zohar:
Sefer ha-Zohar, "The Book of Radiance," has amazed and overwhelmed readers ever since it emerged mysteriously in medieval Spain toward the end of the thirteenth century. Written in a unique Aramaic, this masterpiece of Kabbalah exceeds the dimensions of a normal book; it is virtually a body of literature, comprising over twenty discrete sections. The bulk of the Zohar consists of a running commentary on the Torah, from Genesis through Deuteronomy. This translation begins and focuses here in what are projected to be ten volumes. Two subsequent volumes will cover other, shorter sections.
The Zohar?s commentary is composed in the form of a mystical novel. The hero is Rabbi Shim?on son of Yohai, a saintly disciple of Rabbi Akiva who lived in the second century in the land of Israel. In the Zohar, Rabbi Shim?on and his companions wander through the hills of Galilee, discovering and sharing secrets of Torah.
On one level, biblical figures such as Abraham and Sarah are the main characters, and the mystical companions interpret their words, actions, and personalities. On a deeper level, the text of the Bible is simply the starting point, a springboard for the imagination. For example, when God commands Abraham, Lekh lekha, Go forth... to the land that I will show you (Genesis 12:1), Rabbi El?azar ignores idiomatic usage and insists on reading the words more literally than they were intended, hyperliterally: Lekh lekha, Go to yourself! Search deep within to discover your true self.
At times, the companions themselves become the main characters, and we read about their dramatic mystical sessions with Rabbi Shim?on or their adventures on the road, for example, an encounter with a cantankerous old donkey driver who turns out to be a master of wisdom in disguise.
Ultimately, the plot of the Zohar focuses on the ten sefirot, the various stages of God?s inner life, aspects of divine personality, both feminine and masculine. By penetrating the literal surface of the Torah, the mystical commentators transform the biblical narrative into a biography of God. The entire Torah is read as one continuous divine name, expressing divine being. Even a seemingly insignificant verse can reveal the inner dynamics of the sefirot?how God feels, responds and acts, how She and He (the divine feminine and masculine) relate intimately with each other and with the world.
Customer Reviews:
Displaying 1 to 5 of 30 total reviews (Page 1 of 7):
 The Zohar:Pritzker Edition Vol 3
Daniel Matt has given us a lovely commentary on many of our favorite stories in Genesis. If you are a student of Kabbalah or simply enjoy a literate presentation of beautiful, ancient scripture, you will thoroughly enjoy this volume. Buy it with confidence. Enjoy! Zohar
This is a fabulous book. There is so much information in it, go slowly
so you can absorb it all. It doesn't get better than this.  The Zohar, not for beginners
I bought this book trying to learn more about the Kabalah. The book is nice on its hard cover, but it is a little hard to understand; specially for a newby like me. I would say that in order to understand the Kabalah's theories is better to look for a teacher o a book not so advanced. The Blueprint for Elevating your Soul
I am currently reading the third volume of the Zohar (by Daniel Matt). It is the most marvelous treasure of knowledge, and if knowledge is power, then I would have to say that the awareness of the mysteries of life explained in such an easy to understand way, is very powerful. I have been pursuing the study of the Kabbalah for about two years now, and although not a formal student studying with a learned rabbi of the ancient sacred texts of mystical judiasm, I do believe that the divine power will present the knowledge to the person seeking it at the appropriate time and in a manner that will allow the seeker to advance the status of his soul. Not only am I catholic, but a woman. That alone doesn't qualify me to learn this information in a formal way. However, my life has unfolded in such a way recently that I became aware of this knowledge and have actively been pursuing it with all my heart. This version of the Zohar (Vol. 3) was the most profound piece of literature I have ever read. I am currently reading the passage about Jacobs death and his bestowal of blessings on Joseph and his children. At the same time, my father died recently and coincidentally I found this part particularly comforting. Coincidence? I think not. I recommend the Zohar to anyone who sincerely wants to understand how the Universe of spirituality works and why we are here. It is a stunning piece of work! I continue to marvel
With this fourth volume, we come into the book of Exodus. I continue to marvel at the way Daniel Matt has opened this text. The extensive footnotes, and exegesis is something that opens the text in a way I have not seen in other 'classic' translations. I am not a Jew, as I have stated before, however I am a student of these writings. The words take on a new life and I get to stand in the company of the travelling companions and 'hear' them as they discourse and unravel thought and logic and their 'understandings'. Of course it is all allegory and a mythical journey, but the words are real. The heart of the text is beating and it beats loudly of a life of learning and interplay in a language we who do not speak it, can only rely upon the translator(s) to bring to our understanding and mind,.. Daniel Matt has done this for me. I remember as a student of classical Greek (which as a course I failed miserably!!!) reading the Loeb Classical edition of the text and translation of Xenophon's Anabasis... As I hunted and pecked through the Greek text, the translation brought to me a world beyond the keen of my mind's realization of the world the 3rd century BCE... a history according to the memoirs of a Greek commander some many years after the fact... So Daniel Matt has brought to light the world of medieval Spain and the Jewish literature of that time. However there are added nuances of the thought and reason that had otherwise escaped me, and now became suddenly so clear! As do the teachings
that lay in between the images and multi-entendre. I hope to be able to continue to marvel and to be able to continue gathering these tomes, and some day pass them on to someone who loves this study as much as I do. (And I must say, "Thank you Daniel, for 'listening'..") More Customer Reviews:
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(30 reviews)
