Symbols of the Kabbalah: Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives
Symbols of the Kabbalah: Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives (Jason Aronson, 2000) provides a philosophical and psychological interpretation of the theosophical Kabbalah. It shows that the Kabbalah, particularly as it is expressed in the school of Isaac Luria, provides a coherent and comprehensive account of the cosmos, and humanity’s role within it, that is intellectually, morally, and spiritually significant for contemporary life.
In this book, Dr. Sanford Drob articulates the philosophical and psychological ideas that are implicit in such kabbalistic symbols as Ein-sof (the Infinite), Tzimtzum (Divine Contraction), Sefirot (Divine Archetypes), Shevirat ha-Kelim (Breaking of the Vessels), and Tikkun ha-Olam (the Restoration of the World). Dr. Drob shows how contemporary philosophy and psychology enable us to gain insight into the theosophical Kabbalah, and to understand the Kabbalah in a manner that is vitally relevant to contemporary life and thought.
It is the author’s conviction that the theosophical Kabbalah provides a symbolic matrix through which the “ultimate questions” regarding God and the world, and the meaning of human existence, can be provided with satisfactory solutions. Rather than being an antiquated mystical and theosophical system, the Kabbalah provides us with a dynamic conception of God, world, and humanity that encompasses all happening and all things, and which enables us to understand even the daily activities of men and women as vital to the redemption of the world.
Symbols of the Kabbalah is the first comprehensive interpretation of the entirety of the theosophical Kabbalah from a contemporary philosophical and psychological point of view, and the first effort to articulate a comprehensive modern kabbalistic theology. Hardcover, 456 pp.
Online Discussion of the Kabbalah based on Symbols of the Kabbalah:
Review of Symbols of the Kabbalah by Dr. F. J. Weissman appeared in the Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter:
Drob, Sanford L. Symbols of the Kabbalah: Philosophical and psychological Perspectives. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson, 2000. 464 p. $40.00 (ISBN 0-7657-6126-2). Dr. Drob, a philosopher and psychologist, has written several articles about the kabbalah and a very important book, Kabbalistic Metaphors (Jason Aronson, 2000, see review, below), that deepens and extends the ideas found in Symbols of the Kabbalah. Truly an excellent introduction to the world of classical Jewish mysticism, Dr. Drob’s work is based upon a profound study of kabbalistc texts and their great interpreters. Certainly, Dr. Drob’s project, the “new kabbalah”, is not some light weight effort to turn Jewish mysticism into the magical potion of a New Age self-help book. On the contrary, the present book is an excellent preparatory study of kabbalah in our daily life, helping the reader grasp its philosophical and psychological aspects.
Dr. Drob’s knowledge of existing scholarship in his subject area is remarkable and introduces the reader to a broad spectrum of philosophical approaches, from Hassidism to German idealism, from Lurianic kabbalah to psychoanalysis. The book’s style is readable and clear, which is especially helpful considering the deep and abstruse nature of the subject. In providing a synthesis of major Kabbalistic themes, from the Ein-Sof (Infinite-Absolute God) through the tzimtzum (the meaning of creation) on to tikkun olam (restoration of the world), this book presents a whole, unifying concept of the human being, God, and the cosmos. In German we would call it an authentic Weltanschauung, a unique, insightful world view concerning the origin, essence and purpose of finite and infinite being.
Dr. F.J. Weissman, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Symbols of the Kabbalah can be ordered from Jason Aronson Inc., 230 Livingston Street, Northvale, New Jersey 07647 (1-800-782-0015) or by calling toll free 1-800-782-0015. If not available from the publisher you can try Barnes and Noble (type in “Drob” under author search criteria).