The Bahir: Illumination
An ancient Kabbalistic text
By Aryeh Kaplan
Red Wheel / Weiser: 1980
ISBN: 0877286183
Book Description:
The first book in any language ever to reveal the methodology of the ancient Kabbalists, this is one of the oldest and most important of all ancient Kabbalistic texts. All references, both to manuscripts and printed material are carefully cited, and the complete Hebrew text of The Bahir is included.
Translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. The Bahir is one of the most important of all classical Kabbalah texts. Until the revelation of the Zohar in 13th century Spain, the Bahir was one of the most influential and widely quoted primary source of Kabbalistic teachings. It is quoted in every major book of Kabbalah, the earliest being the Ravad's commentary on Sefer Yetzirah, and it is cited numerous times by the Ramban in his commentary on the Torah. It is also quoted in the Zohar. One of the most important concepts revealed in the Bahir is that of the Ten Sefirot. Also included is a discussion of reincarnation, an interpretation of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, the Thirty-two Paths of Wisdom, the twelve diagonal boundaries, and numbers that play a highly significant role in Kabbalistic study. Part One provides a modern translation of the text. Part Two is Aryeh Kaplan's commentary.
