The Thirteen Petalled Rose

A world-renowned scholar of Jewish theology guides readers through the teachings of Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish mystical tradition.

For decades, The Thirteen Petalled Rose has guided readers through the fundamentals of kabbalah, the esoteric Jewish theological system that deals with the relationships between man, Torah, the Commandments, and God. Its title is taken from the opening of the classic Jewish text on mysticism, the Zohar, and refers to the “collective souls of the Jewish people,” which scholars have likened to the fullness of a rose. As Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz puts it, “kabbalah is the official theology of the Jewish people.”

In concise, readable prose, Rabbi Steinsaltz opens up the world of kabbalah, inviting readers of any background to explore this profound spiritual tradition. He renders complex Kabbalistic concepts intelligible, addressing profound topics like holiness, divine revelation, the soul, ethics, and prayer. The result is a timeless work of theological wisdom beloved by generations of readers.

• “Steinsaltz possesses a mind of the quality that occurs perhaps once or twice in a generation, or several generations . . . In [The Thirteen Petalled Rose] one can encounter the classical Jewish mystical view of reality, delineated lucidly, concisely, profoundly and, what is so rare, believingly. It is an utterly authentic expression of Judaism yet so unknown even among the well-informed and therefore so necessary, so welcome.“
  Hebert Weiner, author of Nine and A Half Mystics: The Kabbala Today
• “This truly new work of theology provides answers with which contemporary men may renew their connection with the God of their fathers.”
  Judaica Book News