Wisdom of the Zohar

The Zohar is the fundamental work of Jewish mysticism. Isaiah Tishby’s classic and definitive Wisdom of the Zohar makes the world of the Zohar available to the English-speaking reader in all its complexity and poetry.The extended extracts are arranged by topic, each section being prefaced by introductory explanations and accompanied by copious notes. There is also a General Introduction on the complex symbolism of the Zohar and on its historical and literary background.The scholarly value of David Goldstein’s acclaimed translation is enhanced by an index expanded to include references to passages cited in the introduction and notes, and by the addition of a subject index and an index of biblical references.Isaiah Tishby was awarded the Bialik Prize 1972, the Israel Prize 1979, and the Rothschild Prize 1982, mainly for his work on The Wisdom of the Zohar. David Goldstein was awarded the Webber Prize 1987 for this translation.

‘We thought we had understood the Zohar but Tishby showed us the mystical level, and we never read the Zohar the same way again. . . . Now the splendour of the Book of Splendour is available for all to see. The masterful work of Tishby has been complemented by a masterful translation by Goldstein. . . . This work is a solid step into a substantial and new view of what religion is about; it should be a part of every scholarly library, in religion as well as in Jewish studies.’ - David R. Blumenthal, Journal of the American Academy of Religion, ‘. . . extensive and erudite introductions to every section of this magnum opus . . . [Tishby’s] introductory essays, as well as his annotations to the passages in these three volumes, demonstrate his vast erudition and comprehension of Kabbalistic theology and literature and thereby introduce the reader into the realms of Kabbalah hitherto inaccessible except to a coterie of scholars. The comprehensive bibliography, select glossary, an index of references to the Zohar, as well as an index of Scriptural references to the texts of this anthology, enhance our appreciation of this tour de force which deserves to adorn the bookshelf of the intelligent layman and the serious student.’- S. B. Leperer, Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, ‘Excellent English translation . . . We are presented not only with the best available English translation of large sections of the Zohar but with an extensive, informed running commentary . . . a brilliant introduction that situates the Zohar in its historical and theological context . . . with an extensive, informed running commentary that for the first time really makes the arcane, esoteric, Zoharic text available. In addition Tishby has provided an excellent introduction . . . Every library of any size and quality should add this work to its collection.’- S. P. Katz, Choice, ‘In many ways the crowning achievement of the Littman Library.’- Samuel H. Dresner, Conservative Judaism, ‘An indispensable guide . . . stylishly and accurately translated . . . The bewildering diversity of the Zoharic literature is made manageable by the arrangement of the most important passages as an anthology under subject headings, while the lucid notes and introductions to each section by Isaiah Tishby throw light on even the most obscure passages.’- Hyam Maccoby, European Judaism

Isaiah Tishby was Emeritus Professor of Philosophical, Mythical, and Ethical Hebrew at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem until his death in 1992. He was awarded the Bialik Prize 1972, the Israel Prize 1979, and the Rothschild Prize 1982, mainly for his work on The Wisdom of the Zohar. David Goldstein, late Curator of Hebrew Books and Manuscripts at the British Library, was awarded the Webber Prize 1987 for this translation shortly before he died.