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Qabalah: Sefer Yetzirah, the "Book of Creation"
Editions of "Sefer Yetzirah"
For many years I've searched for Hebrew versions of "Sefer Yetzirah" (also as "Sefer Yesirah") other than the popular ones used by Aryeh Kaplan and others.
Like most people, I've used Kaplan (and Suarez) versions and relied on their Hebrew script. But, since there are so many variations of this manuscript, it's been difficult to compare their version with any others.
In the 1970s while working at the university library, I came across a yellowing, brittle, Hebrew edition of "Sefer Yetzirah," printed in the late 1880s (1884 Warsaw edition or 1860 Lvov edition, with the major commentaries and two separate versions of the text. All of it was in Hebrew.
I used this text as my main reference over the decades. Since this Polish edition had been the authoritative text of its time, I preferred its Hebrew version.There are differences in words, order and correspondences between Kaplan and this edition.
Until recently, I haven't come across that edition. It is now republished, with the original content and diagrams.
This edition is published by Harav Moshe Tzuriel. The book has 496 pages and hard binding. I bought a copy last year and have used it entirely in my studies. It contains commentaries from Ramak, Ramban, R. Yitzchak Sagi Nahor and R. D'man Akko.
The book contains "Sefer Chomeonei" Shabbati Donnolo's text, a Commentary on Sefer Yetzirah" by Hafari Itzach; "Ma'aseh Berashit", chapters on the 231 gates and more.
When I discovered 30 years later that I could own a brand new reprint I was ecstatic! It completed my "Sefer Yetzirah" collection. Or so I thought until I came across more Hebrew editions. All of these, and other books, are at great prices and even discounted.
Other Hebrew editions of "Sefer Yetzirah" (Yesirah)
Sefer Yetzirah - (Book of Formation)
The first book of Kabbalah ever written. With the most famous commentators. This edition is by Avraham Avinu (Abraham The Patriarch), publisher: Hotzaat Yeshivat HaChayim Ve'Hashalom. It has 215 pages and is also hard binding. More info and sample pages...
Sefer Yetzirah - Ohr Yakar (Ramak)
Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Formation) with commentaries by Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (Ramak) (1522-1570) . [121 pages] Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (Ramban) (1194-1270). [5 pages], Rabbi Yitzchak Sagi Nahor (12th Century). [18 pages], Rabbi Yitzchak D'man Akko. [23 pages]. More info and sample pages...
Sefer Yetzirah / Book of Formation - Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan
The book of creation in theory and in practice. The oldest of all Kabbalistic texts. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Publisher: Samuel Wiser. Language: English. Pages: 398; Binding: Soft. The book of creation in theory and in practice. The oldest of all Kabbalistic texts. Rabbi Kaplan's translation and commentary on this book includes the complete Hebrew text of all versions of this book, a clear commentary with generous commentary and explanation, and in depth discussions of many areas of Kabbalah with clear and lucid explanations and diagrams. More info and sample pages...
Sefer Yetzirah HaShalem [new edition] - (Book of Formation)
A fine new edition of Sefer Yetzirah. This is the edition that is reprinted from the Warsaw edition. By: Harav Moshe Tzuriel | Publisher: Harav Moshe Tzuriel | Language: Hebrew | Volumes: 1 | Pages: 496 | Binding: Hard. More info and sample pages...
Gan Naoul - Rabbi Avraham Abulafia
Commentary on Sefer Yetzirah. Thismanuscript was written by Rabbi Abulafia in the island of Komino near Malta in 1289. 136 pages, hard binding.
Otzar Eden Ganuz - Rabbi Avraham Abulafia
A lengthy commentary on Sefer Yetzirah, and autobiographical material, by Rabbi Avraham Abulafia (currently unavailable)
Quotes from commentaries of famous rabbis, found in works by Kaplan, Scholem and others, were previous impossible to see in the original Hebrew. Now, they are available to the public.
Interested in emailing? bob@emol.org
Bob Zucker. Let me know your interests.
© 2007-2011 Bob Zucker. EMOL.org All rights reserved. No part may be copied, reproduced, republished or
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Most popular and reliable books about "Sefer Yetzirah"
These are the most popular books on Sefer Yetzirah, the Book of Creation (Book of Formation). All of them can be purchased through these links at Amazon.com. Check for free shipping eligibility on some books.
This is the most authoritative text on the study of the "Sefer Yetzirah" or Book of Formation (Book of Creation). Kaplan's explanations are easy to understand and make common sense. A must have manual for anyone ready to decipher this ancient manuscript. Paperback: 398 pages. Publisher: Weiser Books; Rev Sub edition (May 1997). Language: English.
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by R. A. Gilbert (Foreword),
Arthur Edward Waite (Editor, Introduction), Knut Stenring (Translator)
Stenring has made a word-for-word translation from several texts, choosing only those parts which he believed to be authentic. He reveals the text’s secrets in his diagrams, tables, and extensive notes. His "Master Key to the Theoretical and Practical Kabala" is a diagram of the correspondences between the English and Hebrew alphabets and is not found in other translations of the Sepher Yetzirah. Also unique in this translation is Stenring’s assignment of certain tarot cards to the paths on the Tree of Life. Several authors have done this before, but Stenring asserts that he arrived at his correspondences on his own. The introduction by Waite surveys the historical background of the Sepher Yetzirah translations and the import of this foundational Kabbalistic text. About the Author: R. A. Gilbert's foreword provides background information on Waite's interest and involvement with Stenring's translation. Knut Stenring was a Swedish Hebrew scholar. He published this work in 1923.
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by W. Wynn Westcott (Author)
A selection from INTRODUCTION: The "Sepher Yetzirah," or "Book of Formation," is perhaps the oldest Rabbinical treatise of Kabalistic philosophy which is still extant. The great interest which has been evinced of 1ate years in the Hebrew Kabalah, and the modes of thought and doctrine allied to it, has induced me to translate this tractate from the original Hebrew texts, and to collate with them the Latin versions of mediaeval authorities; and I have also published An Introduction to the Kabalah which may be found useful to students. Three important books of the "Zohar," or "Book of Splendour," which is a great storehouse of Kabalistic teaching, have been translated into English by S. L. MacGregor Mathers, and the "Sepher Yetzirah" in an English translation is almost a necessary companion to these abstruse disquisitions: the two books indeed mutually explain each other.
Sepher Yetzirah (Paperback: 48 pages). Publisher: Kessinger Publishing (December 30, 2005). Language: English
Sepher Yetzirah (Kindle) (Format: Kindle Edition). File Size: 226 KB. Print Length: 112 pages. Publisher: Oak Grove (March 20, 2008). Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
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by Charles F. Horne (Editor)
Paperback: 48 pages
Publisher: Kessinger Publishing (December 30, 2005). Language: English
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