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"Sefer Yetsirah
and Jewish Mysiticsm Time Line
Compiled by Robert Zucker (c) All rights reserved.
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The history and origins of the manuscript "Sefer Yetzirah" is unknown prior to the beginning of the 1st Century AD.
The original "Sefer Yetzirah" is believed to have come from the "Oral Law" which the Lord gave to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Moses was said to have received the Oral Law along with the Written Law, according to Jewish tradition.
In several manuscripts it is called "Otiyyot de-Avraham Avinu." the "Sefer Yetzirah" possiblitility The attribution to R. Akiba appears in the 13th century onward, derived from the late Midrash "Otiyyot de-Rabbi Akiva." (Scholem, "Kabbalah," p. 28)
Qabalah, the "Oral Law," was passed from mouth to ear generation after generation until it was finally written down by Abraham, the patriarch. He is considered the original author of the "Sefer Yetzirah" who wrote the book upon his conversion from idol worshipper to the religion of the True Gd.
The Letters of Abraham the Patriarch
 According to a statement in "Rokeah (Hasidut Zakuyyut 'Arum)," at age 48, Abraham was moved by the deeds of the generation of the Tower of Babel to reflect on Gd and the universe. He first studied for three years by himself,. Afterwards, by the command of Gd, he was taught by Shem, until he became so wise he composed the "Sefer Yetzirah".
Then Gd appeared to him, took him unto Himself, kissed him, called him His friend, and made a covenant with him and his descendants forever. ("Legend of Jews", Ginsburg, 210 "Sefer Yetzirah" 6.)
The "tradition" (Qabala) was then passed down orally to his sons, then to:
- Jeremiah, who passed it on to
- Joseph b. Uziel, who passed it to his son,
- Ben Sira who passed it to his son, Uziel.
- It was transmitted until the sages of Jerusalem put it to writing at a time when the Jews were at a period of destruction, sometime in the first or second century AD.
1st Talmudic Passage
 The first mention of the creation of a golem, or an artifical being, is found in the Babylonian Talmud passages of Sanhedrin 65b, Sanhedrin 66b, tratsie Erubin, p. 63.
"But, alas, your iniquities have separated between you and your Gd."
Sandhedrin 65b, in reference to Isaiah 59:2, LIX.2. This section is preceded by a discussion on ba'al ob and conjuring the dead to foretell the future.
"Raba said: If the righteousness desired it, they could [by living a life of asbolute purity], be creators, for it is written, 'But your iniquities have distinguished between, etc.' (ed. ibid to above quote. Raba understands mabadilim in the sense of "draw a distinction."
2nd Talmudic Passage
"For Rava once created a man (ed. by means of "Sefer Yetzirah"*) and sent him to Rav (Z'era) Zira (Zeira) (Sira??) Rabbi Z'era spoke to him, but received no answer. The man, being unable to reply when spoken to, the Rabbi said to him,
'Thou art a creature of the company (initiated in the mysteries of necromancy) (ed. in Sanhadrin "magicians") ("You are [coming] from the Pietists] return to thy dust.' "
Follow the timeline year by year of the development of Sefer Yetzirah:
2007 R. Zucker. Copyright. All rights reserved. These contents cannot be reproduced, distributed, posted or stored without the authors permission. EMOL.org
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Rare Qabalah Books
Includes Several versions of Sefer Yetzirah in Hebrew; Raziel HaMalach and others!
A new collection of Kabbalah books from Abulafia, Luria, Luzzatto and more; several types of Sefer Yetzirah in original Hebrew with the original commentaries; and other great books, software and Judaic gifts. Visit Nehora.com - Jewish Books.
Sefer Yetzirah- (Book of Formation) Find several hard back editions. The first book of Kabbalah ever written. With the most famous commentators in Hebrew.
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 (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...
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...
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...
Commentary on Sefer Yetzirah. Thismanuscript was written by Rabbi Abulafia in the island of Komino near Malta in 1289. 136 pages, hard binding.
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"Sefer Yetzirah"
"The Book of Formation" or "The Book of Creation"
By Aryeh Kaplan
The authoritative English text on the study of the "Sefer Yetzirah" or Book of Formantion (Book of Creation). Kaplan's explanations are easy to understand and make sense. A must have manual for anyone ready to decifer this ancient manuscript.
• Paperback: 398 pages
• Publisher: Weiser Books; Rev Sub edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
Book of Formation
or Sepher Yetzirah: Attributed to Rabbi Akiba Ben Joseph
Author: Knut Stenring
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