1998) by Reuven Alpert
Introduction by Bezalel Naor
A good introduction to the world of Habad hasidism. Bezalel Naor’s introduction traces the history and intellectual development of hasidism. Reuven Alpert’s stories provide a glimpse of great Lubavitcher rebbes and hasidim. For those interested in Rav Kook, the book explains both his biological and spiritual kinship to this mystical movement known as the HaBaD (Hokhmah, Binah, Da’at) or Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge School of Hasidism. 190 pp. (50 pp. introduction)
In the Desert–a Vision (Midbar Shur) is Rav Kook’s own record of his derashot or talks over a span of two years, 1894-1896. This book, which should have been the author’s literary debut, is the last of his works to appear in print. The reason for the delay, is that the manuscript disappeared in mysterious circumstances. The book may have arrived a century late; its message is uncannily timely. Beside their visionary quality, Rabbi Kook’s talks are remarkable for their encyclopedic knowledge. A typical derasha will start with a verse in the Torah or passage in the Midrash. From there, Rabbi Kook will weave a rich tapestry encompassing the breadth of Jewish literature: Bible, Talmud, philosophy, and Kabbalah.
183 pp.
Kabbalah and Hasidism juxtaposed to the surrealist art of Marc Chagall.
Working with the model of the medieval bestiary, noted thinker Bezalel Naor explores the depths of human relation by way of a tour de force of Talmudic, Medieval Philosophic, Kabbalistic and Hasidic literature.
The Kabbalah of Relation juxtaposes images of surrealist painter Marc Chagall to ancient kabbalistic texts. Thereby, the texts and images bounce off one another. The images illuminate the texts (quite traditional for medieval manuscripts) and vice versa: the texts illuminate the images! So simultaneously, one has an artistic commentary to the Kabbalah, and a kabbalistic commentary to Chagall’s Surrealist Art.