Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz was and still a source of inspiration to me, to my family and to my friends.
Do not look upon him as simply a Jewish scholar, because he is much much more than that. He is a man for all seasons; a man of goodness, intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom. A philosopher, a teacher, a mentor and a pillar of our civilized world.

His wisdom, and his teachings enriched our hearts and minds. This book reveals the multiple aspects and facets of this great man. The Rabbi's books are always rich with stories that come directly from the heart and a brilliant mind.

Scholar, teacher, mystic, scientist, and social critic, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz is regarded as one of the greatest rabbis of this century and hailed by Time as a "once-in-a-millennium scholar."

In the United States, he is best known for his monumental translation and commentary on the Talmud. He has been a resident scholar at Yale University, the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton, and the Woodrow Wilson Institute in Washington, D.C. Rabbi Steinsaltz has founded a network of educational institutions and outreach programs in the United States, Israel, Great Britain, Australia, and the former Soviet Union.

He is the author of hundreds of articles and more than 60 books, including We Jews: Who Are We and What Should We Do?, which was issued by Jossey-Bass earlier this year. He has been featured on Good Morning America and National Public Radio, and in publications such as People and Newsweek.

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz was and still a source of inspiration to me, to my family and to my friends.
Do not look upon him as simply a Jewish scholar, because he is much much more than that. He is a man for all seasons; a man of goodness, intelligence, knowledge, and wisdom. A philosopher, a teacher, a mentor and a pillar of our civilized world.

His wisdom, and his teachings enriched our hearts and minds. This book reveals the multiple aspects and facets of this great man. The Rabbi's books are always rich with stories that come directly from the heart and a brilliant mind.

Scholar, teacher, mystic, scientist, and social critic, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz is regarded as one of the greatest rabbis of this century and hailed by Time as a "once-in-a-millennium scholar."

In the United States, he is best known for his monumental translation and commentary on the Talmud. He has been a resident scholar at Yale University, the Institute for Advanced Studies at Princeton, and the Woodrow Wilson Institute in Washington, D.C. Rabbi Steinsaltz has founded a network of educational institutions and outreach programs in the United States, Israel, Great Britain, Australia, and the former Soviet Union.

He is the author of hundreds of articles and more than 60 books, including We Jews: Who Are We and What Should We Do?, which was issued by Jossey-Bass earlier this year. He has been featured on Good Morning America and National Public Radio, and in publications such as People and Newsweek.

The introductory chapter Worlds speaks about the vast system of worlds that interacts with ours, explaining that every aspect of human existence consists of both matter and spirit. The world of action is one in a general system of four dimensions called emanation, creation, formation and action. The nature and missions of angels are examined, those who have existed from the beginning and those that are created through mitzvot. Chapter 2, Divine Manifestation, deals with continuous creation through the divine power. The Sefirot, their names and their qualities are explained. In many ways the order of the Sefirot is mechanical although the individual may cause alterations in their operation and pattern. Ultimately the relationship to the Divine is individual.

Next the concept of the Soul is explored. Each individual soul is special and unique and made up of a particular combination of different Sefirot from various dimensions. There are also different levels to the soul and it strives ever to return to its source. Chapter 4 discusses holiness with reference to the architecture of the Temple. Holiness is manifested in place and time: the hours of the day, days of the week and cycles of the month and year. The significance of holy days in this system of time is also discussed here.

The relation between Torah and the world is that of idea and actualization. Torah shows one how to relate inwardly and how to behave outwardly. The Torah regulates the whole of life, serving as a type of blueprint. The sacramental body of Knesset Israel is the inner content and closely tied to the essential holiness of the world. Israel is the priesthood of the earth with great responsibilities. Chapter 7, The Human Image, explores the prohibition against idolatry, with interesting remarks on the nature of the Hebrew language which prefers figurative and symbolic terms above abstractions. Thence the plethora of anthropomorphisms in the Bible.

Symbols are significant to every reality of existence. There is meaning in colors and their relationships, flowers and fruits, types of living creatures, kinds of plants and minerals. The central Sefirah of Tif'eret stands for the concept of beauty and is a harmonious blend of elements such as beauty, truth and compassion. The author next deals with the concept of repentance which embraces a variety of ideas fundamental to the existence of the world. It is a primordial phenomenon with two meanings, embedded in the root structure of the world and was established as an option for mankind before it was created. Repentance allows an ascendance even over time, and denotes return, turning about and response. Not just a psychological phenomenon, it effects real change in all dimensions. This is a most comforting thought.

The Search For Oneself is the subject matter of chapter 9. This is a search which cannot be compartmentalized philosophically, psychologically or scientifically. It is a process of both the individual seeking itself and God seeking man. The system of mitzvot is the design of coherent harmony, manifesting in prayer and blessing, modes of conduct at specific times, dietary regulations and relations to others. Steinzalts also discusses the Halakhah here, which is a formal structure that defines the order of mitzvot. The purpose of this system is to refrain from harmful actions and to act with the intention of improving the order of life.

Prayer, an activity blending the inner & the outer, is analyzed with reference to communal and private worship, its institutionalization, fixed schedules, the soul's need of it, preparation, concentration, study and as a service of the heart. Chapter 12 is an additional note on the Kiddush ritual. Chapter 13 concludes the book. It is an in-depth look at the Patach Eliyahu, the second introduction to the Tikkunei Zohar. First the full text is provided, and then every sentence is analyzed and discussed. This is a most beautiful and thought-provoking study and includes an illustration of the Ten Sefirot.

The Thirteen Petalled Rose is not an easy read nor immediately accessible. It requires concentration and reflection to digest the wealth and profundity of Steinsaltz' kabbalistic interpretation. Understanding this classic of mysticism requires real effort and persistence but it is well worth it. I have found that the book illuminates and explains many aspects of spirituality and cosmology that I have not previously been able to reconcile or conceive of in total. As such it provided very valuable integrative knowledge.

Other works on Jewish mysticism that I have found to be illuminating: Zohar: Annotated & Explained by Daniel C Matt, The Essential Zohar: The Source of Kabbalistic Wisdom by Rav P S Berg and The Truth Behind the Bible Code by Jeffrey Satinover.

spirituality is hard to expose in the physical word, but it is there and Rabbi Steinzaltz has been able to translate his experience and complex knowledge into a language that is within reach. OK some of the material would be out of reach for the beginner but there is something here for everyone.

Allow me to spark your curiosity as to
how truly insightful and provocative this book is:

First paragraph of the first page:

"The physical world in which we live.
the objective observed universe around us,
is only a part of an inconceivably vast system of worlds.

Most of these worlds are spiritual in their essence;
they are of a different order from our know world.

Which does not necessarily mean that they exist somewhere else,
but means rather that they exist in different dimensions of being.

What is more, the various worlds interpenetrate and interact
in such way a way that they can be considered counterparts of one another,
each reflecting or projecting itself on the one below or above it,
with modifications, changes, and even distortions
that are the result of such interactions.

It is the sum of this infinitely complex exchange of influence back and forth
among different domains that comprises the specific world of reality
we experience in our everyday world."

And, near the end of the book:

"When a man [or woman] learns that just as he broods over himself
so does God yearn for him and looks for him,
[she] is at the beginning of a higher level of consciousness.

From this moment he can begin to follow
the guiding strings that are leading him,
usually with enormous toil and labor, toward the focal point of himself.

For in truth it is not one question with two sides
but a meeting place of two questions,
that of man seeking himself and of God seeking man.

Together they can approach a solution of the problem of man's existence.
And in the search for this solution, within this desperate exploration,
this going after God, man will rediscover himself
as well as the definition of his particular being."

...

In between these two paragraphs there are numerous mystical insights
for those who long for spirit-rich dwellings for their souls that are
altogether hospitable and caring, nurturing and grace-full!

This was the first book that I read from Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. After reading this book I quickly bought the following books by Rabbi Steinsaltz: "A Guide To Jewish Prayer", "We Jews: Who Are We and What Should We Do?", "The Miracle of the Seventh Day", etc... I not only found my Jewish Soul with the help of these wonderfully written and soul-inspiring books, but I discovered the Joy of Shabbos, the restoration of the soul through Jewish prayer, and a stronger relationship with G-d. The "Thirteen Petalled Rose" is a must for all Jews, and it is an easy read for all Christians who wish to learn more about the Jewish Soul, the Essence of Jewish Existence and Belief.

It's a shame Amazon's book description goes for the flash. There's a difference between the modern, mass-marketed, Hollywood Kabbalah and the genuine article. In fact, Rav Steinsaltz himself described the difference between them as "the relationship between pornography and love- pornography is intrinsically soul-less, and doesn't have any obligations attached. It's just using externals. [Popular Kabbalah and pornography] are doing exactly the same thing."