The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism

by Geoffrey W. Dennis

"This is a book of husks and sparks, of things lost and then recovered..." So begins Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis in his introduction to this one-of-a-kind encyclopedia devoted to the esoteric in Judaism-the fabulous, the miraculous, and the mysterious. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism presents "lore that can spiritually enrich the life of anyone, Jewish or not, who wishes to understand the mysteries that underlie our universe." Jewish esotericism is the oldest and most influential continuous occult tradition in the West. This comprehensive treasury of Jewish teachings and lore drawn from sources spanning Jewish scripture, Talmud, the Midrash, the Kabbalah, and other esoteric branches of Judaism, is exhaustively researched yet easy to use. It includes over one thousand alphabetical entries, from Aaron to Zohar Chadesh, with extensive cross-references to related topics. The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism includes a complete bibliography and helpful sections such as a quick reference glossary of frequently used terms, notes on Hebrew usage and transliteration, an appendix of illustrations, and a list of abbreviations of traditional sources. For the first time ever, thirty-five hundred years of accumulated secret wisdom, drawn from the wells of a great spiritual tradition, is at your fingertips.   2007 National Jewish Book Award Winner Finalist in the Reference Category Finalist - Jewish Library Association 2007 Book Awards  

Genres: Judaism, Jewish, Religion, Nonfiction, Mysticism, Judaica, Magic

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once upon a time, I read Edward Erdelac's Merkabah Rider series and was bowled over by the awesomeness, the combination of pulp western and Jewish mystacism. After a couple blog interviews with Ed, he tipped me off to this. My wife got it for me for my birthday and I've chewed on it on and off ever since.

The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism is an exhaustive collection of various entries from Jewish myth and it's fascinating. While not something you'd ever want to read cover to cover, it offers lots of interesting morsels. While I initially came for the stuff like Golems and Lillith, I interrupted my wife's reading quite a few times to relate some obscure bit of lore I unearthed. I had no idea how much I'd known of magical traditions originated with the Jews.

It's not a rivetting read but holds a place of honor on my non-fiction shelf next to stuff like Into The Unknown and Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders. I look forward to slowly digesting it over the next thousand years. Four out of five stars.

[Karen Mead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. Even though it's an encyclopedia, I read it all from A to Z until I ran out of book (although not in one sitting; that would have hurt.)

Basically my only complaint with this book is that I wish some of the entries had gone into more detail, but that probably would have defeated the purpose of the work. It's meant to give you an overview of Jewish mysticism, not go super in-depth into any one part of it. Still, I wish some topics, like Kabbalah and all of its aspects, had gotten a more thorough explanation--although it's possible that there is no explanation of that particular topic that I would totally understand. That's just how Kabbalah rolls, or something.

I also wish we'd seen more of Rabbi Dennis' sense of humor; he has a knack for poking subtle fun at the texts without being disrespectful. Though he may have been trying to remain somewhat impartial, to me the best entries in the book were the ones where he seemed to be giving you his personal feelings on the topic.

If you're interest in the myths of Angels and Demons, or the history of myth and magic in general, this is a book you want to have in your library, and you certainly don't have to be Jewish to enjoy it (although knowing some very basic Hebrew helps.) Highly recommended.

[Lilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a turning out to be a fascinating read, I was a bit intimidated and overwhelmed when first I received this book. Jewish Mysticism and the Kabbalah have intrigued me for a while, but at the same time, I’ve kept my distance for numerous reasons. Two reasons being the seemingly Hollywood craze of red bracelets and Pollack books and secondly, the vast amount of information was keeping me from knowing where to start.

From amulets and angels to the zodiac and zombies, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism features over one thousand alphabetical entries. This book is groundbreaking as it is definitely the first of its kind. Never before have we had such a complete culmination of Jewish occult teachings. This book includes the Bible, the Midrash, Kabbalah, as well as other mystical branches of Judaism.

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute godsend when I was writing my research paper. (Ha. Irony not intended.) It was extremely thorough and comprehensive, and considering the subject content, very understandable. I learned things I never knew I never knew from rifling through this book. Normally I only grant five stars to novels that I couldn't put down, but I'm fiving this book out of sheer gratitude.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm doing research for a book I'm working on, and this encyclopedia is solid gold in both breadth and depth. It offers an amazing overview of Jewish mysticism and has been incredibly helpful. If you have any interest in the Kabbalah or related materials, you will find this encyclopedia very helpful.

[Hadassah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love learning something new all the time with this book. I jump around following the bold words that connect the mind to another. I go in with direction but I'm often swept away into a whole other area of the text. I love the Jewish mystical journey!

[Matty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superbly, thoroughly, interesting. Really awesome and fascinating. Reference style.

[Steve Cran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic, and Mysticism by Geoffrey W. Dennis is a comprehensive reference work presented in an A-to-Z format, defining key terms and concepts related to Jewish mysticism as found in texts like the Torah, Mishnah, Talmud, Kabbalah, and Zohar. While not designed for casual reading, this encyclopedia serves as an invaluable resource for those exploring Jewish mystical traditions, opening doors for further research. Its dense, academic style can feel dry and challenging at times, but its depth makes it an essential tool for understanding complex ideas.
The book covers a wide range of topics, from angels and demons to sacred texts and rituals. Below are a few highlighted terms that stood out as particularly fascinating and memorable:
• Angel of Death: Known by names like Malach HaMavet, the Destroyer, or the Angel of the Lord, this figure is responsible for guiding souls to the underworld. Described with varied appearances, from seven dragon heads to the queen of demons, the Angel of Death is sometimes conflated with Satan or the Yetzer Hara (the evil inclination inherent in humanity). It is also distinguished from fallen angels like Samael or Sariel, who led the Watchers.
• Sefer Bahir (Book of Illumination): An influential medieval Kabbalistic text, written in a cryptic, Midrashic style and attributed to early mystics. It introduces concepts like reincarnation and the Sefirot (the Tree of Life), portraying Abraham as an embodiment of the divine attribute of love.
• Cemetery (Beit HaKevorot): Described as a community repository for the dead, the cemetery is considered ritually impure, requiring those who visit to wash afterward. In mystical literature, it is a place where demons and spirits may gather. The encyclopedia also details practices like grave incubation, where a righteous person lies on the grave of a sage or prophet to commune with their spirit, uniting souls to gain Torah insights.
• Devekut: This term refers to a mystical state of communion or clinging to God, achieved through meditative prayer or spiritual exercises. The book includes a prayer for devekut, which praises God’s greatness, wisdom, and dominion over creation, describing luminaries radiating divine brilliance.
These examples reflect the encyclopedia’s depth and utility as a reference. It functions like a dictionary, not a novel or narrative, so don’t expect an engaging, easy read. Instead, it excels as a tool for looking up unfamiliar terms while studying Judaism or delving into its mystical traditions. For anyone researching Jewish myth, magic, or mysticism, this book is an indispensable resource, offering clarity and context for complex spiritual concepts.

[Joseph Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a certain special kind of skill and fortitude to write something this exhaustive and yet to maintain a conversational and loose tone throughout. I don't usually recommend reading an encyclopedia straight through (it can be on a par, masochism-wise, with reading a phone book cover to cover) but Geoffrey Dennis's "The Encyclopedia of Jewish Myth, Magic and Mysticism" is exceptional in many ways.

Entries on everything from sexual taboos to the legends of ancient monsters are included, ranging in length from a single line to multiple pages of text so engrossing the reader sometimes forgets they aren't reading a folk tale. Illustrations and various icons are liberally scattered throughout the book and well-chosen. Some of these I've encountered before, especially those by lithographer E. M. Lilien (his work in "Das Östjudische Antlitz" is worth seeking out even for those who don't speak German), but I greeted seeing these familiar countenances like old friends.

The book places its emphasis rightly on the Books of Moses (the Old Testament for Christian readers), as well as extra-biblical exegesis (called Midrash) but modern arguments, ideas, and even historical events are treated when relevant to the ancient-but-ever-relevant themes dealt with in the pages of this book. Those who want to use the book to teach their kids religious history might want to exercise some caution as the sections dealing with hierogamy are sexual by their very nature. But the paradoxical eroticism at the heart of piety is a familiar enough theme to anyone who has ever read "The Song of Songs." Provided it's treated metaphorically as unity between the mundane and the godhead, it shouldn't be too traumatic for those whose only reading of the Bible has been staid and circumscribed by Sunday school. For grownups (especially students of Religious studies), I can recommend it without reservation or caveat. This one is a true treasure. Highest recommendation.

[Xator Nova]

Leído más que nada para buscar algunas definiciones, particularmente el rol de Eisheth en la mitología hebrea. Incluye mucha información interesante, siendo una de mis favoritas una lista de mujeres más respetadas en la mitología (Ester aparece en la lista, como debe de ser), al igual que una descripción del ciclo de creación y destrucción, algo que no se enseña en otras doctrinas. Parece que la serie Megami Tensei no estaba tan alejada al final del día.

[Vader · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.55

5 star - Perfect
4 star - i would recommend
3 star - good
2 star - struggled to complete
1 star - could not finish

[Celz Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. I had a lot of “Aha!” moments. The information though is a teaser, if you want more info, you could find and read other books about it.

[E.]

This is a reference book and huge, so it's not so much that I read it but that I go to it as a reference manual as in like an encyclopedia

[Mitchell Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough overview of Jewish mysticism and magic.