Dreams of Being Eaten Alive: The Literary Core of the Kabbalah

by David Rosenberg

A literary analysis of the origins of Kabbalah reveals the complex web of storytelling, tradition, and mysticism contained in this revered sacred practice. Reprint. 10,000 first printing.

Genres: Religion, Jewish, Nonfiction, Judaism, Spirituality

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

David Rosenberg is an American poet, biblical translator, editor, and educator. He is best known for The Book of J (with Harold Bloom) and A Poet's Bible, which earned PEN Translation Prize in 1992. The Book of J stayed on The New York Times bestseller list for many weeks.

Reviews

[Carrie Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

* I wouldn't recommend this as an introductory book on Kabbalah. I have a degree in religious studies; without that background I would have been lost. *

This beautiful little book has made its way to my top shelf. Mind-blowing connections between Kabbalah and frontier ecology. I'm not sure how Rosenberg saw this clearly enough to weave such satisfying thoughts.

[Jameson]

"Now watch closely. A dream must be interpreted, or else it remains an unread letter.... Forget a dream and no enrichment from its interpretation will come to you." --Michael Joseph Gross

[Tabitha Ransonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written and thought provoking. As my first real experience with a text related to the Kabbalah I quite enjoyed it. This book is definitely something I will pick up again throughout my spiritual studies.

[Stella Kydd · Rating 5 out of 5]

If any of you give a damn about what I read, go read this book. !t's a magical romance, truly it is.

[Nicole Bergen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating wild ride. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but whatever it was, it wasn’t this!

[Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just to religulous for me. I keep trying to go back and read more objective books on religion, trying to keep an open mind. But I get annoyed very early on. The fact that I seldom give up on a book only made it worse. I respect some of the approaches, but the ideas are built on nonsense.

[Sue Lipton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Like Antoinette, I really want to read and understand-about kabbalah. Maybe this wasn't the "right" intro.