Chasidic Masters: History, Biography, Thought

Great overview of key founding figures of Hassidism, historical background, bios, key teachings/quotes. Most racking too highly spiritual for me. Only two really resonated, but t his is not a problem of the book.

I sent this book to my son in Israel at his request. He was really pleased to receive it. He said that it is the sort of book that you 'dip into' rather that reading it from cover to cover.

Excellent book. Must read if you want to learn from a master about the Chasidic masters.

excellent conditon!

Had to go to Ebay to find out how many pages ! (My public service here). I Love Aryeh Kaplan, haven't bought this book yet, but I had to put stars to leave a review. I doubt I would ever leave less than 5 stars on any of his books.

This is a very fine presentation of the various leading Chasidic masters including their teachings. It is far better than the more well known works of Elie Wiesel or even Martin Buber's exhaustive text. I believe Buber is a mystic, but Kaplan was a practicing Kabbalist. He brings his meditative orientation (see his 3 books on Jewish Meditation) and mystical analysis talents (see his commentaries on Sepher Bahir and Sepher Yetzirah) to bear in his writings and perspective. My favorite quote from this book is: "Secluded personal prayer (Hitbodedut) is the best and highest level of worship...Such prayer should be in the language that you normally speak" from Rabbi Nachman of Breslov's Likutey Moharan Tanina 25 quoted on page 108 of Kaplan's book.

fair

VERY GOOD, EXECELANT BOOK!