The Way of God

Like my review title says this book will tell you everything Judaism believes from beginning to end and everything in between. It is a must! It's just as important to have as a good Torah to read and study with.

Aryeh Kaplan in his introduction to this volume says that Ramchal's 'The Way of God' is one of the few works, along with that of Saadia Gaon's and Yosef Albo's that present a systematic exposition of the principles of Judaism. He says that the Ramchal was a thinker who connected everything with everything else. He also tells his life story, and its tragic ending of a plague in Acre in the Holy Land at the age of thirty- nine. This after he has gone from his native Italy where as a young man he wrote his great works, and then to Amsterdam and to the Holy Land. This work is less known than his Musar Sefer 'Mesilat Yesharim' which is a fundamental treatise in most Yeshivot in learning Jewish ethics. But this work has a very clear and orderly presentation of principles. The Hebrew text is on one side, and Kaplan's English translation on another. And it makes for an attractive volume. An example of the Ramchal's teaching follows. " Our sages also ordained blessings before the observation of various commandments, in order to make them all the more significant. We thus thank God for choosing us and giving us such great means of self- rectification. Through these blessings, the observance is elevated still more. As a result of the blessing , God also helpsthe individual fulfill the particular commandment completely. For this is the way things operate: Theamount of help that one receives from God depends on the degree to which he motivates himself toward God, whether, itis to a greater or lesser degree. Thisis true with respect to every possible act, whatever it may be. When one trusts in God, happy is he!

It is hard to think of a more clear-headed introduction to the mechanics of the (Jewish) world than Derech Hashem. I found the author's sweeping, systematic approach electrifying. One of the main assets of the book is its extensive footnotes, through which it is worth to flip back and forth throughout reading. The discussions of the "Generation of the Separation" and how the Jewish nation has a different relationship with G-d than other nations are priceless. I came upon this book fairly late in my study (i.e. after Torah and Gemara), but am thrilled to have found it. Vitally important.

Although Compact, this little book, when studied, is for someone who wishes to obtain an overall summary of Judaism, and what its fundamental beliefs are. It is concise, to the point, and will leave you with an in-depth insight into the way Judaism works, and every major detail from belief in G-d, how prophecy works, what is judaism's perspective on man, life-purpose, resurrection, re-incarnation, as well as holidays and prayer. Although simple in its form. Its an analysis is straight to the depth of Judaism, and although probably one of Luzzato's less complicated works, still can be a powerful tool in realising your potential. The work is written for a Jewish audience, and some-one new to Judaism, will find the beginning sections mediocre, but methodical. converts to Judaism might find the book intense but helpful, but it is best to study this book with a Competant Orthodox Rabbi. the Torah Classics Library is a Feldheim best. They bring classical works to the non-Hebrew speaking public. This is worth every cent, and remains one of my best books. For those entering into Kiruv (outreach), this is *the* book to get, it answers all the fundamental questions that baal-teshuvas ask, clearly and concisely. The beauty is that it is a classical work, written by one of the greatest Jewish kabbalists (Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato - the Ramchal - 16th Century) and Talmudists of his age, and perhaps even all time !!

When I first began teaching Kabbalah I was looking for an accurate text that we could study from. This wonderful work does exactly that. Originally written by Rabbi Luzzato, a master Kabbalist (d.1746), it was translated into English by Rabbi Kaplan. As is common with Rabbi Kaplan's work, his translation is accurate and flows beautifully reflecting his mastery of the subject.