Reviewed by Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein
This intriguing and well-sourced
book is quite an impressive resource for anyone looking to know more about the
Jewish point of view on various supernatural phenomena. It is comprised of
sixteen chapters that touch on such esoteric topics as dreams, reincarnation,
astrology, aliens, magic, and the afterlife. Rabbi Taylor is not out to prove
the veracity of New Age ideas or paranormal curiosities, but rather to show in
an intelligent way how those phenomena are treated in traditional Jewish
sources.
Rabbi Taylor does this by drawing
from a wellspring of wide-ranging Jewish sources. Needless to say, he cites the
pertinent sources in important Jewish works like the Bible, the Talmud, the
Midrashim, and the various Rishonim. Of course, as you would expect,
this book heavily cites from the Zohar and from the writings of the
Arizal's prime student, Rabbi Chaim Vital (1543–1620). But the author also
brings ideas from some less-known Kabbalists, such as Rabbi Shlomo Yosef Del
Medigo (1591–1655), Rabbi Menashe ben Israel (1604–1657), Rabbi Yosef Ergas
(1685–1730), and Rabbi Pinchas Eliyahu Horowitz (1765–1821). Rabbi Taylor even
shows his familiarity with ideas from various contemporary rabbinic figures
including Rabbi Moshe Sternbuch, Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, and Rabbi Shlomo
Aviner, and other controversial Jewish scholars like Gershon Scholem, Alan Brill,
and Shmuly Yanklowitz.
As a Chabad Rabbi (he has a shul
in Florida), Rabbi Taylor’s insights put a special emphasis on the
Chabad-Lubavitch tradition, elaborating on the relevant teachings of the
various Rebbes spanning from the Baal Shem Tov to the late Rabbi Menachem
Mendel Schneerson (1902–1994). Rabbi Taylor touches on other Hassidic schools
of thought, as well, sharing with us several insights from Rabbi Nachman of
Bratslav (1772–1810) and Rabbi Tzaddok HaKohen of Lublin (1823–1900). He also
draws on the Lithuanian (“Misnagid”) tradition in citing from Rav Dessler, Rav
Kook, and the Brisker Rav, as well as the Sephardic tradition, personified by
Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad (1835–1909) and his student Rabbi Yehuda Fatiya
(1859–1942).
Before seguing to what the Jewish
sources have to say on each topic, Rabbi Taylor usually opens his discussions
with a fascinating collection of popular and academic sources about the
phenomena he describes. Some of these accounts are peppered with powerful
anecdotes (like his chapters on near death experiences and on reincarnation).
In other cases, the author provides the reader with some of the requisite scientific
background needed to proper analyze the topics into which he delves.
For example, his discussions
about dreams provide many insights into psychology and questions about
consciousness, while his chapter on astrology is loaded with information about
astronomy and cosmology as well. In fact, this book is not just about
supernatural phenomena, but is also a study on how the great rabbinic scholars
throughout the generations have approached science and scientific inquiry (e.g.,
see the elaborate footnote documenting how the different rabbis weighed in on
Copernicus' theory of heliocentrism).
The author discusses these
various Jewish esoteric traditions in a comprehensive and sophisticated way.
For the sake of intellectual honesty, he even brings differing so-called
“rationalist,” or Maimonidean, positions that reject the existence of demons,
the influence of astrological energies, and the efficacy of magic. Rabbi Taylor outlines the reasons why one
might be skeptical about some of these phenomena and cites scholarly literature
that tries to address the issues that skeptics have raised.
Throughout this fascinating book,
Rabbi Taylor teaches us about the occult and the mystical. He provides relevant
historical tidbits that make his discussions come alive. His ability to
research and explain to us everything there is to know about such creatures as
the Golem, extraterrestrial aliens, angels, ghosts, and evil spirits is very
thorough and quite remarkable. He also explores the significance of such
geographical anomalies as Atlantis and the Bermuda Triangle, while considering
the possibility of a physical location for the Garden of Eden.
From a theological perspective,
Rabbi Taylor’s book is quite inspiring and enlightening as well. When
discussing things like the soul, the astral self, and ESP, Rabbi Taylor reminds
us that there is more to existence than that which can be perceived by our five
senses. Moreover, he makes a point of stressing man’s free will and the
responsibilities that come with it (and showing how this does not conflict with,
say, the belief in astrology). He teaches us how the misuse of magic for
selfish purposes is the hallmark of the dark arts, while the true mystic only
harnesses the power of holiness for selfless goals.
Despite the ostensibly speculative — and thus, controversial — nature of such a study, Rabbi Taylor does not push the envelop in endorsing fringe ideas or conspiracy theories. His book boasts impressive rabbinic approbations from many prominent mainstream Roshei Yeshiva, Rabbanim, and Dayanim. Among those are letters from Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetsky, Rabbi Dr. Yitzchak Breitowitz, Rabbi Zev Leff, and Rabbi Yechezkel Weinfeld. That alone should rouse you to get your hands on this wonderfully-captivating book; plus, you get to learn about all sorts of mysterious and marvelous things.
