The Light Beyond: Adventures in Hassidic Thought

Plot

Aryeh Kaplan was one of the great Torah teachers of our generation. He was a pioneer in the teaching of Hasidism, and also in the teaching of Jewish Meditation, Kabbalah, Bretzlav Hasidism and much much else.
In this work he brings us Hasidic teachings, and primarily the teachings of Hasidism's founder 'The Baal Shem Tov' on a wide variety of subjects.
In writing of the relation of Kabbalah and Hasidism he says,
" In many ways Hassidism was a logical extension of the Kabbalah - but with an important difference. While Kabbalah brought man to God, Hassidism brought God to man. Kabbalah raised the initiate to the upper worlds, offering him a glimpse of the Holy Domain , along with its angels, emanations, vessels and luminations. Hassidism, on the other hand, did just the opposite. It brought the Heavenly Domain down to man, showing him the type of life and dedication that it predicated. The Biblical lesson," Know Him in all your ways", became a watchword of the Hassidic world. "
There are chapters on God, Creation Man,Israel and the Torah, Faith Love and Reverence, Meditation and Prayer, The Commandments,Torah Study, The Sabbath and Holy Days,Life and Society, Sin and Repentance, Divine Providence, The Ultimate Future.

Along with the writings of the Baal Shem Tov which make up over half the text there are other works from the other great master of Hasidism that tell about the Baal Shem Tov's teachings. There is the ' Kedushat Levi' and ' Degel Machane Ephraim' and 'Keter Shem Tov' There are passages from 'Noam Elimelech' and 'Midrash Pinchas' and 'Avodat Yisrael'.

There is a whole world of Judaism in this work. It could not be more highly recommended for uplifting the Soul in the worship of Hashem.