This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ...His En-Soph is simply the Incomprehensible Eternal; the Elohim of Genesis, whose fiats are anthropomorphized. The philosopher assumes first causes, the Kabbalist explains them; the philosopher's forces are blind, directed nobody knows by whom, springing nobody tells whence; the Kabbalist systematically ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ...His En-Soph is simply the Incomprehensible Eternal; the Elohim of Genesis, whose fiats are anthropomorphized. The philosopher assumes first causes, the Kabbalist explains them; the philosopher's forces are blind, directed nobody knows by whom, springing nobody tells whence; the Kabbalist systematically, and, we may add, philosophically, bodies forth a stupendous cosmos, back of which are transcendent spiritual powers emanating from Him, Whom words cannot utter nor mind comprehend; Who is greater than immensity, a Source transcending all thought, all limit, all comprehension; felt, not explained; inexhaustible; the Beginning of all, Himself without beginning. Glad as we should be to hold our ground with our sacred Scriptures and philosophic literature, consigning mysticism to folklore and poetry, our mystic dream is surely not one to be treated with disrespect, as the creation of a morbid imagination. Given a poetical garb, the Kabbalistic Theosophy would throw all other epic tales into insignificance. It is a wondertissue, woven of ethereal woof and warp; light and dark threads interchange therein; chaotic deeps, solar worlds, stars and seraphim, and angels high and low are therein bending to the Universal Will; and man is there derived from the Purest Essence with faith, free will, hope, and intellect to brighten up his way to Him who is the All-in-All. Smile not, friend'; you know not more, but less than our mystic dreamer, of visions sweet, of lofty thoughts and sentiments. He has a heavenly dream; what have you, enlightened as you imagine yourself to be? Either you, too, have a dream or a soul thirsting for sensual pleasure; a spirit heavy as lead. And whither tends your faith? What do you read in the stars, the oceans, and the...
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