Nine and a Half Mystics

Nine and a Half Mystics: The Kabbala Today chronicles Rabbi Herbert Weiner's quest to understand Jewish mysticism through direct encounters with its practitioners and scholars. His travels take him across multiple Jewish communities, where he conducts interviews with prominent figures and observes mystical traditions in practice. The book features conversations with key Jewish mystics and scholars, including the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Dr. Gershom Sholem, and Dr. Martin Buber. Rabbi Weiner documents these meetings while examining how different groups incorporate Kabbalah and mystical elements into their religious lives. For many American Jews in 1969, this work served as their initial introduction to Jewish mystical traditions. The author combines his roles as both participant and observer, recording his experiences while maintaining a scholarly perspective. The book stands as an exploration of the intersection between traditional Judaism and mystical practice, raising questions about the role of mysticism in modern Jewish life. Through his journey, Weiner examines how ancient mystical traditions maintain relevance in contemporary religious practice.

Readers describe this as an accessible introduction to Jewish mysticism and Hasidic thought through Weiner's personal encounters with rabbis and scholars in 1960s Israel. The book offers snapshots rather than a comprehensive study. Liked: - Clear explanations of complex Kabbalah concepts - Personal stories and conversations make abstract ideas relatable - Balanced portrayal of different Jewish mystical traditions - Captures personalities and daily life of mystics Disliked: - Surface-level treatment of some topics - Dated references from 1960s - Limited exploration of women's roles in mysticism - Some sections meander without clear purpose Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (12 reviews) "This gave me a way into understanding Jewish mysticism without getting lost in theory." - Goodreads reviewer "More a travelogue than scholarly work, but that's what makes it memorable." - Amazon reviewer

Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism by Gershom Scholem This foundational text traces the development of Jewish mysticism through history, providing context for the mystical practices and personalities explored in Nine and a Half Mystics.

The Essential Kabbalah by Daniel C. Matt The text presents primary sources from Jewish mystical literature with translations and explanations that build upon the real-world encounters described in Weiner's work.

Spiritual Radical: Abraham Joshua Heschel in America by Edward Kaplan This biography chronicles Heschel's integration of mystical thought into American Judaism, paralleling Weiner's exploration of mysticism in modern Jewish life.

The Way of Man: According to the Teaching of Hasidism by Martin Buber The book examines Hasidic teachings and their application to daily life, expanding on the Hasidic perspectives Weiner encountered during his research.

Opening the Heart of the Cosmos by Thich Nhat Hanh While rooted in Buddhist tradition, this exploration of mystical practice across cultural boundaries mirrors Weiner's journey through different Jewish mystical communities.

🔯 Rabbi Herbert Weiner spent three years traveling through Israel, Europe, and America to gather material for this book, visiting hidden mystics and renowned scholars in their homes and study halls. 🕯️ The book's title "Nine and a Half Mystics" is a playful reference to the traditional belief that in every generation there are 36 righteous people (tzadikim) who sustain the world. 📚 Martin Buber, one of the mystics interviewed in the book, was famous for developing the philosophical concept of "I-Thou" relationships, which greatly influenced modern Jewish spirituality and interfaith dialogue. 🗺️ The book was one of the first mainstream works to document the revival of Hasidic mysticism in post-Holocaust America, particularly in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighborhood. ✨ Published in 1969, this book emerged during a period of growing interest in Eastern spirituality among young Americans, helping to position Jewish mysticism as part of the broader spiritual counterculture movement.