Book Report: Local author publishes Kabbalah book

There’s more to Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism based on the Torah) than the Hollywood red-string trend that now seems so late 1990s.

In fact, Kabbalah is an ongoing field of study, dating back to the time of Moses. It’s also the long-time passion of Asheville author Gabriella Samuel who is not only a 30-year student of the spiritual practice, but also the founder of The Asheville School of Kabbalah (ASK).

The classes and workshops available at ASK allow seekers to explore “the deep mystical foundation for both Judaism and Christianity” through ongoing series and one-time events. However, for those looking for an introduction or a companion to individual study, Samuel’s newly published The Kabbalah Handbook (Tarcher/Penguin, 2007) hits shelves on Thursday, Oct. 18.

Press for the book claims it will “fascinate those who are curious about the nature of Kabbalah and prove invaluable to old and new students of its teachings.”

A few lesser-known facts about the study are: Gnosticism, alchemy, Western philosophy, Christian mystics, and the European occult all drew heavily from Kabbalah teachings; people of any age, gender or religion can study it, and Kabbalah practices include meditation, reincarnation, chanting, song and dance, numerology, and dreamwork.

Gabriella Samuel reads and signs The Kabbalah Handbook at Malaprop’s Bookstore and Café on Thursday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.

—Alli Marshall, A&E reporter

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

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