Gates of Wisdom

"The teachings of an 18th-century rabbi are explored in this hybrid translation, commentary, and reference book. Born in Poland in 1696, Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeshitz's teachings have influenced generations of Jewish scholars, but have been obscured in the public eye due to a lack of translations and his esoteric writing style. After an encounter with Barber, an acclaimed rabbi and motivational speaker, Eybeshitz's descendant Julie Gerber was inspired to produce an English translation of her ancestor's work.This collaboration resulted in the 2021 book Pearls of Wisdom, which offered English readers an unfiltered translation of the rabbi's oeuvre. Recognizing the difficulties that many lay readers may have, Barber offers this sequel, which is a more accessible translation of the rabbi's works.The book begins with a look at Eybeshitz's life and legacy. The bulk focuses on his thoughts on topics that span from angels and divine communication to fish and tefillin. The 112 chapters intersperse translations of Eybeshitz's writings with Barber's commentary. Eschewing precision for accessibility, the author's translation focuses ""more on the spirit and ideas"" of Eybeshitz than ""on a more literal"" approach. Each section ends with a modern-day application of the writings. . . . readers are encouraged to meditate on the teachings and their implications for contemporary life.The author of multiple books on Jewish history and spirituality, who has received Rabbinic Ordination and Judiciary Ordination, Barber merges an expertise on spiritual teachings with a keen eye toward their applicability. For rabbis and academics, this is a sound reference tool, backed by more than 300 footnotes. Alternately, Barber's writing style excels at making the esoteric accessible; he crafts a practical work that will appeal to lay readers. A well-researched, accessible guide to an important but often overlooked Jewish thinker.-Kirkus Reviews A BookLife Reviews Editor's Pick! ""Barber's rich second collection of writings and teachings from 18th-century Rabbi Yehonatan Eybeshitz continues the project of offering the English world its first translations of the work of the storied Kabbalist. . . . Illuminating and engaging, a user-friendly collection . . . more suited to browsing-and more welcoming to non-expert readers eager to make a connection to one of the great experts on Jewish law. . . . Barber's distillations of the rabbi's teaching . . . preserves the richness and power of the original writing, in prose that's scrupulously clear and precise. . . . Barber's helpful additions, clearly marked in italics, continue that spirit of lucidity, at times going beyond explanations to offer compelling fresh examples, [and] surprising connections (he draws on Mark Twain in the excellent chapter on Israel). . . . An inviting collection of insights and teachings from a great 18th-century rabbi, freshly translated into English."" Production grades: Cover: A-, Design and typography: A, Editing: A, Marketing copy: A -BookLife Reviews"