• Highlights the tradition of the Lamed Vav—36 hidden righteous individuals in every generation who sustain the world with acts of kindness

• Relates the Lamed Vav mythos to topics of positive psychology such as meditation, peak-experiences, synchronicity, and higher consciousness

• Provides activities based on the Kabbalah and early Hasidism to enhance your receptivity to Lamed Vav individuals in your life and become a Lamed Vav for others

If you have ever witnessed an act of extraordinary kindness, the sort that seems to come from beyond everyday human experience, perhaps you had an encounter with one of the Lamed Vav. According to Jewish mysticism, these 36 hidden and righteous individuals keep humanity alive through acts of sublime kindness.

Psychologist and professor Edward Hoffman explores this fascinating mythos from its Talmudic origins through the Kabbalah, early Hasidism, and recent appearance in the contemporary world. He examines the esoteric meaning of the number 36 (literally lamed vav) in Kabbalistic lore, as well as the Elijah archetype and its importance in the work of Carl Jung and his brilliant protégé Erich Neumann.

The author develops the notion of Lamed Vav consciousness—a powerful, inborn force for kindness that exists within each of us. He recounts the history of Jewish esoteric thought from its earliest writings and later luminaries including Abraham Abulafia, Rabbi Isaac Luria, and the Baal Shem Tov, founder of Hasidism.

Hoffman provides guided visualizations to enhance our Lamed Vav consciousness by drawing on themes from sacred texts like the Zohar and Jewish folklore, such as Miriam’s Well, Solomon’s Ring, and the Tree of Life. He also shares self-reflection exercises to help us recognize hidden Lamed Vav figures in our daily life and become a Lamed Vav to others by boosting our compassion, empathy, simplicity, playfulness, reverence for nature, and joy.

Edward Hoffman is a licensed psychologist and adjunct associate professor at Yeshiva University in New York City for over 20 years. An award-winning author, his books include Paths to Happiness, The Wisdom of Maimonides, and The Kabbalah Reader and have been translated into over a dozen languages. He lectures widely on psychology and Jewish spirituality throughout the United States and abroad.

Acknowledgments

Introduction: Awakening the Lamed Vav Spark

PART 1
Foundations

1 The Talmudic Era

2 Legends of the Midrash

3 The Hebrew Alphabet as Sacred Code

4 The Sage Abaye: Juggling the Worlds

5 The Rise of the Kabbalah

6 The Radiant Zohar (Book of Splendor)

7 Isaac Luria: Navigator of the Soul

8 The Triumph of Hasidism: The Baal Shem Tov

9 Dov Ber: The Great Maggid (Spiritual Preacher)

10 The Mystic as Storyteller:
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

11 Dov Noy: Rescuing Judaic Folklore

12 The Last of the Just:
Popularizing the Lamed Vav

PART 2
What Is Lamed Vav Consciousness?

13 Why 36?
Encountering the Lamed and the Vav

14 Meeting Elijah

15 Elijah and Jungian Psychology

16 Erich Neumann and the Elijah Spark of
Higher Consciousness

17 The Lamed Vav as an Archetypal Presence

PART 3
Entering the Inner Realm

18 The Ineffable Light of the Ein Sof (Infinite)

19 All Nature Is Incognito

20 Healing with Miriam’s Well

21 The Angelic Book of Raziel

22 The Torch of Deborah

23 The Curtain Beyond Time

24 Sacred Jewels of Guidance

25 The Tree in the House of the World

26 The Angel of Losses

27 Gazing to the Maze Far Below

PART 4
Encountering the Lamed Vav Sparks

28 Awakening your Hands

29 Cultivating your Playfulness

30 Conducting a Spiritual Inventory with the Tree of Life

31On Wings of Song

32 Activating the Sefira of Chesed

33 Getting Wise: The Ring of Solomon

34 Dream Incubation

35 Sailing with Jonah

36 Teachers of the Way

37 Directed Travel for Spiritual Growth

PART 5
Becoming a Lamed Vav

38 The Staff of Aaron

39 Raising Divine Sparks in Your Home

40 Perceiving Synchronicities

41 The Angel of Friendship

42 To Be a Lamed Vav in the Moment

43 Composing Your Kvittel (Spiritual Inventory)

44 Numinous Walking as a Lamed Vav

45 Creating a Lamed Vav Team

Epilogue: A Lamed Vav World

Glossary

Notes

References

Index