Qabalah: Sefer Yetzirah, the "Book of Creation"

Editions of "Sefer Yetzirah"

By R. Zucker

For many years I've searched for Hebrew versions of "Sefer Yetzirah" (also as "Sefer Yesirah") other than the popular ones used by Aryeh Kaplan and others.

Like most people, I've used Kaplan (and Suarez) versions and relied on their Hebrew script. But, since there are so many variations of this manuscript, it's been difficult to compare their version with any others.

In the 1970s while working at the university library, I came across a yellowing, brittle, Hebrew edition of "Sefer Yetzirah," printed in the late 1880s (1884 Warsaw edition or 1860 Lvov edition, with the major commentaries and two separate versions of the text. All of it was in Hebrew.

I used this text as my main reference over the decades. Since this Polish edition had been the authoritative text of its time, I preferred its Hebrew version.There are differences in words, order and correspondences between Kaplan and this edition.

Until recently, I haven't come across that edition. It is now republished, with the original content and diagrams.

This edition is published by Harav Moshe Tzuriel. The book has 496 pages and hard binding. I bought a copy last year and have used it entirely in my studies. It contains commentaries from Ramak, Ramban, R. Yitzchak Sagi Nahor and R. D'man Akko.

The book contains "Sefer Chomeonei" Shabbati Donnolo's text, a Commentary on Sefer Yetzirah" by Hafari Itzach; "Ma'aseh Berashit", chapters on the 231 gates and more.

When I discovered 30 years later that I could own a brand new reprint I was ecstatic! It completed my "Sefer Yetzirah" collection. Or so I thought until I came across more Hebrew editions. All of these, and other books, are at great prices and even discounted.

Other Hebrew editions of "Sefer Yetzirah" (Yesirah)

Sefer Yetzirah - (Book of Formation)

The first book of Kabbalah ever written. With the most famous commentators. This edition is by Avraham Avinu (Abraham The Patriarch), publisher: Hotzaat Yeshivat HaChayim Ve'Hashalom. It has 215 pages and is also hard binding. More info and sample pages...

Sefer Yetzirah - Ohr Yakar (Ramak)

Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Formation) with commentaries by Rabbi Moshe Cordovero (Ramak) (1522-1570) . [121 pages] Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman (Ramban) (1194-1270). [5 pages], Rabbi Yitzchak Sagi Nahor (12th Century). [18 pages], Rabbi Yitzchak D'man Akko. [23 pages]. More info and sample pages...

Sefer Yetzirah / Book of Formation - Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan

The book of creation in theory and in practice. The oldest of all Kabbalistic texts. Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan. Publisher: Samuel Wiser. Language: English. Pages: 398; Binding: Soft. The book of creation in theory and in practice. The oldest of all Kabbalistic texts. Rabbi Kaplan's translation and commentary on this book includes the complete Hebrew text of all versions of this book, a clear commentary with generous commentary and explanation, and in depth discussions of many areas of Kabbalah with clear and lucid explanations and diagrams. More info and sample pages...

Sefer Yetzirah HaShalem [new edition] - (Book of Formation)

A fine new edition of Sefer Yetzirah. This is the edition that is reprinted from the Warsaw edition. By: Harav Moshe Tzuriel | Publisher: Harav Moshe Tzuriel | Language: Hebrew | Volumes: 1 | Pages: 496 | Binding: Hard. More info and sample pages...

Gan Naoul - Rabbi Avraham Abulafia

Commentary on Sefer Yetzirah. Thismanuscript was written by Rabbi Abulafia in the island of Komino near Malta in 1289. 136 pages, hard binding.

Otzar Eden Ganuz - Rabbi Avraham Abulafia

A lengthy commentary on Sefer Yetzirah, and autobiographical material, by Rabbi Avraham Abulafia (currently unavailable)

Quotes from commentaries of famous rabbis, found in works by Kaplan, Scholem and others, were previous impossible to see in the original Hebrew. Now, they are available to the public.