The Elucidated Tomer Devorah 2

Of all the works of the Arizal’s teacher, the holy Rav Moshe Cordovero, Tomer Devorah is the best known, most easily understood, and most clearly practical.

In The Elucidated Tomer Devorah, Rabbi Shmuel Meir Riachi relates these teachings, based upon deep concepts of Kabbalah, in a language and style appropriate for our times, and makes them accessible to everyone. Drawing upon Rav Cordovero’s own commentary to the Zohar and his other important works, such as Pardes Rimonim, he provides context and meaning to the author’s often enigmatic words. Works of other authors are referenced in the footnotes, adding further illumination to the sefer’s message.

The first volume in this series clarifies the first chapter of Tomer Devorah, which examines Hashem’s Thirteen Attributes of Mercy and reveals the highest levels of interpersonal relations for us to follow. Due to that volume’s wide popularity, Rabbi Riachi has now elucidated in this second volume the remaining chapters of Tomer Devorah, dealing with the ten Sefiros. It teaches us how to develop ourselves day by day, hour by hour, and not necessarily in response to external situations. Here we learn about the spiritual symbolism behind the different parts of the physical body, and how we can use each part of the body in a way that parallels the Divine Attributes of Keser, Chochmah, Binah and so on.

The Divrei Chaim, Rav Chaim Halberstam of Sanz, stated that all who learn Tomer Devorah will be saved from serious illness.

It awakens our hearts to correct our middos, and as a result, we awaken the corresponding Attributes of Heaven to shine upon the world with great material and spiritual blessing.

This sefer advances love of Hashem, love of fellow Jews, and perfection of one’s middos.

Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein