First published in 1913, &quot;Jewish Mysticism: An Introduction to the Kabbalah&quot; is a succinct exploration that serves as an introduction to the general study of Jewish mysticism. This is a book that is accessible to the general reader, and offers a good background to anyone interested in the Kabbalah or Mysticism at any level.<br /><br />Dr. Joshua Abelson&rsquo;s book is a concise classic on the salient features of Jewish mysticism and its impact on Jewish thought and worship. Based on researches of Jewish scholars, and reinforced by author&rsquo;s acquaintance with Talmudic and rabbinical literature, the book covers Essenism, Merkabah mysticism, the book &ldquo;Yetsirah,&rdquo; &ldquo;Zohar&rdquo; mysticism, the ten Sefirot, the Soul, and more. Abelson puts the Kabbalah into context as the outgrowth of a long-term evolution of Jewish mystical thought, starting with the Essenes and the Merkabah (Chariot) mysticism of the Talmundic era. Abelson explains how neo-Platonism, Gnosticism, Christianity and other currents influenced and were in turn impacted by Jewish mysticism.&nbsp;