The Tampa Tribune - March 3, 2002
This enjoyable and educational book explores the symbolism behind the Aleph Beit, the Hebrew Alphabet. Author Seidman comes from a varied background, having seriously studied both Zen Buddhism and Jewish mysticism. This background serves him well in this endeavor. Seidman writes: “For each letter is an archetype and each letter is a koan and each letter is a dream and each letter is a poem.” Each chapter investigates a single letter, covering its history, meaning and symbolism. Seidman provides the basis of a “meditation” through his discussion, trying to lay the foundations for “unusual insight or intuitive perception” that may emerge from such a meditation. A set of cards displaying the letters (one letter per card) is also provided to facilitate contemplation. Readers of all world views should find this book to be spiritually rich.