Lamed Vav and the Power of Mystical Kindness

Explore the Lamed Vav mythos in the Kabbalah, early Hasidism, and Jewish folklore

• 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.