Friedrich Weinreb - Roots of the Bible: An ancient view for a new outlook

Why was this book written? This book definitely requires a few words of introduction for it is rather an unusual book. It deals with problems of life, of the world, of the Bible, in a way unknown in publications up to the present. One will look in vain for writings, in any language, containing this matter communicated in this way. This book will, therefore, be a sensation to the interested and understanding reader. The author is well aware of the fact, but on careful consideration has thought fit to communicate to a limited extent this knowledge which has so far not been published and even for the most part forgotten.

The knowledge set forth in this book dates back to prehistoric times; it is definitely no discovery of the authors. It practically got lost, however, in these latter centuries, partly even in the latter millenium, in those circles, too, where acquaintance with it might have been of illimitable significance. With the loss of this knowledge many certainties in regard to the purpose of life got adrift or altogether lost.

Yet the material, fundamental to this knowledge, has remained intact throughout the ages. Not in the form of scrolls hidden in caves or ancient potsherds and parchments retrieved in archeological expeditions. The manner in which it remained intact is much more surprising and imposing: it has been with us all the time, and during the latter centuries even printed many times in numerous books. The only thing is that it has for a long, long time not been recognized as such; the quintessence was overlooked; people simply did not see it; primarily because they had lost the key. It has rarely been more manifest that the gods thinking they could lead the world had eyes but could not see.

Once the key is retrieved, as will appear after perusal of this book, one will realize that regaining this knowledge from the profuse material at hand is a simple and, at the same time, uncommonly fascinating matter easily accomplished in ones lifetime. One will see that regaining it does not depend on endless complicated research, in which subtlety, abnormal penetration or a photographic memory play a decisive part, and that neither screwing up to a special spiritual condition nor application of mystical practices are required. It is nothing except a simple human affair which merely requires normal common sense, besides goodwill and an attitude to life directed towards the real.

By now one will wonder what this mysterious, yet often printed, material is and how it is that the key for understanding such important things got lost.

The material is found in the enormous complex known as ancient Jewish lore. An exact, serious, intellectually justified approach of this tradition proves to lead to astonishing results, to unknown possibilities. Without any exaggeration a new universe may be said to loom up.

This ancient tradition, as any tradition at any time, is based on knowledge of the meaning of life. When the study of this ancient wisdom approaches the domain where the one thing that matters is to penetrate to the ultimate cause regarding the reality of this world, of life and death, it changes its character of typical, general formulations, resulting from mechanical, material and exterior relationships, to that where the single personality, the manner of life, thought and desires of the man facing this tradition, become decisive for the powers of understanding and his mental scope.

The approach of the essential in the world is closely related to the essential in man and because of it has a very personal character. Every man gives expression to the world in a different manner.

Therefore it was an ancient custom merely to transmit this profounder and wider approach from teacher to pupil, taking into account the natural disposition and character of the pupil correctly to understand the greatness and depth of the meaning of life. It required wisdom and restraint on the part of the teacher to impart this to the pupil with regard to the latters personality which under the circumstances formed the maximum. For the reverse of the knowledge of ultimate causes and forces implies a potential, unchecked, immense power over matter. The chances of abuse of this power for the sake of narrow-minded selfish purposes often caused the teacher to limit the extent of the pupils initiation.