The Enneagram and Kabbalah: Reading Your Soul (Second Edition) - Addison, Howard A. Jewish Lights, 2006. 182p. $16.99, paperback. ISBN-10: 1-58023-229-9. ISBN-13: 978-1-58023-229-6. 296.7 Spiritual life—Judaism. Self-perception—Religious aspects—Judaism. Self-actualization (Psychology)—Religious aspects—Judaism. Enneagram. Sefirot (Cabala).

In this expanded and revised edition of his 1998 volume, Rabbi Howard Addison analyzes the Enneagram and the sefirot, two mystical ways of comprehending the world and personality types. Both are diagrams that help seekers understand the wisdom of their traditions and mankind’s personalities.

In Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, the sefirot, as pictured in a symbolic figure of a human being, is the source of every soul and contains ten characteristics including wisdom, greatness, understanding, the awareness of the splendor of God, and righteousness. The Enneagram, originally from ancient and Middle Eastern traditions, is a nine-pointed symbol, divided into three triads. These correlate with aspects of an individual’s personality.

Most of the book is devoted to discussion of the interrelatedness of the Enneagram and the sefirot. Addison mentions that the personality types in the Enneagram are not static and can be affected by adjacent points. In giving details about each symbol, he also refers to biblical heroes who are examples of how they repaired the world through their personality characteristics.

Addison’s book is written for the layperson who has a serious interest in mysticism and meditation as a way to enhance spirituality. A glossary and a list of suggested readings are provided.

Evelyn Pockrass
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
Indianapolis, Indiana