The Zohar

Translating a work as intimidating as the Zohar is an intimidating task, and there is no perfect way to do it. But I find this translation to be particularly lacking. Berg translates Aramaic technical-theological terms according to his own idiosyncratic interpretations, which frequently differ from the vast majority of Jewish kabbalists. Furthermore, the text interweaves translation and exegesis in a way that is only sometimes clearly demarcated and in al cases intrusive. Readers with no training in Aramaic will be unequipped to correctly distinguish between which parts of the text are original to the Zohar and which are Berg’s interpolations, and those who have training in traditional kabbaistic traditions will find many translation decisions unusual and confusing. This is still the most accessible English translation of the Zohar available for free to the public, but that is more a testament to the generally poor quality of other free translations than to the merits of this translation. Interested readers willing to part ways with no small chunk of change should instead invest in a set of Daniel Matt’s academic translation of the Zohar published for the Pritzker Edition. Hopefully some day Sefaria will get the rights to distribute that translation and readers will no longer rely on the Kabbalah Center for a competent and easily accessible English translation. Translation aside, the audio is excellent, and is the main reason I will be keeping this app. The reading is fluent, crisp, and captures well the Zohar’s musical and rhythmic qualities. Even when I dislike the translation, the Aramaic oration is very beautifully performed and deserves high praise. The user interface is inviting, pleasant, and easy to navigate.

Thank You to Michael Berg first for writing the book "The Zohar". It has been a blessing to me. While I have pushed my self to read the Zohar Im not sure that there are many people who like to read something they dont understand 100%. I kept on listening to videos on line .. But to be honest it was a daily struggle to pick up Zohar daily. I did read and re - read Michael Bergs both books.. But even weekly class on Zohar teaching would not interest me until "The Zohar Connection" with Mr. Jian? Not an easy name.. And finally this app! Which was like a big "aha" moment, divided to short sections on specific topic, with someone first reading the portion in Aramaic it was like a the light switched on! Not only that I understood what i was reading in the app, but I could open Zohar on any page and got it! At first i was afraid it was just luck .. It was that section, because I just read the portion of the section through the app. thus I opened the Zohar at random, and as I read it i understood the concept, I searched for Ruth's Rosenberg's explanation on the section just to make sure, and to my surprise 8 years of daily struggle were gone. The app played a huge in me letting go of build up "resentment" .. " i will never get it, and Im not dumb, but I feel dumb". So i read something at 5 am to get it over with. However since the app and the "Zohar Connection" class on UKabbalah I reading the Zohar at 5am, I cant imagine staring my morning in any other way! I use the app through out the day, it saves me from so much chaos! I feel so protected always having a solution to any given situation near me! Thank you, kindly for sharing your wisdom with us!

This app is totally awesome but it seems to me the alarm function does not work. I have an iPhone 6 Plus running the latest version of iOS 8.3 and I do not see an option for The Zohar app in the notifications menu under the Settings app and I never do get an alarm notification either in-app or in Notification Center. I am certain this will get resolved. Baruch HaShem!