Composed in 1279 for his student Saadia Bar Yitzchak, the Book of Desire is one of the most personal and accessible works in Abraham Abulafia's mystical trilogy. Unlike his more arcane writings, this text speaks directly and clearly, transmitting the essential teachings of prophetic Kabbalah to a soul ready to receive them.
At the heart of the book is the notion of 'spiritual longing' (Cheshek) - as the true engine of the mystical path. Through the symbolic power of Hebrew letters and Divine Names, Abulafia guides the seeker into a deepening relationship with God. Rather than abstract theory, the book offers practical wisdom: how to refine the mind, how to kindle the heart, and how to align one’s entire being with the divine will. Together with Light of the Intellect and Life in the World to Come, the Book of Desire forms the cornerstone of Abulafia’s mature mystical system. It is an invitation to those who do not merely wish to read about Kabbalah, but to live it.