What is Jewish mysticism?
    Mysticism is the striving for the experience of oneness with all that is, with God. Mysticism is universal and may be found in all cultures and civilisations. Jewish mysticism is the mysticism of the Jewish people. It is often expressed in Hebrew or related languages, and almost always draws its literary inspiration from the Hebrew Bible, and therefore, frequently takes the form of comments or discussions on the meaning and interpretation of Scriptural texts. (This makes much of Jewish mystical literature tough going for many people. But keep at it! It repays the effort.)
    But if mysticism is universal, what claims can we make for Jewish mysticism? Is it important for everyone or just for Jews? I believe deeply that spiritual experience is open to every person, regardless of their level of learning or cultural background. I believe that all religions are attempts to come to grips with the same problems that all human beings face in life: How to live? How to die? What to believe? How to face tragedy? Ultimately, all stem from the spiritual experiences of their founders and adherents. But the way in which various cultures and religions have expressed their answers are different from each other, and, because God is infinite, I cannot believe that any one religion can have a monopoly on truth. Every truth that can be expressed by human beings must  be finite, because we are finite, and therefore, every human truth can, at best, be only partially true. And therefore, Jewish mysticism cannot contain all truth. I study other types of mysticism and spirituality from time to time, and have learned much from doing so, but I believe that Jewish mysticism has a great deal to teach the world.
    Historically, Jewish mysticism has produced a number of schools and inspired individuals over the centuries. In the early Christian centuries there was a school modern scholars call the Merkavah (Chariot) mystics. Later, an anonymous genius wrote the text called Sefer Yetzirah, the Book of Formation, while in the middle ages there were several schools: the Hasidei Ashkenaz, the mystical pietists of Germany; the Kabbalah, which came to the fore in Provence and Spain; a philosophical/Sufi-influenced school inspired by the great Maimonides. Later still, the Ba'al Shem Tov inaugurated the modern Hasidic movement in Ukraine. Each of these schools had their own ideas and techniques, but they often existed side by side within the same communities, not without conflict occasionally perhaps, but together enriching our understanding of life and God. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, but each has something to teach us, if we can open our hearts and minds to receive their message.
    What does this variety of schools teach us? That truth is not simple. That there are no once-and-for-all answers to the ultimate questions. That each generation, each individual must strive to find their own truths. This, I believe, is the Jewish path to mysticism. A path of study, thought and personal exploration.
    In an age of ever-greater global integration, Jewish mysticism teaches mutual respect for differing views.
    Or, to put it another way, I don't believe in systems, only in experiences that lead to insights, and insights that lead to wisdom. The systems of the past can only be pointers to that which is beyond our limited perspective. We have to do our own exploring.

Will it solve all my problems?
    Many extravagant claims have been put forward by adherents of one or another Jewish mystical school, especially for Kabbalah and certain Hasidic sects. Some suggest that studying a particular text (usually the Zohar) will bring self-fulfilment and an escape from doubt and anxiety. Others suggest that adherence to a particular group and set of behavioural norms will bring similar benefits. Perhaps these things work for some people.
    But we live in an age of individualism. For better or for worse, most of us feel the need to find our own way. The teachings of an ancient text, or membership in a particular group, may, or may not, speak to us, but only we can solve our own problems.
    Nevertheless, I believe that Jewish mysticism can teach us to understand our problems differently. It can sensitize us to their spiritual connotations and help us open our minds to a higher understanding of our time on earth and our role in the spiritual history of humanity.
    Can Jewish mysticism solve all my problems? The short answer is: no. But it can help you gain a wider and deeper perspective on them, and that in turn may lead to finding solutions, or at least, ways of living with, your problems.