Seven-branched candlestick bearing light of Messiah, Irenaeus Book V, Ch. 20, A.D. 180

Grafted In - Ancient Messianic Symbol



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The Ten Sefirot of Jewish Mysticism
by Eighth Day Assembly

Eliezer Segal:
The Jewish mystical doctrine known as Kabbalah ("Tradition") is distinguished by its theory of ten creative forces that intervene between the infinite, unknowable God ("Ein Sof") and our created world. Through these powers God created and rules the universe, and it is by influencing them that humans cause God to send to Earth forces of compassion (masculine, right side) or severe judgment (feminine, left side).
Picture of Sefirotic Tree, by Eliezer Segal ~ note the colors of each sphere corresponds to the colors in their descriptions.

Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh,
Gal Einai Institute, Israel:
Sefirotic TreeThe configuration of the Sefirot is graphically depicted in Kabbalistic texts by a vertical array along three parallel axes (or, kavim), each representing a mode of Divine influence within Creation. This configuration is variously referred to in the literature as a sulam ("ladder"), an etz ("tree"), or a tzelem Elokim (supernal "image of G-d"). According to this last designation, the configuration of the Sefirot suggests that of the human body which, as recorded in the Bible, was fashioned "in the image of G-d." Hence each Sefirah is associated with the particular limb or organ which corresponds to its position in the anatomical Sefirotic structure.

Note from Eighth Day Assembly:

Some may ask, "What is the purpose of the Sefirot in Christianity?" Eighth Day Assembly believes that the study of the Sefirot gives us a greater understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and His relationship of unity with God the Father, and with us! It also addresses and identifies the Old Testament symbols, which gives the Christian seeker new IMAGES upon which to focus in our expanded journey. The Spirit of Truth (our guide) takes us on adventures into "all" Truth, of which the Sefirot is another facet of that Truth. Since Jesus Christ is "THE" Truth, we are in fact taking a journey into the very nature of Christ, Himself ~ Ephesians 3:18........what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height.... (see our article on the Four Levels of Biblical Understanding).

As it pertains to Christianity, it has been said that the ancient Jewish mystics changed the meanings of several of the Sefirah. Originally, Keter was Father, Hokhmah was Son, and Binah is Mother. Because of Jesus Christ, and the fact that the meanings of Keter, Hokhmah, and Binah sounded TOO MUCH like the "Christian Trinity" (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), they changed their meanings by making Keter the divine Will (instead of Father), Hokhmah the Father (instead of Son), and Binah remained the Mother. They then added another quasi-Sefirah, called "Daat" (or,
revelation knowledge, the result of the union of Hokhmah and Binah, which then becomes the gateway to the upper 3 Sefirah of the "World to Come"). Daat is not supposed to be a separate Sefirah, but rather a differing dimension which appears only with the mastery of Hokhmah and Binah, thereby keeping the number of Sefirot to 10, as described in the
Sefer Yetzirah. Therefore, in your studies, at times you may see Daat listed within a Sefirotic Tree, but in the pictures and definitions listed on this page, you do not.

Looking at all the different aspects of the Sefirot, the Sefirah Tiferet (the
middle one, the offspring of Hokhmah and Binah, or ~ Son), represents the
person of Jesus Christ !

Even more fascinating and exciting concerning Tiferet is the teaching mentioned by Peter Nordquist, that states, "As Above, So Below," meaning the 5 Sefirot above Tiferet flow downward, toward the center, then meet and unify in Tiferet. The 4 Sefirot below Tiferet are absorbed upward, toward the center, and again, meet and unify in Tiferet. Tiferet is where all aspects of the Sefirot, both upper and lower, become one.

Tiferet is not only the place of the unification of all Sefirot, but also tempers the differences between both sides of the Sefirot, the right side and the left side. Tiferet unites, reconciles, and balances all sides and all levels! Tiferet is indeed, the person of Jesus Christ!

To check the location of each emanation in the Sefirotic Tree, see large picture, above.

To learn about each emanation, click on the following, or scroll down at leisure:

Note: In the following descriptions, if you see an asterisk ( * ) next to any item, either an item was added by Eighth Day Assembly, or comments were added by Eighth Day Assembly.

List:

Ein Sof ~ Infinite, Unknowable God

10 Sefirot Emanations:

Keter

Hokhmah
Binah
Din (Gevurah)
Hesed
Tiferet
Nezah
Hod
Yesod
Shekhinah (Malkhut)

Left Side
Middle Column
Right Side

Definitions by Eliezer Segal:
Ein Sof (return to List)

*Ein Sof is not in itself one of the 10 Sefirot. The 10 Sefirot are the creative forces emanating from Ein Sof.

A. Translation:

  • The Infinite

B. Description:*

  • Ein Sof represents the true essence of God, which is entirely unknown to humans. All human knowledge of God is really of the ten emanated Sefirot.

*Judaism teaches that Ein Sof, in its desire to create, "contracted, or withdrew" from itself its own divine light" (tzimtzum), thereby creating a darkness, or "womb" in order to allow the creation of independent realities. The Sefirot are those emanations of independent realities, or "divine sparks."

It's also taught that the initial "fall of the sparks" the first time was due to the Sefirot being emanated together in a straight line which made the flow of light from Ein Sof too much for it, and they fractured. After the fracturing, the Sefirot were then placed in a zig zag order, or tree, the second time (see picture above). It's sort of like a mountain road that zig zags up the side of the mountain as opposed to going straight up. It would be impossible for a vehicle to climb a mountain road that goes straight up the mountain. It's much easier and safer for a vehicle to climb a mountain zig zaging up a road to the top!

I personally do not understand the concept of becoming "one with the universe" (absorbed into Ein Sof). In so doing we would lose our "individual reality," (our identity). Ein Sof manifested himself as YHVH (Yahweh). He too desired expression and identity. If it's good enough for Him, it's good enough for me! This manifestation of reality or identity are the 10 Sefirot emanations, and these 10 exist in each and every one of us!

Keter Elyon (return to List)

A. Translation:

  • The Supreme Crown

B. Description:

  • Keter is the uppermost aspect of the Sefirot that can be contemplated by humans. Even so, this Sefirah is rarely discussed by the Kabbalists. Later traditions speak of it radiating 620 "pillars of light."*

*The 620 Pillars of Light are the 613 commandments of the written law, and the 7 commandments of the oral law.

Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh, on the 620 Pillars of Light:
Keter, the first of the ten Sefirot, corresponds to the super conscious realm of experience--and thus accounting for the image of a "crown," which suggests an aura surrounding one's consciousness.

In the configuration of the Sefirot, Keter appears at the top of the middle axis. The Zohar states: "the supernal crown [Keter Elyon] is the crown of Kingdom [Keter Malkhut]." The first, highest of the Divine emanations--Keter--is thus linked to the last--Malkhut.

In Hebrew, the word Keter = 620. This is the full number of G-d's commandments to Israel, the 613 mitzvot of the written Torah together with the 7 mitzvot of the oral Torah. The Torah text of the Ten Commandments possesses 620 letters, for all of the 620 mitzvot are included in the Ten Commandments.

In Kabbalah, the secret of the 620 commandments is that from Keter (=620) are projected "620 pillars of light" which serve to connect the "ceiling" of Keter to the "floor" of Malkhut. These pillars of light encompass the souls of Israel that devotedly fulfill the will (Keter) of the King of Kings, the Holy One blessed be He (Malkhut).

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • Crown
  • The hoary head
  • The hairs of the beard

D. Names of God:

  • The point at the tip of the letter "yod" in the Tetragrammaton (the four-letter name of God)*
  • Ehveh (a form of "I shall be")

*(the Tetragrammaton is the name YHVH, Yahweh (Jehovah). The letter "yod" is the Y, in YHVH ~ note it does not say it represents the "whole" letter yod, but just the tip of the letter!)

E. Color:

  • None
  • Blinding invisible light*

*(added by Eighth Day Assembly ~ from the Kabbalah Manual, by Jeff Spiegel)

F. Other Symbols and Images:

  • Primordial Ether
  • "Nothingness," the negation of all thought
  • "He"
  • Arikh Anpin--the Long-suffering (literally: the Long-faced One)
  • The Ancient Holy One
  • Before
  • Supernal East
  • The origin of the Will
  • The dew of Hermon

Hokhmah (return to List)

A. Translation:

  • Wisdom

B. Description:

  • Hokhmah represents the contemplative, synthetic aspects of God's thought.
  • It is the primordial point of creation from which all knowable reality originates.
  • There are 32 ways of Wisdom.*

    *(see our article on the 32 Paths of Wisdom)

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • Right brain

D. Biblical Figures:

  • King Solomon

E. Names of God:

  • Yah
  • The letter "yod" of the four-letter name of God (the Tetragrammaton).*

*(same as the Hebrew letter Y, in YHVH, above, however it represents the "whole" letter, not just the point of the letter!)

F. Color:

  • All colors*

*(added by Eighth Day Assembly ~ from the Kabbalah Manual, by Jeff Spiegel)

G. Other Symbols and Images:

  • Primordial Point
  • "There is" (Yesh), Being, as in "Being out of 'Nothingness'")
  • Beginning
  • Eden
  • The origin of Thought
  • Seed
  • Fountain
  • Will
  • Depth
  • Father

Binah (return to List)

A. Translation:

  • Understanding
  • Discernment

B. Description:*

  • Binah refers to the analytic, distinguishing aspects of God's thought.
  • It is the uppermost feminine element in the Godhead, and is symbolized as the mother of the Shekhinah.
  • Many of the symbols associated with Binah are therefore identical to those of the Shekhinah.
  • Having received the seed from Hokhmah, Binah conceived and gave birth to the seven lower Sefirot.
  • There are 50 "Gates of Understanding."**

*Also known as the "Upper Shekhinah."

**
The 50 Gates of Understanding are the 50 character GIFTS of the Holy Spirit from God our Father. They are also the requirements in order to receive true prophecy. The following list of the 50 Gates are by Jeff Spiegel, author of the Kabbalah Manual
:

1. study
2. attentive listening
3. orderly speech
4. understanding
5. intuition and insight
6. awe
7. reverence
8. humility
9. joy
10. purity
11. attendance on scholars
12. debate with colleagues
13. discussion with students
14. deliberation
15. knowledge of the scriptures
16. moderation in business affairs
17. moderation in worldly affairs
18. moderation in pleasure
19. moderation in sleep
20. moderation in conversation
21. moderation in frivolity
22. patience
23. good naturedness
24. trust in the sages
25. uncomplaining acceptance of suffering
26. knows his place
27. is content with his lot in life
28. limits his words
29. does not claim credit for his achievements
30. is beloved
31. loves G_d
32. loves mankind
33. loves acts of charity and kindness
34. loves straightforwardness
35. loves admonition
36. shuns honor
37. is not conceited with his learning
38. does not delight in dictating decisions
39. shares the burden of his fellow man
40. and judges him favorably
41. directs him to truth
42. directs him to peace
43. is composed in his learning
44. asks pertinent questions and answers to the point
45. listens and adds to his learning
46. studies in order to teach
47. studies in order to practice
48. increases the wisdom of his teacher
49. notes accurately what he has learned
50. quotes a thing in the name of the person who said it

*Note from Eighth Day Assembly: The preceding 50 Gates are "Gifts" given to us by the Holy Spirit (whose number is also "50"). These Gifts of character are given to the child of God for the purpose of ministry in our lives and to others. The use of these Gifts are also the GATEWAY into GRACES developed within our own souls. The GRACES accompany us into the next life, but the GIFTS are left behind. Therefore, as we minister these 50 Gifts of the Holy Spirit, we bring new life, and strength, and health building forces into operation within our own souls.

When a parent teaches their children character that learning is a gift from the parent to the child to use in life to bring health into their lives, not only in this life, but in eternity. God our Father is our parent who gives "good gifts" to his children! Children who never receive gifts of character from their parents never find the gateway to GRACE in their lives. (please see our article on:
"A Prophecy - Does This Prophecy Belong To You?").

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • Forehead

D. Biblical Figure:

  • The Matriarch Leah

E. Names of God:

  • Elohim
  • The Hebrew letter "he"* in the four-letter name of God (The "Tetragrammaton").
  • The Tetragrammaton when vocalized as the word "Elohim" ("God").

*(the H in YHVH ~ Y is Hokhmah, H is Binah)

F. Color:*

  • Yellow
  • Green

*(both colors added by Eighth Day Assembly ~ from the Kabbalah Manual, by Jeff Spiegel)

G. Other Symbols and Images:

  • Supernal Mother, Supernal Shekhinah
  • Palace
  • Womb
  • "Who"
  • Palace, Building
  • Repentance ("Return," Teshuvah)
  • A river branching out into seven streams
  • Supernal Jubilee
  • The Hebrew Alphabet
  • Supernal Justice
  • Beersheba
  • Lebanon (identified in Jewish tradition with Jerusalem)
  • Redemption
  • Vows

Din, Gevurah (return to List)
A. Translation:

  • Judgment
  • Might
  • Power

B. Description:

  • This Sefirah represents the fearsome powers of divine punishment and wrath in the world. This power is needed to maintain control over the universe. However, the destructive forces are necessary to keep order and exact punishment.
  • Also contain the seeds of demonic Evil: the "Other Side" (Sitra Ahra).

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • Left arm

D. Biblical Figure:

  • Isaac

E. Name of God:

  • Elohim

F. Color:

  • Red
  • Gold*

*(added by Eighth Day Assembly ~ from Kabbalah Manual, by Jeff Spiegel)

G. Other Symbols and Images:

  • The Heavenly Court
  • North
  • Fear (of Isaac; see Genesis 31:53)
  • Great fire; consuming fire
  • The severe attribute of justice
  • Gold
  • Bread, salt, wine, meat
  • Serpent
  • Darkness, night, cloud, mist
  • The bronze altar

Hesed, Gedullah (return to List)

A. Translation:

  • Love
  • Loving kindness
  • Compassion
  • Greatness
  • Grace

B. Description:

  • Hesed represents the generous, benevolent (masculine) side of God.
  • There are 72 "bridges" of Hesed.*

    * The 72 Bridges are actually the "72 Letter Name of God." The name of God signifies different aspects of Divine power. Not only is this true of the Divine name YHVH as a whole, it is also true of its individual letters. Each individual letter of the Tetragrammaton (YHVH) can be spelled in approximately four different ways. Hebrew letters, like Latin and Greek letters, also signify numbers. As you know the Tetragrammaton is composed of four letters -- Yud, Hey Vav, Hey. Each letter is also spelled out as a word. When the WORD is spelled out, it yields the number seventy-two: [Yud = Yud + Vav + Dalet = 20]; [Hey = Hey + Yud =15]; [Vav = Vav + Yud + Vav = 22]; [Hey = Hey + Yud = 15]. When we add up all the individual spellings, we arrive at the number 72, [20] + [15] + [22] + [15] = 72.

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • Right arm

D. Biblical Figure:

  • Abraham

E. Names of God:

  • El
  • Supreme God (El 'Elyon)

F. Color:

  • White
  • Silver*

*(added by Eighth Day Assembly ~ from Kabbalah Manual, by Jeff Spiegel)

G. Other Symbols and Images:

  • Upper waters
  • Lion

Tif'eret (return to List)

A. Translation:

  • Glory
  • Beauty

B. Description:

  • Tiferet represents the ideal balance of Justice and Mercy needed for proper running of the universe.
  • This Sefirah unites all the upper nine powers.
  • Tif'eret is the offspring of Hokhmah and Binah.

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • Spine
  • Torso

D. Biblical Figures:

  • Jacob/Israel
  • Moses
  • Adam

E. Names of God:

  • The Tetragrammaton (the four-letter name of God: YHVH)*
  • The Lord
  • The letter "Vav" of the Tetragrammaton**
  • The Holy One, Blessed be He (the common epithet for God in Rabbinic literature).

*(because Tiferet unites the upper Y (Hokhmah), and H (Binah).
**(individually, it is the third letter in YHVH, the V)

F. Color:

  • Green
  • Purple
  • Violet***

***(added by Eighth Day Assembly ~ from Kabbalah Manual, by Jeff Spiegel)

G. Other Symbols and Images:****

  • Compassion (Rahamim)
  • Truth
  • Judgment (Mishpat)
  • Humility
  • Heaven
  • The sun
  • Day
  • Harmony
  • King
  • It is often symbolized as a bridegroom or prince who strives to be united with the Shekhinah/Malkhut.
  • Their union produces the human soul
  • "Thou" ('attah)
  • "'Anokhi" (a rarer form of "I")
  • The Tree of Life
  • The Written Torah
  • Torah scroll
  • Ze'ir Anpin--the Impatient (literally: Short-faced) One
  • Milk and honey
  • The candelabrum (menorah)
  • The golden altar

****(in Christianity, this Sefirah is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the only begotten Son of Hokhmah and Binah, and the Bridegroom of Malkhut), who unites and reconciles back unto Yahweh (YHVH), the all things of creation that exist in the lower Sefirot ~ 2 Corinthians 5:16-19 ! Note that in Christianity, Jesus Christ represents each of the above-listed symbols! We see the unity of the YHV (father, mother, son), in the name YHVH. You will see later that the final H in YHVH is US !

Even more fascinating and exciting concerning Tiferet is the JEWISH teaching that states, "As Above, So Below," meaning that the Sefirot above Tiferet work downward, toward the center, and the Sefirot below Tiferet work upward, toward the center, and the center (Tiferet), unites, reconciles, and balances all sides! Tiferet is definitely Jesus Christ!

Look at the definitions of Tiferet as described by:

Yakov Leib HaKohain, Ph.D. [YaLHaK]
from a post to the
DONMEH mail list
Wednesday, 5 Dec 1998:

The offspring of Hokhmah/Father and Binah/Mother. Often symbolized as a bridegroom or prince who strives to be united with the Fallen Shekhinah, the 10th Sefirah, Malkhut/Kingdom.
A. Partzufim
1. Ze'ir Anpin ("The Smaller Face/Impatient One")
2. Malkah Kadisha ("Holy King Messiah")
3. Chasan ("Bridegroom")
3. Yahweh (The Tetragrammaton, YHVH)
4. HaShemesh (The Sun)
5. HaShamaim (Heaven)

B. Other Symbols and Images
1. The heart (of Adam Kadmon)
2. Truth
3. Humility
4. Harmony

Nezah (return to List)

A. Translation:

  • Eternity
  • Endurance
  • Victory

B. Description:

  • This Sefirah represents God's active grace in the world.

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • Right leg

D. Biblical Figure:

  • Moses

E. Name of God:

  • YHVH Zeva'ot (The Lord of Hosts)

F. Color:

  • Light pink- the color of the upper eyelid*

*(added by Eighth Day Assembly ~ from the Kabbalah Manual, by Jeff Spiegel)

G. Other Symbols and Images:

  • The right pillar "Jachin" in the Temple (1 Kings 7:21)

Hod (return to List)

A. Translation:

  • Majesty

B. Description:

  • Hod represents the lower channel through which God's judgment comes down to the world.
  • It is also associated with the power of prophecy.
  • Hod and Nezah are often treated as a complementary pair.

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • Left leg

D. Biblical Figures:

  • Aaron

E. Name of God:

  • Elohim Zeva'ot (God of Hosts)

F. Color:

  • Dark pink- the color of the lower eyelid*

*(added by Eighth Day Assembly ~ from the Kabbalah Manual, by Jeff Spiegel)

G. Other Symbols and Images:

  • The left pillar "Boaz" in the Temple (1 Kings 7:21).

Yesod (return to List)

A. Translation:

  • Foundation

B. Description:

  • Yesod is the channel through which Tiferet strives to unite with the Shekhinah and pass on the creative and benevolent divine forces.

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • This Sefirah is symbolized as the male phallus, sanctified through the covenant of circumcision.

D. Biblical Figures:

  • Joseph

E. Names of God:

  • El Hay or Elohim Hayyim (The Living God), Eternal Life
  • El Shaddai (God Almighty)
  • Adon (Master)
  • The point at the bottom tip of the Vav in the Tetragrammaton

F. Color:

  • Orange*

*(added by Eighth Day Assembly ~ from the Kabbalah Manual, by Jeff Spiegel)

G. Other Symbols and Images:

  • The Tree of Life
  • The Source of Living Waters
  • The Righteous One
  • Good
  • Peace
  • Covenant, rainbow
  • Sign
  • Statute (Hoq)
  • Commandment (mitzvah)
  • Remembrance
  • The Holy Mountain, the good mountain
  • Mount Zion
  • Redeemer
  • Redemption
  • "This" (masc.)
  • Oath
  • Lower Hesed

Shekhinah, Malkhut (return to List)

A. Translation:

  • God's Presence
  • Kingdom

B. Description:*

  • The Shekhinah is a Talmudic concept representing God's dwelling and immanence in the created world.
  • It was equated with the "Keneset Yisrael," the personified spirit of the People of Israel.
  • According to a Rabbinic tradition, the Shekhinah shares in the exiles of the Jewish people. Therefore, the redemption of the people of Israel is inextricably linked to the remedying of an alienation within God him/herself, introducing a bold new element into traditional Jewish Messianic eschatology.
  • It is through the Shekhinah that humans can experience the Divine.
  • The passivity of the Shekhinah is often emphasized (equated with its femininity), as the recipient of forces from the higher Sefirot.

*The Shekhinah/Malkhut is also representative of the "Bride of Christ (both Jew and Gentile)," the Church IN THIS WORLD. The light that births the New Birth!

C. Human Imagery (Primordial Man):

  • Mouth
  • The Shekhinah is often portrayed as a bride or princess whose male lover is the composite of the nine upper Sefirot, represented by the prince/bridegroom Tiferet.

D. Biblical Figures:

  • King David
  • The Matriarch Rachel

E. Name of God:

  • Adonai (Lord)
  • The last letter "he" in the four-letter name of God ("the Tetragrammaton")*
  • Elohim (when it receives more influences from the Left side)

*(the last H, in YHVH ~ the V (Tiferet) unites the YH (mother & father of the upper Sefirot), with the H (us) of the lower Sefirot.

F. Colors:

  • Blue
  • Black

G. Other Symbols and Images:

  • Pool
  • Sea
  • Wellspring
  • Gathering of the waters, Beersheba (literally: "The Well of the Seven")
  • Earth
  • Dry land (when deprived of nourishment from Hesed)
  • Bedrock
  • The Moon, which is the passive reflector of light from the sun
  • In a manner appropriate to the redemption of God and Israel, the moon renews itself each month
  • Queen
  • Bride
  • Daughter / Princess
  • The Royal House of David
  • Matron
  • The erotic and romantic phrases of the Song of Songs and prophetic imagery is evoked to represent the longing of the male and female elements of the Godhead
  • Temple
  • Tent of Meeting
  • Mount Moriah
  • The Land of Israel
  • "I"
  • "This" (fem.)
  • Mirror
  • Rose
  • Throne of Glory
  • Justice
  • Garden of Eden
  • The Tree of Knowledge
  • The poor one
  • Apple Orchard
  • The Oral Torah
  • Blessing
  • Freedom
  • Sabbath
  • Sabbatical year (in some systems)
  • Jubilee
  • The End of Thought
  • All
  • Eagle

The Left Side (return to List)

A. Description:

  • The Left-hand Column of the Sefirot
  • The Feminine aspect of the Sefirot consisting of
    • Binah ~ Mercy
    • Din ~ Severe Justice
    • Hod ~ Splendor
  • The side of power and strict justice, the values embodied in the Sefirah of Din.
  • It is the female side, representing the fearsome awe of God, and the principles of separation and distinction.
  • The unrestrained dominion of the Left side gives rise to Evil.

The Middle Column (return to List)

A. Description:

  • The Center Column of the Sefirot, consisting of:
    • Keter ~ Crown
    • Tiferet ~ Beauty
    • Yesod ~ Foundation
    • Shekhinah/Malkhut ~ Kingdom
  • Androgynous (both male & female)
  • The Middle column of the Sefirot structure represents the ideal balance of divine mercy and justice.
  • This harmony is best represented in the Sefirah of Tiferet, which exists midway between the extremes of Din and Hesed, female and male.
  • Following traditional Rabbinic perception, the Kabbalah recognizes that the universe could not survive if it were founded only upon justice or only upon mercy.

By Yakov Leib HaKohain [YaLHaK]:

  • The "Center Column" of the Aytz Hiyam consists of Sefirot 1, 6, 9 and 10. It is important to note that the numerical sum of the Sefirot of the Center Column is 26 (1+6+9+10=26) -- the Gematria of the Hebrew letters YHVH, or "Yahweh."

  • And thus shows us the direct path to God, [Y=10]+[H=5]+[V=6]+[H=5]=26.

  • This form of exegetical analysis, called "Gematria," has been used by the Rabbinic Sages at least since the 4th century A.D. in both Talmudic and Kabbalistic Judaism.

  • The Sefirot of the Center Column have "Partzufim" or "Hidden Divine Personalities" which have profound relevance to the Messianic Advent. These are:
    • KETER: Arikh Anpin/Atikah Kadisha ("Larger Face/Ancient of Days")
    • TIFERET: Ze'ir Anpin/Malka Kadisha/Chasan ("Smaller Face/Holy King Messiah/Bridegroom")
    • YESOD: Kohain/Zamorah ("Priest/Phallus")
    • MALKUTH: Shekhinah/Kalah ("Fallen Feminine Aspect/Bride")
  • In other words, in the Center Column we see Arikh Anpin, in its state of androgynous unity gradually descend to the lower Shekhinah, in its state of the separated Feminine. This, of course, is another metaphor for the "Shattering of the Vessels" -- the descent of the Holy Sparks from their unity in God to their disunity in the world of Klepoth, or Shells -- discussed by Luria in his notion of Sheviret HaKelim, or "Shattering of the Vessels."

Yakov Leib HaKohain [YaLHaK]

The Right Side (return to List)

A. Description:

  • The Right Column of the Sefirot
  • The Male aspect of the Sefirot, consisting of:
    • Hokhmah ~ Wisdom
    • Hesed ~ Harmony
    • Nezah ~ Victory
  • The right side represents the principles of unity, harmony and benevolence, as embodied in the Sefirah of Hesed.
  • It is associated with the bestowing of generous goodness upon our world.


End note from Eighth Day Assembly:

How does understanding the Sefirot help us in our daily lives? It is taught that in knowing the operation of the Sefirot (IN US), we are able to influence the powers of the Sefirot (IN US) to lean in one direction (left side) ~ for bad, or in the other direction (right side) ~ for good, or to "walk the beach in the middle," so to speak.

It is the desire of this ministry to "walk the beach in the middle, with Christ," knowing both good and evil, but rather, choosing the wisdom of Grace to temper or reconcile both sides!

A magnificent understanding that this ministry believes says it all in a nutshell, was expressed to me by a good friend and teacher in Christ, Walter Means. He told me (and please do not hold me to an exact quote) ~ By eating the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve came to know good and evil, but did not know what to do with it once they knew it !

HOW ABSOLUTELY PROFOUND!

In Christ, the last Adam, now we know what to do with it ~ the answer is the wisdom of Grace! In that, we have reached our maturity after all, and are able to walk the beach in the middle with Tiferet, the Prince of Peace!

Amen!

Provided by ~ Eighth Day Assembly

Eighth Day Assembly

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Menorah Messiah


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