We have reached our final Hebrew Letter Meditation on the 7 Ascending Sephiroth of the Kabbalah Tree of Life! Out of all of the Sephiroth Chesed has probably been the most simple...and the mos obvious concept.
The Hebrew Letters that make up the name of the Sephiroth of Chesed are: Cheth, Samech and Daleth Let's see what story they tell... Cheth This Hebrew letter is dramatically attached to the concept of health. First, it begins the Hebrew letter for life (chai) and also begins the Hebrew word for vitality (Chayat). Cheth also starts the Hebrew word for Dream (chalom) which Hoffman explains to represent divine inspiration and knowledge. Cheth also starts the word for Wisdom, Chockma (also the name of the second Sephiroth that sits at the top of the Pillar of Mercy). At the same time, Cheth begins the word for sickness (choli), profane or empty (chol) and the first letter for Sin (chet) which really means, "missing the mark." Samech Samech is a closed round letter that Abravenel associates with the glow of a candles flame. This candle flame both supports and protects helping us to trust the Divine. Begins the word Hebrew word Sephiroth that are the levels of the Kabbalah Tree of Life. The Hebrew word for ladder also starts with Samech and it is a symbol for the mystical inward path first described by Jacob with his vision of Angels. The Hebrew word for stories also starts with Samech. Samech also starts the Hebrew word for Symbol (Siman) that can help us better understand the Divine. The Hebrew word Schachar, Black, starts with the letter Samech and is a metaphor for darkness. The Hebrew word Shacar, Dawn, is a metaphor for light and redemption. Daleth Both of my sources related Dalet with the four 'worlds' of the Kabbalah...but essentially think of it as Idea, Blueprints, Create and Result. Each of the Sephiroth fall within these four "worlds". Most importantly and what the letter really resembles is the word Door (delet). Dalet also begins the Hebrew word for Poor. Abravenel explains, "Experiencing poverty teaches us gratitude....The only true and sustainable wealth worth pursuing is our spirituality." Finally, Dalet also begins the word for pulse (dofek). Abravanel explains that the Kabbalah masters can discern both physical and spiritual pathologies from the pulse. This is because the 10 types of pulse come from the Sephiroth Chockmah and by knowing these patterns associated with that Sephiroth they can determine the energy from which the pulse is coming from. Summary For sickness or health (Cheth) a dawn ladder (Samech) or door (Dalth). Visual Combination Cheth always looks like a door way to me...then we have Samech that looks like the door itself...and Daleth that looks like an open door. Conclusion Where Geburah is related to the division of the discernment....when we come to Chesed it appears to be more of method of connection. Here we find both knowledge when we are ascending where there was originally sin and emptiness when we descended (Samech). We also find redemption when we are ascending where there once as darkness (Samech). Finally, we have the exit of Samsara with Daleth when we are ascending...but this is the door we entered through when we descended. Once this door is open again we can resume our relationship with the One Creator.
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The Hebrew Letters that make up the name of the Sephiroth of Geburah are:
Gimel, Beit, Vav, Reish and Hei. Let's take a look to see what hidden meanings in the name of this Sephiroth! Gimel Starts the word for camel- Gamul- which represents the ability to nourish others by abstaining from water for 30 days and bearing a burden. According to Abravanel this is reminiscent of our spiritual Journey. Begins the word for exile (galut), paradise (gan eden) and bridge (Gamla). Also begins the words for great (gadol), mighty (gibor) and courage (Gevurah). Finally, it starts the word for loving kindness (gamelet hasidim). Beit First letter used in the bible. Begins the word for blessing (Beracha). Begins the word for House (Bayit). Also the name of the holy temple (Beit Hmikdosh). The words for places of study (batei midrash), social gathering (batei knesset) and prayer (batei tefilah). Finally, it starts the words for daughter (bat) and son (ben). Vav Abravanel describes this letter as Yud with a straight line down from it. Vav starts the word for hook. Vav is tied to the Sabbath and the importance of rest. The Hebrew word for confession also starts with Vav. Reish Reish starts the Hebrew word for Will. Resh begins the words for both Holy Spirit and Breath. Resh also starts the words for healer and healing. Both Abravanel and Hoffman connect Resh with meditation. Meditation involves the breath because it is through our breathing and the discipline of meditation that we eventually master our breath. Resh also starts the word for head, evil and noise. This suggests that it is the breath that we can create 'wise head' as Abravanel calls it. Associated with Mars. Hei Used twice in the Tetragrammaton. Was the first letter of Abraham and Moses response to the Creator meaning Here I am (heenayni). Also starts the letter for soul bearing- Hitbodedut. Abravanel associates Hei to speech, the Month of Redemption known as Nisan and the Tribe of Judah from which the Messiah will descend. Summary A bridge (Gimel) of the house/place of study for the son and daughter (Beth) of rest (Vav) to heal their will (Resh) and reveal speech (Hei). Image Impression First, there is the letter of Gimel that looks to me like a candle on a plate. That's followed by both the flame and the plate becoming longer in the letter Beit. That's followed by Vav where the 'plate' falls away completely so that the letter looks like just a candle. That's followed by the flame becoming even bigger and the pillar of the candle shrinking for Reish....and finally there is Hei that looks like an open door. Conclusion Knowing the story of Adam Kadmon and the Purpose of Humanity (a link to that blog is on the right side bar menu) this word is perfect for this Sephiroth. In this word we can literally see how and why PMR (Physical Material Reality) was created. Geburah literally represents a bridge or constriction between the Creator and PMR. It even explains that reality was created as a house for the sons and daughters of humanity so that they could heal the problem of misusing their will power (mars energy). The misuse of the Will Power occurs when people use their will power to create only for themselves- not for all of humanity and the One Creator. Every time we undertake an endeavor we should ask ourselves, "Will this benefit all of humanity (and thereby the One Creator) or am I doing this solely for myself?" When we operate from that place of doing everything for the betterment of everyone we are working in Grace. When we operate from a place of selfish gain it 'misses the mark' or the 'goal' of PMR (sin). Netzach is the fourth Ascending Sephiroth on the Kabbalah Tree of Life.
The Hebrew letters that make up the name of this Sephiroth are Nun, Tizaddi (the fourth letter associated with the Path of the Seeker) and Cheth. Let's take a look at these letters and see how they connect with this fascinating Sephiroth. Nun Is one of the five double letters of the Hebrew Alphabet. This numerical value is 50. The Hebrew letter Nun starts the Aramaic word for Fish that symbolizes faith because it's faith that brings abundance into our lives. Nun also begins the word for prophecy (navooah) and prophet (Navi). Hoffman connects the prophet with the Path of the Seeker by quoting Rabbi Moses Luzzato, "A prophet does not attain the highest level all at once...on must advance step by step until he master them thoroughly." Abravanel explains that prophecy is the result of overcoming initiation tests because prophecy is the ultimate level of spiritual awareness. She explains that the word for prophecy can be split into two- Nun and ba meaning, "Nun comes," bringing the 50 gates of understanding." This letter also opens and closes the Hebrew word for Tune or Melody. Music, Hoffman explains, has the ability to elevate us to prophetic inspiration. Paradoxically Nun also starts the Hebrew word for "fall" Nefilan. Daniela Abravanel connects this to the concept of tests on the Path of the Seeker. "Tests sent to us force us to look in the deepest places of our subconscious in order to find the power to transcend our limitations and over come the unconscious destructive drives....Descents become an opportunity to lift ourselves and attain a level that is higher than we previously achieved." Abravanel also says that this Hebrew letter is associated with the zodiac sign of Scorpio which represents physical, psychological and spiritual death and rebirth...or even successive existential crises. The Hebrew Month Mercheshavan is associated with Scorpio and literally means "bitter reckoning." The bible prior to the Hebrew exile to Babylon referred to this month as Bul. Nun also represents the Hebrew word for trial (Nisayaon). Abravanel quotes Proverbs 3:12, "For the Lord reprove whim whom he loves." She explains sthat God reserves trials for those he loves. Tizaddi If you have been following my Youtube videos you'll recognize this letter. I just covered this letter four days ago because it is the 4th Hebrew letter associated with the Path of the Seeker. This letter starts the words for Righteous (tzadic) and Justice (Tzedek). Tizaddi also starts the words for charity (Tzadakah) and for the process of creation known as Tzimzum. Paul Foster Case associates Tizaddi and righteousness with Meditation. A righteous person strives to make the right the decisions in all situations. We learned there are three attributes of a righteous person...Meditation, Right Intention (especially with food) and charity. Cheth This Hebrew letter is dramatically attached to the concept of health. First, it begins the Hebrew letter for life (chai) and also begins the Hebrew word for vitality (Chayat). Cheth also starts the Hebrew word for Dream (chalom) which Hoffman explains to represent divine inspiration and knowledge. Cheth also starts the word for Wisdom, Chockma (also the name of the second Sephiroth that sits at the top of the Pillar of Mercy). At the same time, Cheth begins the word for sickness (choli), profane or empty (chol) and the first letter for Sin (chet) which really means, "missing the mark." Illness, Abravanel explains, arises when we lose contact with our body's vital forces. This occurs when we are unable to fill our life with meaning...by aiming at the wrong target." This is why cures must come from a place deep within the soul, Arbavanel states, and I must concur. Doctors know that we have to have a good attitude in order to heal properly. Abravanel also explains that Cheth is associated with the Zodiac sign of Cancer. This connects it with motherhood. She explains that the unique bond a mother has with her child can either create a child with a wounded ego or a healthy child. Summary Summing up the combination of these three Hebrew Letters into one sentence: The Fall and trials (Nun) make for a meditative (Tizaddi) dream of a life of vitality or sickness (Cheth). Image Interpertation The letter Nun looks like a slightly bent candle with a single flame. Then Tizaddi looks like a figure that has bent backwards with a second flame springing forth from a constriction. Cheth looks like a doorway. Conclusion I find it amazing how this Sephiroth ties in so closely with the 4th Tarot Card Key on the Path of the Seeker. We can glimpse here not only how the Fall was created or allowed by the One Creator but also why. So many think of the 'fall' from Grace as a horrible thing and punishment from God. The truth is that that is the farthest thing from the case. The Creator made room for us to become individualized so that we can help him Create. This solves the paradox of the whole, "Greater than the Angels," statement found in Hebrews 1: 4-14 in the bible. In physical form we are not capable of being 'greater than the Angels' but the process of individualization followed by submitting to the One Creators will of our own choice...is what makes us 'greater then the Angels' who have a hive mind with the one Creator and no will or desire of their own. As Edgar Cacye said...we are to be companions with the One Creator. There was no chance in the Fall of Adam...it was by design because the One Creator doesn't make mistakes...but we have been given plenty of room to make our mistakes so that we get all of that out of our system. Then we can help by contributing our own ideas to the different designs of Creation. I am excited to share this blog with you today.
I really enjoy meditating on the meaning of the Hebrew Lettters. There is just something really neat about them that they are so versatile and have so many deep meanings. After understanding how Hebrew letters work I can see how the Bible Code by Michael Drosnin makes sense. He was the typical fear based doom and gloom Christian fella seeing nothing but the Apocalypse in this amazing phenomenon. However, he did do the world a service by reporting on how fascinating the Hebrew language is...and it's important to note that the bible code only works with Hebrew letters. Malkuth consists of five Hebrew Letters: Mem, Lamed, Kaph, Vau and Tau. Let's take a look at the deeper level of meaning of Malkuth that is conveyed by these letters. I found it absolutely fascinating! What is Malkuth? Before we begin, in case you are not following my YouTube video's on the Kabbalah Tree of Life Malkuth is the bottom Sephiroth on the Kabbalah Tree of Life. You can watch my introduction explaining the 7 lower Sephiroth of the Kabbalah Tree of Life embedded in a blog here: (https://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/intro-to-the-7-lower-sephiroth-of-the-kabbalah). The Kabbalah Tree of Life is the Divine Template. The Template represents both the Creation as well as the pattern upon which the human Psyche is based. We can use this Map of this Psyche to return to our relationship with the Divine Creator. I have covered many Maps of the Psyche... as usual, when it comes to the Kabbalah Tree of Life the critical instruction is to, "Know Thyself." Since all life in our reality is based on this Divine Pattern it behooves us to study the Kabbalah Tree of Life so that we may know ourselves and humanity's place in the cosmos. Malkuth means 'Kingdom.' On the Kabblah Tree of Life it is the lowest Sephiroth. This is the level of reality on which humanity dwells. Technically, it is said, Malkuth has been 'cut off' from the rest of the tree when Humanity fell. I have made a Youtube video covering the Sephiroth Malkuth that you will find in an upcoming blog that should appear the same week that I post this blog so I cannot attach it. You should be able to navigate to that blog via the side bar on the right or just scrolling up and down for the month of July 2018. Remarkably, by studying the Hebrew letters of the word Malkuth we can find a description of both the fall (involution of spirit into matter) and the ascendance (evolution out of matter). (If you haven't heard of that idea I think you should check out videos on YouTube about the Edgar Cacye material- in particular those by John Van Auken- but this concept is adequately summed up in the first two minutes of this video: https://youtu.be/b6Zt37aMROM.) Traditionally, the Kabbalah Tree of Life is covered from the top down. However, we are concerned with our personal ascension and transformation so we are going to take a look at the path we mus travel...which is from the bottom to the top of the 7th lower Sephiroth (as we are separated from the three Supernal Sephiroth's at the top). Mem The first letter of Malkuth is the letter Mem. This is one of the 'three mother letters of Hebrew.' (At some point I'm sure we will explore that topic on it's own.) Mem is associated with water because it is the first letter of the word water (Mayim) and for Hebrew ritual baths. Mem is a double letter so it both begins and ends the word for water (Mayim) enforcing Mem's connection to water. The Hebrew Ritual Baths symbolize rebirth and transformation. According to Daniella Abravenel this represents, "The desire to give up the material part of ourselves and be reborn as spiritual beings." The Torah itself is said to be 'spiritual water.' The Talmund states, "There is no water outside of the Torah." The Torah consists of the first five books of what Christians call the Old Testament. The ritual baths were referred to as a "mothers womb." This is inevitably connected to the third Sephiroth of the Tree of life...the Supernal known as Binah which represents the cosmic womb from which all life on the Tree of Life flows. Mem is also associated with the cold and winter, "It is the waters of winter that nourish the seeds of spring...it is up to us to keep the waters of our inner life in motion, nourishing our seeds of growth." Daniela Abravanel. Edward Hoffman explains Mem this way, "Symbolizes the vast sea of human consciousness containing depths concealed from view." As we have learned in other studies- Water and the Ocean represents the Subconscious which is directly related to Binah on the Kabbalah Tree of Life. Mem is linked to the word for Magi, because Mem begins the word, which is a name for a wise teacher or spirit guide. Mem also begins the word for Angel which is literally translated as Messenger. Lamed The most important word that Lamed is connected to is the Hebrew word for Heart (Lev). The first letter of the Torah is Bet and the last letter of the Torah is Lamed. Together they spell Lev (Heart). So, the Torah itself represents the 'heart.' "True knowledge," Edward Hoffman explains, "comes from the heart." Edward Hoffman also referred to this letter as resembling, "A tower soaring in the air," calling to mind the story of the Tower of Babylon. Lamed also begins the word for 'slander' and 'bad mouthing' which are considered the worst of human faults. Daniela Abravenel goes a bit further into this subject. She explains that, "When the heart becomes heavy one becomes numb to life and blind to vision." The same letters used in the Hebrew word for Heart is Liver. Liver and heavy is the same Hebrew word. In fact, in the Torah it says in the story of Moses that Pharaoh's heart had become Heavy or a Liver. That alone can be a deep subject as the weighing of the heart is an important part of the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Lamed is also the root of the word Limund meaning Study and Teaching. "The Wisdom of the Heart is the spiritual teaching that we receive when interacting with others." Even more amazing to our studies is this explanation by Daniela Abravenel: "In the Garden of Eden, according to Abraham Ibn Ezra, the drama of the Garden of Eden is also a metaphor for the disintegration that has occurred within the human pscyhe in which emotions, feelings and instincts are reunited...The man was the mind (Moach), The woman was the heart (Lev)...and the Snake the Liver (Kaved) (base of ancestral instincts and sexuality)." The Hebrew words Moach, Lev and Kaved form the word Malech- King. The King represents that when the intellect, emotions and instincts are united. As we are studying Malkuth- which means Kingdom- it's clear the way to become King of our own Kingdom within is to reunite our Kidney, Heart and Mind. Kuf/Kaph Kuf is a paradoxical letter in the Hebrew Alphabet. This is one of the letters of the Path of the Seeker. This word means both receive and sacrifice. Plus according to Daniela Abravenel Kuf is, "...the only letter that dips below the line even when it is found at the end of a word." Due to that fact it is the descent 'into the abyss,' which could be taken to mean the involution of Spirit into matter. Vav/Vau According to Daniela Abravenel, Vav is the perception of the Divine in the natural world. Vav is referred to the Hook representing Spiritual Connection to the Divine. Both Edward Hoffman and Daniela Abravanel point out that Vav consists of a verticle line connecting heaven and Earth. Hoffman states, "The straight upright form suggests that only when a person expresses uniqueness can a meaningful joining with others occur." Abravanel explains, "According to the theory of TzimTzum the contracted Divine light passes through this channel, enlivening the lower, material world." Vav is tied to the Sabbath and the importance of rest. Daniela Abravanel explains, "By resting fully once a week we can enter the depth and stillness...moving through life requires the peacefulness of allowing rather then putting all our efforts into exerting our will on the world around us." Vav is also associated with the Hebrew month of Iyar..the name of that month is composed of the abbreviation for the verse, "I am God who heals you." (Exodus 15:26). The Hebrew word for confession also begins with the word Vav (Viday). Tav This letter traditionally means, "To Mark." This is the final letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. This Hebrew letter also belongs to the Path of the Seeker and is associated with the end of the path... Tav is also associated with prayer. Most importantly this letter is associated with a return to Source. As all of us here on Earth are in a fallen status for coming here (once you are here it's a bit tough to get out). Ending the word Malkuth with Tau is absolutely perfect. As all of us who descended into matter will eventually Return to Source. In Summary Mem- water, mother's womb. connected to the vast sea of human consciousness. The subconscious. Also connected to ritual baths of rebirth. Lamed- The Heart. The heart represents True Knowledge but it's only functional if it's not heavy. If it is heavy it can be slanderous and bad mouthing...or lead one to become numb to life and blind to vision. Further, the result of the fall was a separation in the human psyche into Intellect, Heart and Instincts. Kuf- Here we find a paradoxical letter. The word means both receive and sacrifice. The sacrifice was to descend into matter. To ascend through matter we must become receptive to the One Creator. Vav- Represents a Hook...most often described as a Fish Hook. This hook represents a spiritual connection to the divine. This connection to the divine only occurs with rest when we are in a receptive state where we can receive inspiration from the One Creator. Tav- Means "To Mark." This is the final Hebrew letter on the Path of the Seeker...this is the goal of returning to Source. The Visual Story With Hebrew words there is a pictorial story much like with hieroglyphs that also give us a deeper meaning to the word. Malkuth tells us the story of Awakening or Ascension...of the process of transformation we must go through to return to source. The first letter, Mem, is almost entirely closed off to creation. This is person who is living solely for themselves staring down at the ground of Earth with no spiritual aspiration. The only part that sticks up is the part that looks like a Yod that stands in defiance of the Higher Powers. Lamed looks like the serpent. This is the willful heart that passionately wishes only to live for personal gratification. The paradoxical letter of Kaph/Kuf represents the fact that we mus sacrifice that heavy willful heart in order to receive the light of Source. We have to transform our heart into serving only ourselves to wanting to serve and share our experiences with the One Creator without inhibition. I call this 'standing naked' before the One Creator. In the story of the Garden of Eden it was shame because they had done something only for themselves that caused Adam and Eve to clothe themselves in order to hide from the One Creator. Vav/Vau is the fish-hook that the One Creator sends down to help lift us up out of our unconscious state of being of self-service. (Remember that Jesus told his disciples he was going to make them "fishers of men?" Matthew 4:19.) Tau, when you look at the picture is the original person transformed with the left 'corner stone' consisting of a stroke that looks a lot like a Yod that is bowing before the One Creator. Conclusion Wow! I knew that there would be a deep meaning and connection to the Sephiroth of Malkuth in the name but I didn't really expect that the major steps of both the "fall" into matter and the way to "ascend" out of it were included. That's the beauty of the Hebrew letters...every word is like a blueprint. Again, here we find the importance of the Heart in this journey. This reminds me of the story John Van Auken shares of the Mayans who agreed to come to Earth. They sacrificed their heart into a fire and became the 7 planets. We can see the importance of the Heart in the spiritual ceremonies of many cultures. We just recongnized the Mayan importance of the heart...although, sadly they took it to have to be a physical implication. In Buddhism the heart is considered an unopened lotus and being heart centered is paramount. In Christianity there is the Sacred Heart of Jesus often associated only with Catholicism. Again, in Egypt we had the weighing of the heart in the Egyptian Book of the Dead as one of the most important moments of a Soul's after life experience. Obviously, in the Hebrew tradition the Heart is the most important part of Ascension. I go more into depth about the heart in these two blogs so please check them out: "Humanity's Purpose," which you can read here: (https://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/humanitys-purpose) "Humanity's Purpose Part Two." (https://bridgetkorns.weebly.com/blog/humanitys-purpose-part-two) There will, eventually, be a Part Three of Humanity's Purporse where I talk about the Mayans. Thank you to the Hebrew teachers for keeping these spiritual truths pure so that all Seekers can return to the One Creator. References: Hoffman, Andrew. (1998) The Hebrew Alphabet: A Mystical Journey. Abravenel, Daniela. (2015)Secrets of The Hebrew Alphabet. |
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Brave Soul! May Your Journey On The Path Of The Seeker Bring You Joy and Peace! I'm currently posting every Saturday. With a new addition the family I have pre-scheduled most posts through December 2022. Full Moon Posts will contain up-to-date content when I can get to them. Thank you so much for your support and understanding! This is a place where you can encounter new spiritual ideas that have helped me develop as an Individual On The Path of the Seeker. Take or Leave this information as you see fit. Archives
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