"Hear, O Israel: The L-RD our G-d is one L-RD." Deuteronomy 6:4
Rabbi Menachem of Recanati (1250-1310), in writing his commentary on the Shema, describes, in a similar fashion to some of the other writings we've looked at recently, the mysterious Unity of the G-dhead. In writing about this mystery, he concludes, "These are secrets which are revealed only to those who are reaping upon the holy field, as it is written 'The secret of the L-rd is with them that fear Him.'" (Psalms 25:14).
Rabbi Menachem then wrote:
"Hear, O Israel, the L-RD our G-d is one L-RD." This verse is the root of our faith, therefore Moses records it after the ten commandments. The reason (that there is said YHWH, Lord, Elohim, our God, and YHWH, Lord) is, because the word Shema does not here signify "Hear;" but "to gather together, to unite," as in 1 Samuel 15:4, "Saul gathered together the people." The meaning implied is; The Inherent-Ones are so united together, one in the other without end, they being the exalted G-d. He mentions the three names mystically to indicate the three exalted original Ones."
Rabbi Menachem of Recanati, Commentary on the Pentateuch [Venice edition]
The mystical traditions of the Sefirot are the Ten Attributes of the
ReplyDeleteG-dhead. The Sefirot are seen in Kabbalah as the garments or crowns of the King and as aspects of the Divine Personality which are united 'like a flame to a coal'. The Sefirot is also called by the name 'Adam Kadmon - Primordial Man' which is pictured as the Tree of Life or as the Man. This can be linked to Rabbi Shaul's concepts of the Second Adam - the Man come from heaven. The Sefirot are grouped into three triads of Attributes. These Sefirot within the G-dhead are in complete unity - G-d is not divided into separate parts but is a unity (Echad). One commentary on the Jewish Kabbalistic book Bahir states that:
"the Ten Sefirot are indeed three, and they represent three celestial forces."
The Kabbalah (in the teaching of Rabbi Isaac the Blind of Provence) states that the power that unifies these three Crowns within the
G-dhead is the power of Hesed (Divine Mercy/Love/and Grace).
The Head Triad
The first three Sefirot of the G-dhead make up the Sacred Head of the Divine Body. "The Infinite" beyond all images or aspects or sefirah is called 'Ein Sof'. Ein Sof is what we would call 'the Father'. The first Sefirah of the first Triad of the Head is called Keter (Crown) and is co- Eternal with Ein Sof, and Keter is also called Razon (Divine Will) and Ayin (Nothingness). It is also the Sefirah of Divine Knowledge. It is from this Sefirah that all the others Sefirah's proceed. The other two Sefirot of the Head Triad are Hokmah (Wisdom) and Binah (Understading). Keter, Hokmah, and Binah are the three highest Sefirot and represent the Head of the Divine or the Body and are the most hidden of the Sefirot!
Mind is blown. Thanks so much for this!
ReplyDeleteSorry I've been away. I've had to step back for a bit to tackle a pretty intense design project - one still in progress. It's really exciting. Most important thing I've done so far. More on that later.
If only I had a co-author... :^)
Luke,
ReplyDeleteIt's always great to hear your busy in this most important work, spreading the 'Good News' of the Kingdom to come!! Keep up the good work. Hey i told you, i'm here to help! ;)
Rey