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The
Tree of Life
The Tree of Life was originally a Babylonian idea and represents a
higher article system of 10 aspects (seferit) of God's nature that
are linked in 32 paths.
It was later adapted by Jewish mystics and became part of the
Kabbalistic interpretation of God's essence. It is a graphic
representation of the descent of God into the material world.
There are ten circles that are related to each other in
particular ways and demonstrate the interrelationship of different
aspects of God's nature. The Tree of Life is supposed to be a
representative he to help Kabbalists attain union with the divine by
helping them understand the relationship and sequence of the various
aspects of God's divine nature as it manifests itself in our world
and in ourselves.
Each triad contains a masculine and feminine element
with a combining element found in the center.
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The first triad: The top sephiroth (creative forces)
describe the indescribable via representation. They have
no direct link with reality. |
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Crown - (Keter) The highest aspect of the
Tree that can be understood. The Lower aspects (sephirot)
grow out of the topmost aspect of God. It is also known as
the Simple Point. The Crown, Keter is union with God and
is the mind of God that cannot be known by people.
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Wisdom - (Hokhmah, Chockmah) The contemplative and
primordial masculine aspect of God. It is the point from which the knowable
creation was begun. It is, therefore, creative force, the
expressive action of God.
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Understanding - (Binah) The analytical
aspect of God's nature, thoughts, etc. It is the highest
feminine aspect of God. It is said that Understanding gave
birth to the seven lower aspects. It is also known as
Mother. It is the formation of Wisdom.
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The second triad: The next three sephiroth "are
reflections of the first, on a lower level."1
Notice the gap between the first triad and the second.
This is the Abyss, "our side". |
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Mercy - (Hesed,
Chesed) The benevolent side of
God, the masculine side. It is also called Gedulah meaning
Greatness. "As the first sephira below the Abyss, Chesed
also represents the level of the "Inner Plane Adepts":
individuals who no longer need toincarnate on earth, and who
could cross the abyss and move on to the next stage of their
evolution."1 They help people
on the physical plane.
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Judgment,
Severity - (Din) The divine wrath,
judgment, and punishment of God, feminine side. With
Beauty, it shows balance. "It represents the the
concept that is expressed by the Hindu term 'Karma.'"2
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Beauty, Balance - (Tiferet) The representation of
the balance of justice and mercy. It is both masculine and
feminine. The higher self and the inner child.
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The final group of four:
The expression of the upper triads in a concrete manner. |
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Eternity, Passion - (Nezah) God's grace that works
through the world. It is the passion and energy of God's
creative force that is manifested in our world: gardening,
sexual relations, painting, etc.
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Splendor, Thought - (Hod) The lower channel or
means by which God's judgment enters the world. It is the area
of thought and truth. An imbalance of this aspect can lead
to deception.
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Foundation, Feeling - (Yesod) The channel by which
beauty and good forces pass into the world. It is a
combination of splendor and eternity. its realization is
manifested in intuition, instinct, and non-intellectualism.
"All created things must pass through the Yesod before being
actualized on the physical plane."3
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Kingdom, Body - (Shekhinah, Malkuth)
God's dwelling and presents in the world. It is the funnel
through which the upper aspects are delivered to the world and
realized in the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire.
Therefore, some believe it has a feminine aspect.
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References
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Hopking, C.J.M., The Practical Kabbalah
Guidebook. New York, New York: Sterling
Publishing Co. 2001, p. 22.
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ibid, p. 23.
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ibid, p. 25.
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Kabbalah
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