The emulation of an upper phase by a lower
phase.(cf. INNER LIGHT 25)
That which is considered to be of
high grade is discriminated as above and that of inferior grade as
"below". (cf. i.L. 25)
A subsequent phase, resulting from a
preceding one.
When discussing the relationship of
cause and effect as pertaining to emanated beings, cause is
expressed by "prior" and effect by "subsequent".
Less meritorious than another. (cf.
I.L.. 25)
If no discrimination such as "above"
and "below" can be made between the four grades of the will to
receive, the latter is considered as a circle (for a circle
designates neither "above" nor "below"). Hence, the four grades are
defined as four circles one within the other, wherein it is
impossible to realize any "above" or "below". (cf. I.L. 19)
The term "creating" is applied,
precisely and appropriately, to any new revelation which is in the
creation. It is the manifestation of existence from non-existence.
This refers to the substance of the vessels only, in other words, to
the will to receive which is comprised in each entity. For we know
that no such will ever existed in the Substance of the Creator,
prior to creation.
A degree or grade which comprises
all the four phases of the will to receive. (cf. I.L. 20)
The fourth phase of the "will",
which receives no Light, because of the restriction, is considered
as the root of darkness.
Similitude of phase; since wherever
an affinity exists between spiritual entities, they are drawn
together and become merged into one. (Where diversity of phase
exists, severance and alienation ensue). (cf. I.L. 12)
Every cause is called "Emanator" of
the grade or degree which it effects. The term "Emanator" is a
comprehensive one as it comprises both the extension of the Light,
and its vessel -that which contains or receives the Light.
The place which is prepared for
emendation, improvement and perfection. (cf. I.L. 4)
The Light of Mercy is called "empty
atmosphere" before it clothes or enwraps the Light of Wisdom. (cf.
I.L. 5)
The limit or boundary of each
emanated being is achieved by the power of restraint, which is in
the fourth phase or grade. The Upper Light ceases to shine there
because this fourth grade does not accept It. (cf. I.L. 11)
The Light which comes forth from the
inclusiveness of the Emanator and arrives at the stage of emanated
being. The word "extension" is applied only because of the will to
receive which resides in the emanated being. In truth the Upper
Light is not affected by this extension. It may be compared to a
candle which lights another, yet does not suffer any diminution by
the act. (cf. I.L. 23)
This term designates that there is
no lack whatsoever, and it is impossible to conceive of adding even
an iota to the fullness.(cf.I.L.3)
The term "fashioner" specifies a
Bestower of Light to the worlds. This Light is all-inclusive, as It
comprises the entire creation, with the exception of the substance
of the vessels.
This means the progression from the
first grade down to the fourth. The fourth grade, which was left
without Light discriminated as the lowest of the grades. That grade
in which the will to receive is diminished is discriminated as
higher in degree, and so on up until we find the first grade or
phase wherein the will to receive is smallest, being designated as
the highest of the grades. (cf. I.L. 25)
A light which does not reveal any
gradations. (cf. I.L. 1)
That part of the emanated being
which is in closest affinity with the Origin. (cf. I.L. 26)
The fourth phase of the will, which
has been deprived or voided of Light, is considered to be the dark
grade in relation to the Light. In relation to the vessel it is
defined as a "vacuum" for the emanated being does not lack the
fourth grade even after the restriction, but has it in the form of a
vacuum which is void of Light. (cf. I.L. 6)
When Light shines into and is
received in the interior of a vessel, that Light is measured and
circumscribed by the vessel, whilst when it is extended to the
exterior of the vessel there is no boundary to the Light which is
received. (cf. I.L. 14)
Cf. term number 46.
The will to receive which is
inevitably there.
Light is the Essence of all
bestowals made to the worlds and It is existence from existence. In
the Source, before It is ever extended, It is in the form of a
simple Light, but It acquires diversity when It starts Its journey
to the lower worlds. It is therefore called pre-existent Light, and
is not new, for It came from the everlasting Light of the Infinite,
and is an inclusive Light. It comprises all properties, except the
substance of the vessels.
That Light which clothes the Light
of Wisdom and which is extended to the emanated being with the first
effort of the sephira Intelligence. (cf. I.L. 5 and 14)
The Abundance which is received by
the emanated being is the Light; the will to receive which is in the
emanated being is the vessel. (cf. I.L. 6)
(28) LIGHT OF
WISDOM
The Light which is drawn to the
emanated being at the first extension, which is for its general
substance and sustenance. (cf. I.L. 5, 14)
This term conveys the idea that the
emanated being has distinctive grades such as "above" and "below".
Naturally, before the appearance of the Line, no grades were
distinguished. The word "line" also teaches that the shine of the
Light is very meagre compared to what it was before, that is before
the withdrawal of the light from the Sephiroth Kingdom of the
Infinite. (cf. I.L. 23)
See term 31.
This is the name of the fourth phase
of the Infinite, called Middle Point because of its absolute unity
with the Infinite Light. (cf. I.L. 14)
Each new phase is spoken of as a
spiritual motion, because it severs itself from the previous phase
abandons its precincts, and assumes an individual name; therefore it
may be compared to tangible things which are separated and, through
motion, leave their previous places.
Any phase (Partzuf) that has a
closer affinity than any other of its adjacent phase or partzuf is
said to be "nearer" it. (cf. I.L 25)
The Upper Light which is extended
from the Substance of the Creator is Simple and Absolute Unity, just
as is His Substance; and as It is in the Infinite World, so is this
Light an absolute Unity, even in this physical plane of the World of
action, where it is without diversity or even a trace of
supplementary phase. Therefore It is called One. (cf. I.L. 23)
The will to receive, which the
emanated being possesses, Is the "place" for its entire abundance
and Light.
The first phase in the will to
receive is distinguished as purer than the three grades which follow
it. (cf. I.L. 13, 25)
The will to receive, which is an
inherent trait in all souls and separates them from the Upper Light,
since diversity of phase separates in the realm of Spirit. The idea
of a soul being hewn from its Source means the transition from the
World of Emanation to the World of Creation. This will be explained
in the proper place.
It means subduing the will, or
restraining the desire. For instance, if a man restrains himself
from receiving, although his craving is intense, it is said that he
has restrained, restricted or curbed himself from receiving more.
(cf. I.L. 13)
At times the lower grade will rise
to be in affinity with a grade which is of a higher degree. This
happens when the upper grade, for the purpose of attaining its own
completion, is in need of the lower. Then the lower one is
designated as the "left" and the upper grade as the "right".
Two grades which are utterly unlike
in character, so that they do not have even a trace of resemblance
in their entire makeup, are designated as being severed, or
completely separated one from the other.
If there is no discrimination of
grades between the four gradations of the will to receive, then it
is said that they are equal or similar. (cf. I.L. 10)
That which has no distinctions of
grades or dimension. (cf. 1.L. 9)
A Light which comprises in itself
the vessel, and yet has no recognizable difference between the Light
and the vessel. (cf. IL. 12)
See term 42
The Unique indicates the Upper Light
which shines into and reigns over all the multitude of
differentiated grades for the purpose of converting all their
multiple dissimilarities into the one likeness of His Unique Phase.
The word "Myuchad" relates to the Individualized one and is used to
describe the state of all grades when the final goal of the above
action has been achieved; namely, when all phases have been brought
to similarity and all emulate His Unique Phase.
The Light of Mercy or Grace is
called Spirit. (cf. I.L. 5)
(48) A
NAME (HOLY NAME)
The Holy Names are explanations of
the Lights defined by these Names. What they convey to us enables us
to grasp the concept of the Lights. Thus, the name of any degree or
grade is the clue to an understanding of it.
A definite number of phases, which
branch from each other and are ramified into each other, in the
order of cause and effect. These are designated as a specific period
of time as days, months and years.
If the dissimilarity of a grade or
degree to its root is not so great as to sever it from the origin,
it is then described as touching or contacting the origin. The same
principle applies also to consecutive and adjacent grades. (cf. I.L.
27)
A grade which has only the first
three phases of the will to receive. (cf. I.L. 21)
Two dissimilar grades, after they
have come to the stage of likeness, are considered to have united
into one grade, which is called "unity". (cf. I.L. 12, 13)
That which is of superior merit is
designated as upper. (cf. I.L.25)
The will to receive which the
emanated being possesses. (cf. I.L. 6)
The Light Which is the very
substance for the sustenance of the emanated being (cf. I.L. 5)
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Answers on Kabbalistic Matters"
