Idra Rabba Qadusha
GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY
from the
Book of Splendor (Sefer HaZohar)
Mantuan Codex: In the Wilderness (Torah B'midbar) III: 127a-144b
The following translation is the Work of the Chariot edition of the Lesser Holy Assembly published in 1970.Verses from the Torah are written in Bold Italic. Verses from the Prophets and Writings and are written in Bold.
Chapter One
1. Tradition: Rabbi Shimeon spoke unto his companions, and said: "How long
shall we abide in the condition of one column by itself, when it is written
(Psalms 119.126): It is time for You Lord YHVH to lay to your hand,
for they have made void your Torah."
2. "The days are few, and the creditor is urgent; the herald cries aloud
daily, and the reapers of the land are few; and those who are about the end
of the vineyard attend not, and have not known where may be the lawful place."
3. "Assemble yourselves, O my companions, in an open space, equipped with
armor and spears; be ye ready in your preparations, in council, in wisdom, in
understanding, in science, in care, with hands and feet! Appoint as King over
you, Him in whose power is life and death, so that the words of truth may be
received: things unto which the supernal holy ones attend, and rejoice to hear
and to know them."
4. Rabbi Shimeon sat down and wept; then he said: "Woe! If I shall reveal
it! Woe if I shall not reveal it!"
5. His companions who were there were silent.
6. Rabbi Abba arose and said unto him: "With the favor of the Lord, also
it is written (Psalms 25.14): The secret of the Lord YHVH is with
them that fear Him. And well do these companions fear that Holy and Blessed
One. His house, some of them have only entered, and some of them have departed
also."
7. Moreover, it is said the companions who were with Rabbi Shimeon were numbered,
and they were found to consist of Rabbi Eleazer, his son; and Rabbi Abba, and
Rabbi Yehuda, and Rabbi Yosi, son of Jacob, and Rabbi Yitza'aq, and Rabbi Chisqiah,
son of Rav, and Rabbi Chaiya, and Rabbi Yosi, and Rabbi Yisa. (see
Figure)
8. They gave their hands unto Rabbi Shimeon, and raised their fingers on high,
and entered into a field under the trees and sat down.
9. Rabbi Shimeon arose and offered a prayer. He sat in the midst of them, and
said: "Let whosoever will, place his hand in my bosom." They placed
their hands there and he took them.
10. When he began, he said (Torah Doverim 27.15): "Cursed
is the man that makes any graven or molten image, the work of the hands of the
craftsman, and puts it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and
say Amen."
11. Rabbi Shimeon began and said: "Time for You, O Lord YHVH to lay Your
hand. Why is it time for Lord YHVH to lay to His hand? Because they have made
void your Torah. What is this, they have made void Your Torah?
The higher Torah, which is itself made void, if it be NOT (Vast
Face) carried out according to the Perfections (Tikkunim, i.e. Sefiroth).
This has been said concerning the Ancient of Days (Arikh Anpin, Vast
Face)."
12. "For it is written (Torah Doverim 33.29): Blessed
are you, O Israel; who is like unto you? Also it is written (Torah
Shmoth 15.11): Who is like unto You among the gods, O Lord YHVH?"
13. He called Rabbi Eleazer, his son, and commanded him to sit down before him,
and Rabbi Abba on the other side, and said: "We are the form of all things,
the three columns of the Sefiroth; thus far are the Tikkunim established."
14. They kept silence, and they heard a voice; and their knees knocked one against
the other with fear. What was that voice? The voice of the Higher Assembly,
which had assembled above.
15. Rabbi Shimeon rejoiced and said (Habakuk 3.1): "O Lord YHVH!
I have heard Your speech, and was afraid!" He has said: 'It is therefore
rightly done, seeing that fear has followed; but for us the matter rather depends
on love.' Like as it is written (Torah Shmoth 6.5): "And
you shall delight in the Lord YHVH your Elohim." Also it is written
(Malachi 1.2): "I have loved you."
16. Rabbi Shimeon said further (Proverbs 9.13): "He who walks,
going up and down, reveals the secret; but the faithful in spirit conceals the
word."
17. "He who walks going up and down. This saying merits question, because
it says,
'Going up and down.' Wherefore then 'walks'? The man is already said to be going
up and down; what is this word 'walk'?"
18. "For truly it is true concerning that man who is not stable in his
spirit nor truthful, that the word which he has heard is moved hither and thither,
like a straw in the water, until it comes forth from him."
19. "For what reason? Because his spirit is not a firm spirit."
20. "But concerning him who is firm in spirit it is written: But the faithful
conceals the word. 'Faithful in spirit' denotes firmness of spirit; like it
is said (Isaiah 22.23): And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure
place. Matter depends on Spirit."
21. "And it is written (Ecclesiastes 5.6): Suffer not your mouth
to cause thy flesh to sin."
22. "For neither does the world remain firm, except through secrets. And
in worldly affairs there be so great a need for secrets, how much more in the
things of the most secret of secrets, and in the meditation of the Ancient of
Days, which matters are not even revealed unto the highest angels."
23. Rabbi Shimeon said, moreover: "I will not say it unto the heavens,
that they may hear; I will not declare it unto the earth, that it may hear;
for certainly we are the pillars of the Universe."
24. It is said that in the Secrets of Secrets, when Rabbi Shimeon opened his
mouth, the whole space was shaken, and his companions were also shaken.
Chapter Two
25. HE manifested the Secret, and commencing, said (Torah B'reshith
36.29): "And those are the kings (i.e. the Sefiroth) which reigned
in the land of Edom before that a king could rule over the children of Israel."
26. Blessed are ye, O just men! Because unto you is manifested the Secret (Sod)
of the Secret of the Torah, which has not been manifested unto
the holy superior ones.
27. Who can follow out this matter? And who is worthy to do so? For it is the
testimony of the truth of truths. Therefore let our prayers be undertaken with
devotion, lest it be imputed as a sin, that I am making this matter manifest.
28. And perchance my companions may speak unto me, because some objection may
arise against these words. For truly this work is not such a one as may be easily
written down, so that by it may appear how many kings there were before the
children of Israel came; how therefore does this matter agree? And for this
reason my companions have moved the question.
29. Therefore, the Secret of Secrets is what man can neither know nor comprehend,
nor can they apply their rules of science to it.
30. It is said that before the Ancient of the Ancient Ones, the Concealed of
the Concealed Ones, instituted the formations of the King (Ze'ir Anafin,
Small Face) and the diadems; beginning and end existed as NOT (Lo).
31. Therefore he carved out and instituted proportions in Himself, and spread
out before Him a certain veil; and therein carved out and distributed the kings
and their forms by a certain proportion; but they subsisted as NOT (Lo),
into quiet.
32. That is the same thing that is said (Torah B'reshith 36.29):
"And these are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom,"
before that there reigned a king over the children of Israel. The first king
in respect of the children of Israel is 'The First' [Sefirah Knowledge/The First].
33. And all those things which were carved out, but subsisted as NOT, are called
by their names, neither yet did they subsist, until he forsook them, and hid
Himself before them.
Chapter Three
34. And after a certain time was that veil entirely disunited in formless separation,
and recomposed according to the Perfections (Tikkunim, also Sefiroth).
35. And this is the tradition: The Absolute desired within Himself to create
the essence of light (n. letters of the alphabet), hidden for two thousand years,
and produced Him (Small Face). And He (Small Face) answered unto Him (Vast Face):
"He (Vast Face) who wishes to dispose and to constitute other things, let
Him (Small Face) first be disposed according to the Perfections."
36. This is the tradition described in the "Concealed Book of the King,"
that the Ancient of the Ancient Ones, the Concealed of the Concealed Ones, has
been constituted and prepared as in various members.
37. Like as if it were said, "He is found, and He is NOT (Lo) found;"
for He cannot be clearly comprehended, but He has as it were been formed; neither
yet is He to be known by any, since He is the Ancient of the Ancient Ones (Vast
Face).
38. But in His Perfections is He first established, as also He is the Eternal
of the Eternal Ones, the Ancient of the Ancient Ones, the Concealed of the Concealed
Ones; and in His letters is He knowable and NOT knowable.
39. White are His garments, and His appearance is the likeness of a Face vast
and terrible.
40. Upon the throne of flaming light is He seated, so that He may direct its
flashes.
41. Into forty thousand superior worlds the brightness of the skull of His Head
is extended, and from the light of this brightnessthe just shall receive four
hundred worlds in the world to come.
42. This is that which is written (Torah B'reshith 23.16): "Four
hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant."
43. Within His skull exist daily thirteen thousand myriads of worlds, which
draw their existence from Him, and by Him are upheld.
Chapter Four
44. And from that skull distills a dew upon Him which is external, and fills
His Head daily.
45. And from that dew which flows down from His Head, that which is external,
the dead are raised up in the world to come.
46. Concerning which it is written (Song of Songs 5.2): "My head
is filled with dew." It is not written: "It is full with dew,"
but Nimla (almn), "It is filled."
47. And it is written (Isaiah 26.19): "The dew of the lights
is Your dew." Of the lights-- that is, from the brightness of the Ancient
One.
48. And by that dew are nourished the holy supernal ones.
49. And this is that manna which is prepared for the just in the world to come.
50. And that dew distills upon the ground of the holy apple trees. This is that
which is written (Torah Shmoth 16.14): "And when the
dew was gone up, behold upon the face of the desert a small round thing."
51. And the appearance of this dew is white, like unto the color of the crystal
stone, whose appearance has all colors in it. This is that which is written
(Torah Vayiqra 2.7): "And its varieties as the varieties
of crystal."
Chapter Five
52. The whiteness of this skull shines in thirteen carved out sides: in four
sides from one portion; in four sides from the part of His Face; and in four
sides from another part of the periphery; and in one above the skull, as if
this last might be called the supernal side.
53. And thence is the Vastness of His Face extended into three hundred and seventy
myriads of worlds; and hence "Vast Face" is His Name.
54. And He Himself, the most Ancient of the Ancient Ones, is called "Vast
Face"; and He who is more external is called "Small Face", in
opposition to the Ancient Eternal Holy One, the Holy of Holy Ones.
55. And when Small Face looks back upon Him (Vast Face), all the inferiors are
restored in order, and His Face is extended, and is made more vast at that time,
but not for all time is it vast like unto the countenance of the More Ancient
One.
56. And from that skull issues a certain white shining emanation, toward the
skull of Small Face, for the purpose of fashioning His head; and thence towards
the other inferior skulls, which are innumerable.
57. And all the skulls reflect this shining whiteness towards the Ancient of
Days, when they are numbered out of their undifferentiated condition. And by
reason of this there exists herein an opening towards the skull below, when
they proceed to numeration.
Chapter Six
58. In the hollow of the skull is the aerial membrane of the supreme hidden
wisdom, which is nowhere revealed; and it is NOT (Lo) found and it is
NOT opened.
59. And that membrane enshrouds the brain of the hidden wisdom, and therefore
is that wisdom covered, because it is NOT (Lo) opened through that membrane.
60. And that brain, which is itself the hidden wisdom, is silent and remains
tranquil in its place, like good wine upon its lees.
61. And this is that which they say: "Hidden is the science of the Ancient
One, and His brain is calm and concealed."
62. And that membrane has an outlet toward Small Face, and on that account is
His brain extended, and goes forth by thirty-two paths.
63. This is the same thing that is written (Torah B'reshith 2.7):
"And a river went forth out of Eden." But for what reason?
Because the membrane is opened, and does it completely enshroud the brain.
64. Nevertheless, the membrane is opened from below. And this is that which
we have said: Among the signatures of the letters is Tav-Yod-Vav; nevertheless
He impressed it as a sign of the Ancient of Days, from Whom depends the perfection
of knowledge, because He is perfect on every side, and hidden, and tranquil,
and silent, like good wine upon its lees.
Chapter Seven
65. This is the tradition: From the skull of His Head hang down a thousand thousand
myriads; seven thousand and five hundred curling hairs, white and pure, like
as wool when it is pure; which have not been mingled confusedly together, less
inordinate disorder should be shown in His confirmation; but all are in order,
so that no one lock may go beyond another lock, nor one hair before another.
66. And in single curls are four hundred and ten locks of hair, according to
the number of the word Qadosh (Holy).
67. But these hairs, all and singular, radiate into four hundred and ten worlds.
68. But these worlds alone are hidden and concealed, and no man knows them,
save Himself.
69. And He radiates in seven hundred and twenty directions.
70. And in all the hairs is a fountain, which issues from the hidden brain behind
the wall of the skull.
71. And it shines and goes forth through that hair unto the hair of Small Face
and from it is His brain formed, and thence that brain goes forth into thirty
and two paths.
72. And each curl radiates and hangs down arranged in beautiful form, and adorned
with ornament, and they enshroud the skull.
73. But the curls of the hair are disposed on each side of the skull.
74. Also we have said: Each hair is said to be the breaking of the hidden fountains,
issuing from the concealed brain.
75. Also this is the tradition: From the hair of a man it is known what he is,
whether rigorous or merciful, when he passes over forty years; thus also when
he is perfect in hair, in beard, and in eyebrows of his eyes.
76. The curls of His hair hang down in order, and pure like unto wool, even
unto His shoulders. Say we unto His shoulders? Nevertheless, even unto the rise
of His shoulders, so that His neck may not be seen, because of that which is
written (Jeremiah 2.27): "Because they have turned away from
Me the neck and NOT the face."
77. And the hair is less close to the ears, lest it should cover them; because
it is written (Psalms 130.2), "As Your ears are open."
78. From hence His hair stretches out behind His ears. The whole is in equilibrium;
one hair does not go beyond another hair, they are in perfect disposition, and
beautiful arrangement, and orderly condition.
79. It is the delight and joy of the just, who are in Small Face, to desire
and to behold and to conform unto those Perfections (Sefiroth) which are in
the Ancient One, the Most Concealed of all.
80. Thirteen curls of hair exist on the one side and on the other of the skull;
they are about His face, and through them commences the division of the hair.
81. There is no left in that Ancient Concealed One, but all is right.
82. He appears, and He appears NOT (Lo); He is concealed, and He is NOT
(Lo) concealed; and that is in His Perfections much more so than in Himself.
83. And concerning this the children of Israel wished to inquire in their heart,
like as it is written (Torah Shmoth 17.7): "Is the
Lord YHVH in the midst of us, or the Negatively Existent One?"
Where they distinguished between Small Face, who is called "YHVH",
and between Vast Face, who is called "Nothing" (Ayn), the Negatively
Existent.
84. But why, then, were they punished? Because they did it not in love, but
in temptation; like as it is written: "Because they tempted their
Lord YHVH saying: Is it the Lord YHVH in the midst of us, or is it the Negatively
Existent One?"
85. In the parting of the hair proceeds a certain path, which shines into two
hundred and seventy worlds. And from that path again shines another path wherein
the just of the world to come shall shine.
86. That is what is written (Proverbs 4.18): "And the path of
the just shall shine as the light, going forth, and shining more and more unto
the perfect day."
87. And out of that is the path divided into six hundred and thirteen paths,
which are distributed in Small Face.
88. As it is written concerning Him (Psalms 25.6): "All the paths
of the Lord YHVH are mercy and truth."
Chapter Eight
89. The forehead of His skull is the will of wills, whereunto is opposed the
will of Small Face, as it is written (Torah Shmoth 28.38): "And
it shall be upon His forehead always for will ..."
90. And that forehead is called "Will" (Ratzon), because it
is the ruler of the whole head and of the skull, which is covered by four hundred
and twenty worlds.
91. And when it is uncovered, the prayers of the Israelites ascend.
92. "When is it uncovered/" Rabbi Shimeon was silent. He asked again
a second time, "When?" Rabbi Shimeon said unto Rabbi Eleazar, his
son, "When is it uncovered?
93. He answered unto him: "In the time of the offering of the evening prayer
on the Sabbath."
94. He said unto him: "For what reason?" He answered unto him: "Because
at that time the lower judgment threatens through Small Face; but that forehead
is uncovered which is called 'Will,' and then wrath is removed, and the prayer
ascends."
95. "This is that which is written (Psalms 89.14): And I have
prayed unto You, O Lord YHVH in the time of the Will of Elohim."
96. "And the time of will by the Ancient of Days (Vast Face) is here to
be understood, and of the unveiling of the forehead; and because it is thus
disposed at the offering of the evening prayer on the Sabbath."
97. Rabbi Shimeon spake unto Rabbi Eleazar, his son, and said: "Blessed
be you, O my son! By the Ancient of Days; for you have found in that time in
which you have need of the will of His forehead."
98. Come and behold! In these inferiors, when the forehead is uncovered, there
is found fixed shamelessness.
99. This is the same which is written (Jeremiah 3.3): "Yet you
have the forehead of a shameless woman, you refuse to be ashamed."
100. But when this forehead (Vast Face) is uncovered, inclination and will are
found in perfect form, and all wrath is quieted and subdues before Him.
101. From that forehead shine forth four hundred habitations of judgments, when
it is uncovered during that period of will, and all things are at peace before
it.
102. This is the same which is written (Daniel 7.10): "The judgment
was set..." -- that is, subsides in its place, and the judgment is
not exercised.
103. And this is the tradition: There is no hair found on that part, because
it is opened and not covered.
104. It is covered, I say, and the executors of judgment behold this, and are
pacified and (judgment) is not exercised.
105. This is the tradition: This forehead has been extended into two hundred
and seventy thousand lights of the luminaries of the superior Eden.
106. This is the tradition: There exists an Eden which shines in Eden. The superior
Eden, which is NOT (Lo) uncovered, and is hidden in concealment, and
is NOT (Lo) distributed into the paths, like as it has been said.
107. The inferior Eden is distributed into its paths, into thirty-two directions
of Its paths.
108. And although this Eden is distributed into Its paths, yet is it NOT (Lo)
known unto any, save unto Small Face.
109. But no man has known the superior Eden, nor its paths, except Vast Face
Himself.
110. Like as it is written (Job 28.23): "Elohim understands the
way thereof, and He knows the place thereof."
111. "Elohim understands the way thereof," this is the inferior
Eden, known unto Small Face. "And He knows the place thereof,"
this is the superior Eden, which the Ancient of Days has known, the most abstruse
of all.
Chapter Nine
112. The eyes of the White Head (Vast Face) are diverse from all other eyes.
Above the eye is no eyelid, neither is there an eyebrow over it.
113. Wherefore? Because it is written (Psalms 111.4): "Behold,
He that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep"--that is, the
superior Eden .
114. Also it is written (Jeremiah 32.19): "Whose eyes are open."
115. And this is the tradition: Seeing that all is operated through mercies,
He has not covering unto His eye, nor eyebrow above His eye. How little, then,
does the White Head require such?
116. Rabbi Shimeon spoke unto Rabbi Abba, and said: "To what is this like?"
He answered unto him: "To the whales and fishes of the sea, which have
no coverings for their eyes, nor eyebrows above their eyes; who sleep not, and
require not a protection for the eye."
117. "How much less does the Ancient of the Ancient of the Ancient Ones
require a protection, seeing that far above His creatures He watches over all
things, and all things are nourished by Him, and He Himself sleeps not."
118. "This is that which is written (Psalms 121.4): Behold! He
that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep-- that is, the superior Israel."
119. "It is written (Psalms 33.18): Behold the eye of the Lord
YHVH is upon them that realize Him; and it is written (Zechariah
4.10): They are the eyes of the Lord YHVH, running to and fro throughout
the whole earth."
120. "There is no contradiction (between these sayings); one is concerning
Small Face and the other concerning Vast Face."
121. "And further, although there be two eyes, yet they are converted into
one eye."
122. "This is pure in its whiteness, and so white that it includes all
whiteness."
123. "The first whiteness shines, and ascends and descends for the purpose
of combining with that which is linked (with it) in connection."
124. "This is the tradition: That whiteness darts forth its rays, and ignites
three lights, which are called "Glory" (Hod), "Majesty"
(Hadar), and "Joy" (Chedved); and they radiate in gladness
and perfection."
125. "The second whiteness shines and ascends and descends, and darts forth
its rays, and ignites three other lights, which are called "Eternity"
(Netzach), "Lovingkindness" (Chesed), and "Beauty"
(Tifareth), and they radiate in perfection and gladness."
126. "The third whiteness radiates and shines, and descends and ascends,
and goes forth from the part enclosing the brain, and darts forth its rays toward
the seventh middle light."
127. "And it forms a path to the inferior brain, which forms a path to
the inferiors, and all the inferior lights are thereby ignited."
128. Rabbi Shimeon said; "You have spoken well, and the Ancient of Days
will open this eye upon you in the time of your need.
129. Another tradition runs thus: Whiteness in whiteness, and whiteness that
includes all other whiteness.
130. The first whiteness shines and ascends and descends in three lights on
the left-hand side, and they radiate and are bathed in that whiteness, like
as when a man bathes in good unguents and odors, in better condition than he
at first possessed.
131. The second whiteness descends and ascends and shines in three lights on
the right-hand side, and they radiate and are bathed in that whiteness, like
as when a man bathes his body in good unguents and odors, in better condition
than he at first possessed.
132. The third whiteness shines and ascends and descends, and goes forth as
the light of the inner whiteness of the brain, and sends forth its rays when
necessary unto the black hair, and unto the head, and unto the brain of the
head (Small Face).
133. And it irradiates the three crowns that remain, when it is needful, so
that it may be uncovered if that be pleasing unto the Most Ancient One hidden
from all (Vast Face).
134. And this is the tradition: This eye is never closed; and there are two,
and they are converted into one.
135. All is right; there is no left there. He sleeps not and slumbers not, and
He requires no protection. He is not such a One as has need to defend Himself,
for He defends all things, and He Himself waited upon all things, and in the
sight of His eye are all things established.
136. This is the tradition: Were that eye closed for even one moment, no thing
could subsist.
137. Therefore, it is called the open eye, the holy eye, the excellent eye,
the eye of Providence, the eye which sleeps not neither slumbers, the eye which
is the guardian of all things, the eye which is the subsistence of all things.
138. And concerning it is it written (Proverbs 22.9), "The bountiful
eye;" you shall not read "the blessed eye," but "it
blesses" for it is called "the bountiful eye," and by
it are all things blessed.
139. And this is the tradition: There is no light in the inferior eye, so that
it can be bathed in redness and blackness; except when it is beheld by that
white brilliance of the superior eye which is called "the bountiful eye."
140. And to no man is it known when this superior holy eye may shine and may
bathe the inferior; and when the just and the supernal blessed ones are about
to be beheld in that wisdom.
141. This is that which is written (Isaiah 3.8): "For they shall
see eye to eye." When? When the Lord YHVH shall bring again Zion. Also,
it is written (Torah B'midbar14.14): "That
You Lord YHVH are seen eye to eye."
142. And unless the bountiful superior eye was to look down upon and bathe the
inferior eye, the universe could not exist even a single moment.
143, This is the tradition in the "Book of Concealed Mystery:" Providence
arises from the inferior eye when the highest splendor shines down upon it,
and that highest splendor goes forth into the inferior; for from it are all
things illuminated.
144. This is that which is written (Torah B'midbar 14.14): "That
You Lord YHVH are seen eye to eye." Also it is written (Psalms
33.18): "Behold the eye of the Lord YHVH is upon them that fear Him."
And it is written (Zechariah 4.10): "The eyes of the Lord YHVH
running to and fro throughout the whole earth."
145. "The eye of the Lord YHVH is upon them that fear Him,"
if they be upright. This is the superior eye. On the contrary, when it is said,
"The eyes of the Lord YHVH run to and fro," this is the eye that is
below.
146. This is the tradition: On what account was Joseph worthy, so that the evil
eye had no dominion over him? Because that he was worthy of being upheld by
the superior benign eye.
147. This is that which is written (Torah B'reshith 49.22): "Joseph
is the son of a fruitful bough;" the son of a fruitful bough above
Ayin. Why "the son of a fruitful bough above Ayin? As though to imply,
"because of that eye which beheld him."
148. Also it is written (Proverbs 22.9): "The bountiful eye shall
be blessed." Why? Because it gives its bread unto the poor.
149. Why is it said in the singular number? Come and see. In the eyes which
are inferior are a right eye and a left eye, and they are of two diverse colors.
150. But in this instance there is no left eye, and they both ascend in one
path, and all are right. And on that account is one eye mentioned, and not two.
151. And this is the tradition: This eye, which is the eye of witnessing, is
ever open, ever smiling, and ever glad.
152. Such are not the inferiors, who in themselves have redness, and blackness,
and whiteness--three colors; and are not always open, for there are eyelids
as a protection over these eyes.
153. And concerning the matter it is written (Psalms 44.23): "Awake,
O Lord YHVH, why do You sleep?" And (II Kings 19.16): "Open
Your eyes, O Lord YHVH."
154. When they are opened, for some are they opened for good, and on some they
are opened for evil.
155. Woe unto him upon whom it is opened, so that the eye is mingled with redness,
and unto whom the redness appears, spreading across that eye. Who can escape
from it?
156. But the Ancient of Days is blessed, presiding over that eye the white brilliance
of whiteness, seeing that also it is of such whiteness that it endures all whiteness.
157. Blessed also is his portion whom that brilliance of all whiteness irradiates.
158. And concerning this certainly it is written (Proverbs 22.9): "The
good eye is to be blessed." And it is written (Isaiah 2.5):
"Be you present, O house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the
Lord YHVH!"
159. This is the tradition: Save in all these instances, the Name of the Ancient
One is concealed from all, and is NOT (Lo) mentioned in the Torah, save
in one place, where Small Face swore unto Abraham.
160. Like as it is written (Torah B'reshith 22.16): "By
Myself have I sworn, said the Lord YHVH." (Understand) that this
is concerning Small Face.
161. Like as it is written (Torah B'reshith 48.20): "In
You shall Israel bless. That is, the superior Israel."
162. Also it is written (Isaiah 49.3): "Israel in whom I will
be glorified." In these passages the Ancient of Days is called "Israel."
163. But we have also stated that the Ancient of Days is called by His Name,
yet both this (statement) and the other are correct.
164. This is the tradition: It is written (Daniel 7.9): "I beheld
until the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit."
165. "The thrones were cast down." What is this? He spoke unto Rabbi
Yehuda, and said: "Stand in your place and explain these thrones."
166. Rabbi Yehuda answered: "It is written (Daniel 7.9): His
throne is of a fiery flame; and upon that throne sat the Ancient of Days."
167. "For what reason? Because thus is the tradition: If the Ancient of
Days were not seated upon that throne, the universe could no longer exist before
that throne."
168. "When the Ancient of Days sits upon that throne, it is subject unto
Him. For He who sits upon it rules over it."
169. "But at that time when He departs from that throne, and sits upon
another throne, the first throne is overturned, lest any should rule over it
save the Ancient One, who alone can sit upon it."
170. Rabbi Shimeon spoke unto Rabbi Yehuda, and said: "May your way be
ordained for you, and may it be pointed out (unto you) by the Ancient of Days!"
Chapter Ten
171. And come behold. Lo! It is written (Isaiah 41.4): "I, YHVH,
am First and Last, I am He (Hu)."
.
172. All things are Him, and He is hidden on every side. So also is His nose.
173. From the nose is the face known.
174. And come --see! What is the (difference) between the Ancient One and Small
Face? Over these nostrils He rules; one of which is life, and the other is the
life of life.
175. This nose is as a mighty gallery, whence His spirit rushes forth upon Small
Face, and they call it "The Giver."
176. And it is thus: The Spirit descends; and again the Spirit from hence proceeds
through those nostrils.
177. ONE (Echad) is the Spirit; He goes forth unto Small Face, so that
He may be aroused in the Garden of Eden.
178. And ONE is He, the Spirit of Life, through whom in process of time the
sons of David hope to know Wisdom.
179. And from that gallery arises the Spirit, and proceeds from the concealed
brain, and at length rests upon King Messiah.
180. Like as it is written (Isaiah 11.2): "And the Spirit of
the Lord YHVH shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the
Spirit of Counsel and Strength, the Spirit of Knowledge, and of the Fear of
the Lord YHVH."
181. Apparently four spirits are here. But we have already said that the Spirit
is ONE; why, then, are three? Arise, Rabbi Yosi, in your place.
182. Rabbi Yosi arose and said: "In the days of King Messiah, one shall
not say unto the other, 'Teach me wisdom'."
183. "Because it is thus written (Jeremiah 31.34): A man shall
no more teach his neighbor...because all shall know Me, from the least of them
even unto the greatest of them."
184. "And in that time shall the Ancient of Days arouse His Spirit which
proceeds from His brain, the most concealed of all."
185. "And when that comes forth all the inferior spirits are aroused with
Him."
186. "And who are they? They are the holy crowns of Small Face.
187. "And there are six other spirits which are given. They are those of
whom it is written: The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel
and Strength, and the Spirit of Knowledge and of the Fear of the Lord YHVH."
188. "For thus is the tradition: It is written (I Kings 2.12): And
Solomon sat upon the throne of David. Also it is written (I Kings 10.19):
The throne had six steps."
189. "And King Messiah will be seated on those seven. These are those six,
and the Spirit of the Ancient of Days, Who is above them, is the seventh."
190. "Like it is said: There are three spirits that comprehend three others."
191. Rabbi Shimeon said unto him; "Your spirit shall rest in the world
to come."
192. Come -- behold! It is written (Ezekiel 37.9): "Thus says
the Lord YHVH, 'Come from the four winds (Sefiroth), O Spirit!" But
what have the four winds of the world to do with this?
193. Nevertheless, the four winds are aroused--those three, namely, and the
Spirit of the Concealed Ancient One, whence there are four.
194. And thus is the matter: because when that one is produced, three others
are produced with it who in themselves comprehend three others.
195. But it is the will of the Holy and Blessed One to produce the One Spirit,
Who in Himself includes all others.
196. Because it is written (Ezekiel 37.9): "From the four spirits,
come, O Spirit! It is not written thus: "Ye four spirits, come!"
but "From the four spirits, come!"
197. And in the days of King Messiah there shall be no need that one should
teach another; for that One Spirit (Ruach Echad) Who in Himself includes
all spirits, knows all Wisdom and Understanding, Counsel and Might, and is the
Spirit of Knowledge and Fear of the Lord YHVH; because He is the Spirit comprehending
all spirits.
198. Therefore is it written, "From the four spirits;" which are those
four comprehended in the seven steps of which we have just spoken.
199, And this is the tradition: All things are comprehended in this Spirit of
the Ancient of Ancient Ones, Who proceeds from the concealed brain, into the
gallery of the nostrils.
200. And come--see! Wherein is the difference between the nose (of Vast Face)
and the nose (of Small Face).
201. The nose of the Ancient of Days is life in every part. Concerning the nose
of Small Face it is written (Psalms 18.8): "There went up smoke
out of His nostrils, and fire out of His mouth devoured."
202. There goes up a smoke through His nostrils, and out of that smoke is a
fire kindled.
203. When that smoke goes up, what afterwards follows? Coals are kindled by
it. What is the meaning of this "By it?" By that smoke, out of that
nose, out of that fire.
204. This is the tradition: When Rav Hammenuna the elder wished to offer up
his prayer, he said, "I pray unto the Lord of the Nostrils, unto the Lord
of the Nostrils I do pray."
205. And this is that which is written (Isaiah 48.9): "In my
praise (My nose) will I withdraw My nostrils from you." In which place
the sentence is concerning the Ancient of Days.
206. This is the tradition: The size of this nose is so vast that three hundred
and seventy-five worlds are supported by it, which all adhere unto Small Face.
207. This is the praise of the confirmation of the nose.
208. And this, and all forms of the Ancient of Days, are seen, and are NOT (Lo)
seen; they are seen by the lords of lords--by pious men-- and they are NOT (Lo)
seen by any others.
