See Formative Meanings of the Sephirot
for an analysis of the Sephirot considered in their primary formative aspects as the alphanumeric/biological patterns
or "fundamental powers" Aleph through Yod. Here we concentrate on
See Formative Meanings of the Sephirot
for an analysis of the Sephirot considered in their primary formative aspects as the alphanumeric/biological patterns
or "fundamental powers" Aleph through Yod. Here we concentrate on the sephirotic/anatomical meanings of the numbers
Ehhat through Esser. We have already commented on the derivative nature of the middoth Keter
through Malkut, which are reflections of the fundamental powers described by the biological and anatomical
letter-numbers used in the Sepher Yetsira. It is useful to consider the anatomical representations against
the Cube or Tree because of the additional categories available for linking.
One would think that, when it comes to studying "fundamental powers," the only names given to the Sephirot before medieval times would be a focus of attention. Instead, the numbers themselves (not that they are alone, but they are primary) have largely been ignored. The Sepher Yetsira names the Sephirot only by number, which has been a source of confusion repaired with a proliferation of attributive descriptions. Once again, we can return to the source and read what was before our eyes all the time, but ignored because we thought we knew what we were reading. Who would have thought we could find a description of the inner nature of the "fundamental powers" in their most fundamental names: the numbers themselves?
As introduction, we can consider Aleph and Ehhat as complementary patterns describing the entry of the infinite into subjective being. Once again, we find the core of the Qabala in a simple pair of equations. We can use a very basic structural or formative vocabulary (appropriate to "fundamental powers") to "translate" the inner meanings of these terms.
With Aleph, Aleph-Lammed-Phay, the infinite intemporal (Aleph) creates organic movement (Lammed) in actual, unstructured, potentials (Phay) (how else could it begin?). Ehhat, Aleph-Hayt-Tav, on the other hand, is the consciousness (Hayt) found on every level of structuration, from the infinite intemporal (Aleph) to the cosmic resistance (Tav), the mirror and sanctuary of the intemporal. This consciousness is one and the whole is consciousness. Or, from Aleph to Tav, Aleph-Lammed-Phay is Hayt, unstructured energy, consciousness.
The complete loop: Aleph-Ehhat: the infinite creates living movement in actual unstructured dark energy. Cosmic resistance reflects the intemporal back through the medium of unstructured potentials / consciousness. The complete Aleph-Tav circuit is established in the First Sephirot, Ehhat, where we find the Tav of Keter, a physical support for cosmic resistance in the universe. The end is established in the beginning, and th