Chapter 1 (PDF) - Stanford University Press

M (kaf) descended from the throne of glory, 200,000 worlds
``When
the throne trembled, and all the worlds verged on collapse. The
trembled,
FKN
destructionÐa decree of destruction (Isaiah 10:23). Return to your
(kelayah),
and stay there.' She thereupon left His presence and returned to
throne
herplace.
letter K (yod) entered. She said to Him, `Master of the world, may it
``The
You to create the world by me, for I am the beginning of the holy
please
99 It is fitting for You to create the world by me!'
Name.
replied, `It is enough for you to be engraved in Me, inscribed in
``He
I desire you entirely. Ascend! You should not be uprooted from My
Me.
name.'
You to create the world by me, for by me You are called J CG [KG Z (tov ve-
please
good and upright (Psalms 25:8).'
yashar),
replied, `I will not create the world by you, for your goodness is
``He
concealed and hidden within you, 100
that You have hidden away for those in awe of You (Psalms 31:20).
goodness
it is hidden within you, it plays no part in this world that I am about
Since
to create, but rather in the world to come. 101
BJ
sin.' 103 So these two letters are not inscribed in the holy tribes. 104 She
(ḥet),
left His presence.
immediately
letter H (zayin) entered. She said to Him, `Master of the world, may it
``The
beginning . . . The first letter of K FGF
99.
(YHVH).
hidden within you The point at
100.
upperright of the J (tet) is turned
the
See Zohar 1:30b.
inward.
rather in the world to come See BT
101.
12a (cited above, note 10); Bereshit
Ḥagigah
3:6; 41:3; Shemot Rabbah 35:1; Tan-
Rabbah
Shemini 9; Bahir 97±98 (147); Zohar
ḥuma,
45b±46a, 47a; 2:127a, 148b±149a,
1:31b±32a,
facing you is I (ḥet) The letter
102.
J (tet) in the alphabet.
preceding
B (alef). See Zohar 1:204a.
quiescent
these letters are not inscribed . . .
104.
letters I (ḥet) and J (tet) do not
The
in the names of the twelve tribes,
appear
were engraved on the jewels of the
which
worn by the high priest. See BT
breastplate
73b; JT Yoma 7:7, 44c; Zohar 2:152a,
Yoma
3:188b.
230a;
Haqdamat Sefer ha-Zohar
[1:3a]
blessed Holy One said to her, `M, M (Kaf, kaf), what are you doing here? I will
not create the world by you. Return to your place, for you imply
M
``The letter J (tet) entered. She said to Him, `Master of the world, may it
15
as is written: How abundant is Your
Furthermore, because your
goodness is hidden within you, the gates of the Temple will sink, as is
Her gates J TC G (tave'u), have sunk, into the earth (Lamentations 2:9).
written:
Further, facing you is I (ḥet), 102 and when you join togetheryou spell I
please You to create the world by me, for by me Your children observe the
as is written: H GM Z (Zakhor), Remember, the Sabbath day, to hallow it
Sabbath,
(Exodus 20:8).'
I J B (ḥet), ``sin'' Which ends with a
103.
220a±b; 3:88a, 173b.