Chapter 1 (PDF) - Stanford University Press

the end of Wisdom. 349
the zohar [1:8a]
Wisdom, as is written: Open for me gates of righteousness. This is the
supernal
to YHVH (Psalms 118:19±20). 350 Truly! For unless one enters this gate, one
gate
neverenter.
will
can be compared to an exalted kingÐhigh, concealed and hidden
``This
built gates forhimself, one above the other. At the end of all the
awayÐwho
he fashioned one gate with many locks, openings, palacesÐone above
gates,
other. He said, `Whoever wishes to enter my presence, this gate will be
the
Whoever enters, will enter through this gate.'
first.
``Similarly, the first gate to supernal Wisdom is awe of YHVH. 351
(reshit), beginning; C (bet)Ðtwo joined togetheras one. 352 These are
\
points: one hidden and concealed, one existing overtly. 353
Since they are
two
K[B \ (reshit), beginningÐone, not two. Who-
Z
one attains the other. 354
everattains 355
one,
83:19).
(Psalms
is it called awe of YHVH? Because it is the Tree of Good and Evil. 356 If
``Why
person is deserving, it is good; if not, evil. [8a] So awe abides at this site,
a
to all goodness of the world.
gateway
awe of YHVH is really the end of
349.
Shekhinah is called awe of YHVH
Wisdom
She is characterized by the power
because
Judgment and inspires awe. See above,
of
XX230. She is also lowerWisdom, culmination
page
of the process of emanation that
at upperWisdom.
begins
gates of righteousness. This is the
350.
Her one enters the realm of sefirot
Through
can eventually ascend to Wisdom. See
and
1:11b, 36b±37a, 141b; Gikatilla, Sha'arei
Zohar
4b. Orah,
Similarly . . . The king in the parable
351.
symbolizes supernal Wisdom, who has
the various gates (sefirot). The
fashioned
gate, first to be encountered, is Shekhi-
last
but even before reaching Her, one
nah,
pass through several levels of camps
must
angels, char iots, and palaces. See BT
of
31a±b.
Shabbat
to both Wisdom (Ḥokhmah) andShekhinah.
alludes
The letter C (bet), the second letterof
Wisdom is the beginning of emanation,
beginning:
while Shekhinah is the first gate on
spiritual path.
the
two points Ḥokhmah and Shekhi-
353.
See above, page XX240.
nah.
Whoever attains one... Upon en-
354.
Shekhinah, lowerWisdom, one encountertering
higher Wisdom, reflected in Her.
He and His name are one Shekhinah
355.
reveals the sefirot, the various divine
and is therefore called the name
qualities,
God. See Zohar 1:18a; 2:134a, 161b.
of
Tree of Good and Evil The Tree of
356.
Knowledge of Good and Evil, whose
the
was eaten by Adam and Eve. In Kabbalah
fruit
this Tree symbolizes Shekhinah, who
either reward or punishment, depending
transmits
on human behavior.
However, it is the beginning of entering the level of
This is
K[BZ
inseparable, they are called
All is one, forHe and His name are
as is written: They will know that You, YHVH, alone are Your name
50
C K[BZ \ (Be-reshit), In the beginning,
Torah,
the alphabet, signifies ``two,'' and both of
sefirot are called Z K[B \ (reshit),
these
gate . . .
Shekhinah is called Righteousness.
This is Z K[B \ (reshit), beginning; C
352.
(bet)Ðtwo . . .
The opening word of the