Sefer Yetzirah, the Cube of Space, and the Emergence of ... - Maqom

is Yesod (foundation of the world). The word Bereshit we interpret to mean “thesecond, i.e. Chokmah (Wisdom) is the starting-point”, because the supernalKeter (Crown), which is really first, is too recondite and therefore is not counted;hence the second is the starting-point.” (Zohar I:31a-31b)“When Thought illumines, though from what source is not known, it is clothedand enveloped in Binah (understanding), and then further lights appear and oneis embraced with the other until all are intertwined.” (Zohar I:65a)“And thus, as it is hasidah, there springs from it Chesed (mercy), which is theprimordial light referred to in the statement: “And God said, Let there be light”(Genesis 1:3). (Zohar I:163a)“These are the thirteen aspects of praise, enumerated during the course of thathymn: song, praise; hymn and psalm; strength and dominion; victory, power andgreatness; adoration and glory; holiness-these together make twelve, and untothese is added Malchut- sovereignty-which is the thirteenth, and whose office isto unite all the rest in one bond, for it (Sovereignty) receives blessings from theothers.” (Zohar II:132a)From these passages we see that we can find within the Zohar the modern names of all ofthe ten sefirot. The only await further development and redaction by the Kabbalists ofsixteenth century Safed in Israel.34