A GLANCE THROUGH THE BOOK OF CREATIONS : PROF. M. M. NINAN <strong>Sefer</strong> <strong>Yetzira</strong> of Father Abraham 35
A GLANCE THROUGH THE BOOK OF CREATIONS : PROF. M. M. NINAN <strong>Sefer</strong> <strong>Yetzira</strong> of Father Abraham CHAPTER II THE TWENTY-TWO LETTERS 2.1 The foundations are the twenty-two letters, three mothers, seven double, and twelve single letters. Three mothers, namely A, M, SH, these are Air, Water, and Fire: Mute as Water, Hissing as Fire, and Air of a spiritual type, is as the tongue of a balance standing erect between them pointing out the equilibrium which exists. Alef is spiritual Air; (or breath) Mem is mute as Water; Shin is hissing as Fire. The twenty-two sounds and letters are the Foundation of all things. Three mothers, seven doubles and twelve simples. The Three Mothers are Aleph, Mem and Shin, they are Air, Water and Fire Water is silent, Fire is sibilant, and Air derived from the Spirit is as the tongue of a balance standing between these contraries which are in equilibrium, reconciling and mediating between them. Twenty-Two Letters are the Foundation: three Mothers, seven Doubles, and twelve Simple. Three Mothers Alef, Mem, Shin: their foundation is the scale of merit and the scale of guilt, and the tongue of the statute balances the scales between them. Three Mothers Alef, Mem, Shin: Mem stands still, Shin hisses, Alef is Air of Spirit balancing the scale between them. The foundations are the twenty-two letters, three mothers, seven double, and twelve single letters. Three mothers, namely A, M, SH, these are Air, Water, and Fire: Mute as Water, Hissing as Fire, and Air of a spiritual type, is as the tongue of a balance standing erect between them pointing out the equilibrium which exists. 36