Second compartment: Hod

Synopsis

This realm contains more Light than the other realms discussed thus far. The angels who interact with people by virtue of their actions reside in this compartment. These angels serve to connect our actions and the Upper Worlds. When we perform positive actions, the Upper Worlds reflect positive influences back to us through the medium of the angels. The same process occurs with all our negative actions.

Angels Deeds Dwellings Evil Heaven Klipot (Shells – Negativity) Shells (Klipot) Strength Void

42. The second compartment is a place of greater enlightenment. It still is dark, but not as dark as the first. It is reserved as the domain of the upper angels. THERE ARE NO KLIPOT HERE. THESE ANGELS are responsible for the actions of people. THEY HELP THEM ACCOMPLISH GOOD DEEDS and also lead them astray into the evil path they tread. THAT IS, THEY GIVE STRENGTH ALSO TO THOSE WHO WALK ON EVIL PATHS. NEVERTHELESS, THEY ARE HOLY ANGELS AND NOT, HEAVEN FORBID, KLIPOT. This place is more evident than the first COMPARTMENT, BECAUSE THE FORMER PLACE IS, IN EFFECT, FORMLESS. THE SECOND, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS REGARDED AS VOID, AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE SCRIPTURES, AND IS MORE VISIBLE. These angels are more closely related to humans, MEANING THAT THEY APPEAR TO PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN SHAPE. They are nourished by the subtle odors and perfumes that humans emanate from below, and because of the opportunities they receive they are able to ascend in order to receive - and therefore give - more light.

42. מָדוֹרָא תִנְיָינָא: הוּא אֲתַר דְּנָהֵיר יַתִּיר, וְאִיהוּ חָשׁוּךְ, אֲבָל לָא חָשׁוּךְ כְּהַהוּא קַדְמָאָה, וְהוּא מִתְתַּקַּן לְמָדוֹרֵי מַלְאָכִין עִלָּאִין, דִּי מְמַנָּן עַל עוֹבָדֵיהוֹן דִּבְנֵי נְשָׁא, וּלְמִסְטֵי לְהוֹן בְּהַהוּא אֹרַח בִּישָׁא דְּאִינוּן אָזְלִין. וְהַהוּא אֲתַר אִתְחַזֵּי יַתִּיר מִן קַדְמָאָה, וְאִלֵּין מַלְאָכִין אִית לְהוֹן קְרָבָא עִם בְּנֵי נָשָׁא, וּמִתְזְנָן מֵרֵיחָא וּבוּסְמָא דִלְתַתָּא, לְסַלְקָא בְּתוֹעַלְתָּא, וּלְאַנְהָרָא יַתִּיר.

Angels Chambers Dwellings Holiness (Kedushah) Judgment Kedumiel (Supernal Minister) Kedushah (Holiness) Singing Torah

43. They are governed by one minister named Kedumiel, WHO IS FROM THE SIDE OF CHESED, HENCE 'EL,' AND HIS FUNCTION IS TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE FORCES OF JUDGMENT IN THE THIRD COMPARTMENT. These ANGELS UNDER TAHRIEL start singing, then are quieted and driven away - BECAUSE SONG STRENGTHENS THE FORCE OF THE LEFT COLUMN. THIS AWAKENS THE FORCES OF JUDGMENT IN THE THIRD CHAMBER. AFTER THEIR SONG IS INTERRUPTED AND THEY ARE DRIVEN AWAY, they do not appear again until the nation of Yisrael below IN THIS WORLD starts singing. Then they return to their places, RESUME THEIR SONG, and are seen glowing brighter. Three times a day they sing with holiness. And when Yisrael are busy with Torah, all THE ANGELS OF THIS COMPARTMENT take wing and give testimony above; and the Holy One, blessed be He, has compassion for them.

43. וַעֲלַיְיהוּ חַד מְמַנָּא קְדוּמִיאֵ"ל שְׁמֵיהּ, וְאִלֵּין פָּתְחִין שִׁירָתָא וּמִשְׁתַּכְּכֵי, וְאָזְלִין לוֹן, וְלָא אִתְחַזּוּן, עַד דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל לְתַתָּא פָּתְחֵי וְאָמְרֵי שִׁירָתָא, כְּדֵין קָיְימָן בְּדוּכְתַּיְיהוּ, וְאִתְחַזָּן נְהִירִין יַתִּיר, תְּלַת זִמְנִין בְּיוֹמָא מְקַדְּשֵׁי קְדוּשְׁתָּא. וְכַד יִשְׂרָאֵל עָסְקֵי בְּאוֹרַיְיתָא, כָּלְהוֹן טָאסִין וְסָהֲדֵי סָהֲדוּתָא לְעֵילָא, וְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא חַיֵּיס עֲלַיְיהוּ.