Shemot: Chapter 7

The wheels of the holy Chariot travel

Synopsis

In this long and highly complex section, Rabbi Shimon describes the nature and workings of the Holy Chariot, one of the quintessential emblems of Kabbalah and thus of enormous importance to anyone seriously practicing this discipline. It cannot really be summarized but must be read carefully many, many times before it will begin to unfold its profound meaning, which sheds light on numerous related concepts, like the three columns and the secret names of God.

Relevance

The workings of the Ten Sfirot are explored in detail, but the Zohar speaks in the poetic and concealed language of metaphor and symbolism. Some of the essential treasures revealed in this passage concern the concept of mercy. All of our words, actions and deeds are recorded each moment of our day. The universal law of cause and effect decrees that each negative deed brings the appropriate measure of judgment upon us. However, we can sweeten this judgment with mercy the moment we accept responsibility for the turmoil that afflicts us.

This section of the Zohar annuls all judgments decreed upon mankind through the verse that speaks of the color red transforming into white. Myriad lifetimes of sobbing and wailing cease forevermore as laughter and song are heard throughout the world, for this is the power of Mercy and the ultimate purpose and power of the Zohar.

Later in the passage, we are empowered with the Light of the 42 Letter Name of God - the Ana Bekoach meditation - and the 42 supernal angels who descend into this world, in the same way that they accompanied Jacob into Egypt. This connection allows our world to mate with the Upper World, the female to mate with the male. This union causes Light to flow into our life so that all darkness (Egypt) is eternally banished.

Chariot Ears Eyes Singing

40. Tosefta (addendum). Mishnah. Rabbi Shimon said, We open our eyes and see the wheels of the Holy Chariot traveling in their journeys, and the sound of a song sweet to the ears, WHICH IS BINAH, and good for the heart, SYMBOLIZING MALCHUT, which ascends and descends, and walks but does not travel. Thousands upon thousands tremble, and tens upon tens of thousands start with the singing OF CHOCHMAH from below upwards.

40. (תוספתא) מַתְנִיתִין: אָמַר רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, אֲנַן פַּתְחִין עֵינָנָא חֲמָאן, גַּלְגַּלֵּי רְתִיכָתָא קַדִּישָׁתָא נַטְלִין בְּמַטְלָנוֹי, וְקַל שִׁירָתָא בְּסִימָא לְאוּדְנִין, יָאֶה לְלִבָּא, סַלְּקָא וְנַחְתָּא, אַזְלָא וְלָא נַטְלָא, מִזְדַעְזְעִין אֶלֶף אַלְפִין, וְרִבּוֹא רִבְבָן וּפַתְחִין שִׁירָתָא מִלְרַע לְעֵילָּא.

Chassadim Judgment Red White

41. To that pleasant sound FROM THE TRAVELING OF THE WHEELS stand 450,000 eyed ones, who gather into one group on the right side. They see, yet do not see, and are completely present. The two other sides, WHICH ARE LEFT AND CENTER, turn white because of them - MEANING THAT THEIR JUDGMENTS, WHICH ARE RED, ARE CHANGED, BECAUSE THEY RECEIVE CHASSADIM FROM THE RIGHT COLUMN. And on the left side are 250,000.

41. לְקָל נְעִימוּתָא הַהוּא, קַיְימִין מַאן דְּקַיְימִין, וּמִתְכַּנְּפִין בִּכְנוּפְיָא לְסִטְרָא דִּימִינָא, אַרְבַּע מְאָה וְחַמְשִׁין אַלְפִין מָארֵי דְּעַיְינִין. חַמָּאן וְלָא חַמָּאן, קַיְימִין בְּקִיּוּמֵיהוֹן. תְּרֵין סִטְרִין אָחֳרָנִין אִתְחַוְּורוּ בְּגִינֵיהוֹן. וּלְסִטְרָא דִּשְׂמָאלָא מָאתָן וְחַמְשִׁין אַלְפִין.

Dwellings Judgment Singing

42. THE 250,000 MENTIONED EARLIER, the weepers sob and wail from their dwellings WHENCE THEY COME, and they commence with Judgment and conclude with Judgment. They sob a second time and the Judgment is revealed, and the books are opened TO LOOK AT THE JUDGMENTS THAT ARE IN THEM. At that moment, the Judge who was standing over them ascends, and sits on the chair of Judgment, and the singing subsides before the Judgment is concluded.

42. אִינּוּן מָארֵיהוֹן דִּיבָבָא, מְיַבְּבִין וּמְיַלְּלִין מֵאֲתַר בֵּית מוֹתְבֵיהוֹן, פַּתְחִין בְּדִינָא וּמְסַיְּימִין בְּדִינָא. מְיַבְּבִין תִּנְיָינוּת, וְדִינָא יָתִיב, וְסִפְרִין פְּתִיחוּ. בֵּיהּ שַׁעֲתָא, סָלִיק מָארֵיהּ דְּדִינָא, דְּקָאֵים עֲלֵיהוֹן, וְיָתִיב בְּכוּרְסַיָּיא דְּדִינָא, וְשִׁירָתָא אִשְׁתְּכַךְ, עַד לָא תִּסְתַּיָּים דִּינָא.

Chassadim Eyes Singing

43. Those who have eyes of the right side encircle, together with eighteen thousand others. They blow, THAT IS, DRAW CHASSADIM, WHICH IS CALLED 'BLOWING,' A SIMPLE SOUND. AND THEN THOSE do not sob or wail. They commence with singing, DRAWING CHOCHMAH. And the 250,000 ones who sob tremble.

43. סָחֲרָן מָארֵי דְּעַיְינִין דִּלְסִטְרָא יְמִינָא, וְעִמְּהוֹן תַּמְנֵיסַר אַלְפִין אַחֲרָנִין תַּקְעִין, וְלָא מְיַבְּבִין וְלָא מְיַלְּלִין פַּתְחִין שִׁירָתָא, מִזְדַּעְזְעָן מָאתָן וְחַמְשִׁין אַלְפִין מָארֵי דִּיבָבָא.

Chassadim Judgment Mercy Tetragrammaton Throne Yud Hei Vav Hei (YHVH) Zeir Anpin

44. He blows AND DRAWS CHASSADIM a second time, without sobbing. The Protector, ZEIR ANPIN, travels from that throne OF JUDGMENT and sits in the throne of Mercy TO DRAW MANY CHASSADIM. At that moment he, MEANING ZEIR ANPIN, mentions the Holy Name, YUD HEI VAV HEI, FULLY SPELLED TO AMOUNT NUMERICALLY TO 45: YUD-VAV-DALET; HEI-ALEPH; VAV-ALEPH-VAV; HEI-ALEPH. For with this Name, life is drawn for everyone.

44. תְּקַע תִּנְיָינוּת וְלָא מְיַבְּבִין נָטִיל פַּטְרוֹנָא, מֵהַהוּא כּוּרְסַיָּיא וְיָתִיב בְּכוּרְסַיָּיא דְּוַותְּרָנוּתָא. בֵּיהּ זִמְנָא הוּא מִדְכַּר שְׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא עִלָּאָה רַבָּא, דִּבְהַהוּא שְׁמָא חַיִּים לְכֹלָּא.

Angels Chariot Chassadim Dwellings Female Praise Shechinah Zeir Anpin

45. He commences, ZEIR ANPIN WHICH IS THE CENTRAL COLUMN, saying one time, Yud-Vav-Dalet; Hei-Aleph; Vav-Aleph-Vav; Hei-Aleph-YUD-VAV- DALET; HEI-ALEPH; VAV-ALEPH-VAV ARE THE SECRET OF THE THREE COLUMNS, RIGHT, LEFT, AND CENTRAL, THAT ARE INCLUDED IN ZEIR ANPIN. THE LAST HEI-ALEPH IS THE NUKVA THAT RECEIVES FROM THEM, as is written, "And proclaimed the Name of Hashem" (Shemot 34:5). The holy wheels OF THE CHARIOT commence as before and thousands of thousands, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF CHOCHMAH, and tens upon tens of thousands, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF CHASSADIM, ATTIRE THEM AND recite songs. THE ANGELS praise and say, "Blessed is the glory of Hashem from His dwelling place," SO THAT THE SHECHINAH SHALL BE BLESSED FROM ZEIR ANPIN, AND RECEIVE FROM HIM CHOCHMAH ATTIRED IN CHASSADIM.

45. פָּתַח וְאָמַר זִמְנָא חֲדָא יוֹ"ד הֵ"א וָא"ו הֵ"א כד"א וַיִּקְרָא בְשֵׁם יְהֹוָה. פַּתְחִין כִּקַדְמֵיתָא מָארֵי גַּלְגַּלֵּי קַדִּישִׁין. וְאֶלֶף אַלְפִין, וְרִבּוֹא רִבְבָן, וְאַמְרֵי שִׁירָתָא, מְשַׁבְּחִין וְאָמְרִין, בְּרִיךְ יְקָרָא דה' מֵאֲתָר בֵּית שְׁכִינְתֵּיהּ.

Chassadim Eden Mochin Shechinah Streams

46. Then that garden, NAMELY THE SHECHINAH, comes - which is hidden in 250 worlds. This is the precious Shechinah in Her shine OF CHOCHMAH that goes out from the shine OF CHOCHMAH AND COMBINES AND HIDES in the shine OF CHASSADIM. And the shine is drawn from Her to the four directions - CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET AND MALCHUT, WHICH ARE THE FOUR branches - in order to provide for them IN MOCHIN. THIS IS THE SECRET OF THE VERSE, "AND FROM THENCE IT WAS PARTED, AND BRANCHED INTO FOUR STREAMS..." (BERESHEET 2:10). And this shine is drawn from Her to all that are below, and she is called 'the Garden of Eden.'

46. אַתְיָא הַהוּא גִּנְתָּא, דְּאִיהִי טְמִירָא בְּמָאתָן וְחַמְשִׁין עָלְמִין, הוּא שְׁכִינְתָּא יְקָרָא בְּזִיוָהּ, דְּנָפִיק מִזִּיוָא לְזִיוָא, וְזִיוָהּ נָגִיד מִנֵיהּ, לְד' סִטְרִין רֵישִׁין, לְקַיְּימָא, מֵהַהוּא זִיוָא אִתְמְשָׁךְ לְכֻלְּהוּ דְּאִינּוּן לְתַתָּא, וְהַהִיא אִקְרֵי גִּנְתָּא דְּעֵדֶן.

Beard Chariot Chassadim Fear Heavens Holy Name Hosts Jeremiah Lights Mercy Praise Righteous Soul, The Zeir Anpin

47. The old man commenced speaking again, REFERRING TO ZEIR ANPIN, FOR AFTER HE ASCENDED TO ARICH ANPIN HE IS ALSO CALLED 'OLD.' He protects everything, MEANING BOTH THE DRAWING OF CHOCHMAH AND THE DRAWING OF CHASSADIM, and mentions the name Yud-Vav-Dalet; Hei-Aleph; Vav-Aleph-Vav; Hei-Aleph. And they all commence by DRAWING THE LIGHTS FROM the Thirteen Measures of Mercy. Who has seen these strong lights which are the highest of the high, strongest of the strong! The holy Chariots and the heavens and their hosts tremble and shake with great fear, and praise the Holy Name and recite poetry. Fortunate are the souls of the righteous who are present in this luxuriousness and know this. About this, it is said, "Who would not fear You, King of the nations? For to You it is fitting..." (Yirmeyah 10:7). End of Tosefta.

47. פָּתַח תִּנְיָינוּת הַהוּא סָבָא, פַּטְרוֹנָא דְּכֹלָּא וּמִדְכַּר שְׁמֵיהּ יוֹ"ד הֵ"א וָא"ו הֵ"א, וְכֻלְּהוּ פַּתְחֵי בִּתְלֵיסָר מְכִילָן דְּרַחֲמֵי. מַאן חָמֵי כָּל אִלֵּין תַּקִּיפִין, רָאמִין דְּרָאמִין, תַּקִּיפִין דְתַקִּיפִין, רְתִיכִין קַדִּישִׁין, וּשְׁמַיָא, וְכָל חֵילֵהוֹן, מִזְדַּעְזְעִין וּמִתְחַלְחְלָן בְּאֵימָתָא סַגְיָא, מְשַׁבְּחָן שְׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא, וְאַמְרִין שִׁירָתָא. זַכָּאִין אִינּוּן נִשְׁמָתְהוֹן דְּצַדִּיקַיָּיא, דְּאִינּוּן בְּהַהוּא עִדּוּנָא, וְיַדְעִין דָּא, עַל הַאי אִיתְּמַר מִי לֹא יִירָאֲךָ מֶלֶךְ הַגּוֹיִם כִּי לְךָ יָאָתָה וְגוֹ.' (ע"כ תוספתא)

Angels Beasts Chariot Egypt Form Jacob Shechinah Zeir Anpin

48. Rabbi Shimon said, When the Shechinah descended into Egypt, one living creature OF THE FOUR LIVING CREATURES OF THE HOLY CHARIOT, whose name is Yisrael, descended in the form of that old man MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS VERSE, WHO IS ZEIR ANPIN. And 42 holy attendants descended with it, MEANING 42 ANGELS, and each one had a holy letter from the Holy Name OF MEM-BET (42). THESE ANGELS THAT ATTEND THE LIVING CREATURES WHOSE NAME IS YISRAEL ARE CALLED 'THE CHILDREN OF YISRAEL' AND ARE DRAWN FROM THE NAME OF MEM-BET (42), WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE FIRST THREE SFIROT OF THAT LIVING CREATURES. And they all descended with Jacob into Egypt. This is what is written, "And these are the names of the children of Israel who came into Egypt with Jacob" (Shemot 1:1). Rabbi Yitzchak said, This is the meaning of "the children of Yisrael," "with Jacob," instead of 'with him.'

48. אָמַר רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, כַּד נַחְתַּת שְׁכִינְתָּא לְמִצְרַיִם, נַחְתַּת חַיָּה חֲדָא, דִּשְׁמָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּדִיּוּקְנָא דְּהַהוּא סָבָא, וְאַרְבְּעִין וּתְרֵין שַׁמָּשִׁין קַדִּישִׁין עִמֵּיהּ, וְכָל חַד וְחַד אָת קַדִּישָׁא עִמֵּיהּ, מִשְּׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא, וְכֻלְּהוּ נַחְתָּן עִם יַעֲקֹב לְמִצְרַיִם, הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִּיב, וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הַבָּאִים מִצְרָיְמָה אֵת יַעֲקֹב. א"ר יִצְחָק, מִמַּשְׁמַע דְּקָאָמַר בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְאַחַר כָּךְ אֵת יַעֲקֹב, וְלֹא נֶאֱמַר אִתּוֹ.

Angels Female Grades Male

49. Rabbi Yehuda asked Rabbi Elazar, the son of Rabbi Shimon, You learned from your father the portion of "And these are the names" THAT HE EXPLAINED according to the supernal secret, THAT THE CHILDREN OF YISRAEL ARE 42 HOLY ANGELS, AS EXPLAINED ABOVE. So what is the meaning of, "every man came with his household?" ANGELS DO NOT HAVE A HOUSEHOLD. RABBI ELAZAR said to him, What my father said MEANS the supernal angels, those who are higher than those who are lower among them. This is what is written, "Every man came with his household." THE HIGHER ANGEL IS CALLED "MAN" AND THE ONE LOWER THAN HIM IS CALLED "HIS HOUSEHOLD." Likewise, my father said that all the angels in the higher level are called "males" and those in the level below them are called "females," and ARE CALLED "household" because a female receives from the male AND SHE IS LIKE A HOUSE TO HIM.

49. שָׁאַל רִבִּי יְהוּדָה לְרִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בר"ש, כֵּיוָן דְּשַׁמְעַת מֵאָבוּךְ, פָּרָשַׁת וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּרָזָא עִלָּאָה, מַאי קָאָמַר אִישׁ וּבֵיתוֹ בָּאוּ. אָמַר לֵיהּ, הַהוּא מִלָּה דַּהֲוָה אָמַר אַבָּא, אִינּוּן הָווּ מַלְאָכִין עִלָּאִין, דְּאִינּוּן לְעֵילָּא עַל תַּתָּאֵי מִנְהוֹן, הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִּיב אִישׁ וּבֵיתוֹ בָּאוּ, וְהָכִי אָמַר אַבָּא, כָּל אִינּוּן מַלְאָכִין דִּבְדַרְגָּא עִלָּאָה, אִקְרוּן גּוּבְרִין דּוּכְרִין, וְאִינּוּן דִּבְדַרְגָּא תַּתָּאָה מִנְהוֹן, אִתְקְרוּן נוּקְבְתָא בֵּית, דְּאִתְּתָא נוּקְבָּא דִּמְקַבְּלָא מִן דְּכוּרָא.

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