conformations

And the dignity of dignity hangeth from the seven conformations of the cranium. (This is the beard of the venerable and Ancient One, which is divided into thirteen portions.)

NINE are said to be the conformations of the beard (of Microprosopus). For that which remaineth concealed (that is, the other four forms, which meanwhile are not found in Microprosopus), and which is not manifested, is supernal and venerable (that is, properly and of itself doth not refer to Microprosopus, but nevertheless descendeth upon him in another manner).

It is written, Ps. cxviii. 4: “I called upon Yah, IH, in distress.” (In this place) David commemorateth (these) nine (conformations) even unto (those words) “all nations compassed me about,” in order that they (the nine above mentioned) might surround and protect him.

The conformations of the beard (of Microprosopus) are found to be thirteen when that which is superior becometh inferior. (That is, whensoever the beard of Macroprosopus sendeth down its light. But in the inferior (that is, Microprosopus taken by himself), they are beheld in nine (parts of that form).

ANNOTATION. (Belonging to § 19, foregoing.) 1. Another explanation. “Let waters bring forth abundantly.” In this place, in the Chaldee paraphrase, it is said IRChShVN, which hath a general meaning of movement. As if it should be said: “When his lips, by moving themselves and murmuring, produced the words, like a prayer from a righteous heart and pure mind, the water produced the living soul.” (The meaning is concerning the act of generating life.) 2. And when a man wisheth to utter his prayers rightly before his Lord, and his lips move themselves in this manner, (his invocations) rising upward from him, for the purpose of magnifying the majesty of his Lord unto the place of abundance of the water where the depth of that fountain riseth and floweth forth (that is, understanding emanating from wisdom); then (that fountain floweth forth plentifully, and) spreadeth abroad so as to send down the influx from the Highest, downwards from that place of abundance of water, into the paths singly and conjointly, even unto the last path; in order that her bountiful grace may be derived into all from the highest downwards. 3. Then indeed is such a man held to intertwine the connecting links of (them) all, namely, those connecting links of true and righteous meditation; and all his petitions shall come to pass, whether his petition be made in a place of worship, whether in private prayer. 4. But the petition which a man wisheth to make unto his Lord can ordinarily be propounded in nine ways. 5. Either (1) by the alphabet, or (2) by commemorating the attributes of the most holy and blessed God, merciful and gracious, &c. (according to the passage in Exodus xxxiv. 6, &c.); or (3) by the venerable names of the most holy and blessed God; such are these: AHIH, Eheieh (in respect of the Crown), and IH, Yah (in respect of the Wisdom); IHV, Yod He Vau (in respect of the Understanding); AL, El (in respect of the Majesty); ALHIM, Elohim (in respect of the Severity); IHVH, Yod He Vau He (in respect of the Beauty); TzBAVTh, Tzabaoth (in respect of the Victory and the Glory); ShDI, Shaddai (in respect of the Foundation); and ADNI, Adonaï (in respect of the Kingdom). Or (4) by the ten Sephiroth or numerations, which are: MLKVTh, Malkuth, the Kingdom; ISVD, Yesod, the Foundation; HVD, Hod, the Glory; NTzCh, Netzach, the Victory; ThPARTh, Tiphereth, the Beauty; GBVRH, Geburah, the Severity; ChSD, Chesed, the Benignity; BINH, Binah, the Understanding; ChKMH, Chokhmah, the Wisdom; and KThR, Kether, the Crown. Or (5) by the commemoration of just men, such as are patriarchs, prophets, and kings. Or (6) by those canticles and psalms wherein is the true Qabalah. And (7), above all these, if any one should know how to declare the conformations of his Lord, according as it is honourable to do. Or (8) if he may know how to ascend from that which is below to that which is above. Or (9) those who know also how to derive the influx from the highest downward. And in all these nine ways there is need of very great concentration of attention; because if he doeth not that, it is written concerning him, 1 Sam. ii. 30: “And they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” 6. Hereto also pertaineth the meditation of the word Amen, AMN! which in itself containeth the two names, IHVH, ADNI, Yod He Vau He Adonaï (the numeration of the former alone, and of these two together yielding the same, 91); of which the one concealeth its goodness and benediction in that treasury which is called HIKL, Ha-yekal, the palace. (Which word by equality of numeration is the same as ADNI, Adonaï; but this name is said to be the palace of Tetragrammaton, because, in the first place it is pronounced by its aid; also, in the second place, it is mingled with it alternately, letter by letter, in this way—IAHDVNHI.) 7. And this is pointed out in that saying, Hab. ii. 20: “But the Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (HIKL, Ha-yekal, “the temple, or palace;” HS, Hes, “keep silence;” and ADNI, Adonai, “Lord;” all have the same numeration—namely, 65.) 8. For which reason our wise men of pious memory have said mystically, that every good thing of a man is in his house; according to that which is written, Num. xii. 7: “He is faithful in all Mine house.” Which is the same as if it were said “in all which is with Me.” 9. But if any man attentively meditateth on the nine divisions of these forms (see § 5, ante), like as it is meet to do; that man is one who honoureth the Name of his Lord, even the Holy Name. And hereunto belongeth that which is written, 1 Sam. ii. 30: “Since those who honour Me will I honour; and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” I will honour him in this world, that I may preserve him, and provide him with all things of which he hath need, in order that all nations of the earth may see that the Name of the Lord is called upon by him; and that they may fear him. And in the world to come he shall be found worthy to stand in the tabernacle of the righteous. 10. Wherefore such an one seeketh nothing of which he hath need, because he is kept under the special providence of his Lord, and can meditate concerning Him, as it is right to do. 11. But what is to be understood by that passage—“And they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed?” Such an one is that man who can neither institute the union of the Holy Name, nor bind together the links of truth, nor derive the supernals into the position required, nor honour the Name of his Lord. Better were it for that man had he never been created, and much more for that man who doth not attentively meditate when he saith Amen! 12. For which reason, concerning that man especially who moveth his lips (in prayer), with a pure heart (meditating) on those purifying waters, in that passage expressly and clearly written, Gen. i. 26: “And the Elohim said, Let us make man.” As if it were said concerning such a man who knew how to unite image and likeness, as it is right: “And they shall have dominion over the fish of the sea,” &c. Hereunto is the annotation.

“And therefore are those forms (arranged in) such conformations, whereunto the inferior forms adhere; and they are the dispositions in which He is disposed Who hath need that He may be blessed by Him, and Who desireth blessing.

“We have learned: Unless the Ancient of the Ancient Ones, the Holy of the Holy Ones, were disposed in those conformations, neither the superiors nor the inferiors would be found, and all things would be as though they existed not.

“Also we have learned by tradition: how far do those conformations of the beard radiate splendour? Even unto the thirteen inferiors; and whensoever those thirteen are found, those shine.

“How is the beard of the high priest disposed? The beard of the high priest is disposed in eight conformations. Because also the high priest hath eight vestments, when the ointment descendeth upon his beard.

“And come, behold! it is necessary through the two first conformations that thou pass on unto the third, because the third form is in the midst.

“And those two apples which are the seventh conformation include all the six conformations before mentioned.

“This have we learned by tradition. ‘Those hidden apples shine, and are ever brilliant; and from them proceed rays in three hundred and seventy directions; and in them all the six (preceding) conformations of the beard are included.’

“(But) these two (conformations agree with §§ 268, 269, ante); the tenth with ‘Thou shalt give truth unto Jacob.’

“And all those excellent conformations are co-ordinated, and crowned, and placed round about, each in its own (proper) position, in the holy form of the beard.

“Also we have learned that those QDM, Qadam, ancient days, are all conformed in the conformations of the beard, wherein is composed the Ancient of the Ancient Ones, the Concealed of the Concealed Ones. But this thirteenth (conformation) comprehendeth them.

“And in that time wherein is stirred up the Ancient of Days in the superior conformations, that is called one day wherein He ariseth to magnify His beard.

Rabbi Schimeon spake unto his companions, and said: “When that veil is expanded (by which is to be understood the representation of the beard of Macroprosopus) which ye behold above us, I see that all the conformations have descended therein, and that they shine forth in that place. (Now like as if he intended to say, AMN, Amen, the discourse concerning Macroprosopus being finished, he describeth this particular symbolism, which is contained in the ensuing symbols.)

“Now take ye your places, and apply the science (the Qabalah) to describe how the parts of Microprosopus are conformed, and how He is clothed with His conformations, from the forms of the Ancient of Days, the Holy of the Holy Ones, the Withdrawn of the Withdrawn ones, the Concealed one of All.

“For now wisdom requireth that ye judge a true judgment, becoming and honourable; so that ye may dispose all the conformations as accurately as possible.

“But the conformations of Microprosopus are disposed from the forms of Macroprosopus; and His constituent parts are expanded on this side and on that under a human form, so that there may be manifest in Him the Spirit of the Concealed One in every part.

BEHOLD! this have we learned in the “Book of Concealed Mystery”: that the Ancient of the Ancient Ones before that He prepared His conformations (in the equilibrium of balance) formed certain kings, collected certain kings, and gave due proportion unto certain kings; but they only subsisted (for a time) until He could expel them; and in that time hath He concealed them.

When this was conformed, He disposed all the inferior conformations, and all the superior and inferior forms were thus arranged.

This passage hath this meaning: When that holy prophet heard and understood and knew, and was occupied with those conformations, it is written: “I was afraid.” Rightly was it (so written) that he should be afraid and be broken before Him, for these words are said concerning Microprosopus.

And that beard is the perfection and beauty of the countenance in Microprosopus. In nine conformations is it disposed.

But this beard of Microprosopus is disposed in nine conformations.

Through these nine conformations there proceed and flow down nine fountains of magnificent oil, and these indeed flow down from that magnificent supernal oil (of the beard of Macroprosopus) into all those inferiors.

Those nine conformations are found in form herein (otherwise, in this beard); and in the perfection of the conformation of this beard is the inferior son of man called the brave man.

Rabbi Schimeon spake unto Rabbi Eleazar his son, and said: “Arise, O my Son and expound the parts of the holy beard in its conformations.”

“Herein are delineated the nine conformations of this beard. For King David had need of these dispositions, that he might vanquish other kings and other nations.

“Come, behold! After that he had said these nine conformations, he added (verse 10): ‘All nations compassed me about, but in the name of Tetragrammaton I will destroy them.’

“Therefore did he rehearse those conformations which we have repeated. But what was the necessity for so doing? Because that he said: ‘All nations compassed me about.’ For in this disposition of those nine conformations which are the name of IHVH, Tetragrammaton, are they cut off from the earth.

“Therefore did he rehearse those conformations which we have repeated. But what was the necessity for so doing? Because that he said: ‘All nations compassed me about.’ For in this disposition of those nine conformations which are the name of IHVH, Tetragrammaton, are they cut off from the earth.

“Also this have we learned in the ‘Book of Concealed Mystery.’ David hath here enumerated the nine conformations; of which six consist in the holy name, for there are six names; and there are three in the word ADM, Adam, or man.

“And therefore did David enumerate those nine conformations; because he unto whom it is allowed to touch the beard of the King can do all which he desireth.

“We have learned that the supernal beard is disposed in nine conformations, and that it is the beard of Microprosopus.

“For when Moses in the second passage rehearseth these praises of God, Num. xxiv. 18, he enumerateth the nine conformations; and these are the conformations of the beard, even those which are found in Microprosopus, and descend from the Ancient of Days and shine down into Him.

“For when Moses in the second passage rehearseth these praises of God, Num. xxiv. 18, he enumerateth the nine conformations; and these are the conformations of the beard, even those which are found in Microprosopus, and descend from the Ancient of Days and shine down into Him.

“But because that path which goeth forth in the third disposition beneath the two nostrils is filled with short and rigid hairs; hence because of that path these conformations are not called ‘bearing inquity and passing over transgression;’ but these are collected together in another place.

“And this disposition ruleth over the six (foregoing conformations), because herein are all things established and comprehended.

But by means of those conformations hath He conformed Himself in that form which comprehendeth all forms, in that form which comprehendeth all names.

“VIHI HADM LNPSh ChIH, Va-Yehi Ha-Adam Le-Nephesch Chiah, and the Adam was formed into a living Nephesch,” so that it (the physical Nephesch form) might be attached to himself (otherwise, so that it might be developed in him), and that he might form himself into similar conformations; and that he might project himself in that Neschamah from path into path, even unto the end and completion of all the paths.

And therefore in all the crowns (the former state of things) was not permanent, before that the conformations of the King were prepared by the Ancient of the Ancient Ones, so that He might construct the worlds, and form (their) conformations, for the purpose of establishing that Woman, so that She might be mitigated.

And therefore in all the crowns (the former state of things) was not permanent, before that the conformations of the King were prepared by the Ancient of the Ancient Ones, so that He might construct the worlds, and form (their) conformations, for the purpose of establishing that Woman, so that She might be mitigated.

Until the supernal Benignity could descend, and then the conformations of the Woman became permanent, and were mitigated by this member (of Microprosopus), which is called the Benignity.

And He conformeth all Her conformations, and hideth Her even unto Her day, on which She is ready to be brought before the Male.

The Superior Crowns in general (are comprehended in) the figure of all those conformations, as hath been already said.

We have learned that all those supernal conformations which are in the Holy Body, in the Male and in the Female, which (arrangement of Male and Female) is the proper ordering (of the Form) of the man, are deduced from themselves by turns, and that by turns they adhere each to its (order of deviation): and that by turns they flow down into themselves (i.e., the duplicate Male and Female form).

“Which truly our companions have said in former books, that certain paths have been created by the Most Holy Ancient One, who is revealed through them collectively and severally; since they are the conformations of the Most Holy Ancient One, concerning them now there is not time for examination.

All the conformations of the Most Holy Ancient One are formed forth from the calm and concealed brain.

And all the conformations of Microprosopus are formed through the Inferior Chokmah, Wisdom. Like as it is written, Ps. civ. 24: “All these hast thou made in Chokmah.” And certainly it (Wisdom) is the epitome of all things.

For in Their conformations are They found to be the perfection of all things—Father and Mother, Son and Daughter.

That Light, I say, of those lights, severally and conjointly, which are called the conformations of the King, or of the Crown of the King, that which shineth and adhereth to that Light, which is the innermost of all things, nor ever shineth without them.

“They themselves beheld, so were they astonished; they feared, and hasted away.” Because they remained not in their place, since the conformations of the King had not as yet been formed, and the Holy City and its walls were not as yet prepared.

We have described the conformations of the beard already, in the Conclave of the Assembly. Here also I desire to enter upon this matter in all humility.

In this beard nine conformations are found, (among which are) six myriads which depend among them, and are extended throughout the whole body.

And in the ornamentation of the beard hang the three remaining (conformations); one above the lips, and two in those locks which hang down upon the chest.

And all those six (other conformations), three on this side and three on that side, go forth, and all depend from those locks which hang down, and they are extended throughout the whole body.

But on account of those three (conformations), which are more connected with the ornament of the beard than all the others, the Holy Name is written in its purity.

Therefore the nine (conformations) arise from and depend from the beard; and thus it commenceth from before the ears. But (the conformations) remain not in permanence save through another cause, as we have before laid down.

Therefore the nine (conformations) arise from and depend from the beard; and thus it commenceth from before the ears. But (the conformations) remain not in permanence save through another cause, as we have before laid down.

For whensoever the universe hath need of mercy, the Influence, Mezla, of the Ancient One is uncovered; and all those conformations which exist in the most adorned beard of Microprosopus are found to be entirely mercies, yet so that they can exercise vengeance against the haters of the Israelites, and against those who afflict them.

Moses commemorated these nine conformations a second time, Num. xiv. 17, when there was need to convert them all into mercy.

For although he recite not now the thirteen conformations (of the beard of Macroprosopus), yet from this idea the thing depended; for he did not allow himself to enter into those conformations simply that he might enumerate them.

For although he recite not now the thirteen conformations (of the beard of Macroprosopus), yet from this idea the thing depended; for he did not allow himself to enter into those conformations simply that he might enumerate them.

And since of this (Influence) Moses was speaking, and this (Influence) he was commemorating, and concerning this (Influence) he was meditating, he then immediately recited those nine conformations which belong unto Microprosopus.