The Greater Holy Assembly (Idra Rabba Qadisha) 13

326“ARISE, Rabbi Chisqiah, and stand in thy place, and declare the worthiness of this part of the holy beard.”

327Rabbi Chisqiah arose, and began his speech, and said, Cant. vii. 10: “I am my beloved's, and his desire is towards me.”

328“Who is under consideration here, that ‘I am my beloved's?’ and because that ‘his desire is toward me?’

329“I have meditated, and lo! I have beheld the most excellent light of the supernal lights.

330“It shone forth, and ascended on three hundred and twenty-five sides.

331“And in that light was a certain obscurity washed away, like as when a man batheth in a deep river, whose divided waters flow round him on every side from that part which is above.

332“And that light ascendeth unto the shore of the deep superior sea, for all good openings and dignities are disclosed in that opening.

333“I asked of them what might be the interpretation of that which I beheld; and, commencing they replied, ‘NVShA OVN, Nosha Auan, Thou hast beheld iniquity being taken away.’”

334He said: “This is the second disposition,” and sat down.

335Rabbi Schimeon said: Now is the universe united together (or mitigated). Blessed be thou, Rabbi Chisqiah, of the Ancient of the Ancient Ones!

336Rabbi Schimeon said: All the lights are congregated together which come under this holy seal.

337I bear witness that the highest heavens from the highest (powers) are above me, and the highest holy earth from the supernals, because now I can see what man hath not beheld from that time, when Moses for the second time ascended the mountain of Sinai.

338For I see that my countenance shineth like the vehement splendour of the sun, who is about to issue forth for the healing of the universe.

339Like as it is written, Mal. iv. 2: “But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise, and healing in his wings.”

340Furthermore, I know that my countenance shineth; Moses neither knew nor perceived (the fact).

341Like as it is written, Exod. xxxiv. 29: “And Moses knew not that the skin of his face shone.”

342Furthermore, I behold before me with mine eyes those thirteen sculptured (forms of the beard of Macroprosopus), and like flaming light did they shine.

343And when the second of those (dispositions) was explained by thy mouth, that same at once was raised, and conformed, and crowned, and concealed in the concealment of the forms of the beard, but all the others were reinstated (in outward form).

344And what is more, that one (formation), whilst it was explained by thy mouth, flamed forth in splendour, and was crowned with a crown, and seated upon a throne, like a king in the midst of his army.

345And when the explanation ceased it ascended, and was crowned with a holy crown, and ordained, and concealed, and again placed among the forms of the holy beard; and thus with (the forms) all and singular.

346Be ye glad, O my holy companions! for surely (the universe) shall not be in such a condition until King Messiach shall come.