The Lesser Holy Assembly (Idra Zuta Qadisha) 22

734THE Male is extended in right and left, through the inheritance which He receiveth (i.e., from Chokmah and Binah).

735But whensoever the colours are mingled together then is He called Tiphereth, and the whole body is formed into a tree (the Autz Ha-Chaiim, or Tree of Life), great and strong, and fair and beautiful, Dan. iv. 11.

736“The beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it.”

737His arms are right and left. In the right arm is Chesed and Life; in the left is Geburah and Death.

738Through Däath are His inner parts formed, and they fill the Assemblies and Conclaves, as we have said.

739For thus is it written: “And through Däath shall the Conclaves be filled.”

740Afterwards is His body extended into two thighs, et intra hæc continentur duo renes, duo testiculi masculini.

741Omne enim oleum, et dignitas, et vis masculi e toto corpore in istis congregatur; nam omnes exercitus, qui prodeunt ab iis, omnes prodeunt et morantur in orificio membri genitalis.

742And therefore are they called Tzabaoth, the Armies; and they are Netzach (Victory, the seventh Sephira) and Hod (Glory, the eighth). For Tiphereth is Tetragrammaton, but Netzach and Hod are the armies; hence cometh that name, Tetragrammaton Tzabaoth.

743Membrum masculi est extremitas totius corporis, et vocatur Yesod, fundamentum; et hic est gradus ille qui mitigat fœminam. For every desire of the Male is toward the Female.

744Per hoc fundamentum ille ingreditur in fœminam; in locum qui vocatur Tzion et Jerusalem. Nam hic est locus tegendus fœminæ, et in uxore vocatur uterus.

745And hence is Tetragrammaton Tzabaoth called Yesod, the Foundation (the ninth Sephira). Also it is written, Ps. cxxxii. 13: “Since Tetragrammaton hath chosen Tzion to be a habitation for Himself, He hath desired Her.”

746When Matronitha, the Mother, is separated, and conjoined with the King face to face in the excellence of the Sabbath, all things become one body.

747And then the Holy One—blessed be He!—sitteth on His throne, and all things are called the Complete Name, the Holy Name. Blessed be His Name for ever, and unto the ages of the ages!

748All these words have I kept back unto this day, which is crowned by them for the world to come. And now herein are they manifested, O blessed be my portion!

749When this Mother is conjoined with the King, all the worlds receive blessing, and the universe is found to be in joy.

750Like as the Male (Microprosopus) existeth from the Triad (Kether, Chokmah, and Binah), and His beginning is with the Triad, in this same manner are all things disposed, and the end of the whole body is thus; also the Mother (Inferior) receiveth not the blessing except in the Syntagma of the Triad, and these paths are Netzach, Hod, and Yesod.

751And She is mitigated, and receiveth blessing in that place which is called the Holy of Holies below.

752As it is written, Ps. cxxxii. 3: “Since there Tetragrammaton giveth His blessing.” For there are two paths; that which is above, and that which is below.

753Hence there is permission granted unto none to enter therein, save unto the High Priest, who entereth from the side of Chesed, in order that none other might enter into that supernal place save that which is called Chesed.

754And He entereth into the Holy of Holies, and the Bride is mitigated, and that Holy of Holies receiveth blessing, in the place which is called Tzion.

755But Tzion and Jerusalem are two paths, one denoting Mercy, and the other Justice.

756For concerning Tzion it is written, Isa. i. 27: “Through Meshephat, Judgment, it is redeemed.” And concerning Jerusalem it is written, ibid. 21: “Justice, Tzedeq, abideth in Her,” as we have before explained.

757And every desire of the Male is toward the Female. But thus are these called, because hence proceed blessings for all the worlds, and all things receive blessing.

758This place is called Holy, and all the holinesses of the Male enter therein, through that path of which we have spoken.

759But they all come from the supernal head of the Male skull, from that portion of the supernal brain wherein they reside.

760And this blessing floweth down through all the members of the body even unto those which are called Tzabaoth, the Armies.

761And all that which floweth down throughout the whole body is congregated therein, and therefore are they called Tzabaoth, the Armies; because all the armies of the superiors and inferiors go forth therefrom.

762And that which floweth down into that place where it is congregated, and which is emitted through that most holy Yesod, Foundation, is entirely white, and therefore is it called Chesed.

763Thence Chesed entereth into the Holy of Holies; as it is written, Ps. cxxxiii. 3: “For there Tetragrammaton commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

764Rabbi Abba said: “Scarcely could the Holy Light-bearer (i.e., Rabbi Schimeon) finish the word ‘life’ before his words ceased altogether. But I was still writing them down, and thought that there would still be more for me to write, but I heard nothing.

765“But I raised not mine head, since the light around him was so great that hereunto I could not look that way.

766“Therefore I trembled, and I heard a Voice, which cried aloud and said, Prov. iii. 2: ‘Length of days and years of life,’ &c.

767“I heard another Voice, Ps. xxi. 5: ‘Seeketh life from thee,’ &c.

768“Through that whole day the fire departed not from the house, and there was no one who could come near unto him, because they were unable, for the fire and the light encircled him through that whole day.

769“But I fell upon my face on the ground, and cried aloud.

770“When therefore the fire was withdrawn, I saw that that Holy Light-bearer, the Holy of the Holy Ones (i.e., Rabbi Schimeon) had been taken away from this world.

771“But having been turned round, his body had fallen on his right side, and his face still bore a smile.

772“And Rabbi Eleazar, his son, arose, and having taken his hands in his, kissed him; but I kissed the dust which was beneath his feet.

773“The Companions wished to mourn for him, but they could not speak. Yet the Companions began to weep, and Rabbi Eleazar prostrated himself thrice, and could not open his mouth.

774At last he began, and said: “O my father! O my father! there were Three, and into One have they returned.

775“Now shall the living creatures (the Cherubim) rush forth (from the Name); the birds shall fly upward and hide themselves in the opening of the Great Sea, and all the Companions shall drink their blood.”

776But Rabbi Chiya arose upon his feet and said: “Hitherto hath the Holy Light-bearer (Rabbi Schimeon) taken care of us (otherwise, hath occupied himself with us). Now is the time not fitting for any other thing save to pay him due honours.”

777Therefore Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Abba arose, and put upon him the sepulchral garment; and who ever saw such a disturbance and mingled crowd of learned men? Through the whole house ascended fragrant odours (of spices brought for the dead).

778Then they placed him in the coffin: and no man except Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Abba did these services for him.

779But the lictors and soldiers came from Kaphar (otherwise, from Tzipori and Tardaia, or doctors and learned men from the country), and drove them away.

780But the inhabitants of Maronæa rescued them with great tumult, because they thought that he was not to be buried there.

781When therefore the sepulchral bier was borne forth, he (i.e. the body of Rabbi Schimeon) was raised above it in the air, and a fire flamed around him.

782And a Voice was heard (saying): “Come ye and assemble together, and enter in unto the nuptials of Rabbi Schimeon. Isa. lvii.: ‘Let him enter in with peace, and let them rest in their chambers.’”

783When he was carried into the sepulchral cave, a Voice was heard in the cave saying: “This is He who disturbed the earth, and made the kingdoms tremble.”

784How many liberties are stored up in heaven for thee!

785This is that Rabbi Schimeon Ben Yochai, concerning whom his Lord was glorified daily. Blessed is his portion above and below!

786How many highest treasures are reserved for him!

787Concerning him it is said, Dan. xii. 13: “But go thou thy way till the end be, for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.”