Knowing The Real Name of HaShem

From the teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria; translated and edited by Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky

Kabbalah teaches that even the Patriarchs' connection to G-d wasn't on Moses' level.

G‑d spoke to Moses, and said, "I am Havayah. But I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as 'El Shadi - G‑d Almighty', and did not make known to them My Name Havayah." (Ex. 6:2)

It is true that what we say - that Abraham -personified - chesed and Isaac [personified] gevura - does not refer to the arms of Zeir Anpin, as most of the earlier authorities of Kabbalah think. For if this were so, they could not couple, for how can two arms - - of the same partzuf couple?

One of the innovations of the teachings of the Arizal is the description of the sefirot as partzufim that couple, etc.

Rather, Abraham personified the states of chesed within Imma, which descend into Zeir Anpin, while Isaac -personified- the states of gevura within Imma. In this way, each is an independent partzuf.

chanoch adds: Remember a Partzuf are faces that are composed of 10 complete Sefirot and thus move relative to each other. This is similar to tubes within tubes as spoken about frequently.

Since they are both within Imma, it is difficult to understand how they can be considered independent partzufim. As Rabbi Shalom Sharabi writes on this passage, "I did not merit to understand the question or the answer."

Jacob [personified both] the states of gevura and the states of chesed within Abba that are present within Imma and descend into Zeir Anpin. Moses [personified] the exact same phenomenon. But whereas Jacob personified Imma, which acts as an external garment around Abba, Moses expressed the internal aspects of Abba himself.

The Patriarchs achieved only a superficial consciousness of G‑d relative to what Moses achieved….

As will be developed further, the Patriarchs achieved only a superficial consciousness of G‑d relative to what Moses achieved. This is because the Patriarchs perceived G‑d as He is revealed in the world, which is only a superficial revelation compared with the way G‑d is revealed in the Torah, which is what Moses was able to comprehend.

chanoch adds: I recommend to contemplate this paragraph prior to contemplating the next paragraph which is also recommended.

Notwithstanding, [Moses personified] the back of [the internal aspects of] Abba, inasmuch as all -aspects of Abba and Imma- that enter inside Zeir Anpin are their backs, and the -way the supernal partzufim- conduct weekday affairs is only derived from their backs.

G‑d runs the world (during the workweek) by infusing the seminal divine consciousness of Abba, through its development in Imma, into the source of human consciousness, Zeir Anpin. Only a diminished version of the divine insight of Abba can be transferred into the lower partzufim; this is referred to as its "back".

chanoch adds: It is recommended to contemplate the sound of your friends voice when heard facing your face; then when he - she faces your back; then whn your friend faces away from your front; finally when your friend faces away from you while your turn and face away from your friend.

On Shabbat, the world's divine consciousness ascends and is not processed through the lower partzufim.

Thus, you will note that the sum of the numerical value of the back [achorayim] of the name Ab [Havayah spelled out with yuds, =72] is 184, plus 161, the numerical value of the front of the name Eh-yeh [spelled out with yuds], is equal to the numerical value of "Moses" [in Hebrew, "Moshe" =345].

The four ways the name Havayah is spelled out are associated with the four principle partzufim. The name referred to as "Ab" [= 72] is associated with the partzuf of Abba.

Yud-vav-dalet hei-yud vav-yud-vav hei-yud = (10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 10) + (6 + 10 + 6) + (5 + 10) = 72.

The "back" of this name is the following, "disappearing" iteration:

yud-hei-vav-hei

yud-vav-dalet hei-yud vav-yud-vav hei-yud

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 10) + (6 + 10 + 6) + (5 + 10) = 72

yud-hei-vav

yud-vav-dalet hei-yud vav-yud-vav

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 10) + (6 + 10 + 6) = 57

yud-hei

yud-vav-dalet hei-yud

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 10) = 35

yud

yud-vav-dalet

(10 + 6 + 4) = 20

total = 72 + 57 + 35 + 20 = 184

The "front" of the name Eh-yeh (alef-hei-yud-hei) spelled out with yuds is the simple spelling out of this name, as follows:

alef

alef-lamed-pei

1 + 30 + 80 = 111

hei

hei-yud

5 + 10 = 15

yud

yud-vav-dalet

10 + 6 + 4 = 20

hei

hei-yud

5 + 10 = 15

total = 111 + 15 + 20 + 15 = 161

Moses is the sum of the back of Abba as present in Imma….

The name Eh-yeh is associated with Imma. Thus, Moses is the sum of the back of Abba as present in Imma.

All of this applies during the weekdays, but on Shabbat, [Moses] reaches [the consciousness of] the shining of the face [of the partzufim].

This is the significance of the numerical value of the name "Moshe". For all that the forefathers reached was [the consciousness of] the name E-l Sha-dai ["G‑d Almighty"], referring to the yesod of Abba or Imma, but "My Name [Havayah]"- as it was revealed to Moses - "I did not make known to them".

The name Havayah is G‑d's "proper" name, or as it is called further on, His "explicit" name. It thus indicates His real presence, His interest, focus, and purpose in creating the world, His "inner" desire. In contrast, the name E-l Sha-dai ("G‑d Almighty") refers to G‑d the Creator of the world. The Sages note that the word "shadai" can be interpreted to mean "He who ['sha-'] said 'enough' ['-dai'] to the expansion of the world [at the end of the creation week]."

You will note that the initials [of the forefathers' names] also indicate that they only reached [the consciousness of] E-l Sha-dai, in two ways:

First: The sum of the numerical values of the initials of the names Abraham [alef, 1], Isaac [yud, 10], Jacob [yud, 10], and Israel [yud, 10] is the same as the numerical value of the name E-l [= 31]

1 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 31.

"E-l" is spelled: alef-lamed = 1 + 30 = 31.

- and the final letters of the names Abraham [mem], Isaac [kuf], and Jacob [beit], transform via atbash into Sha-dai.

"Sha-dai" is spelled: shin-dalet-yud.

Using Atbash - Mem becomes yud; kuf becomes dalet; beit becomes shin.

The Patriarchs perceived G‑d's presence in the world….

Second: If you add the numerical values of the alef from Abraham, the lamed from Israel, the hei that was added [to "Abram"] to form "Abraham" (Gen. 17:5), the shin [which is substituted in the book of Psalms for the tzadik] of Isaac (Psalms 105:9), which is written [there as] "Yischak", the vav that is added [on occasion] to Jacob (Lev. 26:42; Jeremiah 30:18, 33:26, 46:27, and 51:19), together with the three unit values of the three names [of the patriarchs], the total is the numerical value of E-l Sha-dai [345].

alef + lamed + hei + shin + vav + 3 = 1 + 30 + 5 + 300 + 6 + 3 = 345.

"E-l Sha-dai" is spelled: Alef-lamed Shin-dalet-yud = (1 + 30) + (300 + 4 + 10) = 345.

chanoch adds: The inconsistency of these letter choices gives rise, as one example, to the criticism that you can make gematria support anything truth and non truth. It is also an example of intuition at work. To most people to arrive at thee results requires multiplr iterations and guesses. To a Tzadik thir intuition works and duringna meditation these inconsistencies are revealed.

Thus, you have in these two calculations two allusions to E-l Sha-dai, referring to yesod of Abba and yesod of Imma. It was to these levels [that the forefathers] reached. But as to the inner aspect of "My Name, Havayah, I did not make [it] known to them."

Furthermore, you will note that the numerical value of the initials of Abraham [alef, 1], Isaac [yud, 10], and Jacob [yud, 10] is 21, the numerical value of the name Eh-yeh, which is associated with Imma. This further indicates that they did not reach [consciousness of] the inner dimension [of these partzufim,] i.e. the name Havayah. Only Moses did this.

"Eh-yeh" is spelled: alef-hei-yud-hei = 1 + 5 + 10 + 5 = 21.

If you consider [the Patriarchs' four] names - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Israel - stripped of their first and final letters, the numerical value of the remaining letters is 976, the value of the phrase "the explicit Name" [in Hebrew, literally, "hashem hameforash"].

"The explicit Name" is one of the ways the Talmudic sages refer to the name Havayah.

"Abraham" (in Hebrew, "Avraham") is spelled: alef-beit-reish-hei-mem which becomes beit-reish-hei = 2 + 200 + 5 = 207.

Isaac (in Hebrew, "Yitzchak") is spelled: yud-tzadik-chet-kuf which becomes tzadik-chet = 90 + 8 = 98.

"Jacob" (in Hebrew, "Yaakov") is spelled: yud-ayin-kuf-beit which becomes ayin-kuf = 70 + 100 = 170.

"Israel" (in Hebrew, "Yisrael") is spelled: yud-shin-reish-alef-lamed which becomes shin-reish-alef = 300 + 200 + 1 = 501.

207 + 98 + 170 + 501 = 976.

"Hashem hameforash" is spelled: hei-shin-mem hei-mem-pei-vav-reish-shin = (5 + 300 + 40) + (5 + 40 + 80 + 6 + 200 + 300) = 976.

This indicates that the inner dimension of what the Patriarchs perceived - G‑d's presence in the world - was what Moses perceived - G‑d's revelation in the Torah.

chanoch adds: It is important to Note that Abraham at 207 = the Hebrew word for “Light - Ohr” - “Secret - Sod” - “Master of the Universe – Adon Olam”; Issac at 98 represents “cleansing” which is appropriate for the left column moving to become “purified”; Jacob at 170 = 10 x 17 = a complete partzuf of the energy of “good – Tov”; Israel at 506 = 501 plus a colel for each of the revealed ande concealed letters in the Name Israel represents the phrase “Unconditional Love” – Ahavat Hinom”.

It is this [explicit name of G‑d] that Moses reached in all its aspects, which are [indeed] alluded to by the name Havayah, [as follows.] You will note that in this name, the sum of its front and its back is 976, which alludes to the levels [of divine consciousness] that Moses achieved. This level is called "the explicit name". To wit:

The yud [of the name Havayah] is associated with the name Ab [=72], the hei with the name Sag [=63], the vav with the name Mah [=45], and the final hei with the name Ban [=52]. The sum of the numerical values of the "fronts" [simple values] of these names is 232.

72 + 63 + 45 + 52 = 232.

The numerical values of the "backs" of these names are yud - 184, hei - 166, vav - 130, and hei – 144.

We saw above that the numerical value of the "back" of the name Sag is 184. If we perform the same calculation on the other spellings-out of the name Havayah, we have:

For Sag:

yud-hei-vav-hei

yud-vav-dalet hei-yud vav-alef-vav hei-yud

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 10) + (6 + 1 + 6) + (5 + 10) = 63

yud-hei-vav

yud-vav-dalet hei-yud vav-alef-vav

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 10) + (6 + 1 + 6) = 48

yud-hei

yud-vav-dalet hei-yud

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 10) = 35

yud

yud-vav-dalet

(10 + 6 + 4) = 20

total = 63 + 48 + 35 + 20 = 166

For Mah:

yud-hei-vav-hei

yud-vav-dalet hei-alef vav-alef-vav hei-alef

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 1) + (6 + 1 + 6) + (5 + 1) = 45

yud-hei-vav

yud-vav-dalet hei-alef vav-alef-vav

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 1) + (6 + 1 + 6) = 39

yud-hei

yud-vav-dalet hei-alef

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 1) = 26

yud

yud-vav-dalet

(10 + 6 + 4) = 20

total = 45 + 39 + 26 + 20 = 130

For Ban:

yud-hei-vav-hei

yud-vav-dalet hei-hei vav-vav hei-hei

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 5) + (6 + 6) + (5 + 5) = 52

yud-hei-vav

yud-vav-dalet hei-hei vav-vav

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 5) + (6 + 6) = 42

yud-vav-dalet hei-hei

(10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 5) = 30

yud

yud-vav-dalet

(10 + 6 + 4) = 20

total = 52 + 42 + 30 + 20 = 144

To summarize:

letter of Name Havayah

-corresponding spelling-out - value of "back"

yud – 72 – 184

hei – 63 – 166

vav – 45 – 130

hei – 52 – 144

total = 624

The total numerical of these "backs" is the same as that of the word for "will tread" [in Hebrew, "tidroch"], as in the verse "Every place upon which your feet will tread" (Joshua 1:3).

"Tidroch" is spelled: tav-dalet-reish-kaf = 400 + 4 + 200 + 20 = 624.

Yesod is oriented outward, toward expressing its content to the lower levels….

Thus, the sum of [the front and back of these names,] 232 and 624, is 856. But, as is known, if we count these names, which correspond to the four letters [of the name Havayah], together with the ten letters used to spell [each of] them out, plus the kolel, we have [an additional] 15.

As we have seen, 3 letters are always used to spell out the yud of the name Havayah, 2 letters to spell out the hei, up to 3 letters to spell out the vav, and 2 letters to spell out the final hei. 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 = 10.

We thus can add 15 for each of the four names, or 60, to 856.

The same applies to the backs of these names [meaning that we can add another 15 for each of the four names, totaling 60] such that the 8 names give 8 x 15, or 120. When this is added to 856, we have 976, the numerical value of "the explicit Name" ["hashem hameforash"], of which Moses achieved divine consciousness in all its aspects, that is, its inner aspects.

In contrast, [as we said,] the forefathers only reached [consciousness of] the name E-l Sha-dai, referring to yesod [of Abba and Ima]. The custom [of this name] is to extend outward.

Yesod is oriented outward, toward expressing its content to the lower levels.

[They did not achieve consciousness of] the name Havayah, which is hidden inside, as G‑d said, "This is My Name forever." (Ex. 3:15)

The Sages point out that the Hebrew word for "forever", "le'olam", is spelled so that it can be read "to hide" (in Hebrew, "le'aleim"), meaning that the name Havayah is hidden

Translated and adapted by Moshe-Yaakov Wisnefsky from Sefer HaLikutim; subsequently published in "Apples From the Orchard."

Battling Evil - Level by Level

From the teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria; translated and edited by Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky

In Kabbalah, each of the Ten Plagues responds to a related emanation of wickedness

We must now explain briefly the order of these ten plagues that the Holy One, blessed be He, visited upon the Egyptians in Egypt. The plagues were: blood, frogs, lice, the horde of animals, pestilence, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and slaying the firstborn. They correspond, in ascending order, to the ten [sub-] sefirot of Nukva, otherwise known as Malchut.

To explain:

1. Blood. As I have told you, the numerical value of the simple progressive iteration of the name Eh-yeh is 44, that of the word for "blood" [in Hebrew, "dam"].

Eh-yeh: alef-hei-yud-hei. The simple progressive iteration [achorayim] of this name is:

Alef, alef-hei, alef-hei-yud, alef-hei-yud-hei:

1 + (1 + 5) + (1 + 5 + 10) + (1 + 5 + 10 + 5) = 44.

Dam: dalet-mem = 4 + 40 = 44.

This plague issued from the Malchut of the holy feminine principle [i.e., the partzuf of Nukva] and smote the evil Malchut, i.e., Nukva of Zeir Anpin in the realm of evil. [Specifically,] this plague attacked her outside her head.

Meaning her skull [in Hebrew, "gulgalta"], signifying keter of the evil Nukva.

2. Frogs. The sum of 320, the number of states of strict judgment, as is known, plus the numerical value of the simple progressive iteration of the name Ado-nai, which is 126, plus the kolel for both of them, is the numerical value of the word for "frog" [in Hebrew, "tzefardei'a", which equals 444].

According to Rabbi Shalom Sharabi, the kolels here should be added to the numerical value of the word "frog" (444), giving 446, the sum of 320 and 126. [This is also implied in the parallel passage in Pri Etz Chaim.]

Ado-nai: alef-dalet-nun-yud. The progressive iteration of this name is:

alef alef-dalet alef-dalet-nun alef-dalet-nun-yud:

1 + (1 + 4) + (1 + 4 + 50) + (1 + 4 + 50 + 10) = 126.

Tzefardei'a: tzadik-pei-reish-dalet-ayin:

90 + 80 + 200 + 4 + 70 = 444.

This plague issued from the yesod of the holy feminine principle and smote the brains of the evil Nukva.

This is the mystical meaning of the word for "frog" [tzefardei'a], which can be seen as a combination of the words for "bird" [in Hebrew, "tzipor"] and "knowledge" ["dei'a"], referring to the daat [of this Nukva]. As you know, the brains of [this Nukva] are manifest as two birds, as mentioned in the Zohar (I:218) and as we have explained elsewhere (Sha'ar Ma'amarei Rashbi, VaYechi; Etz Chaim 48:2; Mevo Shearim 6:2:5:6).

This plague… smote the highest part of the skull…the location of the hair on the head

3. Lice. The numerical value of the word for "lice" [in Hebrew, "kinim"] is 120. This is the numerical value of the name Elo-him, 86, plus the number of letters in the second iteration of the name Ado-nai, 34.

Kinim: kaf-nun-yud-mem = 20 + 50 + 10 + 40 = 120.

Elo-him: alef-lamed-hei-yud-mem = 1 + 30 + 5 + 10 + 40 = 86.

The second iteration of the name Ado-nai:

simple spelling - spelling-out of - expansion of the spelling-out of

alef

alef – alef-lamed-pei

lamed – lamed-mem-dalet

pei – pei-alef

dalet

dalet – dalet-lamed-tav

lamed – lamed-mem-dalet

tav – tav-vav

nun

nun – nun-vav-nun

vav – vav-alef-vav

nun – nun-vav-nun

yud

yud – yud-vav-dalet

vav – vav-alef-vav

dalet – dalet-lamed-tav

This plague issued from the hod of the holy feminine principle - for, as you know, Imma's influence extends until hod - and smote the highest part of the skull encompassing the head of the evil Nukva, the location of the hair on the head. [This plague] also [smote] the malchut - the final [sub-]sefira of the evil Zeir Anpin, otherwise known as Samael, the husband [of the evil Nukva]. As is known, lice nest in the hair of the head.

chanoch adds: By this time, one can realize that the negative tree is upside down relative to the Tree of Life. Most people visualize the positive tree as a mirror image of the negative tree – feet to feet – hip to hip – head to head. If that is the case, then these plaques, described by the Ari, do not make sense. Only an upside down tree makes the Ari correct. Learn the true meaning nof relativity. Be open to change your view of reality, your agenda, to fit the facts.

Imma, intellectual inspiration, extends its influence as far as hod, the last of the midot with original content. Yesod and malchut are just the coalescence and expression of all that has preceded them. Thus, this plague, although issuing from hod, is primarily a "head" plague.

It appears to me, Chaim [Vital], that this is also the mystical meaning of the verse, "And G‑d will smite the skull of the [wayward] daughters of Zion with lesions" (Isaiah 3:17), that He infested their heads with families of lice, as our sages explain (Yalkut Shimoni, Isaiah, 247, 267.)

The homily is based on the fact that the word for "smite with lesions" [sin-pei-chet] is also the root of the Hebrew word for "family" ["mishpacha", shin-pei-chet].

4. Horde. In Hebrew, this word [in Hebrew, "arov"] is written without the [expected] vav. It thus expresses the simple progressive iteration of the name Havayah, whose numerical value is 72, plus the simple progressive iteration of the name Elo-him, whose numerical value is 200. Their sum is the numerical value of the word for "hoard" [272].

Havayah: yud-hei-vav-hei. The progressive iteration of this name is:

yud, yud-hei, yud-hei-vav, yud-hei-vav-hei =

10 + (10 + 5) + (10 + 5 + 6) + (10 + 5 + 6 + 5) = 72.

Elo-him: alef-lamed-hei-yud-mem. The progressive iteration of this name is:

alef, alef-lamed, alef-lamed-hei, alef-lamed-hei-yud, alef-lamed-hei-yud-mem

= 1 + (1 + 30) + (1 + 30 + 5) + (1 + 30 + 5 + 10) + (1 + 30 + 5 + 10 + 40) = 40 + 2(10) + 3(5) + 4(30) + 5(1) = 40 + 20 + 15 + 120 + 5 = 200.

Arov: ayin-reish-beit = 70 + 200 + 2 = 272.

This plague issued from the forehead [i.e. netzach] of the holy feminine principle and smote the yesod of the evil Zeir Anpin, i.e., Samael.

The Hebrew word for "forehead" is "metzach", etymologically related to "netzach". Also, "netzach" ["victory"] signifies resolve, which we express by contracting the skin on the forehead.

chanoch adds: contracting the skin of the forehead creates lines that allows us to read the meaning.

5. Pestilence. The numerical value of the word for "pestilence" [in Hebrew, "dever"] is equivalent to the combined numerical values of two names Elo-him, 172 - the numerical value of the word for "heel" [in Hebrew, "eikev"] - plus the number of letters in the second spelling-out of the name Ado-nai, 34. 172 plus 34 equals 206, the numerical equivalent of the word for "pestilence".

Dever: dalet-beit-reish = 4 + 2 + 200 = 206.

As above, the numerical value of Elo-him is 86. 2 x 86 = 172.

Eikev = ayin-kuf-beit = 70 + 100 + 2 = 172.

We saw above that the number of letters in the second spelling out of Ado-nai is 34.

Evil behavior changes G‑d's natural mercy into judgment…

This plague issued from the tiferet of the holy Nukva and smote the hod of the evil Zeir Anpin.

This is the mystical meaning of the verse, said in connection with this plague, "behold, the hand of G‑d is…", indicating how the name Havayah written in its natural sequence [yud-hei-vav-hei] - which signifies tiferet, the inner motivation of which is mercy - is inverted to hei-vav-yud-hei, signifying strict judgment.

In this verse, we first see the name Havayah spelled in its natural order of letters, followed immediately by the word "is" - which is usually left out in Hebrew. This word is spelled hei-vav-yud-hei, which of course is a rearrangement of the letters that spell the name Havayah. Thus, evil behavior changes G‑d's natural mercy into judgment.

6. Boils. This plague issued from the gevura of the holy feminine principle. Now, the numerical value of gevura is 216. From gevura on down to malchut are manifest five more [sub-]sefirot, each comprised of ten [sub-sub-sefirot], giving a total of 50 [sub-sub-sefirot]. 216 plus 50 equals 266. When 102 is added to this number, we have 368, the numerical value of the word for "boils" [in Hebrew, "shechin"]. 102 is the sum of the numerical values of the three expansions of the three names Havayah whose total numerical values are 72, 63, and 45, these being 46, 37, and 19, respectively. 46 plus 37 plus 19 equals 102. They signify the states of judgment that extend to the realm of evil, as we have explained elsewhere (Etz Chaim 19:2) in our explanation of the passage of the Mishna (Shabbat 6:8) that begins, "an amputee may go out with his wooden leg".

Gevura: gimel-beit-vav-reish-hei = 3 + 2 + 6 + 200 + 5 = 216.

Shechin: shin-chet-yud-nun = 300 + 8 + 10 + 50 = 368.

As we have learned previously, there are four principle ways in which the name Havayah is spelled out [based on how we spell out the letters hei and vav], which produce four separate numerical values. The first three of these are 72, 63, and 45. When we consider only the letters used in the process of spelling out [the milui], we have:

chanoch adds: we have explained these milui aspects in other classes. 72 – 26 = 46; 63 – 26 = 37; 45 – 26 = 19.

The passage of the Mishna cited states that a person with a wooden-leg is allowed to walk in the public domain on the Shabbat, and this is not considered carrying for him (which would be forbidden). The numerical value of the word for "wooden-leg", in Hebrew, "kav", is 102.

[As stated,] these states of judgment issued from the gevura of the holy Nukva and smote the netzach of the evil Zeir Anpin.

[As for these states of judgment], the letter shin of "shechin" [boils] signifies the 300 states of judgment and severity. To these, add the numerical value of the name Havayah spelled out to equal 52 [i.e., with the letter hei], plus the number of letters in the name Ado-nai [4] and the number of letters used to spell it out [12]. This gives 368, the numerical value of the word for "boils."

According to Rabbi Shalom Sharabi, the 300 states of severity are the three sefirot on the left axis of the sefira tree [bina, gevura, and hod], each sub-divided into ten sub-sefirot, which themselves are then subdivided into 100 sub-sub-sefirot, giving 300.

The name Havayah spelled out to equal 52:

yud-vav-dalet hei-hei vav-vav hei-hei = (10 + 6 + 4) + (5 + 5) + (6 + 6) + (5 + 5) = 52.

The name Ado-nai is spelled out with 12 letters:

alef-lamed-pei dalet-lamed-tav nun-vav-nun yud-vav-dalet

300 + 52 + 4 + 12 = 368.

7. Hail. The numerical value of the progressive iteration of the name Elo-him is 200. Adding to this the number of letters in the name Elo-him [5] plus the kolel gives 206. This is the numerical value of the word for "hail" [in Hebrew, "barad"].

Barad: beit-reish-dalet = 2 + 200 + 4 = 206.

Hail is made of water, which…expresses chesed. But it was commingled with flaming fire…

This plague issued from the chesed of the holy feminine principle, for hail is made of water, which derives from and expresses chesed. But it was commingled with flaming fire, originating in gevura. It smote the tiferet of the evil Zeir Anpin.

8. Locusts. This plague manifests four names Elo-him spelled out. This name spelled out in two iterations uses 52 letters. These four expanded spellings are called the four "sons of G‑d." There are two that originate in chochma and two that originate in bina. Their combined number of letters is the same as that of the word for "locust" [in Hebrew, "arbeh"].

These locusts were an impure species, signifying strict judgment, as opposed to the pure species of locusts [permitted by the Torah]. "The Torah spoke of four sons"; these are the four names Havayah spelled out with the letter hei. [Ref. the Passover Haggada, referring to the four times in the Torah where G‑d describes how we are to teach our children about the exodus from Egypt.]

As we see, the name itself is 5 letters, the first iteration uses 13 letters, and the second iteration uses 34 letters. 5 + 13 + 34 = 52. This number is the numerical value of the word for "son" (ben: beit-nun = 2 + 50); thus, the double spelling-out of the name Elo-him is, so to speak, the "son" of Elo-him.

4 x 52 = 208.

Arbeh: alef-reish-beit-hei = 1 + 200 + 2 + 5 = 208.

As we have seen, the numerical value of the name Havayah when spelled out with the letter hei is also 52. This spelling out of this name can thus alos be considered a "son" of Havayah. Since the name Elo-him signifies judgment, the "sons" of this name are the forbidden, non-kosher locusts. The four "sons of Havayah" are the kosher species of locusts.

They issued from the bina of the holy feminine principle, and smote the gevura of the evil Zeir Anpin.

9. Darkness. This is alluded to by the well-known 325 states of judgment, which we explained elsewhere. These states of judgment are the 320 powerful sparks, the states of judgment of the Egyptians. The additional 5 are actually states of mercy that sweeten the said 320 states of judgment, this giving a total of 325. These 5 [states of mercy] were the light that shone for Israel during the days of the Egyptian darkness, as it is written, "and there was light for all the Children of Israel in their habitations." (Ex. 10:23) And thus, "light" is mentioned five times in Torah's description of the first day of Creation. The alef of the word for "light" alludes to the three alefs that complete the calculation to get 328, the numerical value of the word for "darkness" [in Hebrew, "choshech"].

Choshech: chet-shin-chaf = 8 + 300 + 20 = 328.

[Amended according to other versions cited by Rabbi Shalom Sharabi.]

Each plague expressed a different combination of divine power channeled by Nukva to destroy its evil opponents…

It will be recalled that in the plague of frogs, the 320 states of judgment operated without any such mitigation [from the 5 states of mercy].

The 3 necessary to bring the calculation from 325 to 328 are derived from the letter alef when graphically split into two down the middle of its middle stroke. When drawn this way, the alef splits into two combinations of the letters yud and vav. The combined numerical values of these four letters is 32, corresponding to the 32 pathways of wisdom, i.e. Abba. As is known, the 320 states of judgment are rectified through thought, i.e. Abba.

The split alef: yud-vav-vav-yud = 10 + 6 + 6 + 10 = 32.

These [states of judgment] issued from the chochma of the holy feminine principle and smote the chesed of the evil Zeir Anpin.

10. Killing the Firstborn. This plague issued from the keter of the holy Nukva and smote the three highest [sub-]sefirot of the evil Zeir Anpin. The initials of these three sefirot - keter, reishit chochma, bina - spell the word for "firstborn" [in Hebrew, "bechor"]. This is similar to what is explained in the Zohar (Tikunei Zohar 70, pg. 119b) regarding the word for "blessed" [in Hebrew, "baruch"] and the name of the River Kevar.

Chochma is referred to as "reishit chochma" ["the beginning of wisdom"] based on the verse: "The beginning of wisdom is the fear of G‑d." (Psalms 111:10) Also, chochma is the first conscious sefira, and is therefore known as "the beginning".

In summary:

plague - smiting sub-sefira in the holy Nukva - evil sub-sefira smitten

1. - blood – malchut - keter of Nukva

2. - frogs – yesod - brains of Nukva

3. - lice – hod - skull hair of Nukva and malchut of Zeir Anpin

4. - horde – netzach - yesod of Zeir Anpin

5. - pestilence – tiferet - hod of Zeir Anpin

6. Boils – gevura - netzach of Zeir Anpin

7. - hail – chesed - tiferet of Zeir Anpin

8. - locusts – bina - gevura of Zeir Anpin

9. - darkness – chochma - chesed of Zeir Anpin

10. - firstborn – keter - keter-chochma-bina of Zeir Anpin

If we consider all this, we see here yet another overturning of Victorian stereotypes. Here, the female is the attacking warrior, and she attacks not only her opposing female principle but also - and chiefly - the evil male.

The female is the attacking warrior, and she attacks …the evil male…

In this tour de force of feminine power, Nukva seems to be mustering all her possible sources of divine energy, based on various combinations of divine names. Thus, we see why the Ten Plagues first of all had to be ten, and secondly, why they took the specific forms they did: each plague expressed a different combination of divine power channeled by Nukva to destroy its evil opponents.

According to how we have defined the male and female components of consciousness previously, this makes sense: if the female is the drive to concretize divinity in the world, it should specifically be the female that gets incensed over the forces that oppose this drive, namely evil.

Translated and adapted by Moshe-Yaakov Wisnefsky from Shaar HaPesukim and Pri Etz Chaim;

Souls and Sacrifices

Redress and rectification among the primordial souls .

From the teachings of Rabbi Yitzchak Luria; translated and edited by Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky

In the beginning of the portion of the Torah read this week, the Torah details the geneology of Moses and Aaron:

"These are the names of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kehat, and Merari…. And the sons of Kehat: Amram, Yitzhar, Hebron, and Uziel." (Ex. 6:16, 18) "And Amram took his aunt Jochebed for a wife, and she bore him Aaron and Moses.…" (Ex. 6:20)

It is fitting to explain here the transmigrations of the soul of Aaron.

I have already identified his original root many times, including [in my comments] on the verse "And a new king arose over Egypt," in the exposition of [the three children of Amram,] Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. [I explained there] how both Aaron and Moses originate in the yesod of Abba as it is present in Zeir Anpin, and how both of them are aspects of Abel, the son of Adam.

It has also been explained in [my comments on] the parashat Noah, on the verse "and Lot the son of Haran his grandson," that Abel's name [Hevel, hei-beit-lamed] is alluded to in the initials of the words "Lot the son of Haran" [Lot ben Haran, lamed-beit-hei]. This implies that [the souls of] both Lot and Haran were aspects of [the soul of] Abel. As I have explained on the verse "And a new king arose over Egypt," all the [primordial] souls began to be rectified by [the souls of] Abraham's family.

Terah complained about Abram his son before Nimrod for crushing his idols

Abraham, as well, was an aspect of Abel, and Haran, Abraham's brother, possessed [in his soul] an admixture of great holiness, although he did not rectify [the aspect of Abel's soul within him] as much as his brother Abraham did. And it is known that he was burned for the sanctification of G‑d's Name, albeit not wholeheartedly, since he waited [to consign himself to the flames] until he saw that Abraham was [miraculously] saved from the furnace.

"Terah complained about Abram his son before Nimrod for crushing his idols; so he [Nimrod] cast him [Abram] into a fiery furnace, and Haran sat and thought, 'If Abram is victorious, I am on his side, and if Nimrod is victorious, I am on his side.' When Abram was saved, they said to Haran, 'Whose side are you on?' Haran said to them, 'I am on Abram's side!' They cast him into the fiery furnace and he was burned." [Gen. 11:28, Rashi from Bereishit Raba 38:13]

Thus, Haran threw himself into the flames thinking he would be saved, and therefore his act did not qualify as a public "sanctification of G‑d's Name" as did Abraham's. Nonetheless, his act was motivated out of recognition of the truth of G‑d. The fact that he recognized this truth and was willing to take something of a chance for it indicates that he did possess some level of holiness.

[Haran] subsequently was reincarnated as Aaron, whose name [in Hebrew Aharon, alef-hei-reish-nun] possesses the letters of his name [Haran, hei-reish-nun], with the addition of the letter alef. Since he did not throw himself into the furnace in Abraham's days until Abraham was saved, and did not sacrifice himself for the sanctification of G‑d's Name as he should have, this act did not help him, for he only threw himself in because he thought he would be saved as was Abraham.

Therefore, when he was reincarnated as Aaron, he was faced with the situation of the golden calf. G‑d presented him with the people's request "Get up and make us a god," which he should have refused and on account of which he should have been killed, [thus sanctifying G‑d's Name in public]. (Ex. 32:1)

This in fact is exactly what Hur, Miriam's son, did. [His soul] was a soul-spark that was intermixed with the soul of Haran, even though [the soul of Haran] was not actually its source. (It has been explained that soul-sparks can intermix with one another even though they do not derive from the same root.) [Hur] understood in his prophetic inspiration that he had to rectify this sin [i.e., that of Haran], and therefore [protested the building of the golden calf] and gave himself over to be killed [by the mob on this account].

This accords with the statement of our sages on the verse (Ex. 32:5) "And [Aaron] built an altar before him": "Aaron understood from he who was slain before him." (Sanhedrin 7)

The word for "And [Aaron] built" is va-yiven, which may also be interpreted to mean "and he understood." The word for "altar" is mizbeiach, which may also be read mi-zavuach, meaning "from the one who was slain." The sages thus indicate that Aaron understood from the fact that the mob had killed Hur for opposing the building of the golden calf that it was pointless for him to oppose it as well, since they would then simply kill him, too, and proceed to make it anyway.

Our sages derived this from the word "and he built," but in truth, [had this word been meant to merely imply that Aaron saw that it would be pointless to resist the mob,] it should have said "and he saw." Rather, the [deeper] implication [in our sages' words] is that he understood in his prophetic vision that he should have rectified the aforementioned sin of Haran by giving up his life to publicly sanctify G‑d's Name. But he thought that since Hur - who was an aspect of Haran, as we said - had already offered his life to rectify this sin, it was no longer necessary for him to do the same inasmuch as the sin had already been rectified by Hur. But he erred in this.The reason why specifically Nadab and Abihu died is that they, too, sinned with respect to foreign fire

chanoch adds:foreign fire has the meaning of using fire to form an idol. This is my opinion.

Therefore it is written (Deut. 9:20), "And G‑d was angry at Aaron, and sought to wipe him out," and death was decreed on his sons. As it is written, "And [G‑d] intended to wipe them out [and would have done so] were it not that Moses, His chosen, [stood before Him in the breech to return His wrath from destroying]." (Psalms 106:23) Nonetheless, "returning wrath" implies that the wrath had already had some effect, and this was indeed the case here. Our sages state (Vayikra Rabba 10:5) that "'wiping out' implies destroying progeny," and Moses' prayers turned back half of the decree. Thus, of Aaron's four sons, Elazar and Ithamar remained, and only Nadab and Abihu died. Our sages point out that this is the meaning of the verse "And [Moses] became angry at Elazar and Ithamar, [Aaron's] remaining sons." (Lev. 10:17)

The reason why specifically Nadab and Abihu died is that they, too, sinned with respect to foreign fire.

The Hebrew term for "idolatry" is "foreign service," i.e., any act that expresses devotion to something or someone other than G‑d. When the Tabernacle was inaugurated, Nadab and Abihu brought an incense offering on their own, in addition to the offerings G‑d had explicitly required. This unsolicited incense thus fell into the category of "foreign fire," which is forbidden to be brought onto the altar. Even though their intentions were worthy, they brought their offering as an expression of their own ecstasy rather than as fulfillment of G‑d's will. Thus, their act was in effect more one self-service than of Divine-service, and therefore could be considered in a subtle sense an act of "foreign service" or idolatry. In this sense, they were perpetuating their father's sin of not opposing idolatry at all costs.

Still, they would not have been liable to death by burning on account of their sin alone, but [being Aaron's sons] they were liable to be burnt on account of his sin in not submitting himself to be burnt [in the incident of the golden calf]. The combination of both [their own sin and their father's] caused their death, and thus G‑d's wrath found its place to rest. In the case of Elazar and Itamar, however, who did not sin, Moses' prayer was effective.

Understand this, as well: Just as Haran was burnt and died during the lifetime of his father, Terah, so did Nadab and Abihu die during the lifetime of their father, Aaron, by fire.

After Aaron died he was reincarnated as Yaavetz, who is mentioned in the book of Chronicles (1 2:55). The reason why he was called this is because the curse of Eve was "in sadness shall you bear children," (Gen. 3:16) and that of Adam was "in sadness shall you eat it." (Gen.3:17) In the Zohar 2:219b it is said that the phrase "in sadness shall you bear children" is the mystical meaning of "sin crouches at the door," (Gen. 4:7), referring to the shells [kelipot] of the world of Asiya, which are called "sadness" and "sin that crouches at the door." And it is known that the kelipot have dominion only in the world of Asiya.

The name Yaavetz (yud-ayin-beit-tzadik) includes the letters that compose the word for "sadness" (eitzev, ayin-tzadik-beit).

The result of the primordial sin was that the world descended to the level of Asiyah, where the forces of evil (keliplot) have dominion. These are the forces of sadness and its result, sin.

As we have explained elsewhere, Nadab and Abihu were the aspect of nefesh of the soul of Adam. This sadness ruled over them, and they therefore died in the sin of their father, Aaron.

Nefesh is the lowest aspect of the soul; Nadab and Abihu were thus the embodiment of the lowest aspect of the soul of Adam, that which experienced the fall in the greatest degree. It is interesting to note that these two sons of Aaron both personified the sadness that results from the existential fact of being under the domain of the forces of evil as well as the inspiration born of Divine ecstasy as evidenced at the inauguration of the Tabernacle.

Historically, many if not most of the most poignant and moving works of inspiration and art have born out of the artist's sense of depression and melancholy. It is, of course, most noble to be touched by the exile of humanity (and the Divine presence) from its natural abode, but the proper response to this is submission to G‑d's will in order to rectify the wrong, rather than some form of heroic expression of personal angst.

Therefore Yaavetz prayed: "And Yaavetz called to the G‑d of Israel, saying, 'If You bless me and increase my border, and Your hand is with me that You save me from harm, so as not to sadden [eitzev] me…'" (1 Chronicles 4:10) In other words, he prayed that his sons should no longer die in his lifetime, as they had when he had been incarnated as Aaron [and Haran]. [The verse continues:] "…and God fulfilled that which he had requested." His children and students endured, as our sages have pointed out. For this reason he was called Yaavetz. (Mishnah Temurah 16a)

Justice…is one of the three pillars on which the world stands

Now, Yaavetz made vows, as we see from the above-quoted passage. Even though he fulfilled his vows, it is written, "it is better that you not vow." (Ecclesiastes 5:4) He was therefore reincarnated as Tola ben Pua, who is mentioned in the book of Judges. He thus rectified his prior sin of vowing too much. This is why he was called Tola, for this name alludes to his previous mistakes. He was like a "worm" [in Hebrew: tola'at] whose power is vested in its mouth, as our sages have said. (Midrash Tanchuma, Beshalach) He, likewise, used his [the power of his] mouth to vow, and thus was his prayer received.

In this incarnation he damaged things in another way as well: It is fitting that the judge of the generation travel from city to city to judge the people in righteousness. For if two people have a case between them and cannot afford to travel to the city of the judge, it will result in justice - which is one of the three pillars on which the world stands - not being served. It is written about Tola that "he dwelt in Shamir, in the mountain of Ephraim." (Judges 10:1) Our sages teach that this means that he settled there and did not circulate from city to city.

He was therefore further reincarnated as the prophet Samuel, in whose lifetime he rectified this sin. As it is written, "And from year to year, he would set forth, and go around to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, and he would judge Israel in all these places. And his return was to Ramah…." (1 Samuel 7:16-17) Moreover, even though this was for their benefit, he did not even take one donkey [to ride on] from them, as Scripture testifies, unlike any other judge. He did all this in order to rectify the sin [of Tola] with all his power.

Still, you must realize that the main [component of the soul of] the prophet Samuel was [derived from] Nadab and Abihu. This is alluded to in the verse [said by Samuel's mother, Hannah:] "and you will give your maidservant the seed of men." (1 Samuel 1:11) But an aspect of the soul of their father Aaron joined with them, that is, the aspect of Tola ben Pua, to rectify his sin, as we have explained.

Thus we see that in Samuel Aaron and his sons began to come together. This was not the case with Yaavetz and Tola, in which Aaron was reincarnated by himself. But in Samuel, although he was mainly [a reincarnation of] Nadab and Abihu, Aaron joined with them.

After this, Aaron by himself was reincarnated as Uriah the Hittite, the arms-bearer of Joab ben Tzeruiah. In his name [Uriah, alef-vav-reish-yud-hei] included the first three letters of the name of Aaron [alef-hei-reish] to indicate this. Now, it is known that the army of David, and especially the 39 greatest of them, were called "the camp of G‑d," and all of them were chiefs of the Sanhedrin. This was certainly true of Uriah, since he was the greatest of them, being the arms-bearer of Joab, the head of [King David's] army. In the Zohar it is stated that he was only called "the Hittite" because he came from that place; it is not to imply that he was a convert. (Zohar 2:107a; Kidushin 76b)

Now, at this point, there were still two sins of Aaron that had not yet been rectified: the first being that he had not thrown himself into the furnace [properly] in the time of Haran, the brother of Abraham, and the second being the sin of his sons who died in his sin, as we have said. For it is known that when a person causes another person to die, the first has to be reincarnated and die [before his time] or be killed, as it is written in The Letters of Rabbi Akiva. When a person [such as Aaron] dies he is punished, and asked: "Why did your sons die in your lifetime?" He is responsible for their death, as if he had killed them with his own hands.

[Ref. The Letters of Rabbi Akiva: s.v. letter Nun. This is a midrash, and the word "letters" in the title refers to the letters of the alphabet, not to correspondence.] ...they rectified their [sin] by atoning for their sin in offering unsolicited incense through Elijah on Mt. Carmel...

they rectified their [sin] by atoning for their sin in offering unsolicited incense through Elijah on Mt. Carmel

Therefore King David killed Uriah the Hittite. In this way Aaron achieved atonement for the death of his sons. After this had been accomplished, he and his sons could join together, and the three of them together were reincarnated as Uriah the priest in the generation of King Yehoyakim. This is why specifically three letters of the name "Aaron" are present in the name "Uriah." Also, this latter Uriah was a priest, just as was Aaron.

The reason why Aaron's sons had to be reincarnated [into Uriah the priest] was because they had first been reincarnated by themselves into the prophet Elijah, as we have explained elsewhere. In this way they rectified their "turning away from evil," [i.e., their sin,] by atoning for their sin in offering unsolicited incense through Elijah on Mt. Carmel, when he caused fire to descend from heaven in order to sanctify G‑d's Name.

Nadab and Abihu had offered a sacrifice (incense) in an "illegal" manner, as an expression of their own ecstatic feelings. In Elijah's day, he also offered an "illegal" sacrifice when he contested the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, since it is illegal to offer a sacrifice anywhere other than in the Temple (once the Temple has been built). But since Elijah did so in order to sanctify G‑d's Name in public, his act was not only not considered an infringement of the law, but as well rectified the sin of Nadab and Abihu. Offering the "illegal" sacrifice for G‑d's sake rectified their offering of an "illegal" sacrifice for their own sakes.

Nonetheless, [they still needed to rectify] the lack of fulfillment of positive commandments that they should have fulfilled in the rest of their natural lives, and similarly the commandment of being fruitful and multiplying that they did not fulfill - as it is stated, "and they did not have children," (Num. 3:4) for they were single. They therefore were reincarnated now into Uriah the priest in order to rectify this. Still, the main aspect of Uriah the priest's soul derived from Aaron, who was reincarnated into him in order to rectify his second sin that still had not been rectified, that is, to be killed in the sanctification of G‑d's Name. Nadab and Abihu joined with him in a temporary sort of way for the said purpose.

Offering the "illegal" sacrifice for G‑d's sake rectified their offering of an "illegal" sacrifice for their own sakes

Thus Uriah the priest was killed by King Joiakim, and Aaron was totally rectified of both his sins. Nadab and Abihu, who were there only incidentally, did not feel the pain of the murder at all, only Aaron. They joined up with him only because since Aaron caused their death, it follows that he was also responsible for the fact that they did not fulfill all the positive commandments they were supposed to in their lifetimes. It was therefore necessary that they be rectified by him, and for this reason they joined with him in this incarnation.

After Aaron had been completely rectified in the murder of Uriah the priest, he then had the power to rectify his sons properly. Before this, however, while he himself still needed to be rectified, he could not do this

Thus, the three of them were then incarnated again into Zechariah ben Jeberechyahu, who was also a priest, just as the three of them were. Aaron then rectified his sons completely, when the three of them were together in this incarnation. This is the mystical meaning of the verse: "And I will call to testify for Myself trustworthy witnesses, Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah." (Isaiah 8:2)

What have these two to do with each other? They did not even know each other, inasmuch as they were in two different generations. But for the reason we have given, that they were both rooted in the same incarnation, they are called G‑d's "witnesses." Since in Uriah Aaron was not rectified completely, he prophesied about the destruction of the Temple, as it is written: "Zion will be plowed like a field." (Jeremiah 26:18; Micah 3:12) But when he had been reincarnated in Zechariah he was rectified completely. He therefore prophesied about the tranquility and rebuilding of Zion, as our sages have commented on the verse quoted. (Makot, end of chapter 3)

We will now explain the verse "And Aaron took Elisheva the daughter of AmiNadab, the sister of Nachshon, for a wife, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Elazar, and Ithamar." (Ex. 6:23)

By understanding the incident of Bath Sheba, King David's wife, who was married first to Uriah the Hittite, we will understand [this verse] better. For just as Aaron married Elisheva the daughter of AmiNadab, so too, when he was reincarnated at Uriah the Hittite, he married Bath Sheba. It follows that Elisheva and Bath Sheba were of the same essence. Both of them personified Rachel, the Nukva of Zeir Anpin, who is rectified by the sefira of chesed, which is personified by Aaron, who is therefore called "the escort of the bride," as mentioned in the Zohar. (Zohar Addenda, 1:266b; 3:20a)

There is, however, a difference between them. For Bath Sheba was initially unrectified. As our sages (Sanhedrin 107a) say of King David, "he partook of her before she was ripe," as we will explain later. Elisheva, in contrast, contained in her name the letters alef-lamed [pronounced Kel, a Name of G‑d], indicated that she was initially already rectified by the sefira of chesed, which is identified with the Divine Name Kel, as it is written: "the chesed of G‑d [Kel] is the whole day." (Psalms 52:3)

Translated and adapted by Moshe-Yaakov Wisnefsky from Shaar HaPesukim; subsequently published in "Apples From the Orchard."