Daf 68a (דַּף ס״ח ע״א)

The lower Shekhinta is the inscription in this seal which is the seal of truth (וּשְׁכִינְתָּא תַּתָּאָה אִיהוּ רִישּׁוּמָא בְּהַאי חוֹתָמָא דְאִיהוּ חוֹתָם אֱמֶת), and all the forms of this seal are inscribed in her (וְכָל צִיּוּרִין דְּהַאי חוֹתָמָא אִינוּן רְשִׁימִין בָּהּ), to make known that she is the form of the Middle Column, who is truth (לְאִשְׁתְּמוֹדְעָא דְאִיהִי צִיּוּרָא דְעַמּוּדָא דְאֶמְצָעִיתָא, דְאִיהוּ אֱמֶת). Adam - some say: this is he - his seal is Yod Heh Vav Heh (אָדָם [ס״א דָא אִיהוּ] חוֹתָם דִּילֵיהּ יו״ד ה״א וא״ו ה״א), he seals in it for life (אִיהוּ חָתִים בֵּיהּ לְחַיִּים), and from him the children of Yisrael inherit children, life, and sustenance (וּמִנֵּיהּ יָרְתִין בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּנֵי חַיֵּי וּמְזוֹנֵי): life from the side of Abba and Imma which are Y-H (חַיֵּי מִסִּטְרָא דְאַבָּא וְאִימָּא דְאִינוּן י״ה), children from the side of the Middle Column (בָּנֵי מִסִּטְרָא דְעַמּוּדָא דְאֶמְצָעִיתָא), that upon - some say: and upon - His Name they are called Yisrael below, “My son, My firstborn Yisrael” (וְדְעַל [נ״א וְעַל] שְׁמֵיהּ אִתְקְרִיאוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְתַתָּא בְּנִי בְכֹרִי יִשְׂרָאֵל), and it is Vav, sustenance, from the side of the Heh which is “Who brings forth bread from the earth” (וְאִיהוּ ו׳, מְזוֹנֵי, מִסִּטְרָא דְה׳ דְאִיהִי הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ). And at the time that they inherit from Him these three - some say: two - degrees that are included in His Name (וּבְזִמְנָא דְיָרְתִין מִנֵּיהּ אִלֵּין תְּלַת [נ״א תְּרֵין] דַּרְגִּין דִּכְלִילָן בִּשְׁמֵיהּ), they are called Yisrael below “the children of Kudsha Berikh Hu,” as it is said: “You are children to Hashem your Elohim” (Deuteronomy 14:1) (אִתְקְרִיאוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְתַתָּא בְּנוֹי דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר בָּנִים אַתֶּם לַיְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם). And at the time that Yisrael inherit from the Name of Kudsha Berikh Hu these three - children, life, and sustenance - it is said of them: “For love is strong as death” (Song of Songs 8:6) (וּבְזִמְנָא דְיָרְתִין יִשְׂרָאֵל מִשְּׁמוֹי דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אִלֵּין תְּלַת בָּנֵי חַיֵּי וּמְזוֹנֵי, אִתְּמַר בְּהוֹן כִּי עַזָּה כַמָּוֶת אַהֲבָה), it is stronger than death - the separation of Kudsha Berikh Hu from His children (תַּקִּיפָא אִיהִי מִמִּיתָה אַפְרָשׁוּתָא דְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מִבְּנוֹי). And from where do we know that there is separation between Kudsha Berikh Hu and His children? Behold, it proves here: “But your iniquities have made a separation…” (Isaiah 59:2) (וּמְנָלָן דְּאַפְרָשׁוּתָא אִית בֵּין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא וּבְנוֹי, הָכָא אוֹכַח, כִּי אִם עֲוֹנוֹתֵיכֶם הָיוּ מַבְדִּילִים וכו׳). And it is harder than death, and concerning it is said: “For death shall separate between me and you” (Ruth 1:17) (וְקָשָׁה אִיהִי מִמִּיתָה, וַעֲלָהּ אִתְּמַר כִּי הַמָּוֶת יַפְרִיד בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵךְ). And at the time that Yisrael fulfill the commandments of Orayta with love (וּבְזִמְנָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל מְקַיְּימִין פִּקּוּדַיָּא דְאוֹרַיְיתָא בִּרְחִימוּ), “jealousy is hard as Sheol” (Song of Songs 8:6) (קָשָׁה כִשְׁאוֹל קִנְאָה), for Kudsha Berikh Hu is jealous against Samael and against his Nukvah (דִמְקַנֵּא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא עַל סמא״ל וְעַל נוּקְבֵיהּ), who cause man to die in their sins (דְּאִינוּן גָּרְמִין לְבַר נַשׁ מִיתָה בְּחוֹבַיְיהוּ), and cause them to sin (וְגָרְמִין לוֹן לְמֶחְטֵי). And because of this, Kudsha Berikh Hu is destined to take vengeance from them and to remove them from the world (וּבְגִין דָּא עָתִיד קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְנַטְלָא נוּקְמָא מִנַּיְיהוּ, וּלְאַעֲבָרָא לוֹן מִן עָלְמָא).

For Samael and his Nukvah - she is death - who is Lilith, the Angel of Death, the evil inclination (דְסמא״ל וְנוּקְבָא דִילֵיהּ אִיהִי מִיתָה, דְאִיהִי לִילִי״ת מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת יֵצֶר הָרָע), for the feminine is with the masculine and the masculine with the feminine (דְּנוּקְבָא אִיהִי עִם דְּכוּרָא, וּדְכוּרָא עִם נוּקְבָא). And from where do we know this? The verse proves it, as it is written: “In sorrow you shall eat of it” (Bereshit 3:17) (וְהַאי מְנָלָן, קְרָא אוֹכַח דִּכְתִיב בְּעִצָּבוֹן תֹּאכֲלֶנָּה). Adam sinned with the feminine; there was given to him the evil inclination from the feminine (אָדָם חָאב בְּנוּקְבָא אִתְיַיהִיב לֵיהּ יֵצֶר הָרָע נוּקְבָא). Chavah sinned with the masculine; there was given to her the evil inclination from the masculine (חַוָּה חָבַת בִּדְכוּרָא אִתְיַיהִיב לָהּ יֵצֶר הָרָע מִדְּכוּרָא).

And concerning her it is said: “In pain you shall bear children” (Bereshit 3:16) (וַעֲלָהּ אִתְּמַר בְּעִצֶב תֵּלְדִי בָנִים). And this is “For love is strong as death…” (Song of Songs 8:6) (וְדָא אִיהוּ כִּי עַזָּה כַמָּוֶת אַהֲבָה וכו׳). And further, “for love is strong as death” (Song of Songs 8:6) (וְעוֹד כִּי עַזָּה כַמָּוְת אַהֲבָה). If Yisrael arouse her to this love before the time (אִם יִשְׂרָאֵל יִתְעַרוּן לָהּ לְהַאי אַהֲבָה קֳדָם זִמְנָא), they need to arouse her properly (צְרִיכִין לְאַתְעָרָא לָהּ כִּדְקָא יָאוּת), and if not, they shall not arouse her (וְאִי לַאו לָא יִתְעַרוּן לָהּ). This is what is written: “I adjure you, daughters of Jerusalem, by the hosts, or by the hinds of the field…” (Song of Songs 3:5) (הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב הִשְׁבַּעְתִּי אֶתְכֶם בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלַם בִּצְבָאוֹת אוֹ בְּאַיְלוֹת הַשָּׂדֶה וְגוֹמֵר). For the oath is that she does not dwell upon the throne until He takes vengeance upon Amalek (דְּאוֹמָאָה אִיהִי דְלָא שַׁרְיָא עַל כָּרְסַיָּיא עַד דְּנָטִיל נוּקְמָא מֵעֲמָלֵק), who profaned the two letters that are Yod–Hei (דְּחִלֵּל תְּרֵין אַתְוָון דְּאִינוּן י״ה), which go forth from Milah [circumcision]: Mal Yod–Hei (דְּנָפִיק מִן מִילָ״ה מָ״ל י״ה). And because of this: “For the hand is upon the throne of Y”H” (Exodus 17:16) (וּבְגִין דָּא כִּי יָד עַל כֵּס י״ה), and this is Aleph (וְדָא א). And when the time comes to take vengeance from him (וְכַד מָטָא זִמְנָא לְנַקְמָא מִנֵּיהּ), flames of fire go forth from this Y”H (וְשַׁלְהוֹבִין דְּאֶשָּׁא נָפְקִין מֵהַאי י״ה), as it is said: “Its flashes are flashes of fire, a flame of Y”H” (Song of Songs 8:6) (כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר רְשָׁפֶיהָ רִשְׁפֵּי אֵשׁ שַׁלְהֶבֶת י״ה). And these flames are man and woman (וְאִינוּן שַׁלְהוֹבִין דְּאִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה). There is Aleph–Shin, Aleph–Shin, and there is Y”H (דְּתַמָּן אֵ״שׁ אֵ״שׁ, וְתַמָּן י״ה). Man, as it is said: “Hashem is a man of war” (Exodus 15:3) (אִישׁ כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר יְהוָה אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה), who takes vengeance from Pharaoh and his people (דְנָטִיל נוּקְמִין מִפַּרְעֹה וּמֵעַמֵּיהּ). Woman, this is the Shekhinta, of which it is said: “He who finds a woman finds good” (Proverbs 18:22) (אִשָּׁה דָא שְׁכִינְתָּא דְאִתְּמַר בָּהּ מָצָא אִשָּׁה מָצָא טוֹב וְגוֹמֵר).

Another matter (דָּבָר אַחֵר): “Set me as a seal” (שִׂימֵנִי כַחוֹתָם) (Song of Songs 8:6). Ko’aḥ Tam [perfect strength] (כֹּ״חַ תָּ״ם). Ko’aḥ [power]—this is the Supernal Shekhinta [Divine Presence] (כֹּ״חַ דָּא שְׁכִינְתָּא עִלָּאָה). Ko’aḥ M”H [the power of M”H/45] is from Chokhmah [Wisdom] (כֹּ״חַ מָ״ה מִן חָכְמָה). Concerning her it is said: “And now, I pray, let the power of Adonai be great” (וַעֲלָהּ אִתְּמַר וְעַתָּה יִגְדַּל נָא כֹּחַ אֲדנ״י) (Numbers 14:17). Tam [whole]—this is Yisrael above (תָּ״ם דָּא יִשְׂרָאֵל דִלְעִילָא), by whose name he is called Ya‘akov Tam [Ya‘akov the whole] (דְעַל שְׁמֵיהּ אִתְקְרִי יַעֲקֹב תָּם), as you say: “And Ya‘akov was a wholesome man” (כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר וְיַעֲקֹב אִישׁ תָּם) (Genesis 25:27). And because he is the image of the seal of truth above (וּבְגִין דְּאִיהוּ דִיּוֹקְנָא דְחוֹתָם אֱמֶת דִלְעִילָא), it is said of him: “Give truth to Ya'akov” (Micah 7:20) (אִתְּמַר בֵּיהּ תִּתֵּן אֱמֶת לְיַעֲקֹב). And whoever labors in Orayta, which is called the Torah of truth (וּמָאן דְּאִשְׁתַּדַּל בְּאוֹרַיְיתָא דְאִתְקְרֵי תּוֹרַת אֱמֶת), his image is engraved above in that seal of truth (דִיּוֹקְנֵיהּ חֲקִיקָא לְעִילָא בְּהַהוּא חוֹתָם אֱמֶת). And whoever denies her, it is as though he casts Orayta down below (וּמָאן דִּמְשַׁקֵּר בָּהּ כְּאִלּוּ אַפִּיל אוֹרַיְיתָא לְתַתָּא). This is what is written: “And truth was cast to the ground” (Daniel 8:12) (הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב וְתַשְׁלֵךְ אֱמֶת אַרְצָה). And at that time his image and his seal fall below (וּבְהַהוּא זִמְנָא נָפִיל דִיּוֹקְנֵיהּ וְחוֹתָמֵיהּ לְתַתָּא), and his fortune falls (וְנָפִיל מַזָּלֵיהּ), and that strength is removed from him (וְאִסְתַּלַּק הַהוּא כֹּחַ מִנֵּיהּ). At that time Samael and his forces, which are beasts, cattle, and impure fowl, pursue after him (בְּהַהוּא זִמְנָא סמא״ל וְחֵילֵיהּ דְּאִינוּן חֵיוָון וּבְעִירָן וְעוֹפִין מְסָאֲבִין רָדְפִין אַבַּתְרֵיהּ). This is what is written: “And they went without strength before the pursuer” (Lamentations 1:6) (הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב וַיֵּלְכוּ בְלֹא כֹחַ לִפְנֵי רוֹדֵף).

If he returns in repentance, that strength returns to him, which is the supernal Shekhinta (אִם תָּב בִּתְיוּבְתָּא תָּב הַהוּא כֹּחַ לְגַבֵּיהּ דְּאִיהִי שְׁכִינְתָּא עִלָּאָה). At that time is fulfilled in him: “I will give man in exchange for you, and peoples for your soul” (Isaiah 43:4) (בְּהַהוּא זִמְנָא אִתְקַיַּים בֵּיהּ וְאֶתֵּן אָדָם תַּחְתֶּיךָ וּלְאֻמִּים תַּחַת נַפְשֶׁךָ). What is Adam? They established it: do not read Adam but Edom (מַאי אָדָם הָא אוּקְמוּהוּ אַל תִּקְרֵי אָדָם אֶלָּא אֱדוֹם). And “nations” is “and one people shall be stronger than the other” (Bereshit 25:23) (וּלְאֻמִּים וּלְאֹם מִלְאוֹם יֶאֱמָץ). At that time the nation of Yisrael shall prevail - some say: shall be strengthened - over the nation of Esav (בְּהַהוּא זִמְנָא אוּמָה דְיִשְׂרָאֵל יִתְקְפוּן נ״א יִתגברון עַל אוּמָה דְעִשָׂו), by the power of this strength which is clothed in the seven words of the work of Bereshit (בְּחֵילָא דְהַאי כֹּחַ דְּאִתְלַבַּשׁ בְּשֶׁבַע תֵּיבִין דְּעוֹבָדָא דִבְּרֵאשִׁית). Twenty-eight letters are the supernal Shekhinta (כ״ח אַתְוָון שְׁכִינְתָּא עִלָּאָה). Seven words are included in the lower Shekhinta (שֶׁבַע תֵּיבִין כְּלִילָן בִּשְׁכִינְתָּא תַּתָּאָה). And this strength is the secret of twenty-eight joints of the ten fingers (וְהַאי כֹּ״חַ אִיהוּ רָזָא דְכ״ח פִּרְקִין דְּעִשֶׂר אֶצְבָּעוֹת). Of them it is said: “And it came to pass, when Moshe held up his hand, that Yisrael prevailed” (Exodus 17:11) (דִּבְהוֹן וְהָיָה כַּאֲשֶׁר יָרִים מֹשֶׁה יָדוֹ וְגָבַר יִשְׂרָאֵל).

And because of this our Rabbis of blessed memory established: to whom do they lift up their hands? To the height of heaven (וּבְגִין דָּא אוּקְמוּהוּ זִכְרוֹנָם לִבְרָכָה לְמִי נוֹשְׂאִים כַּפַּיִם לְרוּם הַשָּׁמַיִם). For this strength needs to ascend to Chokhmah (דְּצָרִיךְ הַאי כֹּחַ לְסַלְקָא לֵיהּ לְגַבֵּי חָכְמָה). And this is the height of heaven (וְדָא אִיהוּ רוּם שָׁמַיִם). And this is Yod Heh Vav Heh, that dwells in the ten fingers (וְאִיהוּ יו״ד ה״א וא״ו ה״א דְשָׁארֵי בְּעִשֶׂר אֶצְבְּעָן), upon this strength (עַל הַאי כֹּחַ). And this is Chokhmah, Ko’ach Mah (וְאִיהוּ חָכְמָה כֹּ״חַ מָ״ה). And of this strength it is said: “And who had strength in them to stand in the palace of the king” (Daniel 1:4) (וְהַאי כֹּחַ עֲלֵיהּ אִתְּמַר וַאֲשֶׁר כֹּחַ בָּהֶם לַעֲמוֹד בְּהֵיכַל הַמֶּלֶךְ). To stand in the prayer of standing (לַעֲמוֹד בִּצְלוֹתָא דַעֲמִידָה). The “palace of the king” in general, this is Adonai, which ascends to the computation of palace (בְּהֵיכַל הַמֶּלֶךְ סְתָם דָּא אֲדנ״י דְּסָלִיק לְחוּשְׁבַּן הֵיכָ״ל). And this strength is the secret of: “Hashem our Elohim, Hashem” (Deuteronomy 6:4) (וְהַאי כֹּ״חַ אִיהוּ רָזָא דְיְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה). Kuz’u b’mochsaz Kuz’u (כוז״ו במוכס״ז כוז״ו).

And concerning it is said: whoever answers Amen, may His great Name be blessed, with all his strength (וַעֲלֵיהּ אִתְּמַר כָּל הָעוֹנֶה אָמֵן יְהֵא שְׁמֵיהּ רַבָּא מְבָרַךְ בְּכָל כֹּחוֹ). For it is the strength that is clothed in the two arms, which are Chesed and Gevurah (דְּאִיהוּ כֹּחַ דְּאִתְלַבַּשׁ בִּתְרֵין דְּרוֹעִין דְּאִינוּן חֶסֶד וּגְבוּרָה). And it needs to ascend to the Yod, which is the height of heaven (וְצָרִיךְ לְסַלְקָא לֵיהּ לְגַבֵּי יו״ד דְּאִיהוּ רוּם שָׁמַיִם), and to descend to the Vav, which is the heavens (וּלְנַחְתָּא לֵיהּ לְגַבֵּי ו׳ דְּאִיהוּ שָׁמַיִם). Of it is said: “And You shall hear in heaven” (1 Kings 8:32) (דַּעֲלֵיהּ אִתְּמַר וְאַתָּה תִּשְׁמַע הַשָּׁמַיִם). When it descends to the Middle Column (כַּד נָחֲתָא לֵיהּ לְגַבֵּי עַמּוּדָא דְאֶמְצָעִיתָא), to bring redemption in it to Yisrael His children (לְמִפְרַק בָּהּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּנוֹי). And when it ascends to the height of heaven, which is Yod, to take vengeance from Amalek (וְכַד סָלִיק לָהּ לְגַבֵּי רוּם הַשָּׁמַיִם דְּאִיהִי יו״ד, לְמֵיטַל נוּקְמָא מֵעֲמָלֵק). And this is: “And it came to pass, when Moshe held up his hand” (Exodus 17:11) (וְדָא אִיהוּ וְהָיָה כַּאֲשֶׁר יָרִים מֹשֶׁה יָד״וֹ). And it is the hand, Vav (וְאִיהוּ יַד ו׳). And it is Yod (וְאִיהוּ יו״ד). And it is Y-H (וְאִיהוּ י״ה). And afterward this strength descends to the Vav, which is the thirteen attributes of mercy (וּלְבָתַר נָחִית הַאי כֹּ״חַ לְגַבֵּי וָא״ו, דְּאִיהוּ י״ג מְכִילָן דְּרַחֲמֵי), to redeem the children of Yisrael (לְמִפְרַק לִבְנוֹי דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל), as it is said: “And with great mercies I will gather you” (Isaiah 54:7) (כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמַר וּבְרַחֲמִים גְּדוֹלִים אֲקַבְּצֵךְ). And Ko’ach in this Vav is completed, and it becomes Em (mother) (וְכ״ח בְּהַאי וָא״ו אִשְׁתַּלִּים וְאִתְעֲבִיד אֵ״ם). At that time: “For she was the mother of all the living” (Bereshit 3:20) (בְּהַהוּא זִמְנָא כִּי הִיא הָיְתָה אֵ״ם כָּל חָ״י). And this is the Life of Worlds (וְדָא חַ״י עָלְמִין), in which it is filled and completed with the life of blessings of prayer (דְּבָהּ אִתְמַלֵּי וְאִשְׁתַּלִּים בְּחַ״י בִּרְכָאָן דִּצְלוֹתָא).

Heh Heh depend from two Hehs (הֵ״א הֵ״א תַּלְיָין מִן תְּרֵין ה״ה). These are Heh Heh by the calculation of twelve (דְּאִינוּן הֵ״א הֵ״א בְּחוּשְׁבָּנָא י״ב). And from them depend the double letters (וּמִנַּיְיהוּ תַּלְיָין אַתְוָון כְּפוּלִים). And these depend from the two simple Hehs (וְאִינוּן תַּלְיָין מִן תְּרֵין ה״ה פְּשׁוּטוֹת). And in them ascend to the computation of fourteen (וּבְהוֹן סָלְקִין לְחוּשְׁבַּן יָ״ד). And this is: “For the hand is upon the throne of Y”H” (Exodus 17:16) (וְדָא אִיהִי כִּי יָ״ד עַל כֵּס י״הּ). And so, the Vav, thirteen attributes that depend from a simple Vav (וְכֵן וָא״ו י״ג מְכִילִין דְּתַלְיָין מִן ו״ו פְּשׁוּטָה). And with it is completed fourteen (וּבָהּ אִשְׁתַּלִּים י״ד). And this is: “Hand to hand, the evil shall not be unpunished” (Proverbs 11:21) (וְדָא אִיהוּ יָד לְיָד לֹא יִנָּקֶה רָע). This is Amalek (דָּא עֲמָלֵק). Above and below vengeance is taken from him (לְעִילָא וְתַתָּא נָטִיל נוּקְמָא מִינֵיהּ). Vengeance is taken above with Yad, and below with Yad (נָטִיל נוּקְמָא לְעִילָא בְּיָ״ד, וּלְתַתָּא בְּיָ״ד). And this is: “Behold, the hand of Hashem is upon” (Exodus 9:3) (וְדָא אִיהוּ הִנֵּה יַ״ד יְהוָה הוֹיָה).

Vav Vav Heh - some say Vav and Heh with Vav - and Heh Heh are twenty-eight (ו׳ ו׳ ה״א נ״א ו׳ וְה״א עִם ו׳ וְה״ה אִינוּן כ״ח). Yod is twenty, and depend from a simple Yod, behold twenty-one (יו״ד כ׳ וְתַלְיָין מִן יו״ד פְּשׁוּטָה הֲרֵי כ״א), like the computation of Ehyeh (כְּחוּשְׁבַּן אהי״ה). And all ascend to forty-nine faces of Orayta (וְסָלִיק כֹּלָּא מ״ט אַנְפִּין דְּאוֹרַיְיתָא). In this manner: Ko’ach, which is twenty-eight, Ehyeh which is twenty-one, behold forty-nine (כְּגַוְונָא דָא כֹּ״חַ דְּאִיהוּ תְמַנְיָא וְעִשְׂרִין, אהי״ה דְּאִיהוּ כ״א, הֲרֵי מ״ט). And all is Yod Heh Vav Heh (וְכֹלָּא יו״ד ה״א וא״ו ה״א). Hashem, Yod Heh Vav Heh Mah, Hashem, four, ascend to forty-nine (יְהוָה, יו״ד ה״א וא״ו ה״א מ״ה, יְהוָה ד׳, סָלִיק מ״ט).

The garment of Yod is Chesed (לְבוּשָׁא דְיו״ד חֶסֶד). The garment of Heh is Gevurah (לְבוּשָׁא דְהֵ״א גְבוּרָה). The garment of Vav is Tiferet (לְבוּשָׁא דְוָא״ו תִּפְאֶרֶת). The garment of Heh is Malkhut (לְבוּשָׁא דְהֵ״א מַלְכוּת). Netzach, its connection is Chesed (נֶצַח קִשּׁוּרָא דִילֵיהּ חֶסֶד). This is what is written: “Pleasures are in Your right hand forever” (Psalms 16:11) (הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב נְעִימוֹת בִּימִינְךָ נֶצַח). Hod, its connection is Gevurah (הוֹד קִשּׁוּרָא דִילֵיהּ גְּבוּרָה). Tzaddik, its connection is the Middle Column (צַדִּיק קִשּׁוּרָא דִילֵיהּ עַמּוּדָא דְאֶמְצָעִיתָא). For the body and the covenant are counted as one (דְּגוּף וּבְרִית חַשְׁבִינָן חָד). Malkhut is their completion (מַלְכוּת שְׁלִימוּ דִלְהוֹן). She is the completion of the supernal and the lower (אִיהִי שְׁלִימוּ דְעִלָּאִין וְתַתָּאִין).

Keter Elyon, this is the completion of the fifty gates of Binah (כֶּתֶר עִלְיוֹן דָּא אִיהוּ שְׁלִימוּ דְחַמְשִׁין שַׁעֲרֵי בִינָה). And this is that which was not given to Moshe (וְדָא אִיהוּ דְלָא אִתְיַיהִיב לְמֹשֶׁה). Of it is said: “A path no bird of prey knows” (Job 28:7) (דַעֲלֵיהּ אִתְּמַר נָתִיב לֹא יְדָעוֹ עָיִט). And concerning it they said, may their memory be for a blessing: “Concerning that which is hidden from you, do not inquire” (בְּמוּפְלָא מִמָּךְ אַל תִּדְרוֹשׁ וכו׳). Because it is the source that has no end (בְּגִין דְּאִיהוּ מָקוֹר דְּלֵית לֵיהּ סוֹף). And in the source that has no end, who is able to attain and to find Him? (וּבִמְקוֹרָא דְלֵית לֵיהּ סוֹף מָאן יְכִיל לְאַשָּׂגָא וּלְאַשְׁכָּחָא לֵיהּ).

Sava arose and asked (קָם סָבָא וְשָׁאִיל): And why is Netzach joined with Chesed, as we have established: “Pleasures are in Your right hand forever” (Psalms 16:11) (וְאַמַּאי אִתְקַשַּׁר נֶצַח עִם חֶסֶד כְּמָה דְאוּקִימְנָא נְעִימוֹת בִּימִינְךָ נֶצַח). And so Hod with Gevurah (וְכֵן הוֹד עִם גְּבוּרָה). But it is because the right arm has only three joints (אֶלָּא בְּגִין דִּדְרוֹעָא יְמִינָא לָא אִית בֵּיהּ אֶלָּא תְּלַת פִּרְקִין), and so with the left (וְכֵן בִּשְׂמָאלָא). And because of this, the right thigh, which has three joints, is joined with the right arm, for the Heh to rest in it (וּבְגִין דָּא אִתְקַשַּׁר שׁוֹקָא יְמִינָא דְאִית בָּהּ תְּלַת פִּרְקִין עִם דְּרוֹעָא יְמִינָא לְשַׁרְיָא בֵּיהּ הֵ״א). And so the left arm with the left thigh, for the Heh to rest in it (וְכֵן דְּרוֹעָא שְׂמָאלָא עִם שׁוֹקָא שְׂמָאלָא לְשַׁרְיָא בֵּיהּ הֵ״א). And so body and covenant are Vav and Vav, and Aleph rests in them, which is Imma (וְכֵן גּוּף וּבְרִית אִינוּן ו׳ ו׳, וְשַׁרְיָא בְהוֹן א דְּאִיהִי אִימָּא). And they become Yod Gimel Vavs (וְאִתְעֲבִידוּ י״ג וָא״ו). Yod rests in the ten fingers of the hands and in the ten fingers of the feet (יו״ד שַׁרְיָין בְּעִשֶׂר אֶצְבְּעָאן דִּידַיִן וּבְעִשֶׂר אֶצְבְּעָאן דְּרַגְלִין), because the beginning of the Holy Name rests from Chokhmah, which is in the fingers (מִשׁוּם דְּאַתְחַלְתָּא דִשְׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא מֵחָכְמָה שַׁרְיָא דְאִיהִי בְאֶצְבְּעָן).

The supernal Keter rests in the head of man (כֶּתֶר עִלָּאָה שַׁרְיָא בְרֵישָׁא דְבַר נַשׁ), where is hidden thought (דְּתַמָּן מַחֲשָׁבָה סְתִימָאָה). And as thought is hidden, so He is hidden (וּכְמָה דְמַחֲשָׁבָה אִיהִי סְתִימָא, כַּךְ אִיהוּ סָתִים). Ein Sof is called inwardly (אֵין סוֹף אִתְקְרֵי מִלְּגָאו). Keter Elyon is outward (כֶּתֶר עִלָּאָה מִלְּבָר). The crown of the supernal head (כִתְרָא דְרֵישָׁא עִלָּאָה). In the four elements of the body rests Yod Heh Vav Heh (אַרְבַּע יְסוֹדִין דְּגוּפָא בְּהוֹן שַׁרְיָא יְהוָה). And this is: “All that is called by My Name, for My glory I have created it, I have formed it, I have also made it” (Isaiah 43:7) (וְדָא אִיהוּ כֹּל הַנִּקְרָא בִשְׁמִי וְלִכְבוֹדִי בְּרָאתִיו יְצַרְתִּיו אַף עֲשִׂיתִיו). “I created it” - this is the holy Neshama, which is the world of thought (בְּרָאתִיו דָּא נִשְׁמָתָא קַדִּישָׁא דְאִיהִי עוֹלָם הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה). “I formed it” - this is the speaking Ruach, from which the living creatures - some say: animals - speak (יְצַרְתִּיו דָּא רוּחַ מְמַלְּלָא דְמִינֵיהּ חֵיוָון נ״א חַיִין מְמַלְּלִין). “I made it” - this is the Nefesh, where Asiyah is, that dwells in the 248 commandments (עֲשִׂיתִיו דָּא נֶפֶשׁ דְּתַמָּן עֲשִׂיָּה, דְשַׁרְיָא בְּרַמַ״ח פִּקּוּדִין).