Hebrew Literature Part 40

For HVA, _Hoa_, He Himself, is the testimony of all things, the testimony of the two portions.

And it is said, Ps. lxxviii. 5, "And He established a testimony, ODVTH, in Jacob."

Moreover, also, although we have placed that matter in the "Book of Concealed Mystery," still also there what is mentioned of it is correct, and so all things are beautiful and all things are true.

When the matter is hidden, that Father and Mother contain all things, and all things are concealed in them.

And they themselves are hidden beneath the Holy Influence of the Most Ancient of all Antiquity; in Him are they concealed, in Him are all things included.

HVA, _Hoa_, He Himself, is all things; blessed be Hoa, and blessed be His Name in eternity, and unto the ages of the ages.

All the words of the conclave of the a.s.sembly are beautiful, and all are holy words-words which decline not either unto the right hand or unto the left.

All are words of hidden meaning for those who have entered in and departed thence, and so are they all.

And those words have hereunto been concealed; therefore have I feared to reveal the same, but now they are revealed.

And I reveal them in the presence of the Most Holy Ancient King, for not for mine own glory, nor for the glory of my Father's house, do I this; but I do this that I may not enter in ashamed before His palaces.

Henceforth I only see that He, G.o.d the Most Holy-may He be blessed!-and all these truly just men who are here found, can all consent (hereunto) with me.

For I see that all can rejoice in these my nuptials, and that they all can be admitted unto my nuptials in that world. Blessed be my portion!

Rabbi Abba saith that when (Rabbi Schimeon) had finished this discourse, the Holy Light (_i.e._, Rabbi Schimeon) lifted up his hands and wept, and shortly after smiled.

For he wished to reveal another matter, and said: I have been anxious concerning this matter all my days, and now they give me not leave.

But having recovered himself he sat down, and murmured with his lips and bowed himself thrice; neither could any other man behold the place where he was, much less him.

Chapter IX: Concerning Microprosopus and His Bride in General

He said: Mouth, mouth, which hath followed out all these things, they shall not dry up thy fountain.

Thy fountain goeth forth and faileth not: surely concerning thee may this be applied, "And a river went forth out of Eden"; also that which is written, "Like a fountain of waters whose waters fail not."

Now I testify concerning myself, that all the days which I have lived I have desired to behold this day, yet was it not the will (of G.o.d).

For with this crown is this day crowned, and now as yet I intend to reveal certain things before G.o.d the Most Holy-may He be blessed!-and all these things crown mine head.

And this day(838) suffereth not increase, neither can it pa.s.s on into the place of another day, for this whole day hath been yielded unto my power.

And now I begin to reveal these things, that I may not enter ashamed into the world to come. Therefore I begin and say:

"It is written, Ps. lx.x.xix. 14: 'TZDQ VMSHPT, _Tzedeq Va-Meshephat_, Justice and Judgment are the abode of Thy throne; CHSD VAMTH, _Chesed Va-Emeth_, Mercy and Truth shall go before Thy countenance.' "

What wise man will examine this, so that he may behold His paths, (those, namely) of the Most Holy Supernal One, the judgments of truth, the judgments which are crowned with His supernal crowns.

For I say that all the lights which s.h.i.+ne from the Supreme Light, the Most Concealed of All, are all paths (leading) toward that Light.

And in that Light which existeth in those single paths, whatsoever is revealed is revealed.

And all those lights adhere mutually together, this light in that light, and that light in this light.

And they s.h.i.+ne mutually into each other, neither are they divided separately from each other.

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 s.h.i.+neth and adhereth to that Light, which is the innermost of all things, nor ever s.h.i.+neth without them.

And therefore do all things ascend in one path, and all things are crowned by one and the same thing, and one thing is not separated from another, since HVA, _Hoa_, Himself, and His Name, are one.

That Light which is manifested is called the Vestment; for He Himself, the King, is the Light of all the innermost.

In that Light is Hoa, Who is not separated nor manifested.

And all those lights and all those luminaries s.h.i.+ne forth from the Most Holy Ancient One, the Concealed with all Concealments, who is the Highest Light.

And whensoever the matter is accurately examined, all those lights which are expanded are no longer found, save only that Highest Light.

Who is hidden and not manifested, through those vestments of ornament which are the vestments of truth, QSHVT, _Qeshot_, the forms of truth, the lights of truth.

Two light-bearers are found, which are the conformation of the throne of the King; and they are called TZDQ, _Tzedeq_, Justice, and MSHPT, _Meshephat_, Judgment.

And they are the beginning and the consummation. And through them are all the Judgments crowned, as well superior as inferior.

And they all are concealed in Meshephat. And from that Meshephat is Tzedeq nourished.

And sometimes they call the same, MLKI TZDQ MLK SHLM, _Meleki Tzedeq Melek Shalem_, Melchizedek, King of Salem.

When the judgments are crowned by Meshephat, all things are mercy; and all things are in perfect peace, because the one temperateth the other.

Tzedeq and the Rigors are reduced into order, and all these descend into the world in peace and in mercy.

And then is the hour sanctified, so that the Male and the Female are united, and the worlds all and several exist in love and in joy.

But whensoever sins are multiplied in the world, and the sanctuary is polluted, and the Male and the Female are separated.(839)

And when that strong Serpent beginneth to arise, Woe, then, unto thee, O World! who in that time art nourished by this Tzedeq. For then arise many slayers of men and executioners (of judgment) in thee, O World. Many just men are withdrawn from thee.

But wherefore is it thus? Because the Male is separated from the Female, and Judgment, Meshephat, is not united unto Justice, Tzedeq.

And concerning this time it is written, Prov. xiii. 23, "There is that is destroyed, because therein is not Meshephat." Since Meshephat is departed from this Tzedeq which is not therefore restrained; and Tzedeq hath operation after another manner.

And concerning this (matter) thus speaketh Solomon the king, Eccles. vii.

16: "All these things have I seen in the days of my HBL, _Hebel_; there is a just man who perisheth in his Tzedeq," etc.

Where by the word HBL, _Hebel_ (which is usually translated "vanity"), is understood the breath from those supernal breathers forth which are called the nostrils of the King.