The Kabbalah Unveiled — S. L. MacGregor Mathers (from Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin) (1887)
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1132. Because these words are not given forth save unto the Lords of Lords and the Reapers of the Field, who Have both entered into and departed therefrom.
* It is worthy of note that the total number of chapters in the “ Idra Rabba Qadisha” is 45, which is equal to MH, Mah, the concealed name of Yetzirah. (See Introduction concerning the Four Worlds.)
KABBALAH.
1133. Like as it is written, Hosea xiv. 9: “For the paths of Tetragrammaton are right, and the just shall walk in them, but transgressors shall fall therein.”
1134. This have we learned. Rabbi Schimeon wept, and lifted up his voice and said : “ If on account of our words which be here revealed, the Companions are to be concealed in the Conclave of the world to come, and are to be taken away from this world, it is justly and rightly done, in order that they may not reveal (these secrets) unto one of the children of this world.”
1135. Again he said: “ I return unto myself . For truly I have revealed (these secrets ) before the Ancient of the Ancient Ones, the Concealed One with all Concealments ; but not for mine own glory, not for the glory of the house of my father, not for the glory of these my Companions, have I done (this thing).
1136. a But in order that they might not err in His paths, nor that they might enter into the portals of His Palace to be made ashamed, nor that they might be destroyed for their error. Blessed be my portion with them in the world to come.”
1137. We have learned that before the companions departed from this Assembly, Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Chizqiah, and Rabbi Yisa died.
1138. And the companions beheld that the holy angels carried them away into that veil expanded above. And Rabbi Schimeon spake a certain word, and fell upon his face.
1139. Rabbi Schimeon cried aloud and said: “ Wherefore is this ? Because a certain decree hath been decreed against us to punish us, seeing that through us that hath been revealed which had not been revealed hitherto, from that day wherein Moses stood upon the mountain of Sinai.
1140. “Like as it is written, Exod. xxxiv. 28:
And he was there with Tetragrammaton forty days
THE GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
25 3 and forty nights.’ Why then do I tarry here, if therefor I am to be punished ? ”
1 1 41. And a Voice was heard which spake, and said : “ Blessed art thou, Rabbi Schimeon, and blessed is thy portion, and that of those companions who are with thee ; for unto ye hath that been revealed which is not revealed unto the whole supernal host.
1142. “But come, behold. It is written, Josh. vi. 26 : 1 And in his firstborn son shall he establish it, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates thereof ; ’ much more than in this instance also are these taken away, seeing that with most severe and vehement study have they applied their souls (NPShThHVN, Hejpheschethhun) hereunto at this time.
1143. “Blessed is their portion, for assuredly they have been taken away in perfection ; and such were not those who were before them.”
1144. Wherefore died they? We have learned this. When thus far these words were revealed, the Supernals and Inferiors of those Chariots were disturbed, and the Voice which revealed the Ancient Word below resounded through two hundred and fifty worlds.
1145. And before that those (three Habbis) could recollect their souls, NShMThIIHV, Neschamathiyehu , among those words (of that Voice ) their souls had gone forth with a kiss * ; and were joined unto that expanded veil, and the Supernal Angels earned them away.
1146. But wherefore those? Because they had entered in, and had not gone forth alternately, before this time. But all the others had entered in, and had gone forth.
1147. Rabbi Schimeon spake and said: “How
* The palace which is situate in the secret and most elevated part of heaven is called the Palace of Love. There dwells the Heavenly King — blessed be He ! — with the holy souls, and is united with them with a loving kiss. This kiss is the union of the soul with the substance from which it emanated.
KABBALAH .
blessed is the portion of those three, and therefore also blessed is our portion ! ”
1148. And a second time that Voice pealed forth and said, Deut. iv. 4 : “ But ye that did cleave unto Tetragrammaton, your God, are alive every one of you this day.”
1149. They arose, and behold there was no place whence a fragrance went not forth.
1150. Babbi Schimeon spake and said: “ From this I perceive that the world receiveth blessing on account of us.”
1151. And the faces of them all shone, so that men could not look upon them.