The Kabbalah Unveiled — S. L. MacGregor Mathers (from Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin) (1887)

1152. We have learned that there were ten (. Rabbis ) entered into (the Assembly ), and that seven came forth.

1153. And Babbi Schimeon rejoiced, and Babbi Abba was sad.

1154. On a certain day Babbi Schimeon sat, and Babbi Abba with him. Babbi Schimeon spake a certain word.

1155. And they saw those three (Rabbis') who had died, and with them were most beautiful angels, who were showing unto them the supernal treasures and conclaves, on account of their great dignity.

1156. And they were entering into a mountain of pure balm ; and the soul of Babbi Abba was comforted.

1157. We have learned that after that day the companions did not quit the house of Babbi Schimeon.

1158. And when Babbi Schimeon revealed the Arcana, there were found none present there save those (companions).

1159. And Babbi Schimeon called them the seven eyes of Tetragrammaton, like as it is written, Zach. iii. 9 : “ These are the seven eyes of Tetragrammaton.” And this was said concerning us.*

* Meaning, I suppose, that Rabbi Abba adds this by way of note to the text.

THE GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY.

1 1 60. Rabbi Abba spake arid said : “We six are lights which shine forth from a seventh (light) ; thou art the seventh light ( the origin of) ns all.

1 16 1. “For assuredly there is no stability in those six, save (what they derive) from the seventh. For all things depend from the seventh.

1162. Rabbi Yehudah called him * the Sabbath of all the six (. Rabbi ).

1163. Like as it is written : “ The Sabbath for Tetragrammaton, holy unto Tetragrammaton.”

1 1 64. What is the Sabbath ? Holy unto Tetragrammaton ; so also Rabbi Schimeon is, like the Sabbath, holy unto Tetragrammaton.

1165. Rabbi Schimeon said : “ It is strange that he f who is girded about the loins, and clothed with a heavy garment, was not found in the place of our conclave when those holy matters were revealed ! ”

1166. Meanwhile, Elihu entered, and three beams of light shone in his countenance.

11 67. Rabbi Schimeon said unto him : “Why was it that he was not present (otherwise, Why was not my lord present) in the sculptured square of his Lord in the nuptial day ? ”

1168. He answered unto him: “ Through thy life, Rabbi, seven were chosen before Him, the Holy One — may He be blessed ! — (otherwise, seven days are prostrate before the Blessed God) all those who could come and abide with Him, before that ye could enter into the House of Conclave.

1 1 69. “ And I prayed that I might come among the others, and I wished to adhere unto His shoulders (otherwise, And I asked Him that it might be permitted me to enter in, but He constrained my shoulders), and I could not.

* Him: i.e., Rabbi Schimeon BenYochai, who was chief among the seven surviving Rabbis, like the Sabbath among the days of the week, t Elihu, who now enters.

KABBALAH.

1170. “For in that day was I sent that I might perform miracles for Rav Hamenuna the elder and his companions, who had been taken away into the palace (otherwise : into the prison) of the King.

1 17 1. u And I performed a miracle for them, and cast down the King’s rampart (otherwise : I cast down the wall of the royal palace for them), with whose chains they were bound ; so that (their) forty-five warders were kept back.

1172. “And I led forth Rav Hamenuna and his companions, and brought them up unto the valley of Aunu ; and they have been set free.

1173. “And I have given unto them bread and water, seeing they had not eaten for three days.

1 174. “ And all the day I quitted them not.

1175. “And when I returned (hither) , I found the Veil expanded, which all these Columns * upheld ; and three of the Companions (had ascended ) above it.

11 76. “And I spake unto them, and they answered : 1 This is the portion of God the most Holy One — may He be blessed ! — from the nuptials | of Rabbi Schimeon and his companions.’

1177. “Blessed art thou, Rabbi Schimeon, and blessed is thy portion, and that of those companions who are sitting in thy presence.

1178. “ How many paths are prepared for ye in the world to come ! how many lights of lights are prepared that they may enlighten ve !

1179. u And come, behold ! Therefore on this day there are bound together for thee fifty crowns for Rabbi Benchas Ben Yair, thy father-in-law, and I walk with him.

1180. “ And all those are rivers of the mountains of pure balm, for assuredly his place and lot is chosen (otherwise : and I saw that he had, &c.).

* The columns of the Sephiroth.

f This term is occasionally used in a mystical sense to signify the acquisition of divine wisdom.