The Kabbalah Unveiled — S. L. MacGregor Mathers (from Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin) (1887)
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THE GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
1 1 8 1. {Rabbi Schimeon ) said unto him : 44 Are therefore the just united by the Union of the Diadems more on the days of the New Moon, of the feasts, and of the Sabbaths, than on any other days ? ”
1182. He answered unto him: “Most certainly;
also all those who are without. Like as it is written, Isa. lxvi. 23 : 4 And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath unto another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith Tetragrammaton.’
1183. 44 If those come, how much more the just !
1184. 44 Wherefore from one new moon unto another ?
Because the patriarchs surround the Holy Chariot.
1185. “ And from one Sabbath unto another Sabbath, because the seventh day is surrounded by all the other six days.
1186. “Like as it is written: 4 And the Elohim blessed the seventh day,’ &c.
1187. 44 And thou, Rabbi Schimeon, art the seventh : thou shalt be the chief ; and thou shalt be more crowned and sanctified than all.
1188. 44 And with three most delicious feasts of the seventh day shall the just be entertained because of theo in the world to come.
1189. 44 Also it is written, Isa. lviii. 13: 4 Thou shalt call the sabbath a delight, the holy of Tetragrammaton, honourable.’
1 190. 44 Who is He, the Holy One of Tetragrammaton? This is Rabbi Schimeon Ben Yochai, who is called very glorious (both) in this world and in {the world ) to come.”
Hereunto is the Greater Holy Assembly.
s
HADRA ZVTA QDIShA
(HA IDEA ZDTA QADISHA) ;
OR,
TEE LESSER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
CHAPTER I.
WHICH CONTAINETH THE INTRODUCTION.
1. Tradition. — On that day on which the Companions were assembled together in the house of Rabbi Schimeon, and on which he had arranged his affairs because he was about to depart from the world, before him were Rabbi Eleazar his son, and Rabbi Abba, and the rest of the Companions ; and the house was full.
2. Therefore lifting up his eyes, Rabbi Schimeon saw that the house was full. And Rabbi Schimeon wept, saying : “ The second time when I was sick, and Rabbi
Benchas Ben Yair was in my presence, and until I had chosen my place, life hath been prolonged unto me even until now.
3. “ When I was restored, fire surrounded ( my habitation) which hitherto hath never ceased, neither did any man enter in unto me without permission.
4. “ But now I see that it is taken away, and that the house is filled.”
5. Whilst they were sitting down, Rabbi Schimeon,
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KABBALAH.
opening Lis eyes, beLeld a certain vision, and lo! fire surrounded the house !
6. Therefore all ( the others) went forth, and Rabbi Eleazar his son, and Rabbi Abba remained ; but the other Companions sat without.
7. Rabbi Schimeon said unto Rabbi Eleazar his son :
“ Go forth, and see whether Rabbi Yitzchaq be present,
for whom I have made myself surety.
8. “ And say thou unto him that he dispose his affairs, and that he may sit down with me. Blessed is his portion.”
9. Rabbi Schimeon arose and again sat down ; and he laughed aloud, aud rejoicing, said : “Where are the Companions ? ”
10. Rabbi Eleazar arose and introduced them, and they sat down in his presence.
1 1 . Rabbi Schimeon lifted up his hands and prayed a prayer, and was joyful.
12. And he said : “Let those Companions who were in the former Conclave* assemble here.”
I 3. Therefore, all the others having gone forth, there remained Rabbi Eleazar his son, and Rabbi Abba, and Rabbi Yehudah, and Rabbi Yosi Bar Yoqeb, and Rabbi Chiya.
14. In the meantime Rabbi Yitzchaq entered,® to whom Rabbi Schimeon said : “ How excellent is thy lot ! How much joy is this day stored up for thee ! ”
15. Rabbi Abba sat down behind his ( i.e ., Rabbi Schimeon' s) back, and Rabbi Eleazar before him ( i.e ., Rabbi Schimeon).
1 6. Rabbi Schimeon spake and said: “ Surely now is the time of benevolence, and I desire to enter without confusion into the world to come.
17. “And verily these sacred things, which hereunto have never been revealed, I desire to reveal before the Schekhinah ;
* That is, who had formed part of the Greater Holy Assembly.
THE LESSER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
18. “ Lest they should say that I have kept back anything, and that I have been taken away from the world ; for even until now these things have been concealed in my heart, so that having entered into these very matters I may be with them in the world to come.
19. ‘‘But this is my arrangement of you; let Rabbi Abba write, and let Rabbi Eleazar my son speak openly ; but let the rest of the Companions in silence meditate in their heart.”