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

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

366. 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.

367. But whensoever sins are multiplied in the world, and the sanctuary is polluted, and the Male and the Female are separated.*

368. And when that strong Serpent beginneth to arise, Woe, then, unto thee, 0 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 Many just men are withdrawn from thee.

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

• 370. 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.

371. And concerning this (matter) thus speaketh Solomon the king, Eccles. vii. 16: “ All these things

* In other words, where there is unbalanced force, tnere is the origin of ■evil.

KABBALAH.

have I seen in the days of my HBL, Hebei ; there is a just man who perisheth in his Tzedeq,” &c.

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

373. But when he saith HBLI, Hebeli , of my breath,
Tzedeq, Justice, is to be understood, which is MLKVThA
QDIShA, Malkutha Qadisha , the holy Malkuth (Sanctum
Eegnum , the Holy Kingdom).

374. For when She is stirred up in Her judgments and severities, then hath this saying place : “ There is a just man who perished in his Tzedeq.”

375. For what reason? Because Judgment, Meshephat, is far from Justice, Tzedeq. And therefore is it said, Prov. xiii. 23 : “And there is that is destroyed because therein is not Meshephat.”

376. Come and see ! When some sublimely just man is found in the world, who is dear unto God the Most Holy One — may He be blessed ! — then even if Tzedeq, Justice, alone be stirred up, still on account of him the world can bear it.

377. And God the Most Holy — may He be blessed ! — increaseth His glory so that He may not be destroyed by the severity (of the judgments).

378. But if that just man remaineth not in his place, then from the midst is he taken away for example by that Meshephat, Judgment, so that before it he cannot maintain his place, how much less before Tzedeq, Justice.

379. David the king said at first, Ps. xxvi. 2 : “Try me, 0 Tetragrammaton, and prove me ! ” For I shall not be destroyed by all the severities, not even by Tzedeq, Justice Herself, seeing that I am joined thereunto.

380. For what is written, Ps. xvii. 15 : “In Tzedeq,
Justice, I will behold Thy countenance.” Therefore,
properly speaking, I cannot be destroyed through

THE LESSER HOLY ASSEMBLY.

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Tzedeq, seeing that 1 can maintain myself in its severities.*

381. But after that he had sinned, he was even
ready to be consumed by that Meshephat, Judgment.
Whence it is written, Ps. cxliii. 2 : “ And enter not into
Meshephat, Judgment, with Thy servant ! ”

382. Come and see! When that Tzedeq, Justice, is mitigated by that Meshephat, Judgment, then is it called TzDQH, Tzedeqah , Liberality.

383. And the world is tempered by Chesed, Mercy, and is filled therewith.

384. As it is written, Ps. xxxiii. 5 : “ Delighting in TzDQH, Liberality, and MShPT, Judgment; the earth is full of the ChSD, Mercy, of Tetragrammaton.

385. I testify concerning myself, that during my whole life I have been solicitous in the world, that I should not fall under the severities of Justice, nor that the world should be burned up with the flames thereof.

386. As it is written, Prov. xxx. 20: “ She eateth and wipeth her mouth.”

387. Thenceforward and afterwards all and singular are near unto the Abyss.

388. And verily in this generation certain just men are given (upon earth ) ; but they are few who arise that they may defend the flock from the four angles (otherwise, but judgments arise against the world, and desire to rush upon us).

* Because in those severities, and behind them, he can see the Countenance of God.

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KABBALAH.

CHAPTER X.

CONCERNING MICROPROSOPUS IN ESPECIAL, WITH CERTAIN

DIGRESSIONS ; AND CONCERNING THE EDOMITE KINGS.