The Kabbalah Unveiled — S. L. MacGregor Mathers (from Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin) (1887)
The text is shown on its own: no facing layer is held for this issue.
591. Assuredly this is the true meaning. Whatsoever a man thinketh and meditateth in his heart, he maketh not a word until he bringeth it forth with his lips. ( What the text intendeth is) if any man attendeth not hereunto.
592. For that voice sent forward {from inconsiderate thought) cleaveth the air, and it goeth forth and ascendeth, and is carried around through the universe ; and therefore is the voice.
593. And the Lords of Wings receive the voice and bear it on unto the King (. Microprosopus ), so that it may enter into His ears.
594. This is that which standeth written, Deut. v. 28:“ And Tetragrammaton hath heard the voice of your words.” Again, Num. xi. I : “ And Tetragrammaton heard, and His wrath was kindled.”
595. Hence every prayer and petition which a man poureth forth before God the Most Holy One — blessed be He ! — requireth this, that he pronounce the words with his lips.
596. For if he pronounce them not, his prayer is no prayer, and his petition is no petition.
597. But as far as the words go forth, they cleave
KABBALAH.
the air asunder, and ascend, and fly on, and from them is the voice made ; and that which receiveth the one receiveth also the other, and beareth it into the Holy Place in the head of the King (otherwise, beneath Kether, the Crown).
598. From the three cavities (of the brain of Microprosopus) distilleth a certain distillation, and it is called the Brook. As it is said in 1 Kings xvii. 3 : “ The brook Kherith,” as it were an excavation or channel of the ears.
599. And the voice entereth into that curved passage, and remaineth in that brook of that distillation.
600. And then is it therein detained, and examined, whether it be good or whether it be evil. This is the same which is said, Job xxxiv. 3 : “ Because the ear examineth the words.”
601. For what cause doth the ear examine the words ? Because the voice is detained in that brook distilling into the curved passage of the ears, and doth not swiftly enter into the body, and thereunto is an examination instituted between the good and the evil.
602. “ As the palate tasteth meat.” Wherefore can the palate taste meat? Because in the same manner it causeth it to delay, and (the meat) doth not enter so rapidly into the body. And hence {the palate) proveth and tasteth it (to discern) whether it be sweet and pleasant.
603. From this opening of the ears depend other openings, (namely) the opening of the eye, the opening of the mouth, the opening of the nose.
604. From that voice which entereth into the opening of the ears, if it be necessary (a certain part) entereth into the openings of the eyes, and these pour forth tears.
605. From that voice, if it be necessary {a certain part) entereth into the opening of the nose, and from that voice it produceth smoke and fire.
THE LESSER HOL Y ASSEMBL Y.
606. This is that which is written, Num. xi. I : “ And Tetragrammaton heard, and His wrath was kindled, and the fire of Tetragrammaton turned against them.”
607. And if it be necessary that voice goeth forth into the opening of the mouth, and it speaketh, and determineth certain things.
608. From that voice are all things; from that voice ( a certain part) entereth into the whole body, and by it are all things affected. Whence doth this matter depend ? From that ear.
609. Blessed is he who observe th his words. Therefore is it written, Ps. xxxiv. 13: “ Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.”
610. Unto this ear is attributed hearing, and under (1 the idea of) hearing are those brains comprehended.*
6 11. Chokmah is contained therein, as it is written,
1 Kings iii. 9 : “ And wilt Thou give unto Thy servant a hearing heart.”
612. Binah also, as it is written, 1 Sam. iii. 9,
“ Speak, for Thy servant heareth.” Also 2 Kings xviii.
26, “ Because we have heard.” And hencefrom all
things depend.
613. Daath also, as it is said, Prov. iv. 10, “Hear, 0 my son, and receive My sayings.” And again, ibid. ii. 1, “ Thou shalt hide My sayings with thee.” And thereunto all things depend from the ears.
614. From these ears depend prayers and petitions,, and the opening of the eyes.
615. This is the same which standeth written,
2 Kings xix. 16 : “ Incline, 0 Tetragrammaton, Thine ear, and hear ; open Thine eyes, and see.” Thus all things depend hencefrom.
616. From this ear depend the highest Arcana, which go not forth without, and therefore is ( this ear) curved in the interior parts, and the Arcana of Arcana are con-
* The three divisions of the Brain of Microprosopus.
Y