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

664. Concerning which it is written, u LK IHYH HGDVLH VHGBVRH VHThPARTh, LeJca , Tetragrammaton , Ha-Gedidah , Ve-Ha-Geburah , Ve-Ha-Tiphereth , Thine, 0 Tetragrammaton, Gedulah (another name for Chesed), Geburah, and Tiphereth ( the names of the fourth , fifth , and sixth Sephiroth, which Protestants usually add to the end of the Lord's Prayer , substituting , however , Malkuth for Gedulah), Thine, 0 Tetragrammaton, are the Mercy, the Power, and the Glory (or Beauty)." And all these are so, and thus it ( the beard) commenceth.

665. Therefore the nine ( conformations ) arise from and depend from the beard ; and thus it commenceth from before the ears. But (the conformations ) remain not in permanence save through another cause, as we have before laid down.

666. For whensoever the universe hath need of mercy, the Influence, Mezla, of the Ancient One is uncovered ; and all those conformations which exist in the most adorned beard of Microprosopus are found to be entirely mercies, yet so that they can exercise vengeance against the haters of the Israelites, and against those who afflict them.

667. But the whole ornament of the beard consisteth in those locks which hang down, because all things depend thencefrom.

668. All those hairs which are in the beard of Microprosopus are hard and rigid, because they all subject the

KABBALAH.

judgments when the Most Holy Influence is manifested.

669. And when there is to be contention, then He appeareth like unto a brave hero, victorious in war. And then that becometh bare of hair which is bare of hair, and that becometh bald which is bald.

670. Moses commemorated these nine conformations a second time, Hum. xiv. 17, when there was need to convert them all into mercy.

671. For although he recite not now the thirteen conformations (of the beard of Macroprosopus ), yet from this idea the thing depended ; for he did not allow himself to enter into those conformations simply that he might enumerate them.

672. But unto the Influence directed he his meditation,
and made mention thereof. As it is written, Num. xiv. 17:
“ And now, I beseech thee, let KCh, Hack, the Power of
Tetragrammaton, be great ! ”

673. What is to be understood by KCh IHYH, Kach Tetragrammaton , the Power of Tetragrammaton ? Thus is MZLA QDIShA, Mezla Qadisha , the Holy Influence, called, even the Concealed with all Concealments. And from the Influence that Strength and that Light depend.

674. And since of this (Influence) Moses was speaking, and this (Influence) he was commemorating, and concerning this (Influence) he was meditating, he then immediately recited those nine conformations which belong unto Microprosopus.

675. So that they all might exist in light, and that judgment might not be found therein. And therefore this whole judgment (otherwise, this whole beard) dependeth from the Influence.

676. When the hairs begin to be restrained He Himself is as the hero of an army victorious in war.

677. In this beard (of Microprosopus) floweth down the oil of dignity from the Concealed Ancient One, as it is said, Ps. cxxxiii. 2 : M Like excellent oil upon the head, descending upon the beard, the beard of Aaron.”

THE LESSER HOLY ASSEMBLY.

CHAPTER XIX.

CONCERNING THE LIPS AND MOUTH OF MICROPROSOPUS.

678. Those hairs cover not the lips, and the entire lips are red and rosy. As it is written, Cant. v. 13, u His lips as roses.” (In the ordinary version ShVShNIM , Shus - hanim , is translated “ lilies” not “ roses.”)

6yg. His lips murmur Geburah, Severity, but they also murmur Chokmah, Wisdom.

680. From those lips alike depend good and evil, life and death.

681. From these lips depend the Lords of Vigilance. For when those lips murmur, they all are excited to bring forth secret things, as well as the Lords of Judgment in all the tribunals wherein they have their abiding-place.

682. And therefore are these called the Watchers ; as it is written, Dan. iv. 17 : “This matter is by the decree of the Watchers, and the demand by the word of the Holy Ones.”

• 683. What is a Watcher? In the book of the dissertation that is explained from this passage, 1 Sam.
• xxviii. 1 6 : “And is become thine enemy.”

684. Seeing that judgments are stirred up against those who obtain not mercy from the Supernals.

685. Hence are those stirred up who are the lords of the enmity of all things.

686. And, nevertheless, in each case is there mercy and judgment. And therefore is it said, Dan. iv. 13: “A watcher and a holy one ; ” judgment and mercy.