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.
763. Thence Chesed entereth into the Holy of Holies ; as it is written, Ps. cxxxiii. 3 : “ For there Tetragrammaton commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”
764. Eabbi Abba said : “ Scarcely could the Holy Lightbearer ( i.e ., Rabbi Schimeon ) finish the word c life * before his words ceased altogether. But I was still writing them down, and thought that there would still be more for me to write, but I heard nothing.
765. “ But I raised not mine head, since the light around him was so great that hereunto I could not look that way.
766. “ Therefore I trembled, and I heard a Voice, which cried aloud and said, Prov. iii. 2 : 1 Length of days and years of life,’ &c.
767. “ I heard another Voice, Ps. xxi. 5 : ‘ Seeketh life from thee,’ &c.
768. “ Through that whole day the fire departed not from the house, and there was no one who could come near unto him, because they were unable, for the fire and the light encircled him through that whole day.
769. “ But I fell upon my face on the ground, and cried aloud.
770. “ When therefore the fire was withdrawn, I saw that that Holy Light-bearer, the Holy of the Holy Ones (i.e., Rabbi Schimeon ) had been taken away from this world.
771. “ But having been turned round, his body had fallen on his right side, and his face still bore a smile.
772. “ And Rabbi Eleazar, his son, arose, and having
KABBALAH.
taken his hands in his, kissed him ; but I kissed the dust which was beneath his feet.
773. u The Companions wished to mourn for him, but they could not speak. Yet the Companions began to weep, and Rabbi Eleazar prostrated himself thrice, and could not open his mouth.
774. At last he began, and said : u 0 my father ! 0 my father ! there were Three,* and into One have they returned.
775. “ Now shall the living creatures (the Cherubim) rush forth ( from the Name) ; the birds shall fly upward and hide themselves in the opening of the Great Sea, and all the Companions shall drink their blood.”
776. But Rabbi Chiya arose upon his feet and said : “ Hitherto hath the Holy Light-bearer (Rabbi Schimeon) taken care of us (otherwise, hath occupied himself with us). Now is the time not fitting for any other thing savo to pay him due honours.”
777. Therefore Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Abba arose, and put upon him the sepulchral garment ; and who ever saw such a disturbance and mingled crowd of learned men ? Through the whole house ascended fragrant odours (of spices brought for the dead).
778. Then they placed him in the coffin : and no man except Rabbi Eleazar and Rabbi Abba did these services for him.
779. But the lictors and soldiers came from Kaphar (otherwise, from Tzipori and Tardaia, or doctors andleamed men from the country), and drove them away.f
780. But the inhabitants of Maronaea rescued them with great tumult, because they thought that he was not to be buried there.
781. When therefore the sepulchral bier was borne t Knorr de Rosenroth adds a Latin note here to the effect that it is doubtful whether this was for insult, or because they were jealous of the honour of burying him.
* Keferring to Rabbi Schimeon, Eabba Abba, and himself having symbolized Kether, Chokmah, and Binah.
THE LESSER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
forth, he ( i.e . the body of Rabbi Schimeon j) was raised above it in the air, and a fire flamed around him.
782. And a Voice was heard ( saying ) : “ Come ye and assemble together, and enter in unto the nuptials of Rabbi Schimeon. Isa. lvii. : ‘ Let him enter in with peace, and let them rest in their chambers.’ ”
783. When he was carried into the sepulchral cave, a Voice was heard in the cave saying: “This is He who disturbed the earth, and made the kingdoms tremble.”
784. How many liberties are stored up in heaven for thee !
785. This is that Rabbi Schimeon Ben Yochai, con- .cerning whom his Lord was glorified daily. Blessed is his portion above and below !
786. How many highest treasures are reserved for him !
787. Concerning him it is said, Dan. xii. 13 : “ But go thou thy way till the end be, for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.”
Hereunto is the Lesser Holy Assembly.
INDEX
A
Aaiion, 146, 328
Ab, 8, 12, 13, 24, 25, 279, 288, 301, 302, 305, 306, 323
Abel, 246
Abraham, 5, 129, 140, 161, 164, 196, 232, 236 Absolute, 16, 17, 35, 38, 115, 156, 175, 205, 265, 266, 279 Abyss, 36, 48, 188, 198, 241, 245, 249, 266, 297 Achad, 7, 12, 22, 47, 67, 117, 137, 139, 166