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.
77. And the hair is less close to the ears, lest it
should cover them ; because it is written, Ps. cxxx. 2 :
“ As Thine ears are open.”
* For by Gematria Q + D + Y + Sh = 100 + 4 + 6 + 300 = 410.
THE GREA TER HOL Y ASSEMBL Y.
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78. From hence His hair stretcheth out behind His ears. The whole is in equilibrium ; one hair doth not go beyond another hair, ( they are) in perfect disposition, and beautiful arrangement, and orderly condition.
79. It is the delight and joy of the just, who are in Microprosopus, to desire to behold and to conform unto that conformation which is in the Ancient One, the Most Concealed of all.
80. Thirteen curls of hair exist on the one side and on the other of the skull ; ( they are) about His face, and through them commenceth the division of the hair.
8 1 . There is no left in that Ancient Concealed One, but all is right. #
8 2 . He appeareth, and He appeareth not ; He is concealed, and He is not concealed ; and that is in His conformation much more so than in Himself.
8 3 . And concerning this the children of Israel wished
to inquire in their heart, like as it is written, Exod. xvii.
7 : “ Is the Tetragrammaton in the midst of us, or the
Negatively Existent One ? ” ( Where they distinguished l)
between Microprosopus, who is called Tetragrammaton, and between Macroprosopus, who is called AIN, Ain, the Negatively Existent ?
84. But why, then, were they punished ? Because they did it not in love, but in temptation ; like as it is written (ibid.) : “ Because they tempted the Tetragrammaton, saying, Is it the Tetragrammaton in the midst of us, or is it the Negatively Existent One ? ”
85. In the parting of the hair proceedeth a certain path, which shineth into two hundred and seventy worlds, and from that (again) shineth a path wherein the just of the world to come shall shine.
86. That is what is written, Prov. iv. 18 : “ And the
* Meaning there is no evil in Him, but all is good. So that, in the symbolic language of the Zohar, Macroprosopus is represented by a profile countenance, wherein one side is not seen, rather than by a full face, as in Microprosopus.
KABBALAH.
path of the just shall shine as the light, going forth, and shining more and more unto the perfect day.”
87. And out of that is the path divided into six hundred and thirteen paths, which are distributed in Microprosopus.
88. As it is written concerning Him, Ps. xxv. 6 :
“All the paths of the Tetragrammaton are mercy and
truth,” &c.
CHAPTER VIII.
CONCERNING THE FOREHEAD OF MACROPROSOPUS.
89. The forehead of His skull is the acceptation of acceptations, whereunto is opposed the acceptation of Microprosopus, like as it is written, Exod. xxviii. 3 8 : “ And it shall be upon His forehead alway for acceptation,” &c.
90. And that forehead is called RTzVN, Ratzon , Willpower, because it is the ruler of the whole head and of the skull, which is covered by four hundred and twenty worlds.
91. And when it is uncovered, the prayers of the
Israelites ascend.
92. “When is it uncovered?” Rabbi Schimeon
was silent. He asked again a second time, “ When?”
Rabbi Schimeon said unto Rabbi Eleazar, his son,
“ When is it uncovered.”
93. He answered unto him : “ In the time of the offering of the evening prayer on the Sabbath.”
94. He said unto him : “For what reason ? ” He answered unto him : “ Because at that time the lower judgment threateneth through Microprosopus ; but that forehead is uncovered which is called 1 Acceptation/ and then wrath is assuaged, and the prayer ascendeth.
THE GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
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95. “ This is that which is written, Ps. lxix. 1 4 : c And I have prayed unto Thee, O Tetragrammaton ! in an acceptable time.’
96. u And the time of acceptance by the Ancient of Days* is here to be understood, and of the unveiling of the forehead ; and because it is thus disposed at the offering of the evening prayer on the Sabbath.”
97. Kabbi Schimeon spake unto Babbi Eleazar, his son, and said : Blessed be thou, O my son ! by the Ancient of Days ; for thou hast found in that time in which thou hast need the acceptation of His forehead.
98. Come and behold! in these inferiors, when the forehead is uncovered, there is found fixed shamelessness.
99. This is the same which is written, Jer. iii. 3 : £t Yet thou hadst the forehead of a shameless woman, thou refusedst to be ashamed.”
100. But when this forehead | is uncovered, inclination and acceptation are found in perfect form, and all wrath is quieted and subdued before Him.