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.
282. “ There is no contradiction here, for the one is said of the supernal beard, but the other of the inferior beard 4
283. “ Also because when the law was given forth unto the Israelites, it was written in black fire upon white fire.
284. “ Also the foundation of the matter cometh from
* I.e., Mentioning the merciful characteristics of the Deity, who is represented as the equilibrium of justice and mercy.
+ That is, of AHIH, as distinct from 1HYH. (See Introduction.)
£ The hair and beard of Macroprosopus, as distinct from that of Microprosopus. (See the “ Book of Concealed Mystery,” ch. iii. § 16.)
KABBALAH.
those hairs ; because they are found (arising) out of the (supernal) brain, and stretching down unto the inferior brain.
285. “ Also because these are above the beard. Hence the beard is distinct, and all its forms are found separated (each from the other) ; so that the beard is alone, and its hairs are also distinct.
CHAPTER XII.
CONCERNING THE BEARD OF MACROPROSOPUS IN PARTICULAR;
AND, IN THE FIRST PLACE, CONCERNING ITS FIRST PART.
286. “The first disposition is that which commenceth almost at the beginning of the hair.
287. “Also we have learned : No beard ( i.e ., no part of this beard) is found which doth not (virtually) arise from the brain of the head (or from the heart). *
2 88. “ But in this (last section) this (first part of the beard) is not considered as distinct (from the others). For in this chapter only this first form (or 'portion of the beard) is to be considered, which descendeth from the beginning of the hair, and it hath this peculiarity ( namely , that it riseth directly from the brain , which cannot altogether be said concerning the other parts of the beard) .
289. “ And this is to be kept perfectly distinct from this beard — namely, that which exists from the head (formed into), one thousand worlds, sealed with a most pure seal, with a seal which includeth all seals.
290. “ The length of that portion of hair descending before the ears is not equal to the length (of the beard
* The heart being considered as the central motor of the body.
THE GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
itself) ; neither doth it twine together, nor hang down far.
291. “ But those hairs, when they flow down, are extended, and depend.
292. “ And the beginning of the first disposition consists of thirty and one equal locks, extended even unto the beginning of the mouth.
293. “ Also three hundred and ninety hairs are found in each lock.
294. “ Those thirty and one equal locks, which exist in the first disposition (of the beard) are strong, in order that they may dispose the inferiors according to the number of AL, EL*
295. “ What is this AL, El ? Mighty and Powerful
One.
296. “ And among those single locks are distributed one and thirty dominating worlds, so that they may be extendedf (correctly) neither on this side nor on that.
297. “ And out of each one of these worlds a partition is made into a thousand worlds of desires and of great pleasures.
298. “ And they are all concealed in the commencement of the beard, which represented strength ; and they are included in that (name) AL.
299. “And notwithstanding is AL Himself disposed towards mercies, because in Him the Ancient of Days is mitigated and included and extended.
300. “ Wherefore even unto the mouth ? Because it is written, Dan. vii. 9 : 4 The judgment was set, and the books were opened.’
301. “ What is this ? £ And the judgment was set.’
It was set in that place, so that it might not have dominion.
* AL, El, God, the Mighty One, is equivalent by Gematria to the number 31 ; for A + L = 1 + 30 = 31.
t For were they extended, the number would be altered, and it would consequently no longer = AL.
KABBALAH.
302. “This is that which is written, Isa. ix. 1 5 : c Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty One/ That is, AL, A/, such a one who also is mighty, but is rendered mild through the holy beard of the Ancient of Days.
303. “ And an Arcanum is concealed in that place wherein it is written, Mic. vii. 18: ‘ What AL, A/, like unto Thee ? ’ Because of the Ancient of Days it is spoken in the form of the configuration of the holy supernal beard.