The Kabbalah Unveiled — S. L. MacGregor Mathers (from Knorr von Rosenroth's Latin) (1887)
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734. And in every passage wherein is found Tetragrammaton, Tetragrammaton, with Yod He twice, or with Aleph Daleth and Yod He, the one belongeth unto Microprosopus, and the other unto the Ancient of the Ancient Ones. For because all these things are one certain thing, hence by one name are they called.
735. Also we have learned. When is the full name expressed ? When it is written, IHYH ALHIM, Tetragrammaton Eloliim. For that is the full name of the Most Ancient of all, and of Microprosopus; and when joined together they are called the full name. But other forms are not called the full name, like as we have established.
736. When it is said, Gen. ii. 8 : (l And Tetragrammaton Elohim planted,” &c., the name is given in full, where the discourse is concerning the planting of the garden ; and whensoever Tetragrammaton Elohim occurreth the full name is expressed.
73 7. In IHYH IHYH all things generally are comprehended, and then mercies are stirred up over all things.
738. ( When it is said) “0 Tetragrammaton! revive Thy work in the midst of the years,” concerning the Ancient of Days is it said.
THE GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
739. What is “Thy work”? Zauir Anpin, Micropros opus.
740. “ In the midst of years.” These are the former years, which are called IMI QDM, Yemi Qedem , former days ; and not years, OVLM, Olahm , or of the world.
741. The former years are the former days; the years of the world are the days of the world.*
742. And here (it is said): “In the midst of the years.” What years ? The former years.
743. “Revive it.” Concerning whom is it said, “Revive it”? Concerning Microprosopus. For all His splendour is preserved by those years, and therefore is it said, “ Revive it.”
744. “In wrath remember mercy.” He looketh to that supernal benignity wherein mercies are excited over all ; (i those mercies) who desire compassion, and to whom mercy is owing.
745. We have learned, Rabbi Schimeon said: “I call to witness the heavens which are above me, towards all those who stand around, that great joy ariseth in all the worlds because of these words.
746. “ Also these words excite joy in my heart ; and in the veil of excellent expansion are they hidden and do they ascend ; and He, the Most Ancient One of all, preserveth them, He, the Concealed and Hidden of all.
747. “ And when we began to speak my companions knew not that all these words therein were worthy hereof in any degree.
748. “ 0 how blessed is your portion, companions of this conclave ! and blessed is my portion with you in this world, and in the world to come ! ”
* In connection -with § 741, note Ps. lxxvii 5 : “ ChShBThI IMIM MQDM ShNVTh OYLMIM, I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.”
KABBALAH.
CHAPTER XXXIV
CONCERNING THE BEARD OF MICROPROSOPUS.
- 749. Rabbi Schimeon commenced and said, Dent,
- iv. 4 : “ And ye shall cleave unto Tetragrammaton your God,” &c.
750. What nation is so holy as Israel ? for it is written concerning them, Deut. xxxiii. 29 : u Blessed art thou, 0 Israel ! * who is like unto thee ? ” Because that they are applied unto God in this world through the holy name.
751. And in the world to come more than here, for therein shall we never be separated from that conclave wherein the just are assembled.
752. And this is that which is written: “And ye shall cleave in Tetragrammaton ; ” for it is not written “ ChDBQIM LIHVH, Chedebeqim Le Tetragrammaton , Ye shall cleave unto Tetragrammaton ; ” but “ BIHVH, Be Tetragrammaton , in Tetragrammaton,” properly.
753. We have learned this. There is a descent from the beard which is venerable, holy, excellent, hidden and concealed in all ( the beard, namely , of Macroprosopus) , through the holy magnificent oil, into the beard of Microprosopus.
754. And if thou shalt say that this beard is not to be found, for that even Solomon only spake of the cheeks,! but not at all of the beard.
755. Truly thus have we learned [we make answer ) in the “ Book of Concealed Mystery.” It is that which is hidden and recondite, and of which mention is not made,
* It must not be forgotten that Israel is a mystical name which was substituted for Jacob.
t Namely, in the description in the Song of Solomon, ch. v.
THE GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
neither is it uncovered ; it is that which is venerable and excellent before all things, seeing that it is concealed and hidden.