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

756. And since the beard is the praise and perfection and dignity of the whole countenance, in these sacred things it is found to be hidden, neither is it discerned.

757. And that beard is the perfection and beauty of the countenance in Microprosopus. In nine conformations is it disposed.

758. But when the venerable beard of the Ancient of the Ancient Ones shineth upon this beard of Microprosopus, then the thirteen fountains of excellent oil flow down upon this beard.

759. And therein are found twenty-two parts, and thence extend the twenty-two letters of the holy law.

760. Also we have learned that this beard departeth from His ears, and descendeth and ascendeth, and toucheth upon the places of fragrance.

761. What are the places of fragrance? Like as it is said, Cant. v. I 3 : “ Like a bed ( singular ) of spices/’ and not “ beds” (plural).

762. But this beard of Microprosopus is disposed in nine conformations.

763. And also the hairs being black, and in careful
order, like a handsome man, as it is written, Cant. v. I 5 :
“ Excellent as the cedars.”

764. The first conformation. The hair is conformed from the portion which is above, and there goeth forth therefrom a spark which is of most intense brilliance ; and it goeth forth from the Absolute of the pure ether, and passeth beneath the hair of the head, even beneath those locks which are above the ears ; and it descendeth in front of the opening of the ears, hair above hair, even unto the beginning of the mouth.

765. The second conformation. The hair goeth forth, and ascendeth from the one part of the mouth even unto

KABBALAH.

the other part of the opening of the mouth ; and it descendeth beneath the mouth unto the other side, hair above hair, in beautiful arrangement.

766. The third conformation. From the midst, beneath the nose, and beneath the two nostrils, there goeth forth a certain path, and short and coarse hairs fill up that path ; and the remaining hairs fill up the place from this side unto that, around this path.

767. But this path is not clearly seen (to be continued) below (the mouth), but only the upper part of it which descendeth even unto the beginning of the lips, and there is this path applied.

768. The fourth conformation. The hair goeth forth and is disposed in order, and ascend eth, and is spread over His cheeks, which are the place of fragrance of the Ancient One.

769. The fifth conformation. The hair is wanting, and there are seen two apples on this side and on that, red as a red rose, and they radiate into two hundred and seventy worlds, which are enkindled thereby.

770. The sixth conformation. The hair goeth forth as in a tress about (the border of) the beard, and hangeth down even unto the commencement of the vital organs, but it descendeth not unto the parts about the heart.

77 1. The seventh conformation. That the hairs do not hang over the mouth, but that the mouth is uncovered on every side, and that the hairs are disposed in order about it.

772. The eighth conformation. That the hairs descend beneath the beard, and cover the throat, so that it cannot be seen ; all those hairs are slender, hairs above hairs, plentiful in eveiy part.

773. The ninth conformation. That the hairs are mingled together with those which are joined unto them ; and that they all are in equality from the cheeks even unto those hairs which hang down ; all are in fair

THE GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY.

20 7 equality, like a brave man, and like a kero victorious in war.

774. Through these nine conformations there proceed and flow down nine fountains of magnificent oil, and these indeed flow down from that magnificent supernal oil (of the beard of Macroprosopus) into all those inferiors.

775. Those nine conformations are found in form herein (otherwise, in this beard) ; and in the perfection of the conformation of this beard is the inferior son of man called the brave man.*

776. For whosoever seeth (in sleep ) that his beard existeth in proper form,t in him is found courage and strength.

777. Rabbi Schimeon spake unto Rabbi Eleazar his son, and said : “ Arise, 0 my Son and expound the parts of the holy beard in its conformations.”