Nugget #75 – First Triad: Mercy Pillar

Genesis 2:4 is where the first mention of YHVH (L-RD) is made.  Contextually speaking, this passage is about a connectedness/relationship between the Creator and the creature.  Thus EHYH, thought of creation, is extended to the rest of creation.  Please read the whole chapter.

We find that YHVH is a name associated with mercy.  What does that mean?  EHYH is simply the highest order of thought, but that thought needs to be put in action.  So it is essential that a framework is created that sets in motion that thought (this is also known as Light of Torah: before it was written).  The Tree of Life has 3 pillars to it; the right, left, and the middle.  The right is known as the mercy pillar.   Leniency is sometimes a better word rather than mercy.  For the right side tends to permit anything without penalty.  So YHVH opens up the possibilities for good and evil to coexist.  Hence mercy is extended to both good and evil so both are permitted to exist within creation.

At the level of EHYH no right, left, or center pillar exists.  With YHVH the right pillar is established so that left and center pillars can also be established, as will be seen in future nuggets.

Ask yourself: How is YHVH (HaShem, Jehovah, …), being explained here and the previous nugget different from what you understood?  Itemize these differences and study them.  Contrasting the two is a wonderful learning opportunity.