Nugget #91

There is one other side effect that is taking place. As mentioned in Nugget #88 there is a Bestowal and reception actions occurring. When “run[ning] to and fro” occurs; a giving and a receiving are taking place.

The two way action is creating communications between us and the Creator. That connection is created by our connecting to those attributes (Sefirot) that we have in common with YHVH and Elohim. This will create a union between man and man as well, since there will be others that will seek knowledge as well.

You may ask, “Do we ever lose our connection with the Creator? NO!! We never lose connection. We lose awareness. By way of the “to and fro” our awareness of that connection and our Creator grows and become unavoidable. This is what I personally feel is starting to occur with mankind.

The entire First Triad is where we came from and where we are to return to. It is where we will discover the Messiah, our true selves (collectively and individually), and our Creator. Attaining these attributes will cure our world’s ills and offer hope for a future that will bring inner peace between our neighbor and our Creator.

Nugget #90 – First Triad: Run to and fro!

In light of the last Nugget, consider Daniel 12:4, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge (Daat) shall be increased.” 

This passage is describing an awakening of the soul that is seeking knowledge of the Creator. In doing so, our Daat will “run to and fro”. From Chochmah to Binah, and back to Chockmah repetitively. This is a time when mankind stops relying on his/her knowledge and seeks TRUE KNOWLEDGE (see Nugget #85, and 86). I personally believe that is what is starting to happen today.

There is a side effect from this renewed effort for Daat. As our Daat forms and corrects itself we will find our interpretation of our world, events, and reality will change in a way that is contrary to our “world order”. This is where the real transformation will take place and the old ways will naturally unravel and be reprogrammed into a new Daat centered world order. No ruler can stand against it and it will eventually win out. Man’s knowledge and its influences are doomed in the long run.

Nugget #89 – First Triad: True Knowledge

As we move down the Sefirot we find each step removes degrees of freedom.  As we move down we find more and more restrictions are made upon our existence.  Mercy is the greatest degree of freedom we have.  Thus every Sefirot after this point is restrictive in comparison.   Binah, which is judgment, is more restrictive than Chochmah. 

Balance of the two is the ideal we are looking for.  If we are too restrictive we will never be open to progress with new ideas and to positive change.  To be too lenient or accepting, we lack discernment of what is permitted and what is not.  The ideal is in the middle of the two in a balance.  This is not a Sefirah but rather is where our free will is given full flexibility.  We call it in Hebrew Daat which means knowledge.

This knowledge is an intimate type.    It is not knowledge we gain from a book, a class, or from the media.  It is apprehended via close contact and association to the source, that source being Chochmah.  However that Wisdom needs to be structured and given a form that makes it effective.  That is accomplished via Binah.  Thus we are constantly moving between these two points.  Where we are between these Sefirot, individually, is up to us.  Where we are between these two Sefirot, collectively, is up to us.  Ideally we should be pretty much dead center most of the time.  Thus we are constantly receiving Wisdom and giving it structure (Understanding) so it can be applied to our world to bring Tikkun Olam.

Nugget #88 – First Triad: Male and Female

The right and left pillars have been given genders as well. The right is male while the left is female. However, before we go any further we must understand that these attributes are not about sex per se. They have attributes, we must be thinking differently of male and female.

As noted already the right is considered a male. Meaning that this attribute gives. It bestows, provides and gives nourishment. The left is a female meaning that this attribute receives. Think of the basic function male and female are attributed with. Genesis 1:28 tells us that mankind was instructed to “be fruitful and multiply”. Thus we are to think in terms of procreating and establishment of the family. The father provides for the family from the outside, and the mother provides for the family from what the father brings in from the outside.

Let’s go a little further. In order for the male and female to procreate, one must give and the other has to receive. This is exemplified in the male/female union. The male give 23 chromosomes and the female receives the 23 in addition to her own 23 chromosomes so the child will have a total of 46.

When we see a gender being mentioned in relations to our Creator’s attributes/names think according to bestowal (Male) and receptivity (Female).

Nugget #87 – First Triad: Torah is more than words

Torah is expressed both at the Wisdom and Understanding levels; that being Chochmah and Binah which are associated to the attributes of “YHVH” and “Elohim”.  This teaches us that the Torah is more than mere words.  It also has a Wisdom behind it that cannot be expressed just by the words on the parchment.  We can say the Torah has a soul and in fact Judaism teaches this as well as the Torah itself.

Israel is told that they would be viewed as a “wise and understanding nation” In Deuteronomy 4:6-7.  This wisdom is not from blind adherence to a set of rules but rather by way of fathoming the Torah to the deeper levels beyond the words in the attempt to discover the soul behind the Torah, The Light of the Torah, the thought of creation, and then the Creator’s Will.

The written Torah is derived from understanding, that being Binah.  Through the study and contemplation of the text we can derive the Wisdom that it comes from.

Nugget #86 – First Triad: Communication

This Sefirah is called Binah.  You may recall that Binah is associated with understanding.  This is where wisdom from Chochmah (YHVH) becomes expressed, such as verbally and pictorially.  The wisdom can be communicated and thus applicable. 

But we have to ask why it is communicable?  It is because at this point we become more and more separated (individualized).  Elohim is a plural word and it indicates a plurality is taking place that permits us to have unique perspectives and as such collectively we have complete understanding, not individually.  The catalyst that brings together the individuals into a collectively, is communication.

Communications also assumes there is a common means of connecting to each other.  Of course we are not speaking of just writing and pictures here.  We are also speaking of soul communication with each other.  How is that carried out?  Simply put, “We are created in His [Elohim’s] image” (Genesis 1:26).  We are all elohims and as such we contain pieces of Elohim’s attributes within each of us.  This gives us all the common points of connection with each other and the Creator as well (see Nuggets #20).

Try to grasp that our essence is from Elohim and is Elohim.

Nugget #85 – First Triad: Adding dimension

As already mentioned, Elohim is a plural word.  In fact it is the first plural attribute.  In order for the right pillar to be a right pillar it requires a left pillar.  A dimension must be created which requires a plurality to exist.  Thus the left pillar creates the initial structure of the Tree of Life that supports the rest of the Sefirot in a dimensional pattern. 

The concept of opposites is also established on a horizontal axis.  The right is lenient and abducts.  Meaning it accept and engulfs everything.  Think of “fatal attraction”, a person loves another so much that that person being loved ceases to be an individual.  Likewise there is a concept of too much mercy.  The left rejects or pushes away.  It desires a separation to the point of total isolation.  We have seen this by individuals or groups not wanting to be in the presents of certain people.  We have seen this through out history such as the Holocaust or the Croatians.  An individual in total solitary confinement will eventually go insane and even die.

By establishing the horizontal dimension it gives opportunity for an individual to retain his/her existence within a community yet at the same time not nullify and void the community’s existence.

The two opposites are not ideal but a blend of the two is the ideal condition we are looking for and we are meant to attain.

Ask yourself:  Take the abduction and rejection sides and think of the ideal blend we need of both as individuals and community.  Is it different for others or at particular times or in different cultures?  Does Torah teach us how to define this middle ground or balance depending on the people and community?