|
Kabbalah and the Sheva Mitzvot
One of the better known, fundamental concepts of kabalistic thought is the concept of Hashem as Ein Sof, the Ten Sefirot, and the kabalistic tree of life. According to Kabbalah, the true essence of Hashem is so transcendent that it cannot be described, except with reference to what it is not. This true essence of Hashem is known as Ein Sof, which literally means "without end," which encompasses the idea of His lack of boundaries in both time and space. In this truest form, the Ein Sof is so transcendent that It cannot have any direct interaction with the universe. The Ein Sof interacts with the universe through ten emanations from this essence, known as the Ten Sefirot.
The Ten Sefirot include both masculine and feminine qualities. Kabbalah pays a great deal of attention to the feminine aspects of Hashem. The Sefirot are not separate deities, as some might think by taking this too literally. They are intimately a part of Hashem, and yet they are in contact with the universe in a way that the Ein Sof is not. The Sefirot connect with everything in the universe, including humanity. The good and evil that we do resonates through the Sefirot and affects the entire universe, up to and including Hashem Himself.
The Ten Sefirot are divided into three intellectual attributes (wisdom, understanding, and knowledge) and seven emotional attributes (kindness, might, beauty, eternity, glory, foundation, and soverignty).
Sheva Mitzvot |
Sefirah |
Related Body Part |
| Idolatry |
Netzach (Eternity) |
Right leg |
| Blasphemy |
Hod (Glory) |
Left leg |
| Theft |
Tiferet (Beauty) |
Torso |
| Murder |
Gevurah (Might) |
Left Arm |
| Sexual Misconduct |
Chesed (Kindness) |
Right Arm |
| Eating Live Meat |
Yesod (Foundation) |
Organ of Procreation |
| Courts of Justice |
Malchut (Soverignty) |
Mouth |
Sources: Ask Moses :: Noahide Nations
|