God drew up the blueprints for a world. They failed. According to the Chronicles of Jerahmeel, a 12th-century Hebrew chronicle compiled by Jerahmeel ben Solomon and first translated by Moses Gaster in 1899, the cosmos could not stand until God created one thing first: repentance.
Seven things existed before the world itself. The Torah. Repentance. The Throne of Glory. The Garden of Eden. Gehinnom (the place of spiritual purification after death). The site of the Temple. And the name of the Messiah. These were the foundations on which everything else would rest. Without them, creation had no architecture.
The heavens were made from the brilliance of God's own garment. He peeled it off like a covering and spread it out, and the heavens kept stretching until He said "Enough." The earth came from the snow beneath the Throne of Glory. He scattered it upon the waters, and the waters froze into dust.
Four winds emerged from four corners. Light from the east. Blessed dew from the south. Snow and rain from the west. But the north corner God left unfinished on purpose. "Whoever declares himself God," He said, "let him come finish this corner." That incomplete edge became the dwelling place of demons, earthquakes, and evil spirits.
Four bands of angels surround the divine throne. Michael on the right. Gabriel in front. Uriel on the left. Raphael behind. The throne itself is suspended in midair, half fire and half snow, with the Ineffable Name written across God's forehead. Two seraphim stand beside Him, each with six wings. Two wings cover their faces so they cannot gaze upon the Shekinah (שכינה), the Divine Presence. Two wings hide their feet to avoid recalling the sin of the golden calf. And with the remaining two, they fly, crying "Holy, holy, holy."