Partzufim (פַּרְצוּפִים) are divine faces or configurations – think of them as aspects of God's personality or ways that the divine manifests itself.
And here, we're focusing on ATIKA (עתיקא), also known as ARIKH ANPIN (אריך אנפין), meaning "Long Face" or "Long Suffering." Atika is often described as having three heads. Three heads! What does that even mean?
Well, the text tells us that these three heads are Reisha Dela Atida (רֵישָׁא דְּלָא אִתְיְדָע), Galgata (גַּלְגַּלְתָּא), and Moha (מוֹחָא). Let’s unpack those terms a bit. Reisha Dela Atida translates to the "Unknown Head" – a concept so lofty and beyond our comprehension that it remains veiled. Galgata means "skull," and Moha, means "brain."
Okay, so far so good…ish. But it gets a little more complex.
The text goes on to say that two become three. Specifically, Galgata then breaks down into Avira (אֲוִירָא) and Moha. Avira means "air" or "space." So, in this model, we have the "skull" (Galgata) essentially splitting into "air" (Avira) and "brain" (Moha). And where does Daat (דַּעַת), meaning "knowledge," fit into all this? Well, the Daat of Atika is hidden within Avira, the "air."
The text concludes with a powerful statement: through these three heads – whatever configuration you’re imagining! – all the worlds are directed by Hessed (חֶסֶד), Din (דִּין), and Rahamim (רַחֲמִים). These are fundamental Kabbalistic concepts. Hessed represents loving-kindness, Din represents judgment or justice, and Rahamim represents mercy or compassion.
So, what can we take away from this dense, mystical teaching? Perhaps it's a reminder that the divine is multifaceted, constantly unfolding, and ultimately beyond our full grasp. Even the "Unknown Head" plays a role. And maybe, just maybe, understanding these structures of the Partzufim helps us navigate the complexities of our own world with a little more Hessed, Din, and Rahamim.