After all, isn’t it written in the Torah, in Deuteronomy (4:15), "For you did not see any image"? So, how can we then turn around and describe the Divine using names and the Sefirot? What gives?
That's precisely the question that Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag, known as Baal HaSulam (the "Master of the Ladder"), addresses in his preface to the Zohar, specifically in sections 215-218 of Parashat Bo and within the Raya Mehemna.
The answer, intriguing as it is, lies in the idea of perspective and relationship. The text suggests that while we, in our limited human capacity, might not be able to grasp the full essence of God, we can perceive aspects of the Divine through a certain lens. It's like trying to understand the ocean – you can't contain it, but you can observe its waves, currents, and reflections.
The key, according to this teaching, is the Sefirah of Malkhut. Now, Sefirot (plural of Sefirah) are often described as emanations or attributes of God, ten in total, representing different aspects of the Divine will and creative power. Malkhut, the tenth Sefirah, is often translated as "Kingdom" or "Sovereignty." It's the vessel that receives and manifests all the energies from above.
The text points to the verse in Numbers (12:8): “And the image of the Lord he beholds.” This verse, it suggests, refers specifically to Malkhut. Why? Because Malkhut is where all souls and worlds are rooted. It's the source of all the vessels, the containers that allow us to receive and experience the Divine light. Because we must acquire our vessels from her, Malkhut is considered to us like an image.
Think of it this way: Imagine a stained-glass window. The light shining through isn't the window itself, but the window shapes and colors the light, making it visible and beautiful to us. Malkhut is like that window, allowing us to perceive something of the Divine that would otherwise be beyond our comprehension. "It is regarding her that it is stated 'and the image of the Lord he beholds,'" the Zohar explains.
So, when we use names and attributes to describe God, we're not claiming to fully capture the Divine essence. Instead, we're acknowledging the ways in which the Divine manifests in the world, particularly through the Sefirah of Malkhut. It's a delicate balance between acknowledging the unknowable and appreciating the glimpses we are given.
Isn't it fascinating how these ancient texts continue to challenge and inspire us? They remind us that the journey of understanding the Divine is not about finding definitive answers, but about embracing the mystery and seeking connection in all its forms. What do you think? What images or metaphors help you connect with the Divine?