In Kabbalah, the mystical tradition of Judaism, that’s kind of the point. Everything is interconnected and in constant motion. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the dance between Malkhut and Bina.
Now, these aren't characters in a play, but rather Sefirot, divine emanations, aspects of God that help us understand the complexities of creation. Malkhut, often translated as "Kingdom," represents the physical world, manifestation, and the culmination of all the divine energy. Bina, meaning "Understanding," is the supernal mother, the source of discernment and the ability to comprehend.
So, what happens when they get together? Well, according to the Zohar, the foundational text of Kabbalah, things get interesting! The Zohar uses the metaphor of the letters in the divine name Elohim (אלהים), often translated as "God," to illustrate this dynamic. This name is spelled with the Hebrew letters alef, lamed, heh, yod, and mem.
Sometimes, the Zohar tells us that when Malkhut ascends to Bina – a process we call "the ascent of Malkhut to Bina," which refers to a kind of second constriction, where Malkhut moves from the end of a level up to Bina, creating a new endpoint – the letters of Elohim are divided. In this scenario, the mem and yod remain in the level, while the alef, lamed, and heh depart, becoming negated from that level. The Sulam commentary on the Zohar (Introduction to the Zohar, p. 20, s.v. “tziyer”) explains this beautifully.
But hold on, there's more! At other times, the Zohar states the exact opposite! It says that when Malkhut ascends to Bina, the alef and lamed remain, while the heh, mem, and yod are negated and descend from the level (Zohar, Bereshit 1:59).
Confused? Don't worry, you're not alone. This seeming contradiction highlights the ever-shifting nature of the divine. It's not a static, one-way street, but a dynamic interplay.
What does it all mean? Well, that’s where the real work begins! These aren't just abstract concepts; they're invitations to delve deeper into the mysteries of creation, to grapple with the complexities of the divine flow, and to understand how we, too, are part of this cosmic dance. It's a reminder that everything is connected, everything is in motion, and there's always more to discover. So, what do you think? Where do you see these ascents and descents in your own life?