It speaks of hidden wisdom, of the very source from which all things flow. And right from the start, it throws us into the deep end, talking about Chochmah S’tima’ah (חכמה סתימאה), which we can translate as "Hidden Wisdom". But what exactly is it?
The text tells us that everything that came before is rooted in this Hidden Wisdom. Now, on the surface, it might sound like a straightforward concept, but with Kabbalah, nothing is ever quite that simple.
Here’s the thing: Chochmah S’tima’ah, while associated with Judgment (Din), also contains an aspect of Kindness (Chessed). How can something be both Judgment and Kindness? It seems contradictory. But that's the beauty of Kabbalah – holding seemingly opposite ideas in tension. It's about recognizing the inherent duality and interconnectedness of all things.
The reason for this duality, we're told, is that Chochmah itself resides on the right side of the Sefirot, the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, which is traditionally associated with mercy and grace.
But the text goes even deeper, associating Chochmah S’tima’ah with the Nukva, the feminine aspect, of Arich Anpin. Who is Arich Anpin? Arich Anpin (אריך אנפין) translates to "Long Face" or "Long Patience", and it's one of the aspects of the Divine. It's the patient, long-suffering face of God.
Think of it this way: Keter, the Crown, the highest of the Sefirot, is likened to the Skull, the right-inclined Head – the male aspect of Arich Anpin. Chochmah S’tima’ah, then, is the left-inclined Head – the female aspect.
So, why this emphasis on male and female, right and left? According to the Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, it's because Chessed (Kindness) and Gevurah (Strength or Judgment) of Atik (another name for the Ancient of Days, a high manifestation of God) are clothed, respectively, in the Skull (Keter) and in Chochmah S’tima’ah.
In other words, the very foundations of Kindness and Judgment are intertwined within these higher realms. They are not separate entities but rather different expressions of the same divine source.
It's a complex idea, no doubt. But it points to something profound: that even in what seems like strict judgment, there is always a seed of kindness, a potential for redemption. And that even in the most overt acts of kindness, there is a need for discernment and boundaries. Perhaps it's a reminder that true wisdom lies in finding the balance, in understanding the interconnectedness of these seemingly opposing forces. And maybe, just maybe, that's the key to unlocking some of that hidden wisdom for ourselves.