Jewish mysticism, particularly the Kabbalah, often describes the divine flow of energy in ways that can feel just like that—a shimmering, indirect path.
Take, for example, the concept of Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, "114 Openings of Wisdom." It’s a complex system of divine emanations, and within it, we find a fascinating description of how light travels – or rather, how it appears to travel.
Now, we're not talking about ordinary light here. We're talking about the divine light, the Ohr, that emanates from God. Think of it as pure wisdom and creative force. And according to the teachings of Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, this light doesn't always take the most obvious route.
The text tells us that after the light spreads from the "Two Mazalot" – celestial influences or constellations, if you will – it returns from the Mazal of Venakeh and enters the "Palate." From there, it journeys to the "Throat," and then finally makes its way to Abba and Imma. Abba and Imma, often translated as Father and Mother, are primordial archetypes representing wisdom and understanding, respectively, in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.
So, what's so special about the palate and the throat? Why this seemingly circuitous route?
Well, that's where the text gets interesting. It states, “by way of the Palate and Throat” – because this is the path that was laid down and not as may appear to the eye." In other words, don't be fooled by appearances! The path of divine light isn't always a straight line.
The text goes on to clarify that the light doesn’t travel directly from the "Beard" (which extends from the face down to the Navel of Arich Anpin) to the "Head" of Zeir Anpin (which resides from the Navel of Arich downward). Arich Anpin, the "Long Face," represents divine patience and forbearance. Zeir Anpin, the "Small Face," embodies the active, expressive aspects of God.
Instead, the light loops back, traveling internally via the Palate and Throat to reach the Heads of Abba and Imma first. What does this imagery evoke? The palate, the throat... these are pathways of speech, of expression. Perhaps this circuitous route emphasizes the importance of internal processing, of understanding and contemplation before manifestation. The light needs to pass through the filters of wisdom (Abba) and understanding (Imma) before it can actively express itself (Zeir Anpin).
It’s a reminder that true understanding isn't always about the direct route. Sometimes, we need to circle back, to explore the inner chambers of our own understanding, before we can truly grasp the light. It's a beautiful and complex metaphor for the winding path to wisdom, a path that demands patience, introspection, and a willingness to look beyond the surface.