That’s kind of what we're up against when we talk about the Sefirot (the ten attributes or emanations through which God reveals Himself).

We've been exploring how these Sefirot appear to us, the forms they seem to take. But here's a twist: even that vision, that appearance, isn't exactly what it seems. It's not a literal, physical form.

Now, this idea has two parts. First, even though the Sefirot manifest in ways that our minds can grasp – as forms, as likenesses – those forms aren't like anything we see in the physical world. And second, even the spiritual form that we perceive isn't inherent to the Sefirot themselves. It's something chosen, something purposeful.

Let's unpack that first part. Think about it: Moses, in Deuteronomy 4:15, reminds the Children of Israel, "For you did not see any form." The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, our source text, emphasizes that it's simply impossible for the Supreme Glory – for God – to appear in any physical form, even symbolically. Even our own souls don't have a physical form! How could we possibly expect to perceive the Divine in such a limited way?

It's not like you're going to see a literal lion or ox prancing around in the upper realms. Or a man, a circle, or even a straight line, for that matter! Instead, as Deuteronomy 4:12 says, "But you saw no form, only a voice." The vision we’re talking about is something deeper, something that resides within the soul.

It’s not about seeing with your eyes, but understanding with your heart and mind. It’s about insight.

The soul doesn't perceive external physical forms. The prophet’s soul, instead, gains insight into the true spiritual essence of what he "sees." Then, only then, does the intellect form a mental picture, an image.

Imagine being able to look into a prophet's soul. What would you see? You wouldn't see a photograph. You'd see a subtle, mental, spiritual picture. An interpretation, a translation, if you will, of something far beyond our capacity to directly perceive.

So, what does this all mean? It means that when we contemplate the Sefirot, when we try to understand the Divine, we're not dealing with anything concrete or physical. We're dealing with something far more profound: a glimpse into the very essence of creation, mediated through the lens of our own souls.