It's not exactly light reading, but the rewards…oh, the rewards are immense.
So, what's this particular passage all about? It speaks of a "sling" and "stones," but not in the way you might think. We’re not talking about David and Goliath here (though, maybe, on a deeper level, we are).
The passage begins by stating that a "sling" is the "lip," composed of five constructs. These constructs are represented by Hebrew letters and combinations of letters. The text then equates this "lesser Hei" (ה), which has a numerical value of 5, with the sling. Think of the Hei as a window, a portal to understanding divine energy.
Then, things get even more interesting.
The five stones of the sling, we are told, represent a "higher Hei." These aren't just any stones; they are the five words of the Shema (Deut. 6:4): Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai – "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." Think about the power packed into those five words! The very foundation of Jewish belief, the declaration of God's absolute oneness.
The passage continues, explaining that these five stones are made ehad – One. And the "winding" of all of them is Vav (ו), which has a numerical value of 6. The Vav then comprises the six words of the unity: Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai ehad – "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One."
So, what's the big deal? Why all this numerical and linguistic gymnastics?
Well, the Kabbalists were obsessed with the idea of unity, of bringing all things back to their source in the divine. This passage is essentially a meditation on how we can achieve that unity through the power of prayer, specifically the Shema.
The Shema isn't just a statement of belief; it’s an action. By reciting it with intention, we are actively drawing down divine energy, unifying the different aspects of God, and ultimately, unifying ourselves with the divine.
The "winding" of the Vav, encompassing the sling, suggests a process of wrapping ourselves in this divine energy, lengthening our connection to the infinite. And that lengthening leads to the final payoff, alluded to by quoting Deuteronomy 17:20: "...in order that the days of his kingdom be lengthened..."
What kingdom is this talking about? Is it a literal, earthly kingdom? Perhaps. But more likely, it's referring to the kingdom of God, both within us and in the world. By lengthening our connection to the divine, we are extending the reach of God's presence, bringing more light and harmony into our lives and the world around us.
The text concludes, "until it elevates Her infinitely." Who is "Her"? In Kabbalah, this often refers to the Shekhinah, the divine feminine presence, the immanent aspect of God that dwells within creation. By engaging in this practice, we elevate the Shekhinah, allowing her to fully manifest and permeate all of existence.
So, the next time you recite the Shema, remember the sling and the stones. Remember the power of those words to unify and elevate. Remember that you are not just reciting a prayer; you are participating in a cosmic act of creation, drawing closer to the divine and helping to bring healing and wholeness to the world.
What might happen if we all took that responsibility seriously?