32 paths of wisdom | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 32 paths of wisdom on the Etz h'Chayim consist of the 10 sefiroth and the 22 interconnecting paths. Each of these 32 paths represents a different state of consciousness reflected by the relationship between the 2 sefiroth which it connects. They are listed here in numerical (1-10) and then alphabetical (alef-taw) order. |
שכל מופלא |
Sekhel Mufla (Mystical Consciousness) This is the Light that was originally conceived, and it is the First Glory. No creature can attain its excellence. [kether · sefirah 1] |
שכל מזהיר |
Sekhel Maz’hir (Radiant Consciousness) This is the Crown of creation and the radiance of the homogeneous unity that exalts itself above all as the Head. The masters of Kabbalah call it the Second Glory. [chokhmah · sefirah 2] |
שכל מקדוש |
Sekhel MeKudash (Sanctified Consciousness) This is the foundation of the Original Wisdom, and it is called Faithful Faith. Its roots are AMeN. It is the father of faith, and from its power faith emerges. [binah · sefirah 3] |
שכל קבוע |
Sekhel Kavua (Settled Consciousness) It is called this because all the spiritual powers emanate from it as the [most] ethereal of emanations. One emanates from the other through the power of the original Emanator, may He be blessèd. [chesed · sefirah 4] |
שכל נשרש |
Sekhel Nishrash (Rooted Consciousness) It is called this because it is the essence of the homogeneous Unity. It is unified in the essence of Understanding, which emanates from the domain of the Original Wisdom. [gevurah · sefirah 5] |
שכל שפע נבדל |
Sekhel Shefa Nivdal (Transcendental Influx Consciousness) It is called this because through it the influx of Emanation (Atzilut) increases itself. It bestows this influx on all blessings, which unify themselves in its essence. [tifareth · sefirah 6] |
שכל נסתר |
Sekhel Nistar (Hidden Consciousness) It is called this because it is the radiance that illuminates the transcendental powers that are seen with the mind’s eye and with the reverie of Faith. [netzach · sefirah 7] |
שכל שלם |
Sekhel Shalem (Perfect Consciousness) It is called this because it is the Original Arrangement. There is no root through which it can be pondered, except through the chambers of Greatness, which emanate from the essence of its permanence. [hod · sefirah 8] |
שכל טהור |
Sekhel Tahor (Pure Consciousness) It is called this because it purifies the Sefirot. It tests the decree of their structure and the inner essence of their unity, making it glow. They are then unified without any cutoff or separation. [yesod · sefirah 9] |
שכל מתנוצץ |
Sekhel MitNotzetz (Scintillating Consciousness) It is called this because it elevates itself and sits on the throne of Understanding. It shines with the radiance of all the luminaries and it bestows an influx of increase to the Prince of the Face. [malkuth · sefirah 10] |
שכל סוד הפעולות הרוחניות כולם |
Sekhel Sod HaPaulot HaRuchniot Kulam (Consciousness of the Mystery of all Spiritual Activities) It is called this because of the influx that permeates it from the highest blessing and the supreme Glory. Alef [Chesed to Gevurah] |
שכל נצחי |
Sekhel Nitzchi (Enduring Consciousness) It is called this because it is the Delight (Eden) of the Glory. As it is, there is no Glory lower than it. It is called the Garden of Eden, which is prepared for the [reward of the] saints. Bet [Chokhmah to Chesed] |
שכל בית השפע |
Sekhel Bet HaShefa (Consciousness of the House of Influx) By probing with it, a secret mystery (raz) and an allusion are transmitted to those who dwell in its shadow and bind themselves to probing its substance from the Cause of Causes. Gimel [Binah to Gevurah] |
שכל מנהיג האחדות |
Sekhel Manhig HaAchdut (Unity Directing Consciousness) It is called this because it is the essence of the Glory. It represents the completion of the true essence of the unified spiritual beings. Daleth [Kether to Tifareth] |
שכל מצוחצח |
Sekhel MeTzuchtzach (Glaring Consciousness) It is called this because it is the essence of the Veil which is ordered in the arrangement of the system. It indicates the relationship of the Paths (netivot) whereby one can stand before the Cause of Causes. Heh [Kether to Chokhmah] |
שכל בהיר |
Sekhel Bahir (Glowing Consciousness) It is called this because it is the essence of the Ophan-wheel of Greatness. It is called the Visualizer (Chazchazit), the place which gives rise to the vision that the Seers perceive in an apparition. Waw [Kether to Binah] |
שכל תמידי |
Sekhel Tamidi (Continuous Consciousness) Why is it called this? Because it directs the path of the sun and moon according to their laws of nature, each one it its proper orbit. Zayin [Chokhmah to Gevurah] |
שכל הרצון |
Sekhel HaRatzon (Consciousness of Will) It is called this because it is the structure of all that is formed. Through this state of consciousness one can know the essence of the Original Wisdom. Cheth [Chesed to Tifareth] |
שכל מעמיד |
Sekhel Ma’amid (Stabilizing Consciousness) It is called this because it stabilizes the essence of creation in the Glooms of Purity. The masters of theory said that this is the Gloom [at Sinai]. This is the meaning of, Gloom is its cocoon (Job 35:9). Teth [Chokhmah to Tifareth] |
שכל דמיוני |
Sekhel Dimyoni (Apparitive Consciousness) It is called this because it provides an appearance for all created apparitions, in a form fitting their stature. Yod [Tifareth to Netzach] |
שכל החפץ והמבוקש |
Sekhel HaChafutz u’HaMevukash (Desired and Sought Consciousness) It is called this because it receives the divine Influx so as to bestow its blessing to all things that exist. Kaf [Chesed to Netzach] |
שכל כללי |
Sekhel Kelali (General Consciousness) It is called this because it is the means through which the generalisers of the heavens collect their rules regarding the stars and constellations, forming the theory that comprises their knowledge of the Ofan-wheels of the spheres. Lamed [Hod to Yesod] |
שכל מורגש |
Sekhel Murgash (Palpable Consciousness) It is called this because the consciousness of all things created under the entire upper sphere, as well as all their sensations, were created through it. Mem [Netzach to Hod] |
שכל מוטבע |
Sekhel Mutba (Natural Consciousness) It is called this because the nature of all that exist under the sphere of the sun was completed through it. Nun [Netzach to Yesod] |
שכל מחודש |
Sekhel MeChudash (Renewing Consciousness) It is called this because it is the means through which the Blessed Holy One brings about all new things which are brought into being in His creation. Samekh [Tifareth to Hod] |
שכל ההרגש |
Sekhel HaHergesh (Consciousness of the Senses) This is prepared for the faithful saints so that they should be able to clothe themselves in the spirit of holiness. In the arrangement of the supernal Entities, it is called the Foundation of Beauty (Yesod HaTifareth). Ayin [Binah to Tifareth] |
שכל קיים |
Sekhel Qayam (Sustaining Consciousness) It is called this because it is the sustaining power for all the Sefirot. Peh [Gevurah to Hod] |
שכל נאמן |
Sekhel Ne’eman (Faithful Consciousness) It is called this because spiritual powers are increased through it, so that they can be close to all who dwell in their shadow. Tzaddi [Gevurah to Tifareth] |
שכל מוגשם |
Sekhel Mugsham (Physical Consciousness) It is called this because it depicts the growth of everything that becomes physical under the system of all the spheres. Quf [Binah to Chesed] |
שכל נסיוני |
Sekhel Nisyoni (Testing Consciousness) It is called this because it is the original temptation through which God tests all of His saints. Resh [Tifareth to Yesod] |
שכל מאיר |
Sekhel Meir (Illuminating Consciousness) It is called this because it is the essence of the Speaking Silence (Chashmal). It gives instruction regarding the mysteries of the holy secrets and their structure. Shin [Chokhmah to Binah] |
שכל נעבד |
Sekhel Ne’evad (Worshipped Consciousness) It is called this because it is prepared so as to destroy all who engage in the worship of the seven planets. Taw [Yesod to Malkuth] |