Keter (Hebrew: כֶּתֶר Crown) also known as Kether, is the topmost of the Sephirot of theTree of Life in Kabbalah. Since its meaning is crown, it is interpreted as both the topmost of the Sephirot and the regal crown of the Sephirot. It is between Chokmah and Binah (with Chokmah on the right and Binah in the left) and it sits aboveTiphereth. It is usually given three paths, to Chokmah, Tiphereth, and Binah. Keter is so sublime, it is called in the Zohar the most hidden of all hidden things, and is completely incomprehensible to man. It is also described as absolute compassion, and Rabbi Moshe Cordovero describes it as the source of the 13 Supernal Attributes of Mercy. Keter is invisible, colorless. Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, in The Palm Tree of Devorah, discusses ethical behaviour that man should follow, related to the qualities of the Sephirot, in order that man might emulate his creator. Humility is the first, because although Keter is the highest, it is ashamed to look at its cause, and instead gazes at those below it.[5] Ones thoughts should be pure, ones forehead should display no harshness, ones ears should always turn to hear good, ones eyes should distance themselves from noticing evil, always looking at the good, ones nose should be free from the breath of anger, ones face should always shine, and his mouth should express nothing except good. 13 Supernal Attributes of Mercy Thirteen Attributes of Mercy Through discussion of a line in the Michah, 13 attributes are associated with the Sephirah Kether: Who is God like you, who pardons iniquity and forgives the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage? He does not maintain His anger forever, for He delights in kindness. He will again show us compassion, He will vanquish our iniquities, and You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Show faithfulness to Yaakov, kindness to Avraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old. (Michah, 7:18-20) Accordingly, the 13 attributes are derived from this and described in great detail. Additionally, the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy were described by Rabbi Chizkiyah in an allegorical depiction of a lily among thorns. The metaphor in whole is known and taught as The lily amongst the thorns, a phrase found in Shir Hashirim 2:2. A summary: The secret of spiritual protection is revealed through a richly metaphorical discourse given by Rabbi Chizkiyah. The Rabbi explains that the spiritual forces that protect and watch over us are called the 13 Attributes of Mercy. They are transmitted into our physical world through the first 13 words of the Torah. When judgments are decreed against us, these 13 forces can safeguard us from their influence. We begin drawing this Light of protection to ourselves at the very moment we begin to browse and behold the mystical shapes and sequences of the Aramaic text, and to learn the spiritual insights presented there.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Mar 2014 17:36:03 +0000
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