Mishnah 2. Ten Sephiroth [emanations] belimah1 [without anything, i.e. before these, the
sole elements out of which all else evolved], twenty-two letters of foundation (these
constitute the Hebrew Alphabet, and the meaning seems that the Sephiroth manifest
themselves in that which is uttered): three mothers (Aleph, the first letter of Avveyr, air;
Mem, the first letter of Mayim, water; and Shin, the last letter of Esh, fire - although this
may represent only one mystical aspect of the meaning of the term 'mothers,' as applied
to these letters), seven duplex 2 (Pronounced 'soft' or 'hard,' viz. Beth, Gimel, Daleth,
Kaph, Pe, Resh, Tau, which are, or where in Hebrew capable of modification by a
Dagesh - but this also must be mystically understood) and twelve simple ones3 (the
simple letters of the Hebrew Alphabet).
1. The expression occurs already in Job xxvi. 7.
2. Probably 'twofold' might best express the meaning.
3. Mark also the symbolical significance of the numbers 3, 7, 12 as the manifestation of
God - the Archetype of all else.
Mishnah 3. Ten Sephiroth belimah (the analogy is now further traced in God and in man),
the number of the ten fingers, five against five, and the covenant of the One Only (God)
placed between them (the covenant relationship between God and man in the midst, even
as it is symbolised in the person of man which is between the twice five fingers) by the
word of the tongue (this, the relation Godward) and by the word of sexualness [nuditas]
(the relation earthwards - the one has become dual.)
Mishnah 4. Ten Sephiroth belimah - ten and not nine, ten and not eleven - be informed in
wisdom, and be wise in information; examine in them, search out from them, and put the
thing in its reality (certitude, proper state?), and place again the Creator in His place.
Mishnah 5. Ten Sephiroth belimah - their measurement ten, which have no end
(limitation): depth of beginning (past) and depth of ending (future), depth of good and
depth of evil, depth of height and depth of profundity (or, above and beneath), depth of
east and depth of west, depth of north and depth of south - One only Lord, God, the true
(approved) King, Who reigneth over all from His holy dwelling and unto all eternity.
Mishnah 6. Ten Sephiroth belimah - their appearance like the sheen of lightning
(reference here to Ezek. i. 14), and their outgoings (goal) that they have no end, His word
is in them (the Logos manifest in the Sephiroth), in running and in returning, and at His
word like storm -wind they pursue (follow), and before His throne they bend (in worship).
Mishnah 7. Ten Sephiroth belimah - their end is joined to their beginning, like the flame
that is bound up with the coal, for the Lord is One only, and there is no second to Him,
and before him what countest thou?
Mishnah 8. Ten Sephiroth belimah - shut thy mouth, that is speak not, and thy heart, that
it think not, and if thy heart run away, bring it back to its place, for on this account is it