Shapes & Placement

As stated in "Sefer Yetzirah" the Sefirot can be analyzed from the perspectives of time, space and life. Each of these dimensions yield fascinating teachings and insights. For example, Chassidut typically takes a "life" approach and as a result is filled with personal spiritual growth insights, which sound very psychological. Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto is very known for a "time" approach. He's very timeline oriented, with each period having its own character, infused by a unique flow of spiritual energy descending just at that time. 

However, some of the classical texts seem to speak of the Sefirot in the "space" dimension. Certainly, that has been my experience with Lurianic Kabbalah and "Sefer Yetzirah". (The Zohar is more mixed. It's not as singularly devoted to the Sefirot. Though central to the Zohar, the work trails off onto a variety of other topics as well.)

When examining the Sefirot from a "space" perspective, each detail on the diagrams communicate. Additionally, one sees that everything is just a role, defined by its relative placement to everything else. Higher is only higher because there's a lower. Lower is only lower because there's a higher. Being right only exists when there's a left. Being left only exists when there's a right. 

Plus, a vertical line has one meaning, a horizontal line another and a diagonal line yet another. There's a difference between being a circle and being a line. There's unique meaning to being inside and being outside, and even to how it's inside or outside. 

It's possible that classical texts have described the Sefirot in this way because being visual, it's the most tangible way to express the ideas. Also, it can be simply plotted on a diagram, saving much time. Descriptions of events in (past or future) time and psycho-spiritual analysis is a more complicated and time consuming route of transmission. Whereas, with a diagram "a picture is worth a thousand words". 

Still, this does not mean that shapes and placement are simply the easy way out. They have a very unique depth and symbolism all of their own. In the course of my studies of Jewish mystical thought, I have either learned what most of these symbols mean or at least came close to learning what they mean. In the case of the latter, a bit more contemplation over them, may throw me over the edge to actually understand them.

As Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto teaches, gathering information is one thing and organizing it is another. Rabbi Elchonon Bunim Wasserman tzvk"l remarked that a mind filled with unorganized information is like a huge library which has just one problem. It lacks a filing system. Yes, the shelves are full. Wherever you look you see books upon books. The supply is more than ample. The "minor" problem is finding what you want to read or reference. You can look all day and not necessarily find it.

Therefore, I am now in the throes of trying to review, contemplate and organize my thoughts on the shapes and placements found in the works of Kabbalah which I have been exposed to. Maybe, if I feel so inspired, I will share something of my discoveries in writing.

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