I, Nephi
“I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore, I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days–nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days, yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore, I make a record of my proceedings in my days; yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.” -1 Nephi 1:1-2 RAV, 1:1-3 OPV
Pardes and the Orchard of Kabbalah
“Happy are the poor in spirit, for in them is the Kingdom of Heaven.” -Matthew 5:3
Perhaps the most interesting perspective to come from Kabbalah is the idea that heaven isn’t a far away place. It’s not something to look forward to eventually, but rather something here and now, if we will open our eyes and see it. This is because Kabbalah is about perception. “Change perception, change reality.” This is the last of the Seven Principles of Mormon Kabbalah. Heaven is in us and around us, if we will but see it. How then do we find heaven? We start with a walk in the orchard.
Chesed
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” –Book of the Law of the Lord 1:4/3 Nephi 5:56 RAV, 12:9 OPV
The 10 Sefirot (Hebrew for “emanations”) are the 10 attributes of God in Kabbalah, through which Ein Sof (the Everlasting name of God) reveals Himself/Themselves to humankind. There are a few different ways of using the Sefirot. Some Kabbalists study and grow from attribute to attribute, while others see them as an urim and thummim. As an urim and thummim, the right and left sides create a series of “lenses” for the natural eyes, while the center creates a series of “lenses” for the third or spiritual eye. Through this urim and thummim, God helps us see both the physical realm and the chain of higher metaphysical realms.
Keys
When I was very young, my mother was always at home; and on special occasions, my brother and I could stay up and greet our father when he came home from the paper mill. My brother and I would wait for our father to come through the door, reeking of the awful smell of the paper mill, and then run away, laughing and giggling. Our father got a laugh out of this as he put down his briefcase and unlatched his enormous keychain from his belt and set it on the counter right next to our very 20’s style oven.
Rechilus
Slander, gossip, talebearer; these are all types of lashon hara (Hebrew: “evil speak”) that fall under the sin of rechilus. The word rechilus comes from the root “rachil,” Hebrew for “a peddler.” This is because a rechilus act is just that: peddling gossip, or ill will towards another.
Ayin Lamed Mem
“Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.” -Psalms 6:4 KJV
Ayin Lamed Mem is a meditation to help us remove negative emotions or thoughts. Negative emotions feed Ego, and we think selfishly as fear and panic rule us. Ayin Lamed Mem reminds us that God’s divine providence is by our side. As we find our centers and detach ourselves from negative influences, balance and harmony return to us.
The Four Levels of Pardes
Pardes is like climbing Jacob’s ladder. An extended meaning never contradicts the base meaning, but rather expand our understanding.
Nishmat Chayyim and the Fohatic Keys
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into His ears.” -Psalms 18:6
We are called to be stewards over all creation. One aspect that we do not necessarily think about is our energy, because we don’t see it as physical. It is such a part of us we seem to take it for granted. It is our vital force, the נשימת החיים, the nishmat chayyim-Hebrew for “Breath of Life,” called our Prana, the universal energy that infuses and vitalizes all matter, in Yoga.
The Tzitzit and the Law
For Mormon Kabbalists, the Law is two fold: the spiritual and the practical. For us, the spirit of the Law is now alive in Christ.
Ayin Hara and the Red Bracelet
“I pray the God of my salvation that He view me with His all-searching eye.” -2 Nephi 6:87 RAV, 9:43c OPV
One of the most well known traditions in Kabbalah may be the red or scarlet bracelet worn by practitioners. It is חוט השני, Hebrew for “scarlet string.” It is worn as a talisman to ward off misfortune said to be brought about by עין הרע (ayin hara), the “evil eye.” In Mormon Kabbalah we also carry out this tradition.
Da’at
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake, for ye shall have great joy and be exceeding glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven.” –Book of the Law of the Lord 1:2/3 Nephi 5:58 RAV, 12:11-12 OPV
The 10 Sefirot (Hebrew for “emanations”) are the 10 attributes of God in Kabbalah, through which Ein Sof (the Everlasting name of God) reveals Himself/Themselves to humankind. There are a few different ways of using the Sefirot. Some Kabbalists study and grow from attribute to attribute, while others see them as an urim and thummim. As an urim and thummim, the right and left sides create a series of “lenses” for the natural eyes, while the center creates a series of “lenses” for the third or spiritual eye. Through this urim and thummim, God helps us see both the physical realm and the chain of higher metaphysical realms.
Keter
“THOU shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy might, and with all thy strength; let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” –Book of the Law of the Lord 1:1/3 Nephi 5:63 RAV, 12:16 OPV
The 10 Sefirot (Hebrew for “emanations”) are the 10 attributes of God in Kabbalah, through which Ein Sof (the Everlasting name of God) reveals Himself/Themselves to humankind. There are a few different ways of using the Sefirot. Some Kabbalists study and grow from attribute to attribute, while others see them as an urim and thummim. As an urim and thummim, the right and left sides create a series of “lenses” for the natural eyes, while the center creates a series of “lenses” for the third or spiritual eye. Through this urim and thummim, God helps us see both the physical realm and the chain of higher metaphysical realms.