In Mormon Kabbalah, the third Sefirah is Da’at (Knowledge) rather than Binah (Understanding) as in traditional Jewish Kabbalah. This shift in structure reflects a theological and mystical adaptation to Latter Day Saint beliefs, emphasizing personal revelation, agency, and the role of Christ as the Mediator of divine knowledge.
1. The Emphasis on Personal Revelation
In Jewish Kabbalah, Binah (Understanding) is the divine womb, the receptive force that takes the Chokhmah (Wisdom) of God and forms it into structured thought. This is a deeply contemplative process. However, in Mormon Kabbalah, Da’at (Knowledge) is emphasized because it represents direct revelation and personal communion with God. This aligns with James 1:5, which played a crucial role in Joseph Smith’s First Vision:If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”Here, knowledge is an active, direct experience of God, rather than just an intellectual or contemplative understanding. This reflects the principle of continuing revelation in Latter Day Saint theology.
2. Christ as the Mediator of Knowledge
Da’at is often called the “hidden Sefirah” in Jewish Kabbalah, existing as a bridge between Chokhmah (Wisdom) and Binah (Understanding). In Mormon Kabbalah, Da’at is moved into the formal Sefirot structure because Christ Himself acts as the bridge between divine wisdom and human understanding. In John 14:6, Jesus declares:I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”This passage suggests that true Da’at (Knowledge)—a direct relationship with God—only comes through Christ. In this sense, Da’at represents personal revelation given through Christ, making it a central pillar of spiritual growth in Mormon Kabbalah.
3. The Restorationist View of Knowledge
Traditional Jewish Kabbalah sees Binah as a structured, contemplative process—something that requires deep meditation to unlock divine secrets. However, Mormon Kabbalah prioritizes agency and the immediate accessibility of divine truth through the Holy Spirit. This follows from the Restorationist principle that God continues to speak today, which is why prophets, seers, and revelators are key figures in the Latter Day Saint tradition. Da’at, in this framework, is the spiritual gift of direct knowledge that believers receive through study, prayer, and revelation.4. The Tree of Life and the Atonement
In Jewish Kabbalah, Da’at is sometimes equated with the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in Genesis. However, in Mormon Kabbalah, Da’at is connected to the Tree of Life and Christ’s Atonement. Adam and Eve were commanded not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge, yet they did, allowing for the Fall. Through Christ’s atonement, however, we gain Da’at (true knowledge) that leads us back to God, making us not just aware of good and evil, but capable of choosing good through Christ (2 Nephi 1:116-121 [2:26-27]). Thus, Da’at in Mormon Kabbalah represents the restored knowledge that comes through Christ’s atonement, guiding us to eternal life.| Traditional Kabbalah (Binah as 3rd Sefirah) | Mormon Kabbalah (Da’at as 3rd Sefirah) |
|---|---|
| Binah = Understanding (contemplation) | Da’at = Knowledge (direct revelation) |
| Wisdom is processed through deep thought | Knowledge is revealed through Jesus Christ |
| Focuses on the intellectual process of divine insight | Focuses on personal revelation and agency |
| Binah is receptive (feminine) | Da’at is active (masculine/mediating through Christ) |
| Knowledge is hidden, accessible through deep study | Knowledge is accessible to all who seek God in faith |
By shifting from Binah to Da’at, Mormon Kabbalah emphasizes the Latter Day Saint principle of continuing revelation, making the path to divine wisdom an active relationship rather than just an intellectual pursuit. This aligns deeply with Joseph Smith’s vision of an open heaven, where all can seek and receive knowledge from God.
