The Light of Wisdom: Selections from the Kabbalistic Zohar, Part 1 of 2

It is a pleasure to share excerpts from “Concerning the Brain and the Wisdom in General,” Chapter 7 of The Lesser Holy Assembly. In this chapter, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai teaches that the source of all life and understanding is the Most Holy Ancient One. This Wisdom manifests as Mercy and Knowledge throughout creation.

CHAPTER 7. CONCERNING THE BRAIN AND THE WISDOM IN GENERAL.

“Of this Most Holy Ancient One, Concealed with all Concealments, there is no mention made, neither is He found. For since this Head is the supreme of all the supernals, hence He is only symbolized as a head alone without body, for the purpose of establishing all things. And He Himself is concealed, and hidden, and kept recondite by all things. His conformation is that He is formed forth in that brain, the most hidden of all things, which is expanded and formed forth, and hence proceeds the superior and inferior Chesed, Mercy. And the superior Chesed is formed forth and expanded, and all things are comprehended in this concealed brain. For when that White Brilliance is formed forth in that Light, it acts upon that which acts upon this brain, and it is enlightened. And the second brain depends from that very glorious Influence, it is expanded into the thirty-two paths, when it is illuminated, then it shineth from that very glorious Influence. Therefore are the Three Supernal Heads illuminated; Two Heads, and One which comprehends them; and they hang in that Influence, and by It are they comprehended. Hence becomes the ornament of the beard to be manifested, which is the occult Influence. And those inferiors are conformed, like as the Most Holy Ancient One. The Three Heads surround Him; thus all things can appear in the Three Heads; and when they are illuminated all things depend together from Him in the Three Heads, whereof two are on the two sides, and one which includes them. And if thou say, ‘Who is the Most Holy Ancient One?’ Come and see. The Supreme Head is that which is not known, nor comprehended, nor designated, and that (Head) comprehends all things. […]”