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From Zohar, p.226b; translated by Simcha Triester
On Rosh Hashanah the whole world passes in front of
Him and each person is judged according to his actions. We have learned that
Rosh Hashanah is the head of the year of the king, and who is the king associated
with this New Year? It is Isaac [ gevura], who is called "Head" because he is
one of the heads of the King -- in the place called Year...
[Isaac, who is on the left side of the tree of the
sefirot, represents the sefira-attribute of gevura or
"fear/awe", and is elevated from Zeir Anpin --the intermediate category
of sefirot, representing the emotions -- to consciousness as bina,
or understanding. Chesed, the other "head" of the seven emotional
attributes, is represented by Abraham, who is on the right side of the tree of
the sefirot; chesed is elevated to consciousness as the sefira
of chochma -- wisdom. The elevation of awe to understanding relates to
the idea of appearing before the King in judgment and takes place at the time
specifically appropriate for that, namely New Year.]  | | " There are four specific times the world is judged...associated with the names Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and King David..." | | |
Because Isaac, who is from the side of judgment,
reigns at Rosh Hashanah, it is the time when all people are judged...order. [Each
receives their deserved portion [thus setting the pattern for the whole year to
come, each receiving the reward or punishment which has been decided based on
past deeds.]
On the festival of Sukkot the world is judged
regarding water [associated with the sefira of chesed]. This is
the beginning of the expression of the right side of the King and is the reason
why the joy of [the blessing of] water is felt by all [who have been judged
favorably]. At the time when the water...offering was made on the altar in the
Temple, this joy was pervasive because [the property of] water is known [as
symbolizing chesed, the kindness of being forgiven]...
There are four specific times the world is judged.
Rabbi Yossi said that ...when we look at things everything is found in [these]
four parts: you think about these times they could all be summed up in the
symbolism associated with the names Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and King David... In
these [aspects] the world is judged. ...And in four parts (aspects) all people are
judged all the days they are in the [this] world. [These represent the four
times people receive judgment, on the days when the four sefirot
represented by those names (chesed, gevura, tiferet and
malchut) reign in the world -- namely Sukkot, Rosh Hashanah, Pesach and
Shavuot.] Every single day the books are open and all of the deeds of mankind
are recorded but no one is conscious of this and none bend their inner ear to
listen to the lessons each day brings. The Torah gives evidence every day and
her voice calls out strongly,... "Whoever is...simple [susceptible to temptation]
let him turn [study me] here, to he of a weak heart she speaks whoever is
lacking the ability to meditate in his heart about reward and punishment, Torah
and mitzvot, study me!" (Proverbs 9:3). But there is no one to hear her [the
Torah]. But no one is aware enough to pay attention to the voice of the
announcer.
"Reprinted with permission from KabbalaOnline.org.
Copyright 2003 by Ascent of Safed.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this work or portions
thereof, in any form, unless with permission, in writing, from Ascent of Safed."
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