The Kabbalah

The Kabbalah > Fundamental Concept of Kabbalah

Fundamental Concept of Kabbalah

If we focus on the understanding of the fundamental concept of Kabbalah, we should first try to understand the concept of G-d as Ein Sof, the Ten Sefirot, and the Kabbalistic tree of life. As explained in Kabbalah, the fundamental nature of G-d is so magnificent that it is beyond explanation. It can only be described with the reference of those attributes not included into it. In its true form, it is referred to as Ein Sof. As mentioned in one of the previous passages, it implies ‘without end’ or ‘endless’. This signifies the concept of His timeless and space-less boundaries. In its truest nature, Ein Sof is so pure and non-directional that it doesn’t have any direct interaction with universe. It only interacts with the universe with the help of 10 emanations evolved from this essence, referred to as the Ten Sefirot.
These Sefirot keep up a correspondence with the qualities of G-d. They comprise of Keter (crown), Binah (understanding), Chokhmah (knowledge), Gevurah (potency), Chesed (mercy), Tiferet (glory), Hod (magnificence), Netzach (triumph), Yesod (foundation) and Malkut (autonomy). All of these 10 Sefirot cover both masculine and feminine qualities. In Kabbalah, a great significance is emphasized on the feminine aspects of G-d. Below is the graphical representation that is commonly used in depicting the ten Sefirot. This is typically referred to as Tree of the Sefirot or the Kabbalistic tree of life. The order of these various attributes and their interconnectedness hold a great significance in the analysis of Kabbalah.

It must not be misunderstood that all Sefirot are different deities. They are the intrinsic elements of G-d, and they are known to be in touch with the mortal plane in such a manner that the Ein Sof is not. The Sefirot is in contact with every single element of universe, inclusive of humanity as a whole. They are actually positioned as mediator incorporating both good and evil reverberating through the Sefirot in terms of affecting the mortal universe, inclusive of G-d himself.