God’s Mercy and Glory: Selections from the Kabbalistic Zohar, Part 1 of 2

Kabbalah is the ancient mystical school of thought of Judaism. The Zohar introduces the concept of Divine configurations, and in the Book of Concealed Mystery (another volume of the Zohar), the various facial features of Macroprosopus are explained, along with the representation of the Divine qualities. In contrast, the aspects of the physical realm and the human mind are modeled after the corresponding bodily features of Microprosopus, along with the representation of the various qualities.

CHAPTER 36 CONCERNING THE SECOND PART OF THE BEARD OF MICROPROSOPUS. “‘And whilst He is mitigated by the disposition of the venerable and holy beard (of Macroprosopus), and this (beard of Microprosopus) reflected that, then through its light is He called “God merciful,” Exodus 34:6: “and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and in truth.” And thus is the second disposition instituted. ‘When He shines in the light of the Ancient of Days, then is He called “abundant in Mercy,” and when another of the other forms is considered, in that form is He called “and in truth,” for this is the light of His Countenance.’”

CHAPTER 38 CONCERNING THE SEVEN LAST PORTIONS OF THE BEARD OF MICROPROSOPUS. “‘The fourth conformation. This path of hairs is, disposed, and ascends and descends in His cheeks into the place of fragrance.’ ‘This disposition is fair and beautiful in appearance, and it is Glory and Honor; and it is taught in Barietha that the Supernal Honor, Hod, goes forth and is crowned, and flows down, so that it may be comprehended in His cheeks, and is called the Honor of the Beard.’ ‘And thence depend Glory and Honor, which are as vestments, and as very precious purple, so that He may be clothed therewith.’ ‘These are the dispositions denoting the clothing (of the divine form), and He is more fitly symbolized under this figure of man than under any other forms.’”