Of Mercy and Judgement: Selections from the Kabbalistic Zohar, Part 2 of 2

CHAPTER 34 CONCERNING THE BEARD OF MICROPROSOPUS. “We have learned this. There is a descent from the beard which is venerable, holy, excellent, hidden and concealed in all (the beard, namely, of Macroprosopus), through the holy magnificent oil, into the beard of Microprosopus.

And that beard is the perfection and beauty of the countenance in Microprosopus. But when the venerable beard of the Ancient of the Ancient Ones shines upon this beard of Microprosopus, then the thirteen fountains of excellent oil flow down upon this beard. And therein are found twenty-two parts, and thence extend the twenty-two letters of the holy law.

Also we have learned that this beard departs from His ears, and descends and ascends, and touches upon the places of fragrance. But this beard of Microprosopus is disposed in nine conformations.

Through these nine conformations there proceed and flow down nine fountains of magnificent oil, and these indeed flow down from that magnificent supernal oil (of the beard of Macroprosopus) into all those inferiors. […] Those nine conformations are found in form herein and in the perfection of the conformation of this beard is the inferior son of man called the brave man. For whosoever sees (in sleep) that his beard exists in proper form, in him is found courage and strength.

Rabbi Schimeon spoke unto Rabbi Eleazar, and said: ‘Arise, O my Son, and expound the parts of the holy beard in its conformations.’ Rabbi Eleazar arose, and commenced and said, Psalms 118:5-9: ‘I called upon Yah, in my distress; Yah heard me at large. Tetragrammaton is on my side, I will not fear; what can man do unto me? Tetragrammaton takes my part with them that help me. It is better to trust in Tetragrammaton than to put any confidence in man; it is better to trust in Tetragrammaton than to put any confidence in princes.’

‘It is better to trust in Tetragrammaton than to put any confidence in Adam, Man.’ The third. And come, behold! There is an Arcanum hidden in this thing; and wheresoever in this passage mention is made of the word Adam, thereunto the Holy name is joined. The Holy Name; because it is written, ‘And Tetragrammaton Elohim, created Adam, Man,’ with the full Name, which is Tetragrammaton, denotes the masculine, and Elohim, the feminine.

Also we have learned this in the ‘Book of Concealed Mystery’: Whosoever sees in his sleep that he touches the beard or moustache of the supernal man with his hand, or extends his hand unto it, let him know that he is at peace with the supernals.”