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Keter

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Keter as depicted in aMizrachprinting by Samuel Habib (1828)
For other uses, seeKeter (disambiguation).
TheSefirotinKabbalah
The Sefirot in Jewish KabbalahKeterBinahChokmahDa'atGevurahChesedTiferetHodNetzachYesodMalkuth
The Sefirot in Jewish Kabbalah

Keter

View the image description page for this diagram Category:Sephirot

KeterorKether(Hebrew:כֶּתֶר‎ⓘ,Keṯer,lit."crown" ) is the first of the tensefirotin theKabbalistic Tree of Life,symbolizing the divine will and the initial impulse towards creation from theEin Sof,or infinite source. It represents pure consciousness and transcends human understanding, often referred to as "Nothing" or the "Hidden Light". Keter is associated with the divine name "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh"(אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה‎), meaning "I Am that I Am", which was revealed toMosesfrom theburning bush,[1]and it embodies the qualities of absolute compassion and humility. Its meaning is "crown", and it is interpreted as both the "topmost" of the Sefirot and the "regal crown"thereof.

Keter is positioned at the top of the Tree of Life, sitting above and betweenChokmahon the right andBinahon the left, and aboveTiferet.It is often depicted with three primary paths: one leading to Chokmah, another to Binah, and the third to Tiferet. This positioning highlights its role as the source from which wisdom (Chokmah) and understanding (Binah) emanate, and it emphasizes its connection to beauty and harmony (Tiferet), thereby facilitating the flow of divine energy through the sefirot.

Keter is called in theZohar"the most hidden of all hidden things".[2]Moses ben Jacob Cordoverodescribes Keter as the source of theThirteen Attributes of Mercy,derived from a verse in theBook of Micah.These attributes emphasize compassion, forgiveness, and humility. Cordovero also outlines ethical behavior associated with Keter in his workThe Palm Tree of Devorah,encouraging purity of thought and actions, such as always turning one's ears to hear good and avoiding anger.[3]

In Western esotericism, Keter is linked to the initial point of divine emanation, representing pure formless consciousness. It is associated with various divine and mystical figures, such as the archangelMetatronand theTetramorphof theHoly Living Creatures.

Etymology and names[edit]

The Hebrew word "Keter" (כֶּתֶר) translates to "crown". Since a crown is worn above the head, Keter symbolizes the highest level of the sefirot and the divine will inKabbalah.Keter is also known as "Nothing" (אַיִן,ayin) or "The Hidden Light" (אוֹר הַגָּנוּז,Or HaGanuz), reflecting its abstract and ineffable nature. Keter is referenced in key Kabbalistic texts such as theBahir[4]and theZohar,[5]where it is described as "the most hidden of all hidden things".[2]

History[edit]

Further information:History of Jewish mysticism

The concept of Keter has evolved significantly within Kabbalistic thought. Early references to Keter can be found in foundational texts such as theSefer YetzirahandBahir.In these texts, Keter is described as the first emanation, representing the initial divine will and the beginning of creation. TheZohar,a cornerstone of Kabbalistic literature, describes Keter as "the most hidden of all hidden things",[2]emphasizing its transcendence and ineffability. Medieval Kabbalists, includingMoses ben Jacob Cordovero(1522-1570) andIsaac Luria(1534-1572), further elaborated on Keter's attributes, solidifying its role as the highest sefirah and its importance in the divine emanation process. These interpretations influenced later Kabbalistic and Hasidic teachings.

Kabbalah made its way into Western esotericism during the Renaissance, largely through the efforts of figures likeJohannes Reuchlin(1455-1522), who studied and wrote about Kabbalah extensively. In the 19th century,Eliphas Levi(1810-1875) further integrated Kabbalistic ideas into Western occult traditions. TheHermetic Order of the Golden Dawn,founded bySamuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers(1854-1918) and others, incorporated Kabbalah into their teachings, significantly shaping modern Western esotericism.Aleister Crowley(1875-1947), a prominent figure in Western occultism, also utilized Kabbalistic concepts in his works, particularly inThe Book of Thoth,which connects the tarot to the Tree of Life.[6]

Description[edit]

According to theBahir:

What are the ten utterances? The first is supreme crown, blessed be His name and His people.[7]

The firstsefirahis called the Crown, since a crown is worn above the head. The Crown therefore refers to things that are above the mind's abilities to comprehend. All of the other sephirot are likened to the body which starts with the head and winds its way down into action. But the crown of a king lies above the head and connects the concept of "monarchy," which is abstract and intangible, with the tangible and concrete head of the king. The crown endows the person with the power and prerogatives of royalty.[8]

Keter represents the primal stirrings of intent in theEin Soph(infinity), or the arousal of desire to come forth into the varied life of being.[9]But in this sense, although it contains all the potential for content, it contains no content itself, and is therefore called "Nothing", "The Hidden Light", and the "air that cannot be grasped". Being desire to bring the world into being, Keter is absolute compassion.[3]

Keter is associated with twopartzufimor divine personas:Arik Anpin(אריך אנפין) andAtik Yomin(עתיק יומין).Arik Anpin,the "Vast Countenance", symbolizes boundless mercy and spiritual bliss (ענג רוחני,oneg ruchani), whileAtik Yomin,the "Ancient of Days", represents the primal roots of divine consciousness and will (רצון,ratzon). In the symbolic family hierarchy,Atik Yominis the great-grandfather, andArik Anpinis the grandfather. Together, these partzufim reflect Keter's dual nature as both an all-encompassing force and a deeply concealed, primordial essence.[10]

Thename of Godassociated with Keter is "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh"(Hebrew: אהיה אשר אהיה), the name through which he revealed himself to Moses from the burning bush.[1]Keter, although being the highest sefirah of its world, receives from the sefirah ofMalkuthof thedomainabove it (seeSephirot). The uppermost Keter sits below no other sefirah, although it is belowOhr Ein Sof( "Infinite Light" ), which is the source of all Sefirot.[citation needed]

Qualities[edit]

Colour[edit]

Keter is often associated withbrillianceortranslucent white.This color symbolizes the pure, undifferentiated light of the Ein Sof (Infinite), representing the ultimate potential and the source of all creation. Aryeh Kaplan describes Keter as being associated with "radiant, brilliant light" that transcends human perception, symbolizing spiritual purity and divine will.[1]Gershom Scholem notes that Keter's primal light is a metaphor for the most abstract and sublime aspect of the divine.[11]Moshe Idel refers to this light as the "hidden light," embodying the concept of potentiality and the source of all subsequent emanations.[12]

Ethical behaviour[edit]

Moses ben Jacob Cordovero,inThe Palm Tree of Devorah,discusses ethical behaviour that man should follow, related to the qualities of the Sephirot, in order that man might emulate his Creator. Humility is the first, because although Keter is the highest, it is ashamed to look at its cause, and instead gazes at those below it.[3]One's thoughts should be pure, one's forehead should display no harshness, one's ears should always turn to hear good, one's eyes should distance themselves from noticing evil, always looking at the good, one's nose should be free from the breath of anger, one's face should always shine, and his mouth should express nothing except good.

Thirteen Attributes of Mercy[edit]

Main article:Thirteen Attributes of Mercy

Through discussion of a line in theBook of Micah,13 attributes are associated with Keter:

Who is God like you, who pardons iniquity and forgives the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage? He does not maintain His anger forever, for He delights in kindness. He will again show us compassion, He will vanquish our iniquities, and You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Show faithfulness to Ya'akov, kindness to Avraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old. (Michah,7:18-20)

Accordingly, the 13 attributes are derived from this and are described in great detail.

Additionally, the "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy" were described by Rabbi Chizkiyah in an allegorical depiction of a lily among thorns. The metaphor in whole is known and taught as "The lily amongst the thorns," a phrase found inShir Hashirim2:2. A summary:

The secret of spiritual protection is revealed through a richly metaphorical discourse given by Rabbi Chizkiyah. The Rabbi explains that the spiritual forces that protect and watch over us are called the 13 Attributes of Mercy. They are transmitted into our physical world through the first 13 words of the Torah. When judgments are decreed against us, these 13 forces can safeguard us from their influence. We begin drawing this Light of protection to ourselves at the very moment we begin to browse and behold the mystical shapes and sequences of the Aramaic text, and to learn the spiritual insights presented there.[13]

Practical applications[edit]

Inpractical Kabbalisticpractices, Keter is approached through meditation and visualization techniques aimed at connecting with the divine will and transcendent consciousness. Practitioners often focus on the attributes of Keter, such as absolute compassion and humility, to cultivate these qualities within themselves. Meditative exercises may involve visualizing the crown above the head, symbolizing the flow of divine energy into one's being. Reciting sacred texts and prayers associated with Keter, such as "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh," is also common, aiming to align oneself with the highest level of spiritual awareness and intention.[14]

In Western esotericism[edit]

InWestern esotericism,Keter is considered the purest form of consciousness, transcending time and categories, originating from theEin Sof Aur( "Limitless Light" ), and initiating the process of divine emanation that culminates inMalkuth.[15]Associated with the divine name "Eheieh",thearchangelthat presides over it isMetatron,the order ofangelsthat resides in it are theHoly Living Creatures(Chaioth ha Qadesh, חיות הקדש), and its physical manifestation is said to be the First Swirlings of the cosmos (Primum Mobile,Rashith ha Gilgalin).[16]

InThe Mystical Qabalah,Dion Fortunedescribes Keter as a timeless point of pure consciousness, marking the beginning of emanation.[15]In theGolden Dawntradition, Keter is identified with the planetNeptune,reflecting its connection to the mystical and the unknown.[17]InTheosophyandThelema,Keter is analogous toĀtmaandKhabs am Pekht,respectively.[17]

A. E. Waitewrote that Rabbi Azariel ben Menachem, a student ofIsaac the Blind,in hisCommentary on the Sephirothgranted a particular colour to each sefirah, yet these do not agree with the colours given in theZohar,where Kether is called colourless, Tiphareth purple, and Malkuth sapphire-blue.[18]InAleister Crowley'sLiber 777,Keter is associated withWhite Brilliance,the FourAcesof theTarot,Poseidon,Brahma,Wodan,Zeus,theTrinity,Almondin flower,Diamond,Elixir Vitae,theDao,andDeath.[19]He also connects Keter to theqlippothicorder ofThaumiel.[20]

Paths[edit]

Keter connects to three primary paths, each leading to different sefirot and associated with specific tarot cards. The path toChokmah,symbolizing wisdom and the initial creative impulse, is linked to "The Fool",representing potential and new beginnings. The path toBinah,representing understanding and structure, corresponds to "The Magician",symbolizing mastery and manifestation. The path toTiferet,signifying beauty, balance, and harmony, is associated with "The High Priestess"representing intuition and inner knowledge. These paths highlight Keter's role in channeling divine energy and insight through theTree of Life.[21]

In popular culture[edit]

See also:The Art of Dreaming

In theSCP Foundationmythos and related media, "Keter" is one of the primary classifications for anomalous objects or entities. Specifically, the "Keter" classification denotes objects or entities that are exceedingly difficult to reliably contain.[22]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Citations[edit]

  1. ^abcKaplan (1995).
  2. ^abcShokek (2001),p. 30.
  3. ^abcCordovero (1993).
  4. ^Bahir (1995).
  5. ^Zohar (1983).
  6. ^Yates (1979);Goodrick-Clarke (2008).
  7. ^Green (2004),p. 30.
  8. ^Regardie (1972);Epstein (2001);Matt (2010).
  9. ^Green (2004).
  10. ^Schneider (2001),p. 21.
  11. ^Scholem (1995).
  12. ^Idel (1988).
  13. ^"Section 1. The Lily".The Zohar.Vol. 1. Prologue. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-10-08.Retrieved2012-05-05– via Kabbalah.org.
  14. ^Kaplan (1995);Matt (2010).
  15. ^abFortune (2000).
  16. ^Godwin (1994).
  17. ^abRankine (2005).
  18. ^Waite (2007),p.[page needed].
  19. ^Crowley (1986).
  20. ^Crowley (1986),p. 2, Table VIII.
  21. ^Fortune (2000);Crowley (1969).
  22. ^"Object Classes".SCP Foundation.Retrieved11 September2021.

Works cited[edit]

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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