. Malchut is also associated with the moon. The moon is an interesting creation. Due to its orbit and how it reflects the sun, the moon has different stages. Further more it is known as the earth's only natural satelite.
But let's go back to the different stages of the moon. If you recall the story of the Moon and the Sun from the beginning of creation (if not check here), only when the moon is more than half full -i.e. when its beginning to achieve its full glory so to speak- can it be seen together in the sky with the sun. In other words, only when it begins to realize its full glory does it also realize that, yes, there can be two rulers of the sky -one does not have to step on the toes of the other one!
When the moon is waning or waxing (a crescent moon) and the majority of it is not apparent, its symbolically not at its full glory.
So, what does it mean that Islam uses the crescent moon? Are they still at a beginning stage? Is there more development needed?
And what does it mean for those attracted so heavily to this religion? Are they hoping not to develop, but instead be accepted 'as is'? Or have they accepted who they are and where they are holding and are preparing themselves for the next stage? Does Islam serve as a baseline, to catapult one to the next level?
Although, everyone has Malchut aspects within them, there are three groups of people, to me, that seem to really repreent Malchut with all its meaning:
These are the qualities of the sefirah (singular) Malchut.
* It is represented by the color black. Some represent it with the color blue.
* It has nothing of its own. It absorbs from others, then gives action, voice, etc.
* It corresponds to the mouth or the womb. Both can be seen as cavities. But both are used to reply, to act, to produce a living being, etc.
* Because it has nothing of its own to give, it is compared to the moon -because the moon reflects the light of the sun.
* Other things Malchut is associated with: the heart. Emotions. Feminine. Femininity. Kingship. God's Divine Presence in the world (the Shekhina). King David.
* Although it is the lowest of the sefirot, in whatever world below the world we are dealing with, it is Keter -the highest of the sefirot.
But first, some relevant (soon to be relevant) messages:
pardon the cuss words. =================================================================
A SHORT STORY ABOUT THE SUN AND THE MOON:
There is a story that goes like this: When God created the sun and the moon, they were both of equal size. The moon, knowing that she represented the heart and knowing that it was more important for things to dwell in the heart rather than just in the mind-which the sun represents- approached God and said, "Can there be two rulers for the sky?"
God understanding what was going on replied, "You are right. So, diminish yourself!"
And so the moon diminished itself. However, it is said that towards the end of times, the moon will realize that, yes, there can be two rulers; God knew what He was doing, and she will shine again, in her full glory!
. HOW THE SEFIROT INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER AND THE WORLD
There is a holiday, which the sages say will one day be celebrated by all the world. Its called Sukkot. In this holiday, four species are taken -the willow, the myrtle, the palm branch, and a citron and they are held together and shaken in all directions then thrusted towards the shakers own body.
The purpose of this is to gather the strengths of the various attributes of God (Chesed, Gevurah/Din, Tiferet, etc)and draw them towards the Malchut within us. Mankind is the vessel that can "deal". It doesn't shatter.
Once someone's faith is established, this process is -in a very layman's terms- is like what's taught in the movie or book called The Secret. Making one's will, like the will of God's Divine Presence. In this way, we acquire much.
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Malchut is seen as feminine. The other attributes (We are not talking about Keter, Chochma, Bina here) are seen as masculine.
In all the various worlds, and in simple man and woman as well, the masculine generally comes to the Feminine. He is aroused by her "waters" (tears? sexual fluid flow? I guess it depends on the situation). He then provides for her and also sends "waters" from above. This can be seen as rain clouds providing water for the earth, the Holy One providing for us, a simple man providing for his wife, or whatever else happens in whatever world we are discussing. The perverted ones (may they never find this blog) may see it as a valid reason to attack a woman, God forbid!
Just as in Holiness /Kedushah, we draw with the help of the four species, the strengths of the attributes of God towards us. Something like that can happen without holiness -as we are hearing in the news these days. (We should never know from such things!)
What of the masculine and the masculine? The feminine and the feminine? Two symbolic providers. Or two symbolic receivers. I believe the Bible states its an abomination because it doesn't flow with the purpose of creation, with the patterns that we are seeing in all the worlds. However, as for judging a fellow for such behavior, that is not for us to do. Surely everything has its purpose!
. The graph from the previous post is basically an image of the attributes of God Almighty when split into parts -in order to be palatable to us in this world. In truth, these attributes exists in all the worlds -the world of thought, the world of action, world of formation, creation, and so forth.
Let's break down some of these attributes just to understand them.
KETER -there is not too much to say about this. Its a realm that exists just slightly above of heads. Its like trying to understand something but being unable to but then suddenly the understanding "falls into your head". You suddenly get it!
Its the highest level of understanding and wisdom.
CHOCHMAH -This represents wisdom. Unbound wisdom like maybe the endless infinite numbers. Or it can be compared to water that spills everywhere. Its not limited wisdom.
Some say, its corresponding color is white.
BINAH -This is understanding. Judgement. The best way to compare it would be like a pipe that contains the water (CHOCHMAH)
These three are modes of intellect. They were never "created and destroyed" in any world.
Next:
CHESED -This is kindness. As you can see from the graph it is aligned right under CHOCHMAH. That is because it is boundless kindness. One can just give and give and give and give endlessly. A perfect portrayal of this behavior personified is Abraham. He was willing to receive all wayfarers in the desert and enjoyed teaching and giving. Also, we all love this part about God!
DIN -Judgement. This is also called GEVURAH. It represents restraint. Tight control. Notice it is right below BINAH. For a reason. The corresponding persona for this trait is Isaac. (Actually, all of Abraham's children seem to have went against his overly kindness and leaned towards DIN. Ishmael -another of his sons- is known as the beginning of the Arab people. Islam appears to me very much on the side of DIN). This side of God brings concern. Its as if He is turning His face, God forbid, and left us to fend for ourselves due to our many sins and lack of repentance.
But its not always a bad thing! At times a parent must let go of the child, so the child can learn and realize that he can walk by himself. At the time, to the child, it may seem cruel, but it has a purpose -the glory of the child begins to shine.
TIFERET -the harmony of CHESED and DIN. Balancing kindness with strictness. Jacob is the persona for this trait.
NESAH -Domineerance. This is down the line from CHOCHMAH, CHESED, then comes NESAH. So, naturally, it signifies something unbound, something that has to do with giving. This is forceful giving. An example: when a prophet gets 'hit' with some prophecy. They didn't ask for it, but its put upon them. Its a combination of CHESED and DIN for the sake of giving for the sake of balance.
HOD -Empathy. Along the lines of BINAH, DIN; This is holding back. Its combining CHESED and DIN in the interest of holding back for the good of balance.
YESOD -Foundation. Combination with NESAH and HOD. Persona of this is Joseph.
MALCHUT -kingship. This is the ONLY trait that absorbs all the others and produces an outcome to give out.
A quick note: Notice the color of each. These are the corresponding color of each trait. It is interesting to note that many people seem to know this in a subconscious level. For example: its interesting that the "danger" level or a stop sign is usually red. Like DIN. A call to restrain.
So too, Malchut is known as black. (also known as blue by some). Let's ponder on that one.
These traits are found in every aspect of the different worlds. For example, in the world of ACTION, this whole sefirot graph exists. With MALCHUT being the lowest portion in that world, KETER being the top portion of that world.
Next, in the world of SPEECH, again you have the same sefirot graph existing. However, the KETER of the world just below it (ACTION, in this case), is really the MALCHUT of the subjected world.
Man was created on the sixth day. Before that there was chaos and disorder. With the Blessed One's utterance we see how things were created. However, some parts remained concealed to us- such as the creation of the chaos and the disorder.
However, as some sage teach, within the chaos and disorder, worlds were created and then destroyed. Even afterwards, when man was created -things were made one way and then re-arranged. For a purpose!
Some sages say that when the Holy One, Blessed be He, created Man, He made man and woman stuck together -one in back of the other. Thereafter, they were split -but the yearning to return together was now in place.
Stories that will be referred to... If you can imagine: A man and a woman standing back to back. Then they come apart from each other into the coldness of the air. they both turn around to see where did their warmth go and they see each other. She stands on her tippy toes and they come together in an embrace.
When God created man, He created him in his image.
i.e. not exactly like Himself, but in an image of Himself.
I compare that to a superhero who puts out his hand and zaps an image into the sky. Its an image of himself. Then, slowly slowly the image begins to free fall. Its falling into the different realms with its final destination being the world of ACTION. Our world.
In reverse order:
First comes the world of ACTION. That is where we are now. Here action matters. You either do, and it happens; or you don't do, and it doesn't happen.
Surrounding that world, is the world of SPEECH. Here what you say matters.
Higher than that comes the world of THOUGHT.
Higher than that is nothingness
Higher than that.... is beyond us!
So here's this superhero's image falling slowly slowly into our world. Past Nothingness world... passing through the world of thought...and so on.. The more it enters our crass, gross, and very physical realm, the more it can not maintain its oneness -or rather the more it has to divide in order to be more palatable to us.
Thus, instead of one great image descending, it breaks down into various attributes that formed into separate entities. Kindness becomes separate from Harshness, Empathetic is its own thing, DOMINEER becomes its own thing, etc.
Here is a graph -very useful- of the various attributes that was divided into parts:
I think its important that Black folks pay close attention to Malchut (and by default "Keter") It will come to be a big player in these notes.
To proceed there are some basic knowledge that should be known. They are the five different parts of the soul. Because I don't know any English equivalent, i'll have to use the Hebrew words:
In order from lowest to highest:
NEFESH /SOUL This is the part that dwells within us. Some say, its "home" is in something in our blood. Its the part that knows how to survive. Very animalistic. It pushes us to eat, to sleep, to get irritated when bothered, to move away from problems, etc.
Most people, I should hope, are in tuned to this part. As a matter of fact advertisers appeal to this aspect of us when they have food commercials, stay warm products, etc.
RUAKH /SPIRIT This is slightly higher than the soul and it dwells around our bodies. Our spirit can connect to other spirit.
The spirit "runs" back and forth between the SOUL and the NESHAMA keeping communications going. Kinda like in Jacob's dream of the ladder.
(the following I don't have backup for but its my own belief: The way the spirit effects action in us is with the emotions, our glands and its corresponding hormones)
Advertisers may appeal to this aspect of a person by appealing to status, like a luxury car; appealing to his/her emotions about something, etc.
NESHAMA This is the part that is still connected to God, Blessed be His Holy Name. This is the part that has us searching for a purpose in life, a reason for being.
Advertisers may appeal to this aspect by "Save the Whales" campaign, or "Save the world" types of ads.
CHAYAH This is beyond our awareness. i.e. that part of us that still dwells with God. Its like our potential. Nobody really knows our real potential because no one sees how much air God "puts in his lungs" so to speak -to create any individual. Maybe alot was given? No one can know.
YECHIDAH Even farther up.
A good way of looking at it is the famous analogy of the glass blower. Say there was a glass blower. He has his tube and he comes to a glass. He blows his hot breath into the glass (BODY). Some air actually gets into the glass (NEFESH /SOUL). Some air comes in and out, it basically hoovers around the glass (RUAKH / SPIRIT). Some air is still passing through the glass blowers mouth and heading towards the glass (NESHAMA). Some air is still in the glass blowers lungs (CHAYAH). And finally, the glass blower still has it in his very MIND to blow more air -the thought (YECHIDAH).
These are the different parts of our souls. Most people live and satisfy up to the RUAKH/ SPIRIT. But don't pursue things much farther. Relatively speaking, they are not too different from an animal. With the excepting that they can talk and have the potential to have deeper awareness.
. I once heard a Kabbalist say that Gan Edan (the Garden of Eden) began in Africa. The place where the "four rivers meet".
(((insert source here.....................)))
This kinda corresponds to historians who say that the first people (Adam and Chavah / Eve? ) began in Africa.
In Judaism we believe in the descent of the generation. That means, the first generations were phenomenal and things got progressively worse -that, as opposed to what many others believe in that people started as apes and got progressively better.
As I am a Jew and believe as a Jew does, that causes me to see the world in the former way.
Furthermore, I imagine that as we leave Gan Eden in Africa -as we spread out further and further away from it all- so the kedusha/ holiness becomes lessened as well.
Like this graph:
As you can see the height of holiness is around Africa and things get less and less as we get farther and farther away from the circumference of that land.
Most of the people concentrated in that central area have somewhat dark skin and curly hair.
In the book, Likutey Moharan volume 4, Rebbi Noson in the name of Rebbi Nachman describes how dark curly hair practically pulls down and attracts spirituality from above.
(((get quote here....................)))
As we get farther and farther away, so also we are leaving holiness. NOTE: a most dangerous attitude to take from reading this is ARROGANCE! And so I want to warn anybody reading this against this attitude. Life is sensitive, beautiful, and filled with holiness. Holiness is everywhere. If one chooses to learn about it in one area, its foolish to become arrogant simply because we are not aware of how it manefests in another area. Arrogance is just the opposite of what God wants! God did not desire to give curly haired people this gem only to take them away from this world due to arrogance.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY
Its a marvel to have this beautiful inheritance, one ought to thank God everyday! B but it comes with a price. I believe those embued with so much holiness just can not help themselves in the way that they act. They are just instinctively holy --from the guts. Thus, their every action just exudes holiness in a natural, non-thinking way.
The bad part about that is: once kedusha is taken away from such people, from any people or land....
If one can imagine and take a mirror to reflect the opposite of the above graph, yes, it would appear that those in the farthest realms of this graph will fall to a lesser degree with holiness is stripped away. However, those in the more centralized area will fall the lowest!
This could explain why so many in the world view Africans, African Americans, those whose ancestors stem not so long ago from Africa, as savages! This can explain the behavior of those horrible men in the Republic of Congo and in Darfur and how they are able to treat their women! This can explain why, after so many AA grew up on oversexualized imagery, we are now witnessing gang rape and callousness among that population. And not to mention the atrocities that occur in other "curly haired" peoples when they are without holiness.
But it doesn't have to be. We are NOT savages. Please know this in your heart. As a matter of fact, lets end this on a good note and examine those who never let go of their kedusha and those who reclaimed it:
* There are those among the Igbo clans who are able to go into the woods and fast for three days, the purpose being to purify themselves.
* It is said that music is the language of the Neshama -the third part of the soul of a person (the Neshama is the part that connects man to God and many are not even aware of it). Almost no other place in the world is known for making music as beautiful as those coming from African or recent ancestry.
* Black folks all over the globe appreciate the value of humming a tune. Consciously, they may not know the depth of what it does, but somehow that humming has not been lost. It can be a great distraction when dealing with physical pain, it can take someone away from their emotional or social troubles, it can even be a source of meditation. In Judaism there is just such a meditation in which the meditator eventually just hums the letter "m" -not unlike humming. (source Jewish Meditation pg)
(please note: though, I listed example of black folks, this is absolutely not limited to black folks. The main point is the CURLY HAIR. Color will come to play later.
