Glossary

Glossary of Hebrew and Kabbalistic terms

109 Hebrew and Aramaic terms that appear untranslated in the bilingual edition of The Gates of Holiness, with their meaning. The references point to the parts and gates of that book.

A

Adam Kadmonאָדָם קַדְמוֹן: “The Primordial Man.” The first and most hidden of the five emanated worlds, which includes all the others. It is associated with the upper stroke of the letter yud in the Name Havayah. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 1.
Amidahעֲמִידָה: “Standing.” The central prayer of every service, recited standing and in silence; also called the Shemoneh Esrei (“Eighteen [blessings]”).
Amoraimאֲמוֹרָאִים: The sages of the Talmud (3rd–5th centuries), who came after the tannaim of the Mishnah.
Apikorosאֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס: In rabbinic literature, one who despises the Torah or its sages. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gate 8.
Aravotעֲרָבוֹת: The highest of the seven heavens according to the Talmud (Chagigah 12b). According to the author, it includes the first three sefirot of Assiah. See Vilon.
Asherahאֲשֵׁרָה: A tree or pole sacred to idolatrous worship, which the Torah commands to be cut down.
Assiahעֲשִׂיָּה: “Action.” The fourth and lowest of the spiritual worlds, at whose edge lies the physical world. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 1.
Atzilutאֲצִילוּת: “Emanation.” The highest of the four worlds, that of the sefirot in their purest manifestation; it is regarded as pure divinity.

B

Baraitaבָּרַיְתָאpl. baraitot: A teaching of the sages of the Mishnaic period that was not included in the Mishnah.
Beriahבְּרִיאָה: “Creation.” The second of the four worlds, that of the Throne and of the higher souls.
Binahבִּינָה: “Understanding.” The third sefirah. See sefirot.

C

Chalitzahחֲלִיצָה: The ceremony by which a childless widow is released from marrying her brother-in-law. See yibbum.
Challahחַלָּה: The portion of dough set aside for the kohen. Also the braided Shabbat bread.
Chametzחָמֵץ: Leavened food, forbidden during Passover.
Chashmalחַשְׁמַל: A mysterious term in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 1:4). According to the author, it is the “garment” that separates the light of the angels. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 6.
Chayahחַיָּה: “Living.” The fourth of the five levels of the soul, above the Neshamah. See Nefesh.
Chayotחַיּוֹת: The “living creatures” of Ezekiel’s vision, angels that bear the Throne.
Chesedחֶסֶד: “Kindness.” The fourth sefirah, the attribute of grace that gives without measure. See sefirot.
Chibbut hakeverחִבּוּט הַקֶּבֶר: “The blow of the grave.” A judgment that, according to the tradition, the soul undergoes immediately after burial. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gate 2.
Chillul Hashemחִלּוּל הַשֵּׁם: “Desecration of the Name.” Any conduct that causes contempt for G-d or for the Torah. It is the gravest transgression. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gates 6 and 8.
Chochmahחָכְמָה: “Wisdom.” The second sefirah. See sefirot.

D

Domem, tzomeach, chai, medaberדּוֹמֵם, צוֹמֵחַ, חַי, מְדַבֵּר: “Inanimate, vegetative, animate, speaking.” The four kingdoms of nature according to the tradition: mineral, plant, animal and human. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gates 1 and 2.

E

Ein Sofאֵין סוֹף: “Without End.” G-d in Himself, beyond all definition, form and attribute, before any manifestation. Human thought cannot take Him as an object.

G

Gan Edenגַּן עֵדֶן: “Garden of Eden.” Besides the garden of Genesis, the place of spiritual delight for the souls of the righteous after death.
Gehinnomגֵּיהִנֹּם: The place of purification and punishment of souls after death. For most souls it is a temporary process.
Gemilut chasadimגְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים: “Acts of kindness.” Helping one’s fellow with one’s own body and with money: visiting the sick, accompanying the dead, comforting mourners, welcoming guests. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gate 7.
Genizahגְּנִיזָה: A repository where worn-out sacred writings are kept, not destroyed out of respect for the divine Names they contain.
Geonimגְּאוֹנִים: The heads of the great academies of Babylonia (6th–11th centuries), after the Talmud.
Gevurahגְּבוּרָה: “Severity,” “strength.” The fifth sefirah, the attribute of judgment. See sefirot.
Gilgulגִּלְגּוּלpl. gilgulim: “Reincarnation.” The return of the soul to this world in another body to repair what it left unfinished. The author deals with it in his Shaar HaGilgulim.

H

Halachaהֲלָכָה: Jewish law, the practical rule derived from the Torah and the sages.
Hashemהַשֵּׁם: “The Name.” A respectful way of referring to G-d, used in the translation in place of the four-letter Name.
Hasidחָסִידpl. hasidim: “Pious.” One who serves G-d beyond what the law requires. Hasidut: piety. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 1, Gates 3, 5 and 6.
Hasidim rishonimחֲסִידִים רִאשׁוֹנִים: “The early pious ones.” The pious people mentioned in the Mishnah, who waited an hour before praying in order to direct their hearts to G-d. The model of conduct that the book proposes.
Hasidutחֲסִידוּת: “Piety.” The conduct of the hasid, which goes beyond what the law requires. See hasid.
Havayahהֲוָיָ״ה: A way of referring to the four-letter Name without pronouncing it, by altering the order of its letters. In Kabbalah, its four letters correspond to the four worlds and to the sefirot.
Havdalahהַבְדָּלָה: “Separation.” The ceremony with wine, spices and a candle that marks the end of Shabbat.
Heichalotהֵיכָלוֹת: “Palaces.” The heavenly chambers through which the soul or the prayer ascends. Also the ancient mystical literature that describes them (Pirkei Heichalot). In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 6.
Hitbodedutהִתְבּוֹדְדוּת: “Seclusion.” Withdrawing alone for meditation and the union of thought with G-d. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gates 7 and 8.
Hitpashtutהִתְפַּשְּׁטוּת: “Stripping away.” In the context of prophecy, emptying the mind of all worldly thought; it does not mean that the soul leaves the body. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 5.
Hodהוֹד: “Splendor.” The eighth sefirah. See sefirot.

I

Ibburעִבּוּר: “Impregnation.” According to Kabbalah, the temporary presence of the soul of a deceased righteous person in a living person, in order to help them. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 7.

K

Kadoshקָדוֹשׁ: “Holy.” One who keeps away from what is forbidden, and even from what is permitted, in order to consecrate himself to G-d.
Kal vachomerקַל וָחֹמֶר: An a fortiori argument: if something holds in the lesser case, all the more so does it hold in the greater. It is one of the rules of interpretation of the Torah.
Karetכָּרֵת: “Cutting off.” The punishment at the hand of Heaven that the Torah sets for certain grave transgressions. According to the author, it is the separation of the branch of the soul from its root. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 5.
Kavanahכַּוָּנָהpl. kavanot: “Intention.” The concentration of thought in prayer and in the commandments. In Kabbalah, also the specific meditations that accompany each act.
Kedushahקְדֻשָּׁה: “Holiness.” Also the prayer of sanctification recited in the repetition of the Amidah.
Keriקֶרִי: The emission of seed in vain, regarded in Kabbalah as one of the gravest harms to the soul. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gates 6 and 8.
Keterכֶּתֶר: “Crown.” The first and highest of the sefirot, the innermost and most hidden.
Klipahקְלִפָּהpl. klipot: “Shell.” The forces of impurity, which surround holiness as the husk surrounds the fruit. They are nourished by human sin.
Kohenכֹּהֵןpl. kohanim: “Priest.” A descendant of Aaron, in charge of the service of the Temple.

L

Lashon haraלָשׁוֹן הָרָע: “Evil speech.” Speaking ill of one’s fellow, even if it is true. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gate 5.
Leket, shichechah, peah, peret, olelotלֶקֶט, שִׁכְחָה, פֵּאָה, פֶּרֶט, עוֹלְלוֹת: The portions of the harvest that the Torah commands be left for the poor: the fallen ears of grain, the forgotten sheaves, the corner of the field, the fallen grapes and the small clusters.
Lishmahלִשְׁמָהּ: “For its own sake.” Studying the Torah or fulfilling the commandments without personal interest, only out of love for G-d.

M

Maaseh Merkavahמַעֲשֵׂה מֶרְכָּבָה: “The Work of the Chariot.” The mystical tradition based on the vision of the divine Throne in Ezekiel 1. See Merkavah.
Machtzav haneshamotמַחְצַב הַנְּשָׁמוֹת: “The quarry of souls.” The light from which human souls are “hewn,” more inward than that of the angels. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 2.
Maggidמַגִּידpl. maggidim: “One who announces.” An angel that reveals itself to a person and teaches them secrets of the Torah. According to the author, it is born of a commandment fulfilled with perfection. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 7.
Malchutמַלְכוּת: “Kingdom.” The tenth and last sefirah, the outermost, which transmits the divine flow to the lower worlds. It is identified with the Shechinah.
Mazalמַזָּל: In kabbalistic language, the higher root of the soul, which remains above, joined to its source, while the “branch” descends into the body. Abundance “flows” (nozel) from it. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gates 2 and 5.
Merkavahמֶרְכָּבָה: “Chariot.” The divine Throne of Ezekiel’s vision, and in a figurative sense everything that serves as a vehicle for the divine. “The patriarchs are the Merkavah.”
Middotמִדּוֹת: “Character traits.” The moral qualities of a person, good or bad. In Kabbalah, the sefirot are also called by this name.
Midrashמִדְרָשׁpl. midrashim: The sages’ interpretation of the verses of Scripture. Also the collections that gather them.
Mikvehמִקְוֶה: A ritual bath of natural water, used for purification. Immersion (tevilah) is one of the conditions for the spirit of holiness.
Minמִיןpl. minim: “Heretic.” One who denies the foundations of the faith or distorts the Torah. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gate 8.
Mishnahמִשְׁנָה: The compilation of the oral law edited by Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi (c. 200). Also each of its teachings.
Mitzvot aseh / lo taaseh (מִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה / לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה): The positive (248) and negative (365) commandments of the Torah; 613 in all. According to the tradition, they correspond to the limbs and sinews of the body and of the soul. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 1, Gate 1.
Mizmorמִזְמוֹר: “Psalm,” each of the songs in the book of Tehillim (Psalms).
Mumarמוּמָר: “Apostate.” One who abandons the observance of the Torah, in whole or in a single commandment, out of desire (letaavon) or out of defiance (lehachis).
Mussarמוּסָר: “Ethics,” “moral correction.” The literature and the discipline devoted to the perfecting of character.

N

Nefeshנֶפֶשׁ: The lowest level of the soul, bound to the body. In Kabbalah, the soul has five levels, from the bottom up: Nefesh, Ruach, Neshamah, Chayah and Yechidah, which correspond to the five worlds. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gates 1 and 2.
Nefilat apayimנְפִילַת אַפַּיִם: “Falling on the face.” The supplication recited with the head bowed after the Amidah.
Nephilimנְפִילִים: Beings mentioned in Genesis 6:4. According to the tradition, angels who descended to earth and became corrupted.
Neshamahנְשָׁמָה: The third level of the soul, bound to the world of Beriah. In a general sense, “soul.”
Netzachנֶצַח: “Victory,” “eternity.” The seventh sefirah. See sefirot.
Niddahנִדָּה: A woman during her period of menstrual impurity, until her immersion in the mikveh.
Nikudנִקּוּד: The system of vowel signs of Hebrew.

P

Parashahפָּרָשָׁה: Each of the weekly sections of the Torah. In citations of the Zohar, the section in which the passage is found.
Pardesפַּרְדֵּס: “Orchard.” In the Talmud, the mystical speculation into which four sages entered, of whom only Rabbi Akiva came out in peace. According to the author, it corresponds to the world of Yetzirah.
Perushimפְּרוּשִׁים: In this book, “the separated ones”: the pious who withdrew from the affairs of the world to devote themselves to G-d. Perishut: separation.

R

Rechilutרְכִילוּת: “Gossip.” Carrying words from one person to another, even if they are neither disparaging nor false.
Ruachרוּחַ: “Spirit.” The second level of the soul, bound to the world of Yetzirah.
Ruach hakodeshרוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ: “Spirit of holiness.” Divine inspiration of a lower degree than prophecy, which can be attained even after prophecy ceased. It is the central theme of the book.

S

Sefirotסְפִירוֹתsing. sefirah: The ten attributes or emanations through which G-d manifests Himself and governs the world: Keter, Chochmah, Binah, Chesed (Kindness), Gevurah (Severity), Tiferet (Beauty), Netzach (Victory), Hod (Splendor), Yesod (Foundation) and Malchut (Kingdom). They are represented by the figure of a man.
Seraphimשְׂרָפִים: “The burning ones.” Angels that surround the divine Throne in Isaiah’s vision.
Shechinahשְׁכִינָה: “The divine Presence.” The presence of G-d in the world. In Kabbalah, it is identified with the sefirah of Malchut.
Shemaשְׁמַע: “Hear.” The declaration of the unity of G-d (“Hear, O Israel…,” Deuteronomy 6:4), recited in the morning, at night and at bedtime.
Shesh ketzavotשֵׁשׁ קְצָווֹת: “The six extremities.” The six sefirot grouped around Tiferet: Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod and Yesod.
Shivitiשִׁוִּיתִי: “I have set.” An allusion to Psalms 16:8: “I have set Hashem before me always.” The practice of keeping G-d constantly present.
Shofarשׁוֹפָר: A ram’s horn sounded on Rosh Hashanah.
Sitra achraסִטְרָא אָחֳרָא: In Aramaic, “the other side.” The whole of the forces of impurity, opposed to holiness.

T

Tefillinתְּפִלִּין: “Phylacteries.” Small leather boxes containing passages of the Torah written on parchment, bound to the arm and the head during the morning prayer.
Terumahתְּרוּמָה: The portion of the harvest given to the kohen. Also the name of a parashah in the book of Shemot (Exodus).
Teshuvahתְּשׁוּבָה: “Return,” “repentance.” The return to G-d through abandoning sin, remorse and confession. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gate 8.
Tiferetתִּפְאֶרֶת: “Beauty,” “glory.” The sixth sefirah, the center of the “six extremities.” See sefirot and shesh ketzavot.
Tikkunתִּקּוּןpl. tikkunim: “Repair.” The rectification of the soul or of the worlds through the commandments and repentance.
Tikkun chatzotתִּקּוּן חֲצוֹת: “The midnight repair.” The rite of rising at midnight to mourn the destruction of the Temple and to study Torah. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gate 7.
Tikkunei Zoharתִּקּוּנֵי זֹהַר: A work of the Zohar literature, made up of seventy commentaries (“repairs”) on the first word of the Torah.
Tzachtzachotצַחְצָחוֹת: “Splendors.” According to the geonim, the hidden lights above the sefirot. The author identifies them with Adam Kadmon.
Tzaddikצַדִּיקpl. tzaddikim: “Righteous.” One who fulfills the Torah with integrity. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 1, Gates 3 and 4.
Tzedakahצְדָקָה: “Justice,” “charity.” Financial help to those in need, which the Torah regards as a duty.
Tzitzitצִיצִית: Fringes tied to the four corners of a garment, to remind one of all the commandments. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 2, Gate 7.

V

Vilonוִילוֹן: “Curtain.” The lowest of the seven heavens, which according to the Talmud “serves no purpose.” According to the author, it is the sefirah of Malchut of Assiah. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 1.

Y

Yechidahיְחִידָה: “Unique.” The fifth and highest level of the soul, bound to Adam Kadmon.
Yesodיְסוֹד: “Foundation.” The ninth sefirah, which transmits the flow to Malchut. See sefirot.
Yetzer hatov / yetzer hara (יֵצֶר הַטּוֹב / יֵצֶר הָרָע): The good inclination and the evil inclination. According to the author, they are two “formations” added to the soul, external to it; for that reason the soul can choose between them. In The Gates of Holiness, Part 3, Gate 2.
Yetzirahיְצִירָה: “Formation.” The third of the four worlds, that of the angels. According to the author, it is the level of the spirit of holiness that remained after prophecy.
Yibbumיִבּוּם: The marriage of a childless widow to her late husband’s brother. See chalitzah.
Yichudיִחוּדpl. yichudim: “Unification.” Kabbalistic meditation on combinations of the divine Names, whose aim is to unite the sefirot and draw down the divine flow. Its practice belongs to the Fourth Part, which was not printed.

Z

Zoharזֹהַר: “Radiance.” The central work of Kabbalah, in Aramaic, attributed to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. It is a mystical commentary on the Torah.