 |
| Sephirot |
|---|
| Keter |
| Chokhmah |
| Binah |
| Daat |
| Chesed |
| Gevurah |
| Tiferet |
| Netzach |
| Hod |
| Yesod |
| Malkuth |
Chokhmah, the second emanation on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, signifies Wisdom and stands as the primal force of creation and the dynamic aspect of the divine intellect. In the Christian Kabbalistic framework, Chokhmah holds a special place as it is intimately associated with Christ, the Logos, embodying the divine wisdom that became manifest in the world through the incarnation.
Detailed Attributes[]
- Bhina: 1 (Alef), symbolizing the initial differentiation from the unity of Keter, representing the beginning of duality and the active force of creation.
- Olam: Atzilut, the world of emanation, where the divine ideas and archetypes exist in their purest form.
- Light: Chaya, the life force, indicating Chokhmah's role as the source of vitality and dynamism in creation.
- Planet: Mazlot (the Zodiac), representing the universal laws and the order that governs creation, reflecting the wisdom inherent in the cosmos.
- Briatic Colour: Silver/white, denoting the clarity, purity, and transcendence of divine wisdom.
- Number: 2, indicating the principle of duality, dialogue, and the beginning of differentiation in the divine emanation process.
- Magical Image: A bearded man, symbolizing maturity, authority, and the paternal aspect of wisdom.
- Briatic Correspondence: Revolution, highlighting the transformative power of wisdom to initiate change and evolution.
- Spiritual Experience: Vision of God face-to-face, an intimate encounter with the divine, embodying the ultimate goal of the mystic's quest for wisdom.
- Titles: Abba, the Father; The Supernal Father, emphasizing the generative, guiding aspect of Chokhmah as the father of all creation.
- God Name: Jah, a name that invokes the aspect of God associated with creativity and revelation.
- Archangel: Ratziel, the keeper of divine secrets and mysteries, guiding souls towards wisdom.
- Angel Order: Auphanim, the wheels, signifying the cycles of creation and the perpetuation of wisdom throughout the cosmos.
Christian Interpretation[]
In Christian Kabbalah, Chokhmah (Wisdom) is deeply identified with Jesus Christ, the Son, who is seen as the Logos or Divine Wisdom incarnate. This Sefirah embodies the direct expression of God's wisdom in the material world, emphasizing the role of Christ as the mediator between God and creation. The incarnation of Jesus is viewed as the ultimate act of divine wisdom, bringing the light of understanding, salvation, and redemption to humanity.
The association of Chokhmah with Christ highlights the transformative power of divine wisdom made accessible to humanity through the teachings, life, and sacrifice of Jesus. It reflects the Christian belief in the Word made flesh, the living embodiment of God's wisdom walking among us, offering a path to salvation and deeper understanding of the divine will.
The spiritual experience of seeing God face-to-face is paralleled in the Christian mystical tradition by the beatific vision, the ultimate direct encounter with God, promised to the faithful in the hereafter. Chokhmah, therefore, represents not only the beginning of creation but also the beginning of the soul's journey towards reunion with the divine, guided by the light of Christ's wisdom.
Through contemplation and devotion to the principles embodied in Chokhmah, Christian mystics seek to cultivate a deeper understanding of God's plan for creation and their place within it. This Sefirah serves as a reminder of the call to embody wisdom in our lives, living in accordance with the teachings of Christ and striving for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.