The word "sephirah" is commonly used in Jewish mysticism to refer to the ten attributes or emanations that God uses to interact with the world. This word is pronounced as /səˈfɪərə/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of the word is derived from the Hebrew root סֶפֶר (sefer), meaning "book" or "count". The plural form of "sephirah" is "sephirot". The concept of the sephirot is an important aspect of Kabbalah and has been the subject of much commentary and debate among scholars.
Sephirah, also spelled "sephira," is a fundamental concept in the esoteric Jewish mystical tradition known as Kabbalah. It refers to the emanations or divine attributes through which the infinite and transcendent God manifests in the physical and spiritual realms. The term "sephirah" is derived from the Hebrew word "saphar," meaning "to recount" or "to enumerate," highlighting the numerical and organizational aspects of these emanations.
There are ten sephiroth (plural form of sephirah) that form a divine ladder connecting the divine essence to the material world. Each sephirah represents a different aspect of the divine nature and divine action, and they are arranged in a hierarchical order, often depicted as a tree known as the Tree of Life. These sephiroth include attributes such as Wisdom, Understanding, Mercy, Severity, Beauty, and Kingdom.
The sephiroth are often described as vessels or channels through which divine energy is channeled into creation. Kabbalists study and meditate on the sephiroth to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of God and the interconnectedness of all things. The sephiroth are seen as powerful forces that can be harnessed through spiritual practice and contemplation, leading to personal growth, enlightenment, and unification with the divine.
In summary, a sephirah is an emanation or divine attribute in Kabbalah, representing a different aspect of God's nature. They are organized in a hierarchical manner, forming a ladder connecting the divine essence to the physical world, and are studied and utilized by Kabbalists to deepen their spiritual understanding and connection with the divine.
The word "sephirah" comes from Hebrew and its root is "s-p-r" (ס-פ-ר), which means "to count" or "to recount". In Jewish mystical tradition, specifically in Kabbalah, "sephirah" refers to one of the ten emanations or divine attributes through which God reveals himself and creates the world. These sephirot are considered to be a symbolic representation of God's qualities and the patterns of creation.