The word "sephirot" is spelled with the Hebrew letters Samekh, Pe, Yod, Resh, Vav, and Tav. In IPA phonetic transcription, it would be spelled /sɛfɪˈroʊt/. The "s" sound at the beginning is followed by a short "e" sound, and then a combination of "f" and "v" sounds in the middle. The word ends with a long "o" sound followed by a "t" sound. In Kabbalah, sephirot refers to the emanations that stem from the divine essence and map the "cosmic tree" of Jewish mysticism.
Sephirot, also spelled as Sefirot, is a term originating from Kabbalah, a Jewish mystical tradition. It refers to the ten emanations or attributes that represent the divine aspects of God's persona revealed during the act of creation. The word "sephirot" is derived from the Hebrew term "sefirah," which translates to "counting" or "enumeration."
According to Kabbalistic teachings, the sephirot serve as a framework to understand how the divine energy flows and manifests in the physical and spiritual realms. Each sephirah represents a unique aspect or characteristic of the divine, forming a symbolic pathway to explore and comprehend the divine nature and its relationship with creation.
The ten sephirot are traditionally depicted as interconnected spheres or divine attributes arranged on the Tree of Life, a central symbol in Kabbalah. From the top downwards, they are Keter (Crown), Chochmah (Wisdom), Binah (Understanding), Chesed (Kindness), Gevurah (Severity), Tiferet (Beauty), Netzach (Eternity), Hod (Glory), Yesod (Foundation), and Malkhut (Kingship). Each sephirah represents a distinct quality, such as wisdom, mercy, or endurance, and has its own spiritual significance and connection to the divine energy that sustains the universe.
The sephirot are not only an abstract concept used in theoretical discussions but are also contemplated upon and experienced through meditation and other spiritual practices. By understanding, attuning to, and embodying the sephirotic energy, Kabbalists aim to foster personal growth, spiritual transformation, and an alignment with the divine will.
The word "sephirot" is derived from the Hebrew word "sephirah", which means "counting" or "enumeration". In the context of Kabbalah, the mystical Jewish tradition, the term refers to the ten emanations or divine attributes of God. These attributes are understood as the channels through which God interacts with the world and are represented in the Tree of Life diagram in Kabbalistic teachings. The plural form "sephirot" is used to indicate the ten emanations collectively.