Sefer ha-Yetzirah, 231 Gates Options

This book of formation is supposedly how God created / formulate all creations. Altought I'm still clueless on how to use this book, the 231 Gates are mentioned in this book a few times and I am curious what does it refers to?

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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/mfight.gif) Enlighten me pls (IMG:style_emoticons/default/flame.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/piss_old.gif)

Greetings! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ac42.gif)
I'm feeling totally outclassed and out of my element here. What little I know of the Kabala has been reinforced by listening to you two (DocHoliday & BrotherM) ramble on about Jewish mysticism.
A point, if you will, that refering to SY as not being of Western Theurgy has me puzzled. I was under the impression that the Kabala was Western Theurgy.?? True, we consider the land mass as 'Middle Eastern' but where does one draw the line philosophically? This point is, I think, off topic but I was curious.
Also, on topic, can the 231 paths described above have any relationship to Bardons (very Western) Key to the True Qabala? Also, another 'noob' question, in the older hebraic writings concerning Sefer ha-Yetzirah, there is no mention of Da'ath. Was this brought about by our nineteenth century occultists? And, to top off my incoherant ramblings, which system of Gematria do either of you favor? Thanks for any patient attention that you can give. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mf_bookread.gif)