I apologize for not having these answers ready by the end of the weekend. I've been quite busy with work, and am also experiencing some severe, contact-based alergic dermatitis (IMG:
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Having thought over things and referencing an English translation of Sa'adia Gaon's text of the SY (I'm still working through the Hebrew text), I hope that the following answers will prove adequate.
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The Aleph Gate in the SY has 231 letter pairs starting with what I described above as the first line. It then goes on to create 231 letter pairs for just the Aleph gate - I don't understand why you need to do this? Why can't you just combine Aleph with the other letters in one direction depending on what you want (creation / destruction)
Alef comes before Beth, yet Beth is the first letter used in the Torah. Beth is a fixed point, from which one begins and moves forward (the letter is closed on all sides but one). Aflef, coming before the fixed point of origin is open. One could say that it encompasses all. Hence, Alef possessing it's own set of 231 letter pairs.
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Is that the correct order to recite them in? or do you have to follow the order of creation detailed in the Bereshith?
Judaism, in all its incarnations over the ages, follows a linear, yet cyclic pattern. The creation of the Tabernacle mirrors that of creation. The laws regarding what is and is not permitted on the Sabbath is taken from the creation of the Tabernacle. The cycle of holy days (beginning with Passover and ending with the Festival of Booths) follows the emergence of the Jewish people, starting with the Exodus from Egypt. through the giving of the Torah, to the entry into the Holy Land. Even one's daily rituals have a similar format.
Given this, it is my belief that one should follow the order of creation in working with the Alef-Beth on the ToL. This is, most likely, what the first Kabbalists had in mind when the SY was penned.
However, in spite of my obvious bias in favour of a more Judaic approach (which even I deviate from at times), the Hermetic permutations of the Kabbalah have proven themselves valid. Since they are valid, one need not follow the Judaic pattern in order to attain their desired results.
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For each letter pair, how many times do you recite it? Which vowel sounds do you use? Do you always use the same vowel sounds for each letter in the pair at one time?
This is a difficult question to answer, as prior to R. Abalufia, there is no written record of the vocalization of letter pairs. Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure which pile of books in which my guide to Kabbalistic meditation is buried. When I find it, I can post the proper vowel sounds to go with the pairs (along with head motions, if so desired).
That said, one recites each pair seven times, once for each vowel (pathah, holem, hirik, zere, seggol, kamatz, kubbutz). I do not know the order off the top of my head. Once I locate my book, I will post the order, and more than likely ammend the vowel list (certain vowels tend to "double" each other).
Edit to add the following:
A link to a translation of an excerpt of Sa'adia Gaon's Judeo-Arabic commentary on the SY, regarding the 231 gatesThis post has been edited by DocHolliday: Jul 7 2005, 09:34 AM
Sefer ha-Yetzirah, 231 Gates
| Kinjo Sefer ha-Yetzirah Mar 24 2005, 02:49 PM
Mar 24 2005, 02:49 PM
