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A Poem for the Sefirot as a Wheel of Light by Naftali Bacharach (17th Century) Timeline English version by Jerome Rothenberg and Harris Lenowitz Original Language Hebrew Jewish 17th Century (the rim) & going 'round the ten sefirot of the ball & orbit of the world of first space . . . . . . . . . (the spokes) 1 crown light from light extreme light 2 wisdom splendor from splendor hidden light 3 understanding sparkle from sparkle sparkling light 4 greatness splendor from splendor pure light 5 power light from splendor of light pure 6 beauty sparkle from light light shining 7 victory light from sparkle light refined 8 majesty splendor from sparkle light bright 9 foundation sparkle from splendor purer light pure pure 10 kingdom most precious precious shining light is     -- from A Big Jewish Book: Poems and Other Visions of the Jews from Tribal Times to the Present, Edited by Jerome Rothenberg Amazon.com   / Photo by Gaetan Lee /	Themes   Crown   Light       Recommended Books A Big Jewish Book: Poems and Other Visions of the Jews from Tribal Times to the Present, Edited by Jerome Rothenberg
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

This is not really a poem in the normal sense. It is actually a translation into verse form of a Kabbalistic meditation image, the Kabbalistic Tree of Life envisioned as a circle. It is a mandala of Hebrew characters drawn in the shape of a wheel with the writing forming spokes and a rim.

Picture each of the 'spoke' lines emanating from a center point -- as they represent the Sefirot emanating from God. The 'rim' line encircles them -- as the awareness of the Kabbalist moves reverently through the Sefirot, seeking to comprehend their nature, and finally following them back to the center.

This 'poem' becomes a visual as well as an intellectual meditation. When approached deeply, this wheel of light brings the emanated shafts of light (that are awareness and the manifestation of creation) back to the center of light.

most precious precious
shining light is

Whatever our spiritual tradition, may we learn to release our desperate grasp upon the outer world and allow ourselves to be drawn back to the stillpoint, the center of light.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.