Kernels and Shells...

[muninnskiss]

The blessed Holy One had to create everything in the world, arraying the world.  All consists of a kernel within, with several shells covering the kernel.  The entire world is like this, above and below, from the head of the mystery of the primordial point to the end of all rungs all is this within that, that within this, so that one is the shell of another, which is the shell of another.

The primordial point is inner radiance--there is no way to gauge its translucency, tenuity, or purity until an expanse expanded from it.  The expansion of that point became a palace, in which the point was clothed--a radiance unknowable, so intense its lucency.  This palace, a garment for that concealed primordial point, hidden and treassured.  That palace expanded an expanse: primordial light.  That expansion of primordial light is a garment for the palace, which is a gossamer, translucent radiance, deeper within.  From here on, this expands into this, this is clothed in this, so that this is a garment for this, and this for this.  This, the kernel; this, the shell.  Although a garment, it becomes the kernel of another layer.

Everything is fashioned the same way below, so that a human in this world manifests this image: kernel and shell, spirit and body.  All for the arrayal of the world, and so the world is.

~Zohar 1:19b-20a (Pritzker Edition, Volume 1, Pg. 151-152)

Ain Soph is a shell for Ain.  Ain Soph Ohr is a shell for Ain Soph.  Kether is a shell for Ain Soph Ohr.  Chokmah is a shell for Kether.  Binah is a shell for Chokmah.  Chesed is a shell for Binah.  Geburah is a shell for Chesed.  Tipherah is a shell for Geburah.  Netzach is a shell for Tipherah.  Hod is a shell for Netzach.  Yesod is a shell for Hod.  Malkuth is a shell for Yesod.  The material world is a shell for Malkuth.

The Primordial Point is Chokmah, Wisdom.  The Palace is Binah, Understanding.  The Primordial Light (Let there be light...) is Chesed, Mercy.  The separation of the Light from the Darkness is Gebuarah, Judgement.

The Divine Sparks are the kernel.  The Yechidah is its shell.  The Chiah is the shell of the Yechidah, the Neshamah is the shell of the Chiah, the Ruach is the shell of the Neshamah, the Nefesh is the shell of the Ruach, and the body, the G'uph, is the shell of the Nefesh.

Everything is shells within shells, garments over garments.  G-d is uncomprehensible, our minds can't not perceive him.  So he is clothed in layer upon layer.  Each layer is easier for us to understand, and safer for us to think on.

FFF,
~Muninn's Kiss