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By the blessing of G-d ב״ה

With the help of heaven בס״ד

Everything belongs to Hashem לה״ו

“Put not your trust in princes—in the son of man there is not a savior.”^[8]

CaVOD – Glory – כבוד

tzedek and tzedakah
As the sun brings rain to open the earth
For salvation and growth (Isa. 45:8)^[14]

This work is ©Copyrighted 2009.
Permission to duplicate, reuse, and redistribute materials herein is granted for non-profit purposes.
I can be reached at: “jeffspieg” ‘at’ “gmail” ‘dot’ “com”.

‘... yet a man in the world to issue praise of the female...’^[15] – שאה

This manual (frame version) will prepare one to hear the words of God, see authentic visions, smell the supernal beauty, touch his/her Grace, and taste the delights of Eden. Study the manual by browsing the table of contents at the end of each web page, links, and footnotes. Let your spirit be your guide and the Ribono Shel Olam (the Master of the World) will reveal what you need to learn next. The work focuses on learning spirituality through sacrifice, character improvement, and the theoretical, meditative, and practical kabbalah. This manual uses prayer, Midrash, Torah, Mussar, kabbalah, and meditation to inspire the soul. While I have written down some of my own meditative journeys, in the final analysis one must choose one’s own path and with the blessing of G-d reveal another true path to the Infinite.

The Hebrew title for this work is Cavod – כבוד that means glory^{[17],[18],[19],[20]}, the light of tiferet, the heart of Jacob; honor, Torah and truth. The gematria of Kavod is Thirty-two. The Thirty-two Paths of Wisdom or the Tree of Life are ten sefirot: Keter – crown, Hochmah – wisdom, Binah – understanding, Hesed – kindness, Gevurah – discipline, Tiferet – beauty, Netzah – victory, Hod – acceptance, Yesod – righteousness, and Malchut – spirituality. There are twenty-two Hebrew letter paths: Aleph – energy, Bet – house, Gimel – fertility, Dalet – knowledge, Heh – feminine spirit, Vav – children, Zayin – tools, Het – fences of protection, Tet – creativity, Yod – divine spark, Caph – helping hand, Lamed – learning, Mem – wisdom, Nun – falling to climb once more, Samech – rest and contentment, Ayin – seeing and cleansing, Peh – opening up, Tzaddik – commandments to holiness, Koof – laughter, Resh – war and peace, Shin – intelligence, and Tav – goodness. To learn God’s commandments for all people see the Garden of Eden and Noahide Laws. To understand the spirit of patriotism: see euphoria and spiritual similarity.

Nutrition, herbs, diet and exercise help us take care of our aging, back, teeth, digestion (Vit.B, Zinc, MSM), hair, head, heart, joints, mind, muscles, skin, and vision so that we may take care of others. Studying the night sky, music, seeking the names of God, numbers, writing and prophecy are keys for opening spiritual doors. Spending time with children, in nature, walking in Israel, and observing holidays brings us to joy and happiness. Studying astronomy, biology, chemistry, cosmology, geology, quantum physics, time and space, etc. increases appreciation. History, philosophy and religion help separate the silver from the dross of cabala. Within Kavod, one will find the soul of Christianity. The Nefesh – body relates to physical health as the Ruach – spirit relates to mental health. The Neshamah – soul relates to moral health. The Chaya – community is the [21]. Finally, Yechidah is divine connection, which gives us hope and faith that everything will work out for the best. Improving our conversations and conflict approaches improves our ability to relate with each other and involves all seven qualities of the image of G-d.²¹

For easy browsing, there is an abbreviated table of contents at the end of each web page.

Psalm 29 presents the word ‘Kavod’ four times, twice as honor and twice as glory. Kavod associates with the sefira of Tiferet.^[22] Tiferet has the color of violet when it represents the honor of G-d, violet being the color of royalty. Tiferet has the color yellow when it represents the glory of God, yellow being the color of sunlight. The four Kavods correspond to the four temples in the worlds of Asiyah, Yetzirah, Beriyah, and Atzulut.

A Psalm by David. Render to the Lord, children of the mighty, render to the Lord honor and strength. Render to the Lord honor due to His Name; bow down to the Lord in resplendent holiness. The VOICE of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over mighty waters. The VOICE of the Lord resounds with might; the VOICE of the Lord resounds with majesty. The VOICE of the Lord breaks cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them leap like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The VOICE of the Lord strikes flames of fire. The VOICE of the Lord makes the desert tremble; the Lord causes the desert of Kadesh to tremble. The VOICE of the Lord causes does to calve, and strips the forests bare; and in His Sanctuary all proclaim His glory. The Lord sat at the Flood; the Lord will sit as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.^[23]

The psalm mentions seven voices, each day a voice goes forth and proclaims His glory.^[24]

The season is Sukkot, the seventh day is Hoshana Rabbah as the Zohar discusses further:^[27]

The second verse of the Shema alludes to the eighth voice, which will usher in the World to Come.

The mystery of ‘forever and ever’ alludes to the eighth voice for the day that will last forever, the day of immor[30]lity. Where is this day?³⁰ It is located in the fifth glory, the fifth world, O[31]m Habah – the World to Come.³¹ The second verse of the Shema contains the word for glory; He is the light of the World to Come. There, Ribono shel Olam brings about the resurrection of the dead[32] The eighth voice is the voice of song as the Zohar teaches:³²

“His place” is Olam Habah – the World to Come. The Zohar teaches that Torah learning has the level of Tiferet while prophecy is lower at Netzah and Hod.^[33] The spirit of holiness is lower still, at Malchut with the Shechinah. Thus, the higher level is accessible to us all. In the final analysis by studying Torah lishmah – ‘for its own sake’ all things are [34]ssible.³⁴

What, now, is the difference between those who study the Torah and the faithful prophets? The former are ever superior, since they stand on a higher level. Those who study the Torah stand in a place called Tiferet (Beauty), which is the pillar of all faith, whereas the prophets stand lower in the place called Netzah (Victory) and Hod (Majesty); and those who merely speak in the spirit of holiness stand lower still. He who studies the Torah needs neither peace offerings nor burnt offerings, since the Torah is superior to all and the bond of faith; wherefore it is written “Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace” (Prov. III, 17), and also, “Great peace have they which love thy law and they have no occasion for stumbling” (Ps. CXIX, 165).’

From Mishnah Avot 6, we learn the power of lishmah to raise one out of the dust and ashes to walk upon the clouds of glory:

R. MEIR SAID: WHOEVER OCCUPIES HIMSELF WITH THE TORAH FOR ITS OWN SAKE, ACQUIRES BY MERIT MANY THINGS, NAY MORE, THE WHOLE OF THE WORLD IS WORTH WHILE FOR HIS SAKE. HE IS CALLED A FRIEND, A BELOVED, ONE THAT LOVES THE ALL-PRESENT, ONE THAT LOVES [HIS FELLOW-] CREATURES. ONE THAT GLADDENS GOD, ONE THAT GLADDENS MAN; AND IT [I. E. THE TORAH] CLOTHES HIM WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR, AND FITS HIM TO BE RIGHTEOUS, PIOUS, UPRIGHT AND FAITHFUL; IT ALSO KEEPS HIM FAR FROM SIN, AND BRINGS HIM NEAR TO MERIT [ORIOUS CONDUCT]; AND MEN BENEFIT FROM HIM BY [WAY OF] COUNSEL, SOUND KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND STRENGTH, AS IT IS SAID, COUNSEL IS MINE AND SOUND WISDOM; I AM UNDERSTANDING, POWER IS MINE; AND IT GIVES HIM SOVEREIGNTY AND DOMINION, AND [THE FACULTY TO BE] SEARCHING IN JUDGMENT; AND THEY REVEAL TO HIM THE SECRET MEANINGS OF THE TORAH,^[35] AND HE IS MADE AS A WELL THAT EVER GATHERS FORCE, AND LIKE A STREAM THAT NEVER CEASES; AND HE BECOMES MODEST, LONG-SUFFERING AND FORGIVING OF INSULT TOWARDS HIMSELF; AND IT MAKES HIM GREAT, AND EXALTS HIM ABOVE ALL THE WORKS [OF GOD].

The principle of lishmah is defined in Talmud Pesachim 50b:

Raba contrasted [two verses]. It is written, “For thy mercy is great unto the heavens”; whereas it is also written, “For thy mercy is great above the heavens”? How is this [to be explained]? Here it refers to those who perform [God's behest] for its own sake; there it refers to those who perform [it] with an ulterior motive. And [this is] in accordance with Rab Judah. For Rab Judah said in Rab's name: “A man should always occupy himself with Torah and good deeds, though it is not for their own sake, for out of [doing good] with an ulterior motive there comes [doing good] for its own sake.”

Tiferet represents Torah study. Yet above, we find Hesed and Gevurah. This teaches that a person by acts of loving-kindness and self-discipline arrives at a level even above Torah study. One rises to Hesed by charity and helping others where women often excel. Gevurah requires one to have reached the level of stoicism that is a detachment from praise and insult. Nevertheless, Torah study inspires one to acts of kindness and discipline, while the lack of Torah study leads to apathy, has vshalom.

Features:

Recommended Kabbalah links:

Hebrew scribe letter writing

Mechon Mamre side-by-side Hebrew – English bible. Recommended

Mechon Mamre side-by-side Hebrew – English 248 Positive and 365 Negative Commandments

Maqom’s excellent Torah learning site with guided meditations too. Recommended

Nechama Lebowitz outstanding Torah commentary

^[1] Words of a Holocaust survivor when choosing not to cooperate with the Nazis in the movie “The Ninth Day” story about Jean Bernard, also see ‎4.8.2.1 p. 254 and Meditation ‎8-5: Love Again and Text ‎8-11: “For the Beauty of the Earth” p. 341.

^[2] Jeremiah sitcom series, “The Bag”

^[3] Job 12:7-8

^[4] Psalm 107:33 – יוסף נתן בן רב אברהם צבי. See Meditation ‎14-5: Eloah God as Creator p. 536 for an explanation of the Name אל_*וה.

^[5] Psalm 137:5 – There are 22 Hebrew letters as well.

^[6] See ‎30.7.2, Perkei Avot 2:5

^[7] See ‎15.1

^[8] Psalm 146:3

^[9] Isaiah 43:10

^[10] Isaiah 45:5,18

^[11] Text ‎9-1: R. Judah Albotini’s Ladder of Ascent p.365

^[12] See ‎2.2.3.1. Penny wise and pound foolish, in anger we lose insight and intelligence and cannot see the bigger picture.

^[13] Quality is a relationship that we develop with our work. See “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance”. Quality products are a result of this relationship.

^[14] The story is told of two tzadiks, one who dresses in a warm coat and fur hat and another who has little clothing. Yet, the later lights a fire to keep himself warm, which warms others as well. Ancient inspiring form: Text ‎26-50: Psalm 85:11-14

^[15] See Text ‎2-5: father letters --- mother letters and ‎8.2.1.2 on the 7^th day of the Counting of the Omer p.330

^[16] See ‎15.4, Finding ones Soul Mate, page 559
^[17] The four names of this book parallel the four worlds: ‘Glory’ in Atzulut, ‘Sabbath Holiness Israel’ in Beriyah, ‘Dancing with Angels’ in Yetzirah, ‘Jewish Kabbalah Meditation from Torah to Self-improvement to Prophecy’ in Asiyah. In the 4^th world we are reminded to T’skelet Mitzvot – to look at (keep) the commandments. Btzelal Roth haCohen taught we attend synagogue in the morning to remind us each day to keep commandments – Rosh Hodesh Elul 5766.
^[18] Jacob is the visitor at ones table on the 3^rd night of Sukkot.
^[19] Tiferet is center of the Tree of Life is the place of Torah academies in heaven the place of Truth balanced between mercy and judgment.
^[20] “Shabbas Kodesh, Shabbas Kodesh, Shabbas Kodesh l’Yisrael” – Holy Sabbath, Holy Sabbath, Holy Sabbath to Israel. A Hassidic rabbi from Israel brought his wife to Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto with an incurable disease. Each Shabbas he said these words over and over while he walked on his way. Even after his wife died he would not let his joy for the Shabbas diminish. He would also recite what seemed to be the entire book of psalms each Shabbas. He did everything to try to save her, even beyond his means, how he loved her. In the same way, the King of kings whose throne is in the World of Creation loves us.
^[21] Crucial Conversations, Patterson, Grenny, McMillan & Switzler, 2002
^[22] See Table ‎17-6: Sefirot and Colors—explaining that Kavod is the light of Tiferet
^[23] Psalm 29 representing Kavod amongst the Psalms of David. Translation from Siddur Tehillat Hashem, Nusach Ha-Ari Zal according to the Text of Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi by Rabbi Nissen Mangel, p.131.
^[24] The Bahir describes the seven voices and their relation to the seven sefirot: Kaplan Bahir #45,#49 pp. 17-18; pp. 117-119.
^[25] Hadar is ornament, splendor, honor, or glory. Tiferet alludes to beauty and adornment with ornaments. Honor which is Kavod is found in Tiferet.
^[26] Zohar 3:31b, Soncino 4:386
^[27] Ibid. through Zohar 3:32a
^[28] Bahir, Kaplan trans. #45, pp. 15-16, 117

^[29] Pesachim 56a, Midrash Deuteronomy Rabbah 2:31,35,36
^[30] Immortality is not a time that we should wait for to arrive, but a place that we are destined to see.
^[31] See Text ‎1-1: Psalm 29.
^[32] Zohar 3:30a, Soncino 4:382
^[33] Zohar 3:35a, Soncino 4:392
^[34] Zohar 3:35a
^[35] Alluding to the kabbalah and Psalm 25:14, “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him” Amos 3:7 “He hath revealed his secret to his servants the prophets.”
^[36] Encyclopedia Britannica 1998.

^[37] The yellow and violet background that is sometimes behind the website is called “Spinning Stars” and is based on a wallpaper from the People’s Commisar of alt.magick.
^[38] The Onyx Stone (Evven HasShoham), The Binding of Life (Tzeror HaChaim), Remnant of Joseph (Sheirut Yosef) discussed in Meditation and Kabbalah, Aryeh Kaplan trans. p.158.
^[39] Rav Avigdor Miller

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