Cabala Hebraeorum, by Athanasius Kircher (from Oedipus Aegyptiacus, 2:1, 1652)

CLASSIS IV.
CABALA HEBRAEORVM,
ID EST
De Allegorica Hebræorum veterum Sapientia, Cabalæ
Aegyptiacæ & hieroglyphicæ parallela, qua noui ad hie-
roglyphicæ disciplinæ expositionem fontes aperiun-
tur, & superstitiosæ doctrinæ radices indican-
tur, & conuelluntur.

ILLVSTRISSIMO ATQVE EXCELLENTISSIMO
DOMINO, DOMINO
B E R N A R D O
S. R. I. COMITI DE MARTINITZ,
S.C. Maiestatis Consiliario, & Camerario intimo, nec non magno Regni Bohemiæ Burggrauio,
D O M I N O M E O C O L E N D I S S I M O.

VERERER sanè, S.R.I. Comes Excellentissime, ne communes humanitatis, gratitudinisque leges longè transgrederer, si qualemcunque studiorum meorum partem Tibi non deferrem, quem corundem semper & fautorem & promotorem expertus sum prorsus studiosissimum. Dum itaque Magni Cæsaris, vt nôsti, iussu difficem huius Ægyptiaci operis aleam subirem, diu sanè animo anceps perplexusque hæsi, cuinam in tanta argumentorum varietate, quali præsens opus refertum spectatur, mean de Hebræorum Cabala Diatriben potissimum inscriberem. Tu tandem, Vir magne, occurristi, quem vti abstrusionis huiusmodi doctrinæ penetralia iam dudum penitiùs, altiùsque subijsse nôram; ita de arcanis quosque, quæ expositurus sum, mysterijs solidius firmiusque iudicium dare posse confidebam. Accipe itaque hanc veluti perpetuam quandam mei in te amoris & beneuolentiæ tesseram. Quòd si studium hoc meum Tuo sanè limatissirao iudicio non vndequaque responderit; non tam conatus, quàm mei in Te affectus magnitudinem ratam habeas. Vale.

[210]

CABALA HEBRAEORVM.

Clemens Alex. lib. 6. Stromat.

PRAEFATIO.

In Hebræorum Ecclesia fuisse doctrinam quandam de Deo, diuinisque nominibus, de Messia humani generis Redemptore, de Angelis & Dæmonibus, de admirandis, quæ in hac mundana machina elucescunt, diuinæ clementiæ & bonitatis operibus, à protoplasto Adamo oretenus filijs suis traditam, & in totam deinde successinam poteritatem diffusam propagatamque, in I I. Classe fusè ostendimus. Quod si quis præsumptuosius negare ausus fuerit, is & SS. Patrum consensui, occultisque diuinæ prouidentiæ semitis pari temeritate se contradicturum nouerit. Qualis tamen illa fuerit, vti in tam inaccesse antiquitatis tenebris occultum iacet, ita difficile quoque est, ad veram eius rationem, notionemque determinandam, pertingere. Quantum tamen sagaci mentis scrutinio inuestigare licuit, & quantum ex Authorum veterum monumentis, singula cum singulis combinando, eruere potui, puto, imò sine hæsitatione affirmo, aliam eam non fuisse, nisi illam doctrinam Mosaicam, quam oretenus succedentibus sibi Iudicibus traditam, Hebræorum Theologi Cabalam, id est, acceptionem vocant, atque insignibus fœcundam sacramentis, Ægyptiorum (teste Clemente Alex.) mysterijs haud ab similibus astruunt. Siquidem curiosissimos Ægyptiorum, Chaldæorumque Mystas primorum Patriarcharum consuetudine vsos, multa eorundem in sua penuaria traduxisse, is solus ignorare poterit, qui mysteriorum hieroglyphicorum cum Cabalieis affinitatem insignem non perspexerit. Quia tamen nihil tam sanctum, nihil tam diuinum est, quod non superstitiosorum hominum temeritate successu temporum contaminetur; dum quisque pro arbitrio suo, & vertiginosi cerebri libitu, diuinos arcanosque in sacrosancta Scriptura latentes sensus explicare, corrigere, applicatre, atque ad illegitimos vsus torquere satagit; factum est, vt & dicta Cabala, perfidorum Rabbinorum nequitia, & intolerabili impostura, omnium damnatarum artium Officina, & vnicum nefandorum dogmatum penuarium euaserit. Vnde quod in libris Machabæorum logitur de impijs Gentilium machinationibus, qui olim ex libris sacris simulachrorum suorum similitudines scrutabantur, id nunc de Rabbinis, Cabalistis, Thalmudistisque asseri posse videtur. Hi enim diuinâ lege abutentes, hunc vnicum præoculis scopum habere videntur, vt per puncta, apices, immutationes, Arithmeticas supputationes, Gametrica figmenta, metatheses litterarum, acrostychides, & pessime concinnata anagrammata, arcana Theologicæ sacramenta in errorum materiam, & concatenatas erronearum artium abyssos cum extrema animarum ruina pertrabant. Quam quidem Cabalam non tantùm prohibitam, sed & meritò esse, tanquam bonis moribus, & laudabilibus Ecclesiæ institutis è diametro repugnantem, iam dudum proscriptam, & à summis Pontificibus eliminatam [211] assero, vti ex celeberrima Bulla Clementis VIII. fel. recordationis abbo 1593. contra huiusmodi Nouatores, bonorumque morum euersores edita patet, vbi summus Pontifex, summâ verborum Ui, efficacia, & exaggeratione, censurarumque ecclesiasticarum minis, eandem mirum in modum exagitat, omnesque qui damnosa huiusmodi opera secum, non obtenta licentia, tenet, aut quæ in ijsdem continentur, fidem adhibent, sacræ Inquisitionis tribunali subijcit; quam proinde Bullam omnes relegant, & seriò expendant, consulo, vti & ea, quæ in Catalogo librorum prohibitorum de regulis contra huiusmodi vsurpantes procedendi præscriptis, amplè describuntur. Cùm itaque, si vnquam, certè hoc seculo huiusmodi suspectarum artium maleseriatæ disciplinæ vigeant, & nescio qui præposterus curiosorum hominum periculosam hanc & plenam erroribus doctrinam affectantium pectora pruritus possideat, agitetque, dum Dæmonis persuasione perciti, nescio quid altum, sublime, mirificum, atque adeo prorsus diuinum illi subesse sibi persuadent; mearum partium esse ratus sum, virulentum hunc ingeniorum pruritum refrænare, & inutilem muscas in telis nullo fundamento nixis captantium conatum cohibere. Quod hoc tam opportunâ occasione, ad honorem Dei, & ad S. Matris Ecclesiæ emolumentum, iam à multo te,pore à SS. Officij Tribunali ad id incitatus præstandum duxi. Hoc dum facio, nihil in ea ex propria sententia dictum, factum, expositum velim, sed ex veterum Rabbinorum mente & attestatione; in hoc vnicum collimans, vt improba reprobem, heterodoxa confutem, detestanda exercrer, periculosa errorum superstitionumque ocurrentium præcipitia, quibus curiosi & imperiti Lectores se intricare possent, cautè ostendam, de latente demonum astutia incautos commonefaciam; vt sic tandem solus Dei honor & gloria, cui laboro, & vna animarum salus promoueatur. Altera verò assumpti tam ardui molminis ratio, ipsius argumenti quod tracto, necessitas fuit. Cùm enim, vti diximus, Hebræorum mysteria similia sint mysterijs Ægyptiorum, id est per obscuris ænigmatum nodis intricata, varijsque allegoricarum locutionum inuolueris tecta veluti in abysso quadam laceant; iure suo Oedipum requirere videbantur, qui nodos solueret, caliginem detegeret, rebusque lucem afferret; atque sic tandem parallela quadam comparatione, inter Hebræorum Ægyptiorumque sapientiam instituta, vna alteram illustraret, ac demum, quod intendimus, hieroglyphicæ doctrinæ veritas tot veterum dogmatis comprobata, mundo propalaretur. Atque hisce præmonitis, iam propositum nobis argumentum cum bono Deo ordiamur.

CAPVT I. De Kabalæ definitione, & diuisione.
ABALAH äìá÷, à verbo ìá÷ Kibbel, quod accipere significat, deducta vox, idem est atque acceptio; quòd videlicet äôìòá benghalpeh, vt Rabbini loquuntur, hoc est, oretenus à primis Patribus tradita, & à posteris successiuè accepta sit scientia: vnde sic definitur: Cabala est diuinarum humanarumque rerum arcana, per Mosaicæ legis typum, allegorico sensu tradita & insinuata facultas. Quæ cum nullo rationis discursu, nec calamno, sed auditu tantùm [212] ac fide recipiatur, Cabalam, id est, receptionem appellare eam veteribus libuit. Alij sic definiunt: Cabala est diuinæ reuelationis, ad salutiferam Dei, & formarum separatarum contemplationem, traditæ symbolica receptio; quam qui cœlesti, vt Cabalici opinantur, sortiuntur afflatu, recto nomine Cabalici vocantur.	Definitio Cabalæ.
[312] Atque hæ sunt triginta duæ semitæ, quas ex capite primo Genesis eruunt éàçøé ïá ïåòîù éáø Rasbi, R. Ioseph Haaruch, ijsque singulis sua nomina ab effectibus deducta, imponunt Hageonim. Verù subiungamus nomina singulorum ex Pardes extracta.	R. Rasbi R. Ioseph Haaruch.
Prima semita vocatur Intelligentia admirabilis, Corona summa. Est enim lumen dans intelligere primordium sine principio, & est gloria prima; nulla creatura valet assequi existentiam eius. id est, intelligentia abscondita, occulta omnibus, quæ extra eam sunt, à Aleph, principium & caput omnium; est siquidem à forma omnium literarum, & omnes semitæ in ea sunt, sed per modum vniuersalem; hinc per metathesin dicitur àìô, id est, admirabilis, quod retrograda lectione idem est ac óìà Aleph, iuxta illud, Vocatur nomen eius admirabilis, Deus fortis, &c.
[Tr. A.E. Waite: from The Holy Kabbalah, ultimately based on Sepher Yetzirah: "The 1st path is called the Admirable Intelligence, the Supreme Crown. It is the light which imparts understanding of the beginning which is without beginning, and this also is the First Splendor. No created being can attain to its essence."]
Secunda semita est, intelligentia illuminans, & est corona creationis, & splendor vnitatis maximè æqualis, quæ super omne caput est exaltata, & vocatur à Cabalistis gloria secunda. Vocatur autem illuminans, quia cùm sit origo totius creationis, notior est consequenter priore, quæ est óåñ ïéà Ensuph, intelligentia abscondita, & ideo hæc semita vocatur etiam modus adæquationis. ita Radak in hunc locum Ietsiræ.	Radak. ["The 2nd path is called the Illuminating Intelligence. It is the Crown of Creation and the splendor of the Supreme Unity, to which it is most in proximity. It is exalted above every head and is distinguished by Kabbalists as the Second Splendor."]
Tertia semita vocatur intelligentia santificans, & est basis sapientiæ primordialis, quæ vocatur artifex fidei, & radices eius ïîà, & est, parens fidei, quia de virtute eius fides emanat; respondet autem tertiæ Sephiræ seu mensuræ, quæ äðéá Binah seu intelligentia dicitur; quia per hanc exitus sapientiæ in omnes numerationes. Verùm de hoc ample discurrentem vide librum intitulatum Bareschith Rabba.	Author libri Bareschith Rabba. ["The 3rd path is called the Sanctifying Intelligence and is the foundation of Primordial Wisdom, termed the Creation of Faith. It is the mother of Faith, which truly emanates therefrom."]
Quarta semita vocatur intelligentia metalis seu receptacularis, eò quò in eam tanquam in metam ex superioribus Intelligentijs delatæ, ab ea emanant omnes virtutes spirituales per subtilitatem, quâ vna ab altera in virtute coronæ summæ emanat, vocaturque idealis effluxus.	["The 4th path is called the Arresting or Receiving Intelligence because it arises like a boundary to receive the emanations of the higher intelligences which are sent down to it. From here all spiritual virtues subtly emanate, which itself emanates from the Supreme Crown."]
Quinta semita intelligentia vocatur radicatiua, eò quòd illa est ipsa vnitas maximè æqualis, qua coadunat se cum ipsa äðéá intelligentia, quæ emanat è penetralibus sapientiæ primordialis. Virtutes superioribus semitis in hanc quintam semitam delatæ, & radicatæ, æqualesque suerunt, quando ab hac semita in inferiores deducuntur, transeunt, & mutantur pro varijs [313] hominum moribus vel in misericordiam, vel in seueritatem & iudicium; de qua vide Pardes.	["The 5th path is called the Radical Intelligence, because it is more akin than any other the Supreme Unity and emanates from the depths of the Primordial Wisdom."]
Sexta semita intelligentia dicitur influentiæ mediantis, eò quòd in ea multiplicentur influxus emanationum; illa enim facit influere affluentiam istam in omnes benedictionum piscinas, quæ vniuntur in ipsa. Dicitur hæc semita aquarum.	["The 6th path is called the Intelligence of Mediating Influence, because the flux of the emanations is multiplied therein. It communicates this affluence to those blessed and united with it. "]
Septima emita vocatur Intelligentia recondita, eò quòd illa sit splendor refulgens in omnes virtutes intellectuales, quæ oculis intellectus, & fidei contemplatione perspiciuntur. Dicitur obscondita, quia illa non comprehenditur nisi per intelligentias numerationum; & sic distinguitur à prima semita, quòd illa incomprehensibilis sit, hæc comprehensibilis; diciturque semita intellectualium substantiarum.	["The 7th path is called the Hidden Intelligence, because it pours out a brilliant splendor on all intellectual virtues which are looked upon with the eyes of the spirit and by the ecstasy of faith."]
Octaua semita vocatur Intelligentia perfecta & absoluta, eò quò illa sit apparatus primordialis, quæ non habet radicem, cui inhæreat, nisi in penetralibus Sephiræ, quæ Magnificentia dicitur, emanat que de propria ipsius subsistentia. Dicitur semita viuentium in aquis.	["The 8th path is called the Perfect and Absolute Intelligence. From which the preparation of principles emanates. The roots to which it adheres are in the depth of the Sphere Magnificence, from the very substance of which it emanates."]
Nona semita dicitur Intelligentia munda, eò quòd ipsa mundet numerationes, & probet emendetque exscissionem imaginis earum, disponatque vnitatem earum, quæ ipsi vniuntur absque detruncatione & diuisione. Dicitur semita emundationis rerum.	["The 9th path is called the Purified Intelligence. It purifies the numerations, prevents and stays the fracture of their images, for it establishes their unity, to preserve them from destruction and division by their union with itself (Or, disposes their unity with which they are combined without diminution or division)."]
Decima semita vocatur Intelligentia resplendens, eò quòd illa super omne caput exaltata sit, & sedeat in sede Binah, illuminetque fulgorem omnium luminarium, & emanare faciat copiam principi facierum. Dicitur semita varietatis rerum.	["The 10th path is called the Resplendent (dazzling) Intelligence, because it is exalted above every head and has it seat in power in the Principal of Forms (Causes a supply of influence to emanate from the Principal of Countenances)."]
Vndecima semita, Intelligentia dicitur fulgida, eò quòd ipsa est cortina ordinata iuxta dispositiones & ordinem semitarum superiorum & inferiorum, & est dignitas quædam data ipsi, vt stet coram facie causaæ causarum.	["The 11th path is called the Fiery Intelligence. It is the veil placed before the disposition and order of the path is in the enjoyment of greater dignity; to possess it is to be face to face with the Cause of Causes."]
Duodecima semita dicitur Intelligentia claritatis, eò quòd ipsa species sit magnificentiæ, locusque dicitur, de quo oritur visio videntium in apparitione. Vnde per eam vaticinium acquiritur, & ad quadrigam summam peruenitur.	["The 12th path is called the Intelligence of Light (or of Transparency, in the French version), because it is the image of magnificence. It is said to be the source of vision of those who behold apparitions."]
[314] Decima tertia semita dicitur Intelligentia inductiua vnitatis, eò quòd illa sit ipsa substantia gloriæ, & perficiat singulorum spiritualium veritatem. Omnes semitæ, quæ se vnitati supremæ vniunt, vniunt se per hanc decimam tertiam semitam, Nam ãçà in numerum resolutum dat 13.	["The 13th path is called the Inductive Intelligence of Unity. It is the substance of glory, and it manifests truth to every spirit."]
Decima quarta semita dicitur Intelligentia illuminans, eò quòd ipsa est Chasmal, institutrix arcanorum, & fundamentorum sanctitatis, & apparatus eorum. Dicitur semita arcanorum in rebus creatis inexistentium.	["The 14th path is called the Illumination (Luminous) Intelligence. It is the institutor of arcana, the foundation of holiness."]
Decima quinta semita dicitur Intelligentia constitutiua, eò quòd ipsa constituat creationem in caligine munda, & Philosophi dixerunt quòd illa ipsa sit caligo, de qua scriptura loquitur Iob 38. Et caligo inuolucrum eius. Dicitur & semita apertionis luminum.	["The 15th path is called the Constituting Intelligence, because it constitutes creation in the darkness of the world. According to philosophers, it is the darkness mentioned by Scripture (Job 38.9), cloud and the envelope thereof."]
Decima sexta semita dicitur Intelligentia triumphans & æterna, eò quòd illa est voluptas gloriæ, quæ ipsi similis sit, & vocatur paradisus voluptatis, qui paratus est iustis. Dicitur & semita victoriæ contra genios malos.	["The 16th path is called the Triumphant or Eternal Intelligence, the delight of glory, the paradise of pleasure prepared for the deserved."]
Decima septima semita dicitur Intelligentia dispositiua, quæ aptat pijs fidelitatem, vt per eam induantur Spiritu sancto, diciturque fundamentum pulchritudinis in statu superiorum. Et præest omnibus formis superioribus & inferioribus.	["The 17th path is called the Disposing Intelligence. It disposes the devout to perseverance and thus prepares them to receive the Holy Spirit (the path of Life and Death)."]
Decima octaua semita dicitur Intelligentia siue domus affluentiæ, eò quòd de medio scrutationis eius trahuntur arcana, & abditi sensus, qui latent in vmbra eius, & qui adhærent scrutatinio ipseitatis eius de causa causarum.	["The 18th path is called the Intelligence of House of Influence (by the greatness of whose abundance the influx of good things upon created beings is increased), and from there are drawn the arcana and the concealed meanings which rest in its shadow."]
Decima nona semita dicitur intelligentia secreti, vel omnium actiuitatum spiritualium, eò quòd affluentia sit, quæ diffunditur in eam de benedictione^ altissima, & gloria sublimi seu excelsa.* Est semita affluentiæ in omnes numerationes.	* vel piscina ["The 19th path is called the Intelligence of the Secret of all Spiritual Activities. The fullness which it receives derives from the highest benediction and the supreme glory."]
Vigesima semita dicitur Intelligentia voluntatis, eò quòd illa est apparatus omnium & singulorum creatorum, & per hanc innotescit existentia sapientiæ primordialis. Est semita arcanorum sapientiæ.	["The 20th path is called the Intelligence of Will. It prepares all created beings, each individually, for the demonstration of the existence of the primordial glory."]
Vigesima prima semita dicitur Intelligentia complacentiæ quæsiti, eò quòd [315] illa accipit influentiam diuinam, vt influent de benedictione^ eius in omnia & singula existentia.*	* l. piscina ["The 21st path is called the Rewarding Intelligence of those who seek (the Intelligence of Desire). It receives the divine influence, and it influences by its blessing all existing things."]
Vigesima secunda semita dicitur Intelligentia fidelis, eò quòd in manu eius commendatæ sunt virtutes spirituales, & fouentur per eam, vt propè adsint habitantibus sub umbra eius.	["The 22nd path is called the Faithful Intelligence, because spiritual virtues are deposited and augment therein, until they pass to those who dwell under its shadow."]
Vigesima tertia semita dicitur Intelligentia stabilita, eò quòd illa sit virtus consistentiæ omnibus numerationibus.	["The 23rd path is called the Stable Intelligence. It is the source of consistency in all numerations."]
Vigesima quarta semita dicitur Intelligentia imaginatiua, eò quòd illa det similitudinem omnibus similitudinibus creatorum.	["The 24th path is called the Imaginative Intelligence. It is the ground of similarity in the likeness of beings who are created to its agreement, and after its aspects."]
Vigesima quinta semita dicitur Intelligentia tentatiua; eò quòd illa sit tentatio primaria, quâ Deus tentat omnes pios.	["The 25th path is called the Intelligence of Temptation or Trial, because it is the first temptation by which The Self tests the devout."]
Vigesima sexta semita dicitur Intelligentia renouans, eò quòd per illam omnia, quæ in creatione Mundi renouata fuerunt, renouet.	["The 26th path is called the Renewing Intelligence, for through this agency, renews all which is capable of renovation in the creation of the world."]
Vigesima septima semita dicitur intelligentia concitatiua, & est materia, de qua creata sunt omnia producta sub orbe supremo, & motus eorum.	["The 27th path is called the Natural Intelligence, whereby the nature of everything found in the orb of the sun is completed and perfected."]
Vigesima octaua semita dicitur intelligentia naturalis, eò quòd per eam perfecta est natura omnis existentis sub orbe Solis in perfectione.	["The 28th path is called the Active Intelligence, from this agency is created the spirit of every creature of the supreme orb, and the activity and the motion, to which they are subject."]
Vigesima nona semita dicitur intelligentia corporalis, eò quòd illa formet omne corpus, quod corporatur sub apparatu omnium orbium, & incrementus eorum.	["The 29th path is called the Corporeal Intelligence; it informs everybody which is incorporated under all orbs, and it is the growth thereof."]
Trigesima semita dicitur Intelligentia collectiua, eò quòd colligant ex ea Astrologi iudicio stellarum & signorum cœlestium speculationes suas; & perfectiones scientiæ suæ iuxta rationem volutionum eorum.	["The 30th path is called the Collective Intelligence. Astrologers, by the judgement of the stars and the heavenly signs, derive all speculation and the perfection of their science according to the motions of the stars."]
Trigesima prima semita dicitur Intelligentia collectiua pariter, quâ comprehendit omnes virtutes orbium & signorum cœlestium, & formas seu imagines, & rationes seu iudicia eorum.	["The 31th path is called the Perpetual Intelligence. It rules the movement of the sun and the moon according to their constitution and causes each to gravitate in its respective orb."]
[316] Trigesima secunda semita dicitur intelligentia adminicularis, eò quòd dirigat & concurrat ad omnes operationes septem planetarum, & ad partes eorum.	["The 32nd path is called the Assisting Intelligence, because it directs all the operations of the 7 planets, with their divisions, and concurs therein."]
Atque hæ sunt triginta duæ semitæ sapientiæ, quæ à sapientia suprema procedunt, & actuantur à Binah, hoc est, intelligentia. Dicuntur autem Intelligentiæ, eò quòd studiosum in lege dirigant, illuminent, inflamment, instruant, ad Deum in omnibus latentem quærendum, amandum, & in ordine ad vnionem cum Deo, adhæsionemque dilecti, in quo tota felicitas hominis consistit, procurandam. Vsus harum semitarum practicus hic est. Cabalistæ cùm Deum per certam aliquam naturalium rerum semitam inuestigare volunt; primò summo studio & præparatione præmissa, triginta duo loca primi capitis Geneseos, hoc est, semitas rerum creatarum consulunt; deinde certis orationibus adhibitis per nomen íéäìà Deum obtestantur, vt lumen propositæ semitæ inuestigandæ congruum largiatur, varijsque adhibitis cœrimonijs tandem sibi persuadent, intelligentiæ se lumen adeptos, dummodo corde mundo, fide inconcussa, & charitate ardenti inquisitioni institerint. Atque vt instans oratio maiorem efficaciam habeat, vt plurimùm nomine quadraginta duarum literarum, non sine superstitione, quæ nunquam abest, vtuntur; quòd vt ex primo & vltimo legis versu extractum fuit, ita summam quoque & ineffabilem efficaciam ad id, quod per illud postulant, obtinendum, habere arbitrantur. Lector, si placet, consulat paragraphum tertiam de nomine Dei 42 literarum, ex quo meliorem huius loci intelligentiam acquiret. De modo verò illud pronunciandi, vide infrà fusiùs tractatum.	Semitæ 32 cur dicantur Intelligentiæ Semitarum 32 vsus practicus

Cabala Hebraeorum, by Athanasius Kircher

(from Oedipus Aegyptiacus, 2:1, 1652)

CABALA HEBRAEORVM.

Clemens Alex. lib. 6. Stromat.

PRAEFATIO.

CAPVT I.

De Kabalæ definitione, & diuisione.