Sefirah

Sefirah (plural: sefirot) is a fundamental concept in Kabbalistic tradition, representing the ten divine attributes or emanations through which the Infinite (Ein Sof) manifests and interacts with the universe. These sefirot serve as channels of divine energy, structure, and consciousness, guiding the process of creation and theatelom (divine flow) into the physical and spiritual realms.

The ten sefirot are typically organized in a specific hierarchy or configuration, such as the Tree of Life, which illustrates their interrelationships. They are often categorized into three groups: the intellectual attributes (Chokhmah - Wisdom, Binah - Understanding), the emotional attributes (Chesed - Kindness, Gevurah - Severity, Tiferet - Beauty), and the operational or practical attributes (Netzach - Victory, Hod - Glory, Yesod - Foundation, Malchut - Kingship). Each sefira has specific qualities and symbolic meanings, embodying aspects of divine nature and human experience.

In Kabbalah, the concept of sefirot is used to explain the process of divine revelation, spiritual growth, and the interconnectedness of all creation. Practitioners interpret the sefirot as a blueprint for understanding the divine as well as a framework for achieving spiritual harmony and enlightenment.

The term "sefira" originates from Hebrew, meaning "counting" or "enumeration," reflecting the act of counting divine attributes or channels. The study and meditation on sefirot have historically played a central role in Jewish mysticism, influencing spiritual practices and theological ideas within Judaism and beyond.

Overall, sefirot are seen as a dynamic, interconnected system that bridges the infinite divine and the finite universe, providing a map of divine energy and its manifestation in the world.