Ma'aseh Merkabah Literature
SH'IR QOMA
"The Measure of the Divine Body"
From the
Sefer Raziel HaGadol
Book of (the Angelic Secrets of) Raziel the Great One
1. RABBI YISMAEL SAID: "Metatron the Great Lord said to me: I bear this testimony on behalf of the Lord YHVH, Elohim of Israel, the Living and Enduring El, our Lord and Master:
- That His height, from His Seat of Glory and up (is) 118 ten thousands
parasangs (rebaboth),
- From His Seat of Glory down (is) 118 ten thousands parasangs (rebaboth),
- His total height 236 ten thousand thousands parasangs.
- From His Right Arm to His Left Arm (is) 77 ten thousand (parasangs).
- From His Right Eye to (His) Left Eye (is) 30 ten thousands (parasangs).
- The Skull on His Head (is) three and one third ten thousand (parasangs).
- The Crowns on His Head (amount to) 60 ten thousands (parasangs) equaling the 60 ten thousands of the tribes of Israel.
Therefore is He called the Great, the Mighty and the Awesome El : KLYTYH YDYDVT EL CHY KLTA 'AVVTA HMQVQ TQTF HQTF HQTM QTF B'ABVR MSVS
"Blessed be the Name of the Glory of His Kingdom for ever."
2. It is said that he who knows this mystery is assured of his portion in the world to come (is assured to be a son (daughter) of the world to come), and will be saved from the punishment of Gehinnom (Hell), and from all kind of punishments and evil decrees about to befall the world, and will be saved from all kind of witchcraft, for He saves us, protects us, redeems us, and rescues me __________ from all evil things, from all harsh decrees, and from all kinds of punishments for the sake of His Great Name.
3. (A long hymn follows in alphabetical order, the alphabet being repeated several times, the hymn concludes with the verse:)
"Lord of Hosts, happy is the man that trusts in You." (Psalms 84:13)
4. RABBI YISHMAEL SAID: "I have seen the King of Kings sitting on a high and exalted throne. His hosts stand before Him on His right and on His left, with the Lord of the Presence (Sar Hapanim) whose name is Metatron: RVH, PYSQVNY"H, PSQY"N, ATM"VN, HYGR"VN, SYGR"VN, SRT"VN, SNYGR"VN, MYQ"VN, HSKV"M, STY"M, HSK"M, HQYR"YN, N"A, DVQYR"YN, ZYN"A, RB"A, NNTV"S, ZNTV"F, HKYQ"M.
5. RABBI YISHMAEL SAID: "What is the measure of the Holy One, Blessed be He, who is hidden from all creatures? The soles of His feet fill the whole world, as it is said (Isaiah 66:1): "The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my foot-stool."
The height of each sole is three ten thousand thousands of parasangs.
The sole of His right foot is called PRSYMYA, ATRQTT and His left sole (is called) AGTMN.
From the sole of His feet to His ankles (the height is) one thousand ten thousands and five hundred parasangs, and the same for His left (ankle).
The name of the right ankle (is) TZNMTNYH, TSSQM, and the name of His left ankle is ASTMN.
From His ankles to His knees the height (is) nineteen thousand ten thousands and four parasangs, both right and left.
The name of His left leg (is) QNGGY, MHRYH, TSSQVM, and of the right (leg) (is) MMGA, VZVYA.
The height from His knees to His thighs (is) twelve thousand ten thousands and fourteen hundred parasangs, both right and left. His name: MMGA, VZVYA.
The right thigh is called SSPVST, PRSB, and the left (thigh) is called TFGT, HZYZA.
From His thighs to His neck (the height is) twenty-four thousand ten thousands of parasangs.
The name of His loin of loins (is) MVTNYHV, ATSGH, YDYDYH.
On His Heart are inscribed seventy names:
(list of Hebrew Names not available in HTML)
"Baruch Shem Kavod Malkuto L'Olam Va'ed."
(Blessed be the Name of the glory of His kingdom forever.)
His neck: Thirteen thousand ten thousands and eight hundred parasangs (is) the height of His neck, its name: SNNYHV, VBHTYQN.
The roundness of His head (circumference) (is) three hundred thousand ten thousands and thirty-three and one third parasangs, which the mouth cannot express and the ear cannot hear, its name: ATR, HVDRYH, ATSYH, ATTYH.
His beard (is) eleven thousand five hundred (one ten thousand and one thousand and five hundred) parasangs, its name: HDRRQ, SMYA.
The appearance of the countenance as the appearance of the cheeks, (as well as the appearance of the cheeks) is like unto the likeness of the Ruach [i.e. Ruach HaQodesh] and in the form of the Divine Soul ( Neshamah) (which) no creature is able to mention or describe.
His Astral Shell (geviyah) like chrysolite (tarsis).
His splendor (ziv) glitters awesomely from out of the midst of the darkness (Psalms 18:12 and 2 Samuel 22:12).
Clouds and thick darkness (anan v'arafel) surround Him (Psalms 97:2).
All Lords of the Presence (Sare He'anim) stand before Him as ordained (k'tikun).
(For the nose and the tongue) we do not have a measure, only names are revealed to us. The name of the nose: LGBTYYA, and also ABRGG, TTPYYH.
His tongue (reaches) from one end of the World to the other, for it is said (Psalms 147:19): "He declares His Word unto Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances unto Israel." He who knows not (how) to conclude this verse is in error for it is said: "He declares" its (the tongue) name ASSGYYHV, VAYYA.
His forehead is called MSSGYYHV, YNAYYA, NGM.
On His forehead is inscribed:
(Hebrew font not available in HTML)
YYHV HY HV YH
HH HY VYHV YH YHV
YVH HA HH YA YHVH
VYH HH YH HV HA
AH VVH AY HV HYH
HY YYY HH YYHYY VYH
The black of His eye (is) 11,500 parasangs, similarly His left eye.
The right (eye) is named: AZRYYH, ATTYTVS.
The Lord (of the eye?) is called RHBEL (RHBYEL or RHBEL).
The left (eye) is called MTT, GRVFMTzYA, and the sparks that issue (emanate) from them (from it) give light to all creatures.
The white of His right eye (measures) twenty-two ten thousand and two parasangs, similarly (that of) His left (eye), and is named: BZQVHA.
From His right shoulder to His left shoulder (is) sixteen thousand ten thousands parasangs,
The right shoulder is named: MTTGRYAA, 'ANGN.
The left (shoulder) is called TTMHYNTA, it also has another name SLMH YNNYEL (alternate reading: and it has one name, meaning that the two shoulders have one name in common).
From His right arm to His left arm (is) twelve thousand ten thousands parasangs.
His arm (are) double [The meaning is, perhaps, that the two arms together are double the size mentioned before, namely twenty-four thousand ten thousands parasangs].
The name of the right arm (is) GBRHZZYA, AKBVY,
and of the left (arm) MTTGHTzTzYVH.
The (size of) the fingers of His hands: each finger (is) fifteen thousand ten thousands parasangs, both of the right and of the left.
(The name of the fingers or of each finger) of the right (hand): TTMTzMTz, GGMVT, GGSMS, and of the left (hand) TTz, MF, TTMT, AGGMZ, AGGMT, SVSNYM (the last name is Shoshanim, roses). This way, you count beginning with the thumb.
The palms of His hands (are) four thousand ten thousands parasangs, both the right and the left (hands).
The right (hand) is named: HZZYA, ATGRYYA, and the left (hand) is named: ASHVZYH.
The fingers (toes) of His feet (are) ten thousand ten thousands parasangs, each finger (toe) on both right and left (feet).
The name of the right (toes): ATRMTz, ADRMT, BRMNM, BRTHMYM, VAHVZ; and (the names of the) left (toes): ZKYYN, KZKYYN, HTMT, AHVZ. You count the way you count those of the hand (namely beginning with the big toe).
Therefore, is He called: the Great, the Mighty, the Awesome El, for it is said (Torah Doverim 10:17): "For the Lord YHVH your Elohim, HE is Elohim of Elohim, Lord of Lords, the great El, the Mighty and the Awesome."
6. HE SAID TO ME: "The size of the parasangs, what they measure: each parasang consists of three mils, each mil contains ten thousand cubits, each cubit two spans (Zereth), and His span fills the whole world (olam, also universe). As it is written (Isaiah 40:12): "Who has measured in the hollow of His hand the waters, and meted out the Heavens with His span."
7. RABBI NATHAN, THE PUPIL OF R. YISHMAEL SAID: He also gave me the measure of the nose right and left, as well as that of the lips and cheeks. Also he gave me the measure of the forehead, he also set down rules for every cubit.
The width of the forehead is equal to the height of the neck, and so is the shoulder.
The length of the nose (is) like the length of the small finger.
The height of the cheek is equal to half the roundness of the head.
These measures are also found in human beings.
(In size of) His lips: seventy-seven parasangs.
His upper lip is called GBRH, TYA, and the lower one HZRGYA.
His mouth is fire consuming fire.
When He speaks its name (is) ASDRA.
-(the next five words are not translatable) The crown on His head (is) five hundred thousand by found hundred thousand (parasangs); its name is VYS.
The precious stone between its horns [rays?] is called YS AMV ALY YS AMI ALY is engraved upon it.
My friend is white and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand.
His head is bright as the finest gold,
His locks are like waving foliage and black as a raven.
His eyes are doves by streamlets of water.
His cheeks are like a bed of roses...
Two thousand ten thousands parasangs.
And whoever does not conclude with this verse (Shir HaShirim 5:10-16) is in error:
"His cheeks are like a bed of roses,
As banks of sweet herbs;
His lips are as lilies,
Dropping with flowing myrrh.
His hands are as rods of gold, set with beryl.
His body is as polished ivory, overlaid with sapphires.
His legs are as pillars of marble,
Set upon sockets of fine gold.
His aspect is like Lebanon,
Excellent as the cedars.
His mouth is most sweet.
Yea, He is altogether lovely.
This is my beloved, and this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem."
AGTYH, THVN, YHVN, TVB, THVR, YVD, YVD, YHYH, HSYN, HSYN
"Holy Holy Holy is the Lord YHVH of Hosts, the whole earth is full of His Glory." (Isaiah 6:3)
(The measure of ) His eyelids, like the measure of His eyes…
The right (eye) is named HDR, VVLD; the left (eye is named) APDH
(in Lemberg APRH), TzTzYHV.
The height of His ears (is) like the height of His forehead.
The right (ear) is called ATzTHYYA; the left (ear is called) MNVGHV.
Hence, the total measure [of the Divine Stature] is ten thousand of ten thousands ten thousand thousand parasangs in height, and one thousand thousand ten thousands of parasangs in width.
8. RABBI YISHMAEL TOLD THIS (THING) TO RABBI AQIBA. HE SAID TO ME: "He who knows this measure of our Creator, and the praise of the Holy One, blessed be He, Who is hidden from the creatures, is assured that he is the son of the world to come. (He will inherit the world to come), and will have in this world the good of the other world, and will live long in this world.
9. RABBI YISHMAEL SAID TO ME (the above mentioned Rabbi Nathan?) in the presence of his pupils. I and Rabbi Aqiba vouch for this, that whoever knows this measure of our Creator, and the praise of the Holy One, blessed be He, he will surely be a son of the world to come, provided he learns it regularly every day:
His body fills the Throne of Fire of the Torah.
His name: BG, BG, GB, HVMG.
His locks (of) His body are named: DBR, BRYR, DVBG.
They have half of a nickname called: GL, SRB.
One of His eyes with which He sees from one end of the world to the other is named: AKSST, the sparks issuing from it give light to all creatures; the other one, which sees backwards (with which He sees in advance), what is going to happen in the future, is named ATNVGST.
His body is like unto a bow, the bow is like unto its name: LQSSYS, half of it is named MN, KMTz.
His sword is called MTzMTzYT, MTzYA.
His Throne of Glory is named LVRKZ, PYRVTA.
The place of His seat is called DVRPZ, PRVRPZ this is also His nickname.
The feet of His glory are the Chayot.
The Chayot standing under Him.
The first foot of the Throne, which is a Chayah, is called AGLYV, HTzBYYH.
The second foot of the Throne, which is a Chayah, is called BBBK, PLBYYPTY.
The third foot of the Throne, which is a Chayah, by name KBBB, ALGYY.
The fourth foot, which is a Chayah, is called ATzBYYA, BZBZ.
The likeness of their faces... the nature of a lion, the stamp of an eagle, the image of an ox, and the blank face of a man.
Each has four faces, four faces, and four faces on each corner (of a face), sixty-four faces for each Chayah.
Each Chayah has four faces and (four) wings, each wing consists of four wings; four wings to a face, four wings to a wing...sixty four wings to each Chayah.
The Lord of the human face is ALYH, AMTzB, AMTz, AMT, KMTz.
The names of the Lord of the lion-face (are) HVDV, DYH, HYDVAH, AL, AVRYA, HVD, HVYH, TMGMTz.
The Lord of the ox-face is called [SVR in both texts] HLYH, TzMTzMMKA, MSKYA.
And the name of the Lord of the eagle-face (is) 'APPY, ALYH, MMTzYT, TzHVRYRYAL.
When Israel sinned, the ox-face was hidden away, and was replaced with a Kerub.
The name of the Lord of the Kerub-face (is): TMTMNY, ALYH, KRRVBYH, KRBH, PSPSYH, PTzPTzYH, HNQNQYA.
They (the Chayot) are the ones who say "Holy Holy Holy..." (Isaiah 6:3), it is they who say, "Blessed be the glory..." (Ekekiel 3:12) as it is written (Psalms 146:19): "He declares His Word unto Ya'aqov."
And he who does not conclude with Torah B'reshith, with the order of the Creation, errs in the Glory of the Holy One, blessed be He. His glory fills everything, hosts of thunder rage on His right. Bands of people rage on His left, and colors (Simanim) rage in front of Him.
Within the colors, splendor, and darkness, cloud, thick cloud ('arafel) and mire of clay (tithyaven).
In front of Him (is) a field of sown seed (zeroo'yin).
Between one star and another (is) the source of lightning.
Between one lightning and another (is) the door of Hashmal.
And above: winds, roaring, thunder and lightning, and the holy palms, and ropes of seals, used for ascending and descending.
On the Holy One, blessed be He, (are) Grace (Chen), Love (Chesed), Glory (Kavod), Mercy (Rachamim), Splendor (Hod), Crown ('Atehreth), Adornment (Hadar), Beauty (Tifareth), and Majesty (Ge'ooth).
The Hand of the Holy One, blessed be He, (is named) Metatron.
They say: Mighty and Strong...
They say: Holy and Blessed...
And they appear before Him with a great sound (as in Ezekiel 1:24): "As they went, a noise like the sound of a host." They stand before Him.
The Youth (Na'ar) Metatron appears and prostrates himself before the Holy One, blessed be He, His name AHH...
He praises and glorifies and says:
"Blessed be the glory of the Lord YHVH from His place."
YHVH, HV, HV, YVHY, YHYYH
"Blessed be the glory of the Lord YHVH from His place."
And they repeat after him: "Blessed be the glory of the Lord YHVH from His place," and "Blessed be the Name of the glory for ever."
He (Metatron) enters in front under the Throne of Glory.
He is accompanied by stones of fire and hailstones and a wall of roaring (z'aaf) on his right.
On his left, wings of storm and strength of tempest accompany him.
When Metatron enters before the Holy One, blessed be He, under the Throne of Glory, he holds (the Throne) with a multitude of wings, and all the ministering angels come before the Holy One, blessed be He, and say: "the great, the mighty, and awesome El."
They praise the Holy One, blessed be He, thrice daily through Metatron.
The Holy One, blessed be He, bestowed His splendor and His beauty on the ministering Angel Metatron, the Lord of the Presence, who has been appointed grand master over all the Lords and ministering angels.
They stand before him, and he stands higher and higher upwards, and ministers before Adam; a fire consuming fire throne (kise) is its name.
This is the seat of Metatron, the Lord of the Presence, which is written with One-Letter (Alef, the Unity) with which Heaven and Earth have been created, and sealed with the ring "I WILL BE THAT I WILL BE" (Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh). And is written with seven letters, and seven letters, and twenty-four letters, and seventy-two names, and seven Holinesses (Kedushoth). And it is placed on six of their names, and is engraved on twelve stones, and is written on seven sounds (voices) on a height of six by six (see Book of THAT Which is Concealed...Zohar II: 186b).
It was given to our teacher Mosheh (Rabbenu) in innermost chambers, in hidden hiddenness, in wonder of wonders.
The Holy One, blessed be He, permitted neither Adam nor Shem, the son of Noah, nor Abraham, Yitza'aq, or Ya'aqov to use it. Only to Mosheh did He give permission to use it, as it is written (Torah Doverim 23:20): "Behold I send an angel before you," and the Holy One, blessed be He, warned Mosheh to beware of Him, as it says (Torah Shmoth 23:21): "Beware of Him, and obey His voice, disobey Him not, for He will not pardon your transgressions because My Name is in Him." And Mosheh said to the Holy One, blessed be He (Torah Shmoth 33:15): "If Your NOT (Lo)-Presence go with me; carry us (into the) NOT (Lo), up from here."
The angels that are with him (Metatron) come and surround the Throne of Glory, they on one side, Chayot on the other, and the Shekhinah upon the Shekhinah of Glory is in the middle. A Chayah ascends on the Serafim and descends on the dwelling place of Metatron, and announces in a loud voice, in the sound of a soft whisper [still small voice]: "This is the Throne of Glory."
Immediately the Ofanim become silent, the angels become quiet, the Irin Kadishin make haste and rush into the River of Fire (Nehr Dinur), and the Chayot turn their faces down to the ground. Metatron brings the deafening fire and puts it in the ears of the Chayot, that they hear not the voice of the glory of the Holy One, blessed be He, and the explicit "Name of Brilliant Fire" (Shem Ha Meforesh, YHVH) that Metatron is pronouncing at that time.
Thus is He calling the Holy One, blessed be He, by His living, pure, holy, powerful, majestic, strong, beloved, mighty, glorified and awesome Name:
vhyrda yhh hvh hh
ykrha avy vhv yhyhy
HHYY HKH HH YH
YHVH HH HYA YHYH
AHYH ASR AHYH VH HVA YHVH
"He who lives for ever, this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations." (Torah Shmoth 3:15).
"Blessed be the Name of the glory of His Kingdom for ever."
Its interpretation in the language of purity (Metatron pronounces the Shem Ha Meforesh, Brilliant Name of Fire, in the language of purity):
YHV YH HHY HYY HY
HHYV HVHY VYHH HV YHVH
HYH HYH YHY YHVH
HY VYHYV HY YHV
YH YHV HHYV HYHV
Blessed be the Name of the glory of His Kingdom for ever.
10. Here follows in the text a hymn, and Psalms 93, 29, and 24.
End of "Meaure of the Divine Body"
SH'IR QOMA
RECONSTRUCTION OF THE TEXT ACCORDING TO BEST EVIDENCE
The "Meaure of the Divine Body" text is known to be corrupt, as all current texts come from a single corrupt text published in the 1701 Amsterdam edition (Eleazar of Worms). Consequently, the dimensions taken as directly translated will not lead to a reasonable image of the Yosher (upright form of the Lord YHVH). However, if the following changes are made, the Yosher image that is yielded (see Figure) can be shown to be self-consistent with the text. Seventeen dimensions were left unchanged, eleven dimensions were changed as follows, and the last two dimensions, dealing with the total measure, were not used.
SECTION DIMENSION READ (x107 Parasangs) change made
HEIGHT (Seat of Glory) 118 add alafim
HEIGHT (Seat of Glory) 118 add alafim, Seat of Glory is located in single Eye of Vast Face in center of Small Face's head.
TOTAL HEIGHT 236 no change
Right Arm to Left Arm 77 add alafim, this is completely around two arms
Right Eye to Left Eye 30 add alafim
Skull (Galgaltha) on Head 30 add alafim
Crowns on Head 60 add alafim
Sole to Ankles 1.5 no change
Ankles to Knees 23 add rebaboth
Knees to Thighs 13.4 no change
Thigh to Neck 24 no change
Height of Neck 13.8 no change
Roundness (circumference) of Head 333 1/3 no change
Beard 15 multiply by 10 (change alafim to rebaboth)
Black of Right Eye 1.15 no change
White of Right Eye 24 add alafim
Right Shoulder to Left 16 multiply by 10
Right Arm to Left Arm 12 x 2 (no change) dimension given must be doubled as shown in text, and taken across body.
Finger 15 no change
Palms 4 no change
Toes 10 no change
Width of Forehead 13.8 no change, however this must be taken across Vast Face Skull
Width of Shoulder 13.8 no change, checks with dimension in 5
Length of Nose 15 no change
Height of Cheek 53 no change, however, this must be taken as half the diameter of the head, otherwise human dimensions will not hold, as claimed in next sentence
Lips, Height 7.7 multiply x 106
Crown 50 x 50 square add alafim, then dimensions in 1 check
Eyelids, like Eyes 24 unchanged
Height of Ears = Height of Forehead unchanged
TOTAL MEASURE OF DIVINE STATURE, probably entire Chariot:
Height 10,000 x 107 parasangs
Width 1,000 x 107 parasangs
(both of these dimensions are omitted as being essentially beyond the image presented in the rest of the dimensions
