A Useful Pocket Dictionary

"For that reason I will make an effort to give every word its spiritual identity ... It is upon the readers to memorize the meaning of these words thoroughly” (Baal HaSulam, Talmud Eser HaSefirot).

Baal HaSulam has actually created a Kabbalistic dictionary for us to use on our journey into the spiritual world. Within it he provides simple definitions for words used in Kabbalah books. So if you decide to take a different kind of journey - a voyage to the spiritual world, here are some basic definitions that will help you understand what the road maps - the Kabbalah books - are talking about, and where they are leading you.

(It’s highly recommended that you cut out this pocket dictionary and keep it in your wallet, to have it handy whenever you might need it along your journey.)

Adam HaRishon (The First Man) – This is not the primitive caveman who ran around naked in the Garden of Eden, but the collective soul of humanity, incorporating all the souls of all the people in the world.

Guf (Body) – This is the will to receive that drives all of man’s thoughts and actions. This will to receive can either be used for the sake of ourselves, or for the sake of others and the Creator.

Ahava (Love) – When a person starts perceiving spirituality, he reveals the general plan that Nature or the Creator has for him and for all humanity. He then discovers that Nature’s attitude toward the whole of humanity is one of absolute, unchanging love.

Ohr (Light) – This is what a person feels when he perceives the Creator. In other words, one who changes his nature from self-love to love for others is filled with a new sensation called “Light.”

Boreh (Creator) – This word comes from the combination of the words, Bo and Reh – “come” and “see.” In other words, a person is invited to come and see the Creator - to attain his next spiritual degree, which is always called “the Creator.”