To admit, to thank, to bow – this is the Sephira of Hod, the hidden source of spiritual splendor.

The Sefirah of Hod is often translated as “splendor” or “glory,” but its inner essence is more subtle.

Hod is not the loud brilliance of victory, nor the commanding power of strength. Instead, it is the quiet radiance that emerges when one bows, acknowledges, and makes space for something higher. On the Zohar and Etz Chaim, Hod is situated beneath Gevurah on the left side, opposite Netzach, the force of endurance and victory.

Together, Netzach and Hod form a dynamic pair: Netzach pushes outward with persistence, while Hod reflects inward with humility and acknowledgment.

This article is part of the Tree of Life series. Check out the others below:

• Sephira of Keter
• Sephira of Chokhmah
• Sephira of Binah
• Sephira of Da’at
• Sephira of Chessed
• Sephira of Gevurah
• Sephira of Tiferet
• Sephira of Netzach
• Sephira of Hod
• Sephira of Yesod
• Sephira of Malkhut

In Kabbalistic terms, Hod is a vessel that receives the intense judgments of Gevurah and refines them so they can be expressed in the lower realms without shattering reality. To be honest I also had trouble understanding Netzach and Hod practically, but it’s worth noting that the higher they are, the more internal and less expressed they are. Conversely, the lower they are located in the Tree of Life, the more external and expressed they are.

Hod is the softening of rigidity through submission, the splendor that comes not from domination but from recognition.

Hod in the Zohar and Writings of the Arizal

The Zohar links Hod to the left leg of the soul body, meaning it provides balance and movement, ensuring that spiritual progress is steady and measured rather than reckless, together with Netzach which is the right leg.

Without Hod’s refinement, divine energy would be overwhelming, because Hod is the vessel that takes strict judgments (gevurot) from Binah just above it, and makes them receivable. It bends, acknowledges, and softens, turning harsh light into splendor. This is a very important concept that bears repeating: judgments are not bad things to be destroyed, but they must be sweetened and directed to proper endeavors.

As an example: A person’s lust comes from the Gevurot (not to be confused with the Sephira of Gevurah) and should be directed to building a family, instead destructive purposes (as happens all around the world). Even some Kabbalistic meditation techniques seek to direct the lust up the spine and to God so a person can begin awakening his spiritual senses, but that’s a subject for another article.

Either way, when we bow in the Amidah, say Modim, or confess before God, we activate Hod. This is not a mere ritual gesture but a very powerful spiritual act that helps us draw down divine light. Bowing reflects this Sephira’s energy: an acceptance that our own power is limited, and all beauty or splendor comes only from God. Thus, every genuine prayer involves an act of Hod and opening oneself, for only through submission can His light enter a person.

Another important teaching from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov is that Hod allows the soul to receive light through the act of nullifying ego. Hod is not external beauty (that’s Tiferet); rather, it is the hidden splendor that emerges when one acknowledges the truth.

Here we find a new insight: Hod is the sefira that teaches us how to become a vessel. Netzach wants to project outward, but Hod accepts inward.

True splendor is not in conquest but in becoming transparent enough for divine light to shine through. This is a major point to remember.

The Function of Hod: Hoda’ah (Acknowledgment and Gratitude)

As mentioned before, the root of the word Hod is the same as hoda’ah, meaning both “thanksgiving” and “admission.” This dual meaning reveals the secret of Hod. To give thanks is to acknowledge that something has been given to you from beyond yourself. To admit is to confess that something is not within your control or that you have erred.

In both cases, this means striping away ego and creating a channel for splendor. The Talmud teaches, “One who admits (modeh) and abandons [sin] will be shown mercy” (Yoma 86b, based on Mishlei 28:13). This is Hod in action: splendor through acknowledgment and explains why we confess our sins 3 times a day, once on Shacharit, once on Mincha and before going to sleep (although this last one is mainly so our soul can rise to its source without the sins interfering, and be renewed)

In Shaar HaKavanot, the Arizal teaches that Hod is the root of Modim Anachnu Lach, the blessing of thanksgiving in the Amidah and הטוב שמך ולך נאה להודות. When a person bows during Modim, it is not a symbolic act but a spiritual expression of Hod: the recognition that every breath and every heartbeat is a divine gift.

A new insight here is that this Sephira represents the capacity to recognize limits.

Netzach wants to push endlessly forward, but Hod says: “Enough. Here is where I bow.” This is not weakness but wisdom. By recognizing our boundaries, we transform them into channels of splendor. Hod is thus the sefira that teaches the paradox of spiritual beauty: the more one admits and bows, the more radiant one becomes.

It’s a well known fact that Chassidic tradition deepened the understanding of the Tree of Life by emphasizing its experiential dimension. The Baal Shem Tov taught that Hod is expressed in temimut, simple sincerity in serving God. True splendor does not come from lofty intellectual achievement but from pure, heartfelt acknowledgment of the Creator (based on Tzava’at HaRivash).

R’ Nachman of Breslov very much connected Hod directly to thanksgiving and the festival of Chanukkah (Likkutei Moharan II:2).

The Business Side of Hod: Seeking Help & Admitting Mistakes

In the world of business, Hod’s spiritual wisdom, humble acknowledgment and admission, translates directly into powerful leadership practices. Psychological studies have found that admitting mistakes builds intellectual humility, which is “crucial for personal growth and healthier relationships.” People high in intellectual humility are more open-minded, less dogmatic, and better able to manage conflict and foster trust; they even inspire deeper connections and loyalty in both personal and professional contexts (source: The Guardian).

This mirrors Hod’s spiritual function. Hod softens Netzach’s drive and allows acknowledgment to become a vessel for transformation. In business, that means leaders who humbly seek help, admit when they’re wrong, and recognize limits, rather than projecting infallibility, create cultures where learning, innovation, and loyalty thrive. From both mystical and psychological perspectives, humility is not weakness, it’s the secret of sustained strength.

Organizational research supports this as well. Leaders who demonstrate humility, through self-awareness, praising others, and openness to feedback, are shown to “achieve positive workplace outcomes and curb negative influences” (source: SHRM). Modern leadership isn’t about projecting dominance; it’s about being grounded and transparent. That kind of leadership aligns perfectly with the spirit of Hod, which doesn’t seek center stage, but by stepping aside, allows something greater to emerge.

This openness boosts learning and innovation. When organizations operate with a “just culture”, focusing on “what went wrong” instead of “who is to blame”, mistakes become learning opportunities, not scapegoats. The signature of Hod in business is not faultless execution, but honest, respectful humility that builds resilience from the inside out.

Moreover, organizations that embrace humility at the cultural level reap significant rewards. Studies show that humility cultivates autonomy, engagement, fairness, ethical decision-making, innovation, and better operational outcomes, including lower turnover and higher satisfaction (source: SciELO). Rarely is a single trait so transformative; yet Hod, properly understood, is that kind of quiet revolution.

When you encourage your team to say “I was wrong,” you invite true growth, and you build a business that lasts.

Final words

Hod teaches us that true splendor emerges not from force, but from confession, acknowledging limits, embracing humility, and creating space for something greater. From the inner world of Kabbalah to the outer world of modern business, Hod is the vessel through which grace flows.

In business, applying Hod means cultivating environments where people can seek help without shame, admit wrongs without fear, and learn without humiliation. This is not airy idealism, but is supported by research across psychology and leadership studies, which consistently show that humble leaders and learning-oriented cultures outperform their pride-driven counterparts.

Mastery is not in knowing everything, but in recognizing where we need help. When humility guides leadership, gratitude replaces ego, and acknowledgment becomes the conveyor of hidden splendor.

In that humility shines the light of divine transformation.