Studying The Holy Names Of Hashem From Shaarei Orah By The Mekubal Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla
In “Shaarei Orah” (Gates of Light), Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla embarks on a meticulous exploration of the divine emanations known as the sefirot.
As we know, the entire Torah is the code of Creation. Hidden in its stories and laws is an intricate web of light that turned to be the Sephirot as we know. Each letter and word correspond to one or more Sephirot depending on the context and in this article we will explore this idea more.
One of the most prominent Mekubalim before the Arizal was R’ Yosef Gikatilla (1248–1305). Born in Castile, he is best known for his deep contributions to the study and systematization of Kabbalistic thought. R’ Yosef Gikatilla was a disciple of the great Kabbalist Rabbi Abraham Abulafia and later became an influential teacher in his own right.
His key contributions include his work “Sha’arei Orah” (Gates of Light), which is a monumental guide understanding Hashem, His sefirot (the divine attributes) and some awesome chiddushim (novel ideas).
This holy book helped shape the intellectual foundations of Kabbalah, offering insights into the relationship between the written and oral Torah, and the Sephirot. Each chapter gives a thorough explanation on the function of a Sephira and how the many of the words in the Torah and Talmud are a reference to it.
While we won’t be able to bring all the explanations of each chapter (you can find them throughout the website), we will at least bring a little introduction to it, and all the words associated with it according to Shaarei Orah.
Here’s a little summary of the 10 Sephirot with some of its meanings:
Sephirah
Related Terms
Keter (Crown)
Divine Will, Pure Thought, Beyond Human Comprehension
Chokhmah (Spiritual Wisdom)
Primordial Point, Divine Wisdom, Spark of Creation
Binah (Understanding)
Development and Differentiation, Divine Understanding, The Womb of Creation
Chesed (Loving-kindness)
Manifestation of Love, Divine Grace, Unconditional Giving
Gevurah (Strength/Judgment)
Divine Justice, Severity, Restriction
Tiferet (Beauty)
Harmony, Balance, Beauty in Compassion
Netzach (Eternity/Victory)
Endurance, Perseverance, Eternal Will
Hod (Glory/Majesty)
Splendor, Surrender, Acknowledgment
Yesod (Foundation)
Connecting Element, Divine Transmission, Balance
Malkhut (Kingship/Shekhinah)
Divine Presence in the Physical Realm, Manifestation, Realization
Gate One: Malkhut (Kingship)
Chapter Focus: Malchut is the final sefirah, representing the manifest world and God’s presence within creation. It is the recipient of all the divine energies from the other sefirot and represents the realization of God’s will in the physical world.
Practical Meaning: Malchut emphasizes leadership and the manifestation of spiritual ideals in the world. It calls for the practical application of all the higher attributes to improve the world around us. In daily life, Malchut can be seen in how we act as leaders, parents, and role models, bringing God’s presence into the world through our actions. Speech is also associated with Malkhut.
The Sword that Avenges Breaches of the Covenant – Cherev Nokemet Nekam Brit חרב נוקמת נקם ברית
I – Ani אני
The Kingdom of the House of David – Malchut Beit David מלכות בית דוד
The Gathering of Waters – Mikveh HaMayim מקוה המים
Dry Land – Yabashah יבשה
The Phylactery of The Hand – Tefillah Shel Yad תפילה של יד
Thus – Koh כה
The Opening of the Eyes – Petach Eynayim פתח עינים
The Tree of Knowledge – Etz HaDa’at עץ הדעת
The Land of the Living – Eretz HaChayim ארץ החיים
The Book of Life – Sefer HaChayim ספר החיים
Jerusalem – Yerushalayim ירושלים
This – Zot זאת
The End – Acharit אחרית
And He Said – Vayomer ויאמר
The Oral Torah – Torah SheBa’al Peh תורה שבעל פה
The One Who is Self-Sufficient – Shada”y שד״י
The Final Hey (ה) of The Name ה׳ אחרונה של שם
The Ingathering of Israel – Knesset Yisroel כנסת ישראל
The Land of Israel – Eretz Yisroel ארץ ישראל
Bride – Kalah כלה
Rachel – Rachel רחל
Blessing – Brachah ברכה
Eagle – Nesher נשר
The Daughter of Seven – Bat Sheva בת שבע
The Altar – Mizbe’ach מזבח
Daughter – Bat בת
Woman – Ishah אשה
The Teru’ah – Teruah תרועה
The Sabbatical – Shemitah שמיטה
The Lower Indwelling Presence – Shechinah Tata’ah שכינה תתאה
The Bent Nun – Nun Kfufah נ׳ כפופה
Gate two: Yesod (Foundation)
Chapter Focus: Yesod serves as the channel through which the divine energies flow into the material world. It connects all the higher sefirot to the physical realm and is often considered the “foundation” of creation. Yesod is also connected to the male organ in humans and connects Malkhut to the upper Sephirot.
Practical Meaning: Yesod represents the role of foundations in life, personal, emotional, and spiritual. It’s about creating solid, balanced relationships, building strong values, and being a conduit of divine energy into everyday actions.
Names of Yesod (English – Hebrew)
The Living God – E”l Chai א״ל חי
The God of Life – Elohi”m Chayim אלהי״ם חיים
The Self-Sufficient God – E”l Shaddai א״ל שד״י
The Source of Living Waters – Mekor Mayim Chayim מקור מים חיים
Foundation – Yesod יסוד
The Righteous One – Tzaddik צדיק
Good – Tov טוב
Good Intellect – Sechel Tov שכל טוב
Peace – Shalom שלום
Remembrance – Zikharon זכרון
Remember – Zachor זכור
The Holy Mountain – Har HaKodesh הר הקודש
Redemption – Ge’ulah גאולה
The Seventh – Shvi’it שביעית
The Lower – Tachtonah תחתונה
The lower end of the Letter Vav קצה התחתון של ואו
This – Zeh זה
Shabbat שבת
Covenant – Brit ברית
Sign – Ot אות
Oath – Shevu’ah שבועה
The Good Mountain – HaHar HaTov ההר הטוב
Decree – Chok חוק
Mount Zion – Har Tziyon הר ציון
All – Kol כל
The Mighty Power of Israel – Abeer Yisroel אביר ישראל
Lord – Adon אדון
The Faithful Kindness of David – Chasdei David HaNe’emanim חסדי דוד הנאמנים
The Life of the Worlds – Chai HaOlamim חי העולמים
The Lower Interpreter – HaMeilitz Tachton המליץ תחתון
The Mighty Power of Yaakov – Abeer Yaakov אביר יעקב
The Lower Kindness – Chessed Tachton חסד תחתון
The Covenant of the Rainbow – Brit HaKeshet ברית הקשת
The Small Yod יו״ד הקטנה
The Circumcision – Milah מילה
The Kingdom of the House of David – Malchut Beit David מלכות בית דוד
The Son – Ben בן
The Shevarim (blasts of the Shofar) שברים
The One Who Dwells Within – Dar דר
The Lower Yod יו״ד תחתונה
Gate three: Hod (splendor)
Chapter Focus: Hod represents humility, submission, and the ability to acknowledge the greatness of God. It balances Netzach by bringing an understanding of divine glory and the need for gratitude.
Practical Meaning: Hod teaches us to be humble and to appreciate the beauty and majesty of life. It calls for an acknowledgment of God’s greatness, and in practical terms, it’s about being receptive, humble, and open to learning and growth. Hod is also associated with the left leg.
Gate four: Netzach (eternity or victory)
Chapter Focus: Netzach is associated with perseverance, victory, and the drive for spiritual achievement. It represents the power to overcome obstacles and continue moving forward.
Practical Meaning: Practically, Netzach is about resilience and persistence. It teaches the value of endurance in the face of challenges and the ability to keep striving toward one’s goals, even when faced with difficulties. Hod is also associated with the right leg.
Names of Netzach and Hod together (English – Hebrew)
HaShem of Hosts – HaShem Tzva’ot יהו״ה צבאו״ת
God of Hosts – Elohi”m Tzva’ot אלהי״ם צבאו״ת
Majesty – Hod הוד
Bo’az בועז
Shechakim שחקים
The Essence of the Heavens – Etzem HaShamayim עצם השמים
The Place of Counsel – Makom HaEitzah מקום העצה
Victory – Netzach נצח
Eternity – Netzachim נצחים
Faithful God – E”l Emunah א״ל אמונה
The Right Leg – Regel Yemin רגל ימין
Without Corruption – Ein Avel אין עול
The Left Leg – Regel Smol רגל שמאל
The Thighs – Shokayim שוקיים
The Knees – Birkayim ברכיים
The Two Testicles – Trein Be’in תרין בעין
Yachin יכין
The Shevarim (blasts of the Shofar) שברים
The Vav of the Name HaShem וא”ו של שם
Gate five: Tiferet (beauty)
Chapter Focus: Tiferet represents harmony, balance, and the synthesis of Chesed and Gevurah. It is the divine attribute that brings beauty into the world through a perfect blend of love and judgment. It is also associated with the trunk in humans.
Practical Meaning: Tiferet is the ability to maintain balance in life, bringing compassion and discipline together. It emphasizes finding harmony between different aspects of life and seeing beauty in both our strengths and limitations.
Here we also find the 13 Attributes of mercy when Zeir Anpin, which is symbolized by Tiferet, receives the illumination of the countenance of Arich Anpin. Then his 9 Attributes of Mercy become 13 just like Arich.
Names of Tiferet (English – Hebrew)
HaShem יהו״ה
The Middle Column – Kav HaEmtza’ee קו האמצעי
The Tree of Life – Etz HaChayim עץ החיים
The Written Torah – Torah SheB’Khtav תורה שבכתב
Truth – Emet אמת
Splendor – Tiferet תפארת
Knowledge – Da’at דעת
Awesome – Norah נורא
Justice – Mishpat משפט
You – Atah אתה
Yaakov יעקב
Yisroel ישראל
The quality of Day – Midat Yom מידת יום
The Central Beam – Bre’ach HaTichon בריח התיכון
The Father of Israel – Av Yisroel אב ישראל
Humility – Anavah ענוה
Powerful – Adir אדיר
Peace – Shalom שלום
Shlomo שלמה
The Third – Shelishi שלישי
Heaven – Shamayim שמים
The Day of Shabbat – Yom Shabbat יום שבת
The Pure Man – Ish Tam איש תם
The Holy One, Blessed is He – HaKadosh Baruch Hoo הקדוש ברוך הוא
The Small Face – Zeir Anpin זעיר אנפין
HaShem HaShem – Havayah Havayah יהו״ה יהו״ה
Mercy – Rachamim רחמים
Remembrance – Zecher זכר
Moshe משה
Milk – Chalav חלב
Honey – Dvash דבש
The Rock – Tzur צור
Day – Yom יום
The Candelabrum – Menorah מנורה
The Moon – Yare’ach ירח
Shabbat שבת
I – Anochi אנכי
Man – Adam אדם
The Golden Altar – Mizbe’ach HaZahav מזבח הזהב
Good Appearance – Tov Ro’ee טוב רואי
The Vav of The Name – Vav Shel Shem וא״ו של שם
The Tefillin of the Head – Tefillin Shel Rosh תפילין של ראש
The Torah Scroll – Sefer Torah ספר תורה
Grace – Chein חן
Speech – Dibur דבור
The Firmament – Rakiya רקיע
The Spinal Chord – Chut HaShidrah חוט השדרה
Son – Ben בן
The Simple sound of the Shofar – Shofar Pashut שופר פשוט
The Great Voice – Kol Gadol קול גדול
Almighty – E”l (right) א״ל
Mighty – Adeer אדיר
Awesome – Nora נורא
Great – Gadol גדול
Judge – Shofet שופט
Bearer of Iniquity – Noseh Avon נושא עון
Merciful – Rachum רחום
Decisor – Dayan דיין
Overlooks Intentional Sin – Over Al Pesha עובר על פשע
Graceful – Chanun חנון
Strong – Chazak חזק
Truth – Emet אמת
Mighty – Chaseen חסין
Long Patient – Erech Apayim ארך אפים
Exalted – Marom מרום
Powerful – Kabeer Ko’ach כביר כח
Man of War – Eesh Milchamah איש מלחמה
High – Ram רם
Abundant in Kindness – Rav Chessed רב חסד
Courageous – Geebor גבור
Preserver of Kindness – Notzer Chessed נוצר חסד
Holy – Kadosh קדוש
Exacting with sin – Poked Avon פוקד עון
Dwells Eternally – Shochen Ad שוכן עד
Kind – Chassid חסיד
Repays in Kind – Meshalem Gemul משלם גמול
Forgiving – Sole’ach סולח
Gate six: Gevurah (strength)
Chapter Focus: Gevurah is the attribute of strength, judgment, and discipline. It serves as the counterbalance to Chesed, providing the structure and boundaries necessary for creation.
Practical Meaning: Gevurah calls for discipline and restraint in life. It teaches us the importance of setting limits, making wise decisions based on justice, and having self-control when necessary. It is also associated with the left arm.
Names of Gevurah (English – Hebrew)
God – Elohi”m אלהי״ם
Might – Gevurah גבורה
The Upper Court of Law – Beit Din Shel Ma’alah בית דין של מעלה
North – Tzafon צפון
The Dim Hand – Yad Keheh יד כהה
The quality of Harsh Judgment – Din HaKashah מדת הדין הקשה
The Supernal Court of Law – Beit Din HaElyon בית דין העליון
Merit – Zechut זכות
The Dread of Yitzchak – Pachad Yitzchak פחד יצחק
The Great Fire – Aish HaGedolah האש הגדולה
The Consuming Fire – Aish Ochlah אש אוכלה
Dominion – Memshalah ממשלה
Judgment – Din דין
Left – Smol שמאל
Gold – Zahav זהב
Bread – Lechem לחם
Salt – Melach מלח
Wine – Yayin יין
Darkness – Choshech חשך
Night – Laylah לילה
The Cloud – Anan ענן
The Thick Darkness – Arafel ערפל
Flesh – Bassar בשר
The Bee – Devorah דבורה
Fine Flour – Solet סלת
The Showbread Table – Shulchan שלחן
The Sun – Shemesh שמש
Fire – Aish אש
Sinai סיני
Justice – Mishpat משפט
Stone – Even אבן
Hand – Yad יד
The Copper Altar – Mizbe’ach HaNechoshet מזבח הנחשת
Earth – Adamah אדמה
God of Truth – Elohi”m Emet אלהי״ם אמת
Heaven – Shamayim שמים
Ruddy – Admoni אדמוני
The Arm – Zro’ah זרוע
The Vav – ו of The Name HaShem וא”ו של שם
Son – Ben בן
Ox – Shor שור
The Chamber of Hewn Stone – Lishkat HaGazeet לשכת הגזית
Terror – Pachad פחד
The Teru’ah Sound of the Shofar – Teru’ah תרועה
Fear – Yirah יראה
Gate seven: Chessed (loving-kindness)
Chapter Focus: Chesed represents divine love, mercy, and generosity. It is the attribute that expresses the flow of kindness from God to the world.
Practical Meaning: In practical terms, Chesed encourages us to act with compassion, give to others without expecting anything in return, and show love and understanding in all of our relationships.