קבלה אויף דניאל 10:8

Further, we will clarify this Mishna through a different explanation which the commentators have given on “five opposite five”, and it is more fitting and accepted, and it is also recognized as such in the words of Rashbi [Rabbi Shimon bar Jochai] of blessed memory in many places. And the subject [is] five from the right and five from the left, the five from the right [being] the five Sefirot whose main inclination is towards the side of Chesed (Mercy) which is the right, and they are Keter, Chochma, Gedolah [here the Sefira Chesed is called Gedolah, as not to confuse it with the side of Chesed], Netsach and Tif’eret. And the five on the left, they are the five Sefirot whose main inclination is towards the side of Din (Judgement) which is the left, and they are Binah, Gevurah, Hod, Yesod and Malkut. And if it so that the essence of Tif’eret is [being] the central axis, if this is so, its essence is [still] Chesed as is known, as it is below, opposite Chesed, and its inclination is to the right. And Binah in its aspect is connected to Din (Judgement), as it is called “Performer of mighty deeds” [Morning Service, the Blessings of the Shema], because judgements are aroused from it, as we will explain in the Gate of Essence and Conduct [Gate VIII] chapter 6. And thus on Hod, it is said “And my splendor (Hod) was turned into destruction” (Daniel 10:8), [and] “all day misery (דוה)” (Lamentations 1:13), [misery has] the characters of Hod (הוד). And Yesod also thus the essence of its inclination is to the side of Gevurah, and thus Rashbi of blessed memory clarified in the Tikkunei haZohar (Tikkun 13, page 29b) on the ninth blessing etc., and this is its citation: “And the Tsaddik [indicating Yesod] receives from the left, and the central pillar [indicating Tif'eret] receives from the right”.

[Sec. 17] 39. [The beginner] must also know that the [sefirah] Neẓaḥ, during the six days of creation, derived sustenance from the side of Gevurah,⁴In the “normative” sefirotic order, Neẓaḥ is found on the “side” of Gedulah (Ḥesed), while Hod is on the side of Gevurah. and Hod from [the side of] Ḥesed, in the mystery of the mingling of the Qualities. Since because of [Adam’s] sin the [sefirotic] connections have been confused,⁵This is an expression of the idea that sin on the earthly plane causes “disruption” in the order of the sefirot on high. none of the men of valor were able to repair this defect until the righteous one, Jacob our father, [took] Judgment upon himself, saying, If Esau comes below and his [angelic] “minister” above⁶Cf. Rashi on Gen. 32:25. to arouse Judgment on the one camp (Gen. 32:9), [namely,] the female Hod. ([She is called] the captain of the hosts, [since] camp and hosts are the same. Thus the fact that Hod’s strength was weak like a woman[’s] is not difficult [to comprehend].) Now [we understand] and strikes it [in the sense that “Esau”] weakened the strength of the [sefirotic] stature in general. This is hinted at by [the additional letter] vav in the name [of Jacob in the verse] truth unto Jacob (Mic. 7:20). Thus he destroyed his mercy. And the remaining camp, which is Neẓaḥ, strengthens itself as a remnant to grasp on to the quality of Ḥesed. Thus it was that the minister of Esau touched the thigh of Jacob and immediately the order of nourishment was changed and Hod returned, influenced from the side of Gevurah⁷The “touching” apparently restored the sefirotic state of “confusion.” Cf. n. 4 above. in the mystery of My comeliness was turned in me into corruption (Dan. 10:8). Neẓaḥ was [thus] weakened until King David, peace upon him, came and repaired it with his melodies⁸The psalms. so that it might derive nourishment from the side of Ḥesed. This is the mystery of [the verse] in Your right hand is bliss forevermore (neẓaḥ) (Ps. 16:11).

Now, this quality is also called Majesty-Hod-הוד, as in the verse,⁶⁷Chronicles I 29:11 “Yours, HaShem-יהו״ה, is the greatness (Gedulah), and the might (Gevurah), and the splendor (Tiferet), and the victory (Netzach) and the majesty-Hod-הוד.” The matter of this title being called majesty-Hod-הוד,⁶⁸The term “Hod-הוד” is also of the root “submission-Hoda’ah-הודאה” in that this quality brings about the submission of the adversaries of HaShem-יהו״ה, blessed is He. refers to when it dons the garment of might and strength, to humble the enemies and be victorious in battle, saving those who love HaShem-יהו״ה, blessed is He. This matter is hinted in the verse,⁶⁹Daniel 10:8 “My majesty-Hodee-הוד״י was transformed for Me to a destructive force, and I did not withhold power-Ko”ach-כח.” Now, since this is the quality of victory in battle in a way of wonders and miracles, therefore praises of thanks-Hoda’ah-הודאה are offered in regard to this quality.