The Book of Enlightenment (Sefer HaBahir)

The wisdom of God was within him to execute justice. And what wisdom did the Holy One, Blessed be He, give to Solomon? Solomon Hebrew: Shlomo bears the name of the Holy One, Blessed be He A play on Shalom, meaning Peace, one of God's names. For Rabbi Yochanan said: Every "Solomon" mentioned in the Song of Songs is holy, except for one. The Holy One, Blessed be He, said: "Since your name is like the name of My glory, I will marry My daughter to you." She is married to you, and she is given to you as a gift, as it is written: And the Lord gave wisdom to Solomon (1 Kings 5:26). It does not explain [what this wisdom was] here, but it explains it elsewhere, as it is said: For they saw that the wisdom of God was within him to execute justice (1 Kings 3:28). This tells us that the wisdom God gave him, which was with him in his private chamber, was "within him" to execute justice.

What is the meaning of "within him" for justice? It means that as long as a man executes justice, the wisdom of God within him assists him and brings him close; but if not, it distances him. Not only that, but it chastises him, as it is written: And I, even I, will chastise you sevenfold for your sins (Leviticus 26:28). Rabbi Rahumai said: What is the meaning of "even I"? Rather, thus he said: "I will chastise you." He said to the Assembly of Israel: "Do not think that I only seek mercy for you; rather, even I will chastise you." It is not enough that I am the Master of Judgment, but even I will chastise you. What is "sevenfold"? It corresponds to the seven purifications original: kippurot for your sins. Rather, the Lord said to the Assembly of Israel: "I will chastise you, even I." And they answered Him: It is said, Seven times a day I praise You (Psalm 119:164). They took this upon themselves and said to Him: "Even we are seven." Even though there is one appointed among us who rejoices in merit and goodness, even we [will be chastised]. It turns around and chastises—why? Because of your sins. "But if you return, I will return to you," as it is written: Return to Me and I will return to you (Malachi 3:7). It does not say "I will return" original: v'ashuv but "I will return-ward" original: v'ashuvah, implying a collective movement to you—meaning, with you. We shall all seek mercy from the King. Why? For the King says: Return, O backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings (Jeremiah 3:22). Return and bring back original: shuvu v'hashivu. What is "return and bring back"? It means: Return and seek mercy from those Seven, that they may return with you. This is the meaning of "bring back" those who spoke concerning your sins.

The students of Rabbi Rahumai asked: What is the meaning of A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth (Habakkuk 3:1)? It should have said "A praise." Rather, anyone who turns his heart away from worldly affairs and gazes upon the Work of the Chariot Ma'aseh Merkavah: the deepest mysteries of the divine realm and the throne of God is accepted before the Holy One, Blessed be He, as if he prayed all day long, as it is said, "A prayer." And what is "upon Shigionoth"? As it is written: With her love be you ravished original: tishgeh, from the same root as Shigionoth always (Proverbs 5:19). And what is this? It is the Work of the Chariot.

Another interpretation: What is the meaning of O Lord, I have heard the report of You and I was afraid (Habakkuk 3:2)? Why, when he said "I heard," did he say "I was afraid," but when he said in the midst of the years, he did not say "I was afraid"? Rather, it means "from Your hearing I was afraid." And what is "Your hearing"? From the place where one hears. And why did he say "hearing"? He should have said "understanding," as in a nation whose language you shall not hear meaning understand (Deuteronomy 28:49). And why "I was afraid"? Because the ear is in the shape of the letter Aleph א. The Aleph is the head of all letters. Not only that, but the Aleph causes all letters to have their existence. The Aleph is the likeness of the brain. Just as with the Aleph, when you mention it, you open your mouth, so too with Thought: when you think, you should think unto the Infinite original: Ein Sof and the ultimate purpose. From the Aleph all letters emerged. Do you not see that it is at their beginning? And it says, And the Lord at their head (Micah 2:13). Note that every Name written with Y-H-V-H is unique to the Holy One, Blessed be He, and is sanctified in holiness. And what is "in holiness"? In the Holy Palace. And where is the Holy Palace? It is in Thought. And our life is the Aleph. This is what is meant by O Lord, I have heard the report of You and I was afraid. So too Habakkuk said: "I knew my prayer was received with delight (others say: in the Holy Palace), and I also delighted. But when I reached a certain place and understood 'Your report,' I was afraid." Therefore: O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years. To what is this comparable? To a king who was wondrous and established, who entered his house and commanded everyone not to ask for him. Therefore, he who asks is afraid lest the king know he is transgressing his command. Therefore he said: I was afraid, O Lord, Your work in the midst of the years revive it. Thus said Habakkuk: "Since Your name is such, and Your name is Your work, in the midst of the years revive it, lest it be [lost] forever."

Another interpretation: To what is this comparable? To a king who had a fine pearl, which was the treasure of the kingdom. In the time of his joy, he hugs it and kisses it and places it upon his head, for he loves it. Habakkuk said: "Even though the angels are with You, that pearl is a treasure in the world." Therefore: in the midst of the years revive it. What is the meaning of the expression "years"? As it is said: And God said, Let there be light (Genesis 1:3). And there is no light but "day," as it is written: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night (Genesis 1:16). And the "years" are the "days." This is the meaning of in the midst of the years—bring close that pearl which gives birth to the years. But is it not written: I will bring your seed from the east (Isaiah 43:5), and the sun rises from the east? And you say the pearl is "day"? I only said: And it was evening and it was morning, one day (Genesis 1:5). And it is written: In the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven (Genesis 2:4). But is it not written: He made darkness His hiding place, His pavilion round about Him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies (Psalm 18:11)? It is written: And the skies drop down righteousness (Isaiah 45:8). And this "righteousness" original: Tzedek is the attribute of the world, as it is said: Justice, justice Tzedek, tzedek shall you follow (Deuteronomy 16:20), and it is written: that you may live and inherit the land. And if you judge yourself...