Introduction to the Kabbalah

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and they would seem, in a way, to dwell in this pleasant communion of men. For Nature bestowed the capacity of leaving behind both children and the memory of oneself. If humans did not presage—by some secret dictate of nature—that the passage of both [children and memory] to future ages pertains greatly to them even after death, they would never be driven to pass these things down to posterity with such vigor and burning love. Indeed, this legacy acts as a good that compensates for their destruction original: interitum; referring to the death of the physical body. It is something to be cherished and desired as much as, or even more than, life itself, depending on whether it brings a smaller or greater beauty of honor.

This faculty granted by nature, by which men leave a part of themselves behind in this world after death, is twofold, corresponding to the two parts of which we are composed: the body and the soul.

From the part belonging to the body, a lineage of children and the memory of physical excellences original: corporearumque virtutum are handed down to posterity. Thus, Milo of Croton Milo of Croton: A legendary Greek athlete of the 6th century BCE, renowned for his superhuman strength and his six Olympic wrestling titles. is remembered for his immense physical might; thus Lynceus Lynceus the Argonaut: In Greek mythology, a hero with sight so keen he could see through trees, stones, and even into the earth. the Argonaut is celebrated for his sharp and piercing vision; and others are remembered throughout the ages for their beauty or other physical perfections.

However, the legacy belonging to the soul is not only the most widespread—for through it we see countless men who have earned the admiration of posterity for being distinguished in various arts, such as poets, orators, philosophers, mathematicians, astrologers In the 17th century, "astrologos" often referred to both astronomers and astrologers without the modern distinction., military leaders, and indeed painters, sculptors, carvers, and others—but it is also far more desirable and glorious. For although children [are sought] with the most burning zeal...