Now that we have seen the possible divisions of the text of the Ten Commandments, we can turn to corresponding its 10 elements to the sefirot. First, we need to focus our attention on the division based on the paragraphs, the first one we looked at, where the 10 parts were the “Ten Words.” Next, we need to find a model of the ten sefirot that resembles the characteristics of the paragraph division. There are two specific characteristics we are searching for: 1) that the first two sefirot are as one paralleling the fact that the first “word” contains two commandments: “I am Havayah your God” and “You shall have no gods besides Me.” 2) that the final two sefirot—foundation and kingdom—should be both distinct yet appear as one because “Do not covet your neighbor’s house” and “Do not covet your neighbor’s wife” appear in one verse that is divided into two paragraphs.
The model we are looking for is found in the very first source to mention the Ten Sefirot, Sefer Yetzirah—the Book of Formation—which states at the conclusion of its first chapter:
These are the ten matterless sefirot. One is the Spirit of the Living God; Spirit from Spirit, and Water from Spirit, and Fire from Water; and the extremes Above and Below, East and West, North and South.
We are probably more familiar with the names of the sefirot being: crown, wisdom, understanding, etc. However, Sefer Yetzirah has its own unique naming scheme. According to the commentaries, Sefer Yetzirah divided the crown into two parts—the crown’s interior and its exterior—and therefore its reckoning of the ten sefirot does not include either knowledge (da’at) or kingdom (malchut).
In the Zohar and later Kabbalistic texts, the crown’s interior is known as Atik Yomin and its exterior is known as Arich Anpin. Where is knowledge? There is a well-known principle that when the crown is enumerated, knowledge is not, and vice versa.
Thus, the partzuf of the sefirot in Sefer Yetzirah is:
- Atik Yomin: One, the Spirit of the Living God
- Arich Anpin: Spirit from Spirit
- wisdom-chochmah: Water from Spirit
- understanding-binah: Fire from Water
- loving-kindness-chessed: Extreme of South
- might-gevurah: Extreme of North
- beauty-tiferet: Extreme of East
- victory-netzach: Extreme of Above
- splendor-hod: Extreme of Below
- foundation-yesod: Extreme of West
What about kingdom? Generally speaking, kingdom can be included in foundation. This is captured in a model known as the Heichalot, or literally the Chambers. In this model, the lowest Chamber, known as the Chamber of the Sapphire Brick, corresponds to both Foundation and Kingdom together.
We are finally ready to present the full partzuf of the Ten Commandments as they correspond to the sefirot. Immediately after, we will explain each correspondence in detail.
- Atik Yomin: I am Havayah your God
- Arich Anpin: You shall have no gods besides Me
- wisdom-chochmah: You shall not swear falsely by the Name of your God, Havayah
- understanding-binah: Remember the Sabbath day and sanctify it
- loving-kindness-chessed: Honor your father and mother
- might-gevurah: Do not murder
- beauty-tiferet: Do not commit adultery
- victory-netzach: Do not steal
- splendor-hod: Do not bear false witness
- foundation-yesod and kingdom-malchut: Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife
