Divine Benevolence and the Duality of the World: Selections from the Kabbalistic Zohar, Part 2 of 2

“The third color is the yellow of all yellows, which includes and conceals all other yellows, and in the circumference of that yellow there whirl around two threads (of color), a red thread on the one direction, and a black thread in another direction; and they surround that yellow color. But when that white brilliance whirls around it, and the eye flames with that white brilliance, all those other colors are not at rest, and are submerged in the lowest depths thereof; the red, the yellow, and the black are not seen, only that white brilliance alone; which receives its light from Him, even from the Ancient of Days.”

“This is that which is written: ‘Justice dwelt therein’ (in Microprosopus); because therein are found many most severe judgments, as in all other instances. But in the time to come there shall be found therein one eye of mercy (namely) the eye of the Ancient of Days. This is that which is intimated, Isaiah 54:7: ‘But with great mercies will I gather thee.’ Where, because it is said ‘with mercies,’ Assuredly because mercy is duplicated, (namely) the mercy of the Ancient of Days (Macroprosopus), which is called ‘great mercies.’ And the mercy of Microprosopus, which is called mercies plain and unqualified, seeing that in Him there are right and left, (symbolizing the balance of) justice and mercy. And therefore, is it said: ‘And in great mercies will I gather thee;’ those, namely, of the Ancient of Days. This have we learned. In those eyes (of Microprosopus), and in the two colours of them namely, in the red and in the black, there are said to abide two tears, and when He, even the Holy of the Holy Ones, desires to have mercy upon the Israelites, then He sends down those two tears so that they may grow sweet in the (waters of the) great sea. The great sea, which is that of excellent wisdom, so that in that stream (otherwise, white brilliance) and in that fountain they may be cleansed; and they go forth from the great sea, and there is mercy upon the Israelites.”