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“All that is thought, should not be said; all that is said,
should not be written; all that is written, should not be
published; all that is published, should not be read”
THE KOTSKER REBBE (1787-1859)
The 10 Principles
The 10 Principles, or 'Sefirot' as they are commonly referred to, are effectively the se
quential building blocks of existence. Everything that there is, was and ever will be is channelled through these 10 Sefirot and the whole integrated nature of this process is appropriately known as the Etz Hayim - The Tree of Life.
What this means in practical terms, i.e. that affect you and me in our daily lives, is that all human understanding and experience is channelled through the 10 Sefirot, which are divided into 2 major categories - 3 of mind and 7 of emotion.
The 3 Dynamics of MIND (Rational)
- Hokhmah - The Capacity for Wisdom (Inspiration and Creativity)
- Binah - The Capacity for Understanding (Lucidity and Intelligibility)
- Da'at - The Capacity for Knowledge (Insight and Perception)
The 7 Dynamics of EMOTION
Primary Emotions (Active)
- Hesed - The Capacity for Loving-Kindness (Altruism and Empathy)
- Gevurah - The Capacity for Self-Discipline (Moderation and Restraint)
- Tiferet - The Capacity for Compassion (Authenticity and Self-Awareness)
- Netzah - The Capacity for Perseverance (Determination and Fortitude)
- Hod - The Capacity for Humility (Foresight and Optimism)
- Yesod - The Capacity for Commitment (Assertiveness and Courage)
- Malkhut - The Capacity for Expression (Harmony and Serenity)
An 11th Principle?
Keter - The Capacity for Thought
The first principle, Hokhmah, starts with a given, namely that we have an innate capacity for formulating thoughts, feelings and experiences. However, what is obviously missing from this process is the nature of their origin, since they clearly don't just spring from nowhere.
This is where Keter fits in.
Keter, which means crown and implies sovereignty, is the funnel through which the building blocks of life itself are channelled. The reason it is not directly included as a principle is mainly because it is so fundamental, acting as a basis for all the other principles, but also simply because we do not have any control as to what enters our minds, only how we choose to respond to whatever thoughts subsequently arise.
In practice, Keter is included in The Tree of Life, through Da'at, which is the Capacity for Knowledge, and is its practical implication, transforming, as it does, abstract constructs into viable realities. Da'at is also the link between the intellect and emotions.