What are the ten sefirot and what is their purpose?

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What are the ten sefirot and what is their purpose?

by Rabbi Yossi Marcus

The ten sefirot are 10 attributes that G-d created through which He would project Himself to creation and man. They have been called the ten building blocks of creation.

The word sefirah has the connotation of “story” (sippur), “number” (mispar) and “border” (sifar), among other things. Paradoxically, they limit as they reveal. When an author has an idea in his head he must confine it to specific words. The words confine the idea, limit it; but that is the only way the idea can be conveyed to another person. The same with the sefirot. They confine G-d’s light, but at the same time make it possible for us to relate to that light.

The human personality also contains a reflection of these ten attributes both in its G-dly side and animalistic side. For “man was created in the image of G-d.”

The human personality also contains a reflection of these ten attributes both in its G-dly side and animalistic side. For “man was created in the image of G-d.”There are two ways of counting them. One includes Ketter and leaves out Daat, the other includes Daat and omits Ketter:

(Ketter – Crown; Subconsious)

[INTELLECTUAL]

Chochmah – Wisdom; Conception; Seminal Point; the Aha Moment; Lightning

Binah – Understanding; Comprehension; Articulation; Building; Expansion

(Daat – Knowledge; Attachment; Application; Internalization)

[EMOTIONAL]

Chessed – Kindness; Love; Giving; Attraction

Gevurah – Strength; Restraint; Discipline; Judgment

Tiferet – Beauty; Harmony; Empathy; Mercy

[FUNCTIONAL]

Netzach – Victory; Ambition; Fortitude

Hod – Splendor; Devotion; Humility

Yesod – Foundation; Bonding

Malchut - Royalty

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