The Tetragrammatan: YHVH/Yod-Heh-Vau-Heh
The Kabbalah focuses on the nature of Deity and the relationship between
Deity, the world, and humanity. It is considered ancient transmitted doctrine,
but also emphasizes personal experience. While Kabbalistic Judaism never ceases
belief in strict monotheism--the ultimate Oneness of Deity--that monotheism is
integrated with the belief that the One Deity has a number of different
persons, attributes, or emanations.
In addition to perceiving Deity to be a complementary duality of feminine and
masculine, Kabbalah also perceives Deity to be a family of Father, Mother, Son,
and Daughter. Both Father and Son are aspects of the Lord; and both Mother
and Daughter are aspects of the Shekhina.
Among the names of the Hebrew God in the Bible is Yahweh--YHVH in
Hebrew. These four letters are referred to as the Tetragrammatan. Each letter
came to represent in Kabbalistic theology a distinct familial aspect of Deity: Y
(Yod) representing Deity as Father; H (Heh) representing Deity as Mother; V (Vau)
representing Deity as Son; and the second H (Heh) representing Deity as
Daughter. This Tetrad is not unlike the Canaanite-Hebrew Tetrad of El-Asherah-Baal-Astarte.
Father Yod and Mother Heh are considered inseparable in permanent embrace,
and filled with great unceasing mutual love for each other. According to the
Zohar:
"The Father and the Mother, since they are found in union all the time
and are never hidden or separated from each other, are called 'Companions.'...
And they find satisfaction in permanent union."
Son Vau and Daughter Heh are considered both siblings and consorts.
They have
both a passionate and contentious relationship with each other. Both are given
numerous names and attributes. Son Vau is considered to be Sky, and Daughter Heh
is
considered to be Earth. Son Vau is also commonly called the King. Daughter Heh is also
called Night, Moon, Sea, and the Matronit.
Son Vau and Daughter Heh are thought to have wedded and embraced nightly in
Solomon's Temple. Cherubim (Angels of Love) were born from Their embrace. With
the destruction of the Temple, Son Vau is believed to have withdrawn into
Heaven, while Daughter Heh is believed to have accompanied the Hebrews into exile.
Kabbalists believe that humans can impact the Divine Couple. When Israel sins against Yahweh, it is believed to
cause a quarrel and separation
between Son Vau and Daughter Heh. Separation weakens Son Vau, who
cannot act without Daughter Heh. They are hoped to be reunited on the Day of
Atonement.
Similarly, an unloving or adulterous human relationship is believed
to cause the Divine Couple to quarrel. Conversely, a loving relationship between human
spouses is believed to help reconcile Divine Son Vau and Daughter Heh. Pious Jews pray,
do good deeds, and have sacred union with their spouses to help bring about the
reunification of Son Vau and Daughter Heh, which will restore peace and order in
the world.
[Primary Source: R. Patai, The Hebrew Goddess (1990). See also C. Matthews,
Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom (1991); T. Schipflinger, Sophia-Maria (1998); G.
Scholem, On the Mystical Shape of the Godhead (1991); G. Scholem, Kabbalah
(1974); G. Scholem, On the Kabbalah and its Symbolism (1965).]
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All Gods and
Goddesses
are aspects of
the One Deity

The One
Deity
is reflected in
all Gods and Goddesses

The One
Deity
is Deity of all

Deity is
male and female,
yet genderless

Deity is
all forms,
yet formless

Deity is
within all;
Deity is
beyond all

Deity is
all-embracing
love

With all
that
is known by all
the world's sages,
with all that
is written in all
sacred books,
with all that
is experienced
in all
spiritual traditions,
we still cannot
know
the unknowable--
Deity is
Mystery

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