שבירה ShevirahVSefer HaBahir
Attributed to R. Nechunya ben HaKanah · Provence, late 12th c.14 teachings

ספר הבהירSefer HaBahir.

A book of riddles and royal parables, where letters become houses and pipes,
souls fly from a tree, and the first light waits, hidden.

Brightness and the First Letter

4
  1. Iאור בהיר הוא בשחקיםBright Light in CloudsEven the darkness is not dark to You.
  2. IIתהו ובהוTohu and BohuConfusion first, then something that holds.
  3. IIIב סתומה מכל צדBet, the World's HouseA house open on one side, and the world inside.
  4. IVמעין מים חייםPalace on Living WaterHe struck rock for a palace and found a spring.

Letters and the Tree of All

3
  1. Vדומה לצינורGimel the ChannelIt drinks from above and pours below.
  2. VIוקראתי שמו כלThe Tree of AllEverything hangs on it; from it, souls fly.
  3. VIIפתוחה לטוב ולרעThe Open NorthThrough the gate where evil leaves, good leaves too.

Sinai, the Daughter, and Thought

3
  1. VIIIרואים את הקולותSeeing the VoicesSeven voices seen, then one word heard.
  2. IXשם חלון בינו לבינהThe King's DaughterOne window between the palace and the bride.
  3. Xלאין סוף ותכליתAlef, Endless ThoughtThought rises; there is no bottom to descend to.

Powers, Light, and Return

4
  1. XIעשר ספירותTen Fingers, Ten SefirotTen fingers raised; ten powers that seal the world.
  2. XIIוגנזו לצדיקיםThe Light Stored AwayA seventh shines here; the rest waits for the righteous.
  3. XIIIאבן מאסו הבוניםThe Rejected Precious StoneThe stone refused twice became the corner.
  4. XIVנטע בגנו כרםThe Replanted VineyardUprooted, cleaned, planted again, for a thousand generations.