שבירה ShevirahVIShaarei Orah
R. Joseph Gikatilla · Castile, late 13th c.15 gates

שערי אורהShaarei Orah.

Ten gates, ten names, from the doorway of Adonai to the crown of Ehyeh.
To know the Names is to find the door a prayer enters by.

The Keys to Prayer

1
  1. Iכדמיון מפתחותThe Names as KeysNot the one who mentions My name, but the one who knows it.

The Gate of Kingship

2
  1. IIתחילת השערים והמפתחותAdonai, Gate and TreasuryA full storehouse, and a man starving at the wrong door.
  2. IIIהשכינה כאכסנאיThe Wandering PresenceA guest moving tent to tent, until the house was built.

The Pillars Below

4
  1. IVמקור מים חייםShaddai, Fountain of LifeFollow the bank, and the water leads you home.
  2. Vשלוש מיני בריתThe Three CovenantsBetween the ten fingers and the ten toes, a covenant.
  3. VIמראות הצובאותThe Mirrors of ProphecyOne mirror polished, the rest misted, but one light in both.
  4. VIIיכין ובועזJachin and BoazTwo pillars at the threshold, and souls flying between them.

The Trunk and Its Arms

4
  1. VIIIכדמיון גוף האילןThe Trunk of the TreeMove the trunk, and every leaf in heaven trembles.
  2. IXמלבושים שהמלך מתלבשThe Garments of the KingSplendor for the court, armor for war, nothing for the queen.
  3. Xחותם אלהיםCreation Before the CourtEvery creature was measured, asked, and said yes.
  4. XIאל מלך יושב על כסא רחמיםEl Scatters the CampsOne door of mercy opens, and three hundred camps flee.

The Hidden Heights

4
  1. XIIרחובות הנהרBroad Places of the RiverA river without banks, a field without boundary stones.
  2. XIIIתשובהReturn to the TreeCut from the branch, and grafted back where it broke.
  3. XIVונהר יוצא מעדןThe River from EdenThe garden drinks from a spring no eye has seen.
  4. XVכמו שהכתר סובב על הראשEhyeh, the Encircling CrownNo one knows its place, yet every praise finds it.