אין הא"ס נרמז בשום שםBeyond Every Name
ein ha-ein sof nirmaz be-shum shemIn Gamatria ↗
Every name, even 'one,' draws an edge around Him.
Why may the Infinite not be hinted by any name, letter or vowel point? Yehoyada sorts the kinds of names. A name of essence, or of part of it, needs a knowledge of Him that no one has. Qualities like wise or merciful are accidents added to a substance, and nothing is added to Him. Relational names like father imply something new; 'Cause of causes' is allowed, says Cordovero, because it names His power to cause. Names of action are where he parts with the Rambam (Guide I 52–58): from the simple only the simple comes, so many acts would mean many aspects. Variety enters only by descent below the Keter of Adam Kadmon. Even 'wise, though not as we are' limits Him to one perfection. Even 'one' limits: 'before One, what do you count?'
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