חכמה

כתר

כתר

חכמה

בינה

בינה

Quick facts:

חכמה

ספירה

חכמה

(Conceptual) Wisdom; Creativity.

Quick Definition & Function

חכמה is wisdom, specifically the first instance of wisdom in creation, bridging nothingness and creation. It is the first ספירה—abstract on its own but comprehensible when paired with בינה (Understanding).

Also Called

Ayin

Facts & Links

Quick facts and links that give a broader view of Chochmah

Chochmah's Partzuf:

Av

Chochmah Includes the Partzuf:

Abba Ila'ah ;Yisroel Saba.

Placement in the scheme of Sefiros:

First of the Right Line

Etymology

The word חכמה can be rearranged to spell כ״ח מ״ה (Koach Mah), literally meaning "the potential (or power) of what," which can be generally understood as an openness to the unknown.

מה (Mah), in addition to being an expression of inquiry, can also be seen as an expression of אין (Ayin, nothingness). For example, when משה said, "And what are we?" his deeper meaning could be interpreted as, "We are what? — We are nothing." This suggests that the power to receive is inherently tied to the concept of ביטול. This is one understanding among many.

Definitions

חכמה is the first of the עשר הספירות. It is called "the beginning," from which everything after it is derived.

"חכמה מאין תמצא" means that its source, כתר, is in a state of concealment referred to as אין.

1. Relative to כתר, חכמה is called יש.
2. Relative to בינה and the subsequent ספירות, חכמה is called אין (Ayin, Nothing).

חכמה is not apprehensible until it develops within בינה. An example is given of a point of light in a palace: if there is no light, you cannot see the beautiful palace around you; and if there is light but no palace, then there is nothing to see. Therefore, חכמה and בינה are called "Two friends that do not separate."

The simple translation of חכמה is “wisdom.” However, as explained in Chassidus, חכמה does not refer to wisdom in a simple sense, but rather the ability to transcend one’s understanding and appreciate novel frontiers which makes it possible to grasp a new concept. Thus, it is identified with ביטול, rising above oneself.