|: the sefirah chesed

 

Chesed

Chesed is the fourth Sefirah.  It signifies boundless lovingkindness – that unrestrained, unconditional love with which G-d created the universe.  Kabbalah says that this is the actual reason Creation exists, since this is the nature of G-d.  In the Zohar, the 72 “hidden” names of G-d are said to be the 72 “bridges” of Chesed.  Again, in the study of the Sefirot, as with the study of Kabbalah (as with mystical study), nothing acts or functions independently and all of the details are related.  Chesed corresponds (in the tzelem elohim) to the right arm of the body.  The ultimate biblical, historical archetype – fully representative of the attribute of Chesed – was Our Father Abraham.  It is documented that Abraham was incredibly generous and kind to everyone, fully expressing the lovingkindness, compassion and care of G-d.

Chesed also corresponds to the First Day of Creation, and also denotes the expansive desire to embrace or surround that which is created, and to impart the ultimate good upon it.  The First Day of Creation is that day during which G-d created the infinite, Divine Light that has been hidden away for the righteous.