Tanya class 9 - Defining the seven emotions

Chesed -desire, love, kindness, expansion, water, coolness, growth, upwards movement, abundance, unlimited, boundless, giving, “yes”, supernatural. (Avraham was the person that personified this sefirah in the world.) Gevura-boundaries, strength, judgment, constraint, “no”, containing, fire, downward moving, limitations, heat, fear, strictness, assessment, nature. (Yitzchok) Tiferes-truth, connection, beauty, harmony, healing, tension of opposites, joy, gratitude, presence in the now, integration between right and left sides, healthy balance of boundaries and love, compassion, space for every part of who I am, for belonging as I am, where I am. My authenticity is my beauty. (Yacov) Netzach - victory, unwavering commitment, determination, confidence, success (Moshe) Hod-thanksgiving, humility, acknowledging, admitting, sincerity, consistency, simplicity splendour, realistic, endurance (Aaron) Yesod-is translated literally as foundation. While Tiferes allows and makes space for varying voices to exist in one’s inner world, Yesod is about bonding and harmonizing with the world and others. It guides how one forms relationships with people, with money, and manage all the desires of the world. It’s the point where one connects, inner world with outer world in an authentic way. It is a conquering, giving, masculine energy (Yosef). Malchus – kingship, dignity, a deep connection to ones essence, the inner power of conviction that one makes a difference in the world. It is the experience of deep inner pleasure. It is the sefirah that is represented by Shabbos as there are 7 sefirah’s and 7 days of the week-- Shabbos being a day when one rests and engages in physical pleasures as part of the mitzva (beautiful clothes, lavish foods). Other qualities of Malchus are: leadership, speech, graciousness, authority, devotion, benevolence, royalty, letting go of attempting to control things that are not within ones circle of choice It is receiving, nurturing, feminine energy. It is the ability to be a vessel/channel/pipeline, to bring forward (energy, consciousness, abundance etc.) from a higher place down to its full expression in reality. King Dovid is the person who represents this sefirah. When he was asked how he merited to be the king he said, ‘because I know who the real King is.’ Malchus is interchangeable with Keter, (the 11th sefirah which is above the 10 sefirot like a crown) Malchus is the lowest sefirah of each world and is interchangeable with the the highest sefirah of the world below it, it’s the link. Keter/crown is made up of a will (the outside) and pleasure (the inside) - ratzon and tanug).