Chesed

Chesed one of the ten sefirot on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. It is given the association of kindness and love, and is the first of the emotive attributes of the sefirot.

In Jewish theology it is used to describe God's love for the Children of Israel, and in Jewish ethics it is used for love or charity between people. Chesed in this latter sense of 'charity' is considered a virtue on its own, and also for its contribution to tikkun olam (repairing the world). It is also considered the foundation of many religious commandments practiced by traditional Jews, especially interpersonal commandments.

Etymology

The root chasad has a primary meaning of "eager and ardent desire," used both in the sense "good, kind" and "shame, contempt." The term chesed is derived from the Hebrew root ח-ס-ד, which conveys the idea of loyal love or steadfast kindness.

The noun chesed inherits both senses, on one hand "zeal, love, kindness towards someone" and on the other "zeal, ardour against someone; envy, reproach." In its positive sense it is used to describe mutual benevolence, mercy or pity between people, devotional piety of people towards God, as well as the grace, favour or mercy of God towards people.

It occurs 248 times in the Hebrew Bible. In Psalms, it is traditionally translated as "lovingkindness" in English.

Ethics

In traditional ethical literature, chesed is one of the primary virtues. The tannaic rabbi Simon the Just taught: "The world rests upon three things: Torah, service to God, and bestowing kindness" (Pirkei Avot 1:2). Chesed is here the core ethical virtue.

A statement by Rabbi Simlai in the Talmud claims that: "The Torah begins with chesed and ends with chesed." This may be understood to mean that the entire Torah is characterized by chesed, i.e. it sets forth a vision of the ideal life whose goals are behavior characterized by mercy and compassion. Alternatively, it may allude to the idea that the giving of the Torah itself is the quintessential act of chesed.

In terms of virtues and vices, Chesed's virtue is obedience, reflecting alignment with divine will through acts of kindness. Its vice is bigotry or hypocrisy, indicating the perversion of kindness into favoritism or unjust discrimination.

Description

Chesed, the fourth of the ten sefirot on the Tree of Life, is located on the right pillar, which is associated with mercy and compassion. As a sefirah, Chesed embodies the divine quality of unconditional love and benevolence, serving as a conduit for the flow of divine energy and grace into the world.

The first three of the ten sefirot are the attributes of the intellect, while chesed is the first sephira of the attribute of action. In the kabbalistic Tree of life, its position is below Chokmah, across from Gevurah and above Netzach.

Occult correspondences

In occult practices, chesed signifies compassion, mercy, and the unconditional love of the divine. It embodies growth, abundance, and the expansive nature of divine energy, often symbolizing the idea of a benevolent ruler who governs with wisdom and kindness.

In practical Kabbalistic work, Chesed can be invoked to bring about healing, generosity, and harmonious expansion. Meditative practices focusing on Chesed aim to open the heart to divine mercy and develop the capacity for kindness and magnanimity.

Other associations include:

• the planet Jupiter, reflecting qualities of generosity and authority.
• the God-name associated with Chesed is El, which signifies might and power in a benevolent context.
• the Archangel Zadkiel oversees Chesed, embodying the mercy and benevolence that this sephirah represents.
• the angelic order of this sphere is the Hashmallim.
• its tarot card is the Emperor.

The opposing qlippoth is represented by the demonic order Gha’ag Sheklah.

Chesed is often depicted in blue, symbolizing serenity and expansiveness.

Its symbols include the wand, representing authority and power, and the tetrahedron, denoting stability and structure.