Healing Well of Miriam

The array the sefirot forms energetic triads that interact with each other.  This facilitates the balance of the flow of shefa (divine energy) into the world.   This concept, repeated throughout the array of the ten sefirot, is dramatically illustrated in the triad of Chesed, Gevurah, and Tiferet—ChaGaT.    Each of these is personified through one of the patriarchs.  Abraham served God through chesed, encouraging service through love. Isaac proclaimed the fear of God, warning against violating the prohibitions of the Torah.   Jacob held both, proclaiming the truth through balance between mercy and justice.   

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Chesed, lovingkindness, is an act that is not required from the perspective of Din (judgement).  Rather, it comes from one’s own volition, without any duress, for another’s benefit.   Such selfless giving is what prompted Abraham to pray for Sodom and Gomorrah.  EL, the King who dwells on the throne of mercy, is in charge of compassion and mercy and sits above the great court known as ELOHIM.  The abundant mercy of Chesed prompted Heaven to involve Abraham in the judgement process, knowing his heart would agree with God’s and plead their case in the world.   Abraham appealed to EL Elyon (the uppermost EL), knowing that the sins of the cities were so egregious that the people could not be spared on their own merit, and that they would not even consider praying for themselves.  We can engage the attribute of Chesed within ourselves through meditation, such as:

El, You are merciful and pardoning, long forbearing and abundant in kindness and truth.