Bringing the Heavens to the Earth

(12 Pillars)

Primary Content (From 1 Sefer Moses, the Book of Beginnings):

• Chapter 19 – The Twelve Righteous
• Chapter 20 – The Tower
• Chapter 21 – The Greatest of These

Additional Reading (Comparison Texts):

• Genesis 11 from the Inspired Version of the Bible
• Declarations of Neum 3:32-40 (From the Plates of Brass)

Objectives:

• Compare and Contrast: A Wicked Judge vs. Sound Judgment
• Consider the path from Emner Kar to Nimrod

Kabbalistic Concepts:

• 12 Pillars Standing Together
• Bringing the heavens to the Earth

Engage:

Engage the Concepts through Comparison

Chapter 19 and 20 have stories about two different kinds of judgment.  The judgment of an unrighteous judge against the 12 righteous.  And the judgment of YHVH against the tower and its builders. Compare and contrast these two situations and how judgment was made and carried out.

Chapter 21 is included in this section of reading even though it is not necessarily about Nimrod because it is in Chapter 11 of Genesis in the Inspired Version of the bible, along with the Nimrod story.  In it, we get a comparison of YHVH with the “gods” made by mankind.  (Such as the ones that Abraham’s father made his living by making and selling these gods/idols).   Compare and contrast YHVH with the elohim of mankind to find a deeper understanding of both.  

Engage the Spirit through Contemplation

Chapter 19:23-27 contains a viewpoint that seems to be a key missing detail that explains what was wrong with building a tower.  Without that detail, it seems odd that YHVH would destroy this specific tower even though the ancient world has many such structures.  What is so wrong about seeking to enter heaven?  Whether that be physical, spiritual, metaphorical, or whatever.  That seems like a reasonable endeavor.   What is the modern day equivalent of this concept?  How about the modern day equivalent of bringing the heavens to the earth?  What does it have to do with towers, temples or other great and spacious buildings?

In Chapter 19:41-55 Tzophar speaks for the 12 righteous, and outlines the secrets of YHVH.  And, Laaden felt like Tzophar was dodging his question and giving him some list of empty wisdom sayings.  What do you think of Tzophar’s response?  Was it genuine? Was he dodging the question? Are those the secrets of YHVH?

Engage the Group through Discussion

When you meet together as a group to discuss the content of these chapters, here are some ideas to help get the discussion going:

• Recently revealed elements of his story reveal not just some missing details, but an entire character arc that he goes through.  Emner Kar’s fall is absolutely tragic.  He starts out in an honest pursuit of YHVH, and ends up falling into the deepest abyss.  What things were part of that seduction?  What false ideas did he believe? Where did they come from? How did he accept them?  Were there warning signs? How can we avoid his fate?  Or is it safe for us to assume his story is just history and we aren’t like him and his story is not a warning to us specifically?