לְךָ֣ יקוק הַגְּדֻלָּ֨ה וְהַגְּבוּרָ֤ה וְהַתִּפְאֶ֙רֶת֙ וְהַנֵּ֣צַח וְהַה֔וֹד כִּי־כֹ֖ל בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם וּבָאָ֑רֶץ לְךָ֤ יקוק הַמַּמְלָכָ֔ה וְהַמִּתְנַשֵּׂ֖א לְכֹ֥ל ׀ לְרֹֽאשׁ׃
Yours, LORD, are greatness, might, splendor, triumph, and majesty—yes, all that is in heaven and on earth; to You, LORD, belong kingship and preeminence above all.
Looking closely at the layout of the sefirot on the Tree of Life, we see Yesod is situated toward the bottom. Yesod connects the upper 6 to Malchut/Schechinah the lowest. Yesod is therefore alluded to above "all that is in Heaven and on Earth" connecting the upper and lower worlds. Yesod literally means "foundation" but is deeply associated with connection. By extension, and given its place as the 'sexual organ' of the Primordial Man, Yesod draws our attention to our connections with each other. Not only our sexual or romantic relationships, but to our deep emotional bonds with friends, family and community.
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, On Repentance, pp. 114-115
Judaism has always viewed man from this dual perspective. It sees every person as an independent individual and also as part of a community, a limb of the body of Israel. Jewish thinkers have conducted an ongoing dialectic on this subject throughout the ages. The pivotal question is: Does the individual stand above the community which should serve its needs, or should the individual subordinate himself to the community's needs? In Judaism this question has been asked in relation to the individual who serves as a community leader. Who, in our history, was a greater leader than Moses, redeemer of Israel, the great rabbi and teacher, about whom our Sages wrote that his worth was equivalent to that of six hundred thousand men, meaning the total number of the male community of his time? Nonetheless, when the children of Israel fashioned the Golden Calf, "God said to Moses, 'Go down - lower yourself down; for did I not grant you greatness only to benefit Israel? And now that Israel has sinned, what need have I of you?'" (Berakhot 32b). Even the greatness of an individual like Moses is dependent upon the community. It would seem that the community and the individual are placed in balance with each other and are interdependent. At times we find that the community must sacrifice itself on behalf of the individual ... And at times the individual must sacrifice himself for the good of the community.
Never is the individual's worth belittled when measured against the whole community; and never is the community undermined because of any individual or individuals. Each has its own position of strength.
Judaism has always viewed man from this dual perspective. It sees every person as an independent individual and also as part of a community, a limb of the body of Israel. Jewish thinkers have conducted an ongoing dialectic on this subject throughout the ages. The pivotal question is: Does the individual stand above the community which should serve its needs, or should the individual subordinate himself to the community's needs? In Judaism this question has been asked in relation to the individual who serves as a community leader. Who, in our history, was a greater leader than Moses, redeemer of Israel, the great rabbi and teacher, about whom our Sages wrote that his worth was equivalent to that of six hundred thousand men, meaning the total number of the male community of his time? Nonetheless, when the children of Israel fashioned the Golden Calf, "God said to Moses, 'Go down - lower yourself down; for did I not grant you greatness only to benefit Israel? And now that Israel has sinned, what need have I of you?'" (Berakhot 32b). Even the greatness of an individual like Moses is dependent upon the community. It would seem that the community and the individual are placed in balance with each other and are interdependent. At times we find that the community must sacrifice itself on behalf of the individual ... And at times the individual must sacrifice himself for the good of the community.
Never is the individual's worth belittled when measured against the whole community; and never is the community undermined because of any individual or individuals. Each has its own position of strength.
כַּעֲב֣וֹר ס֭וּפָה וְאֵ֣ין רָשָׁ֑ע וְ֝צַדִּ֗יק יְס֣וֹד עוֹלָֽם׃
When the storm passes the wicked man is gone,
But the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
Our actions and choices have a profound impact on our relationships. In the passage from Proverbs, we learn that Tzadik (a Righteous person) is the Yesod (foundation) of the world. Thinking about Rabbi Soloveitchik's words, how do we cultivate our inner Tzadik within our community.
If Tzadik is Yesod Olam, then what do we make of the role of Tzadikim (Righteous people/mensches), Tzedek (Justice) and Tzedakah (Charitable giving/generosity) in bonding our world with the upper worlds?
If Tzadik is Yesod Olam, then what do we make of the role of Tzadikim (Righteous people/mensches), Tzedek (Justice) and Tzedakah (Charitable giving/generosity) in bonding our world with the upper worlds?
[קנג] והנה, למען יהיה חיבור ושיתוף הרחמים להדין, או חיבור השם יתברך להעולמות, נצרך לזכות מלמטה, ועל ידי זה יבוא החיבור וגם ההשפעה מלמעלה. וכמו שכתוב: "אמת מארץ תצמח כו' גם ה' יתן הטוב" כו'.
153. The union and joining of Mercy with Judgment, or the connection of G-d with the worlds, depends on and is initiated by the merits of Mankind. This union in turn causes a precipitation of influence from above, as scripture states, "Truth sprouts from the earth (i.e. from below) and G-d will give goodness (i.e. responding from above)".
Through the channel of Yesod -- that is through our interactions and relationships -- we are able to affect the upper worlds and in turn, the upper worlds will affect us. Our relationships in life serve as prototype and microcosm of our relationship with God - individually, communally and globally. How we treat each other is how we end up being treated.
As you continue to interact with people, be them family, friend, stranger, rival, teammate, coworker or acquaintance -- how will you bring an elevated sense of holiness to others in your life?
Yesod is related to Netzach and Hod, much like Tiferet is to Chesed and Gevurah. Tiferet is the balancing of our kindness and discipline. Yesod is the depth of bonding we can form when we balance our ambitions and humility, our tenacity and our gratitude. When we fight hard for our success without losing sight of each others' immeasurable worth, we are best situated to foster deep bonds of connection with others. Imagine how hard it can be to connect with someone who's always working or may be intimidatingly successful? Imagine how difficult is can be to connect with someone who doesn't show up and seems passion-less? Arrogance could be an excess of Netzach or a deficiency of Hod -- knowing egoism is often a function of insecurity. How do we work on that inner balance in order to best connect with others in our lives?
As you continue to interact with people, be them family, friend, stranger, rival, teammate, coworker or acquaintance -- how will you bring an elevated sense of holiness to others in your life?
Yesod is related to Netzach and Hod, much like Tiferet is to Chesed and Gevurah. Tiferet is the balancing of our kindness and discipline. Yesod is the depth of bonding we can form when we balance our ambitions and humility, our tenacity and our gratitude. When we fight hard for our success without losing sight of each others' immeasurable worth, we are best situated to foster deep bonds of connection with others. Imagine how hard it can be to connect with someone who's always working or may be intimidatingly successful? Imagine how difficult is can be to connect with someone who doesn't show up and seems passion-less? Arrogance could be an excess of Netzach or a deficiency of Hod -- knowing egoism is often a function of insecurity. How do we work on that inner balance in order to best connect with others in our lives?
פִּתְחוּ־לִ֥י שַׁעֲרֵי־צֶ֑דֶק אָֽבֹא־בָ֝ם אוֹדֶ֥ה יָֽהּ׃
Open the gates of Tzedek for me
that I may enter them and praise the LORD.
זֶֽה־הַשַּׁ֥עַר לַיהוָ֑ה צַ֝דִּיקִ֗ים יָבֹ֥אוּ בֽוֹ׃
This is the gateway to the LORD—
Tzadikim shall enter through it.
Questions For Further Self-Exploration Regarding Yesod
Chesed in Yesod (36)
Love is at the heart of bonding. How do I show my love and kindness in my relationships? Do I approach new relationships in a kind/loving way?
Gevurah in Yesod (37)
Bonding must be done with discretion and consideration of the other. How do I respect the other's need for space? Am I too dependent on them? Are they too dependent on me? Are my relationships healthy? How do I foster the strength to take my space away from toxic or problematic relationships?
Tiferet in Yesod (38)
Do I approach my relationships with honesty and integrity? Am I able to be my authentic self in my relationships? Am I willing to empathize and meet people where they are?
Netzach in Yesod (39)
Am I committed to my relationships? Are they built to last? A strong relationship must be able to withstand challenges and setbacks. How resilient am I in my relationships? Do those I care about know how much I care about them?
Hod in Yesod (40)
Humility is crucial in healthy relationships. Do I show appreciation and gratitude to those I bond with? Do I recognize and uplift others for their strengths? Am I remembering to consider the others' needs in my relationship or am I overly focused on myself and my desires?
Yesod in Yesod (41)
Generally, how am I relating to others? Am I taking time to bond and connect with family? with friends? coworkers, teammates, community members? Do I work well with others? If not, why am I struggling to connect?
Malchut in Yesod (42)
Do I find myself uplifted and empowered by my relationships with others? Do my relationships invite God's presence into my life? How do my relationships help me manifest my most noble potential?
Chesed in Yesod (36)
Love is at the heart of bonding. How do I show my love and kindness in my relationships? Do I approach new relationships in a kind/loving way?
Gevurah in Yesod (37)
Bonding must be done with discretion and consideration of the other. How do I respect the other's need for space? Am I too dependent on them? Are they too dependent on me? Are my relationships healthy? How do I foster the strength to take my space away from toxic or problematic relationships?
Tiferet in Yesod (38)
Do I approach my relationships with honesty and integrity? Am I able to be my authentic self in my relationships? Am I willing to empathize and meet people where they are?
Netzach in Yesod (39)
Am I committed to my relationships? Are they built to last? A strong relationship must be able to withstand challenges and setbacks. How resilient am I in my relationships? Do those I care about know how much I care about them?
Hod in Yesod (40)
Humility is crucial in healthy relationships. Do I show appreciation and gratitude to those I bond with? Do I recognize and uplift others for their strengths? Am I remembering to consider the others' needs in my relationship or am I overly focused on myself and my desires?
Yesod in Yesod (41)
Generally, how am I relating to others? Am I taking time to bond and connect with family? with friends? coworkers, teammates, community members? Do I work well with others? If not, why am I struggling to connect?
Malchut in Yesod (42)
Do I find myself uplifted and empowered by my relationships with others? Do my relationships invite God's presence into my life? How do my relationships help me manifest my most noble potential?