Gevurah of Chesed

Gevurah of Chesed

Strictness/Strength of Kindness

Day 2

Since Gevurah is essentially “withholding” and kindness is essentially “free flowing” Chesed of Gevurah means you withhold something in order to allow a free flow. Perhaps like when you squeeze a tube in order to build up the pressure for the liquid to come out. Perhaps withholding judgment so the flow can just continue giving.It’s like pulling the bow string backwards in order to enable further flight. Or the concept “descent for the purpose of elevation.”

There are two types of mixtures between attributes, such as kindness and strictness. The first is when there essences are mixed together, each weakening the other and tempering it. This results in a third state, a mixture of the two, like onion cooked with honey.The second is the actual other attribute working towards the purpose of first. For example, Gehinom is actual judgment, but for the kindness of purification of the soul and its reward. Further, however, the second, even opposite, attribute gets subsumed into the first, becoming an actual expression of it.

This can be seen in, for example, intentional transgressions that turn into merits or the branch that Moshe threw into the bitter water and turned it sweet. The prosecuting angel itself becomes the defense and the enemy becomes a dear friend. The 11 curses become the 11 spices of incense and the curses change to blessings. The ninth of Av and the fast days become holidays and, in general.

This is a general rule that the Zohar describes, לאכללה שמאלה בימינה - that the left side should be subsumed by the right side, and not the other way around.There are other mixtures of kindness and strictness, some more easily discerned than others. Such as the mixture of sugar and pepper, compared to the mixture of sugar and salt.