The Management of the Universe by Elohim and El Elyon Through the Path of the Flaming Sword
In the vast and intricate workings of the universe, the management of Creation by Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) and El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) is often symbolized through the Qabalistic concept of the Path of the Flaming Sword (נתיב החרב הבוערת). This path represents the sequence of manifestation of the Sephiroth (ספירות), the ten emanations through which the Divine Light flows, shaping the cosmos and all within it.
The Flaming Sword, or “Lightning Flash” (ברק), is a powerful symbol in Qabalistic lore, signifying the process of Creation. This path begins with Kether (כֶּתֶר, Crown), the most exalted of the Sephiroth, and descends through Chokmah (חָכְמָה, Wisdom), Binah (בִּינָה, Understanding), Daath (דַעַת, Knowledge), Chesed (חֶסֶד, Mercy), Geburah (גְּבוּרָה, Strength), Tiphareth (תִּפְאֶרֶת, Beauty), Netzach (נֵצַח, Victory), Hod (הוֹד, Glory), Yesod (יְסוֹד, Foundation), and culminates in Malkuth (מַלְכוּת, Kingdom).
The Flaming Sword in Biblical Context
The Flaming Sword finds its origins in the Torah, specifically in Genesis 3:24, where it is said that after Adam and Chavah (Eve) were banished from Gan Eden (Garden of Eden), Elohim placed cherubim and a Flaming Sword to guard the way to the Tree of Life (עֵץ הַחַיִּים):
”So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubim, and the flame of a sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24, WMB)
This sword represents the protective boundary established by Elohim, preventing the fallen state of humanity from accessing eternal life without the necessary rectification. It symbolizes the descent of Divine Light into the world, where each Sephirah represents a stage in the creative process.
The Fall of Lucifer and the Path of Return
According to Qabalistic tradition, when Michael (מִיכָאֵל) banished Lucifer (הֵילֵל, often referred to as the “Light of the Morning Star”), the Flaming Sword was set in place to prevent his return to the heavenly realms. Lucifer’s fall is often interpreted as a symbol of humanity’s own fall from grace, paralleling the expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
In this context, Lucifer embodies the spark of higher consciousness within humans, the drive to ascend beyond mere physical existence and reconnect with the Divine. The path to re-entering Gan Eden requires a reversal of the Path of the Flaming Sword, ascending the Tree of Life (עץ החיים) rather than descending.
Ascending the Tree of Life: The Reversed Path of the Flaming Sword
The journey back to the Divine begins in Malkuth, the physical world, representing the material realm where humanity currently resides. This process involves the activation and purification of the lower Chakras, which correspond to the lower Sephiroth:
1. Malkuth (Kingdom) — Root Chakra (Muladhara): Represents grounding and survival, the foundation of our physical existence.
2. Yesod (Foundation) — Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana): Governs creativity, sexuality, and emotional balance.
3. Hod (Glory) — Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura): Controls personal power, self-esteem, and willpower.
4. Netzach (Victory) — Heart Chakra (Anahata): The center of love, compassion, and spiritual growth.
As the aspirant ascends through these stages, they approach the Abyss, symbolized by Daath, the hidden Sephirah. Daath is the gate to the Spirit Realm and the Supernal Triad (Kether, Chokmah, and Binah). Crossing the Abyss requires the full awakening of the Kundalini (קוּנְדָּלִינִי), the latent spiritual energy within, allowing one to transcend the limitations of the lower Sephiroth.
The Supernals and Full Consciousness
Upon crossing the Abyss, the aspirant enters the realm of the Supernals, where consciousness can operate at its fullest capacity. However, this can only be achieved when the lower Sephiroth, corresponding with the lower Chakras, have been energetically cleansed and balanced. This purification process aligns the individual with the Divine Will, allowing the light of Elohim to flow unimpeded through the entire Tree of Life.
The final goal is the reunification with the Divine Source, where the individual becomes one with the Light of Elohim, transcending the dualities of the material world. This is the ultimate return to Gan Eden, where humanity once again walks with Elohim in perfect harmony.
Conclusion
The Path of the Flaming Sword, as managed by Elohim and El Elyon, provides a profound framework for understanding the process of Creation and the journey of the soul. By traversing this path in reverse, from Malkuth to Kether, one can ascend to higher states of consciousness, reuniting with the Divine and reclaiming the lost paradise of Gan Eden.
This journey is not merely a metaphysical concept but is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures, where the symbolism of the Flaming Sword, the Tree of Life, and the Fall of Lucifer all converge to offer a roadmap for spiritual ascent. As we strive to purify ourselves and align with the Divine Will, we participate in the ongoing creation and management of the universe by Elohim and El Elyon.
References
Bahir, R. (1984). The Bahir: Illumination (A. Kaplan, Trans.). Samuel Weiser, Inc.
Kaplan, A. (1997). Sefer Yetzirah: The Book of Creation in Theory and Practice. Samuel Weiser, Inc.
Munk, M. L. (1983). The Wisdom in the Hebrew Alphabet. Artscroll.
The World Messianic Bible. (1997). Retrieved from https://ebible.org/engwmb/
