The first three (from the top) of the ten sephirot are the attributes of intellect, while chesed is the first sephira of the attribute of action. In the cabalistic tree of life, his position is under Chokhmah, opposite Gevurah and above Netzach, and he is assigned four paths: chokhmah, gevurah, tiphereth and netzach.
The Bahir states: “What is the fourth (utterance): The fourth is the justice of GOD, His mercy and kindness to the whole world. This is the right hand of GOD”. Chesed manifests the absolute, unlimited benevolence and goodness of GOD.
In Hebrew the word “chesed” is used to indicate kindness or love between people, the pious devotion of people to GOD. But if one speaks about GOD this word also indicates the love or mercy of GOD towards humanity, and is used very frequently in the Psalms in this sense, where it is traditionally translated as “love”.
In Jewish theology it is also used for the love of GOD for the children of Israel, and in Jewish ethics it is used for love or charity among people. In the latter sense, “charity” is considered a virtue in its own right, and also for its contribution to tikkun olam (to repair the world). It is also considered the foundation of many religious commandments practiced by traditional Jews, especially the interpersonal commandments.
The root chasad has a primary meaning of “burning, burning desire”, used both in the sense of “good, kind” and for antiphrases “shame, contempt”. The noun chesed inherits both senses, on the one hand “zeal, love, kindness towards someone” and on the other “zeal, ardor against someone; envy, reproach”. In its positive sense it is used to indicate mutual benevolence, mercy or pity between people, devotional piety of people towards GOD, as well as grace, favor or mercy of GOD towards people.
It is found 248 times in the Jewish Bible. In most cases (149 times), the translation of King James’ Bible into English is “mercy”, to follow the LXX translation to the letter. In the text there are only two cases of the noun in a negative sense, translated as “reproach” in Proverbs 14, 34 and “wicked thing” in Leviticus 20, 17.
- Attribute:
MERCY – In the Bible, the virtues of mercy and compassion are mentioned in various forms many times, especially in describing the nature of GOD, who instead of giving us what we deserve, always shows mercy toward His own children. As undeserving recipients of GOD’s mercy, there is nothing more righteous than to show ourselves and others the same mercy and compassion without any limit. This is how those who have reached Chesed behave. However, compassion is not only towards us and our fellow human beings, but also towards the rest of Creation, all animals and the planet Earth included. - Biblical characters associated:
• ABRAHAM – The patriarch par excellence of the Religions that take their name from him (Abrahamic), and in a certain sense the man who acted as the “right arm” of GOD. It has been possible for us to “know” GOD through the traditions of our ancestors from whom we have inherited the knowledge of His Ways, as it is written: “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” (Gen. 18, 19). Chesed is the testimony of the Justice and Mercy of GOD. - Associated body part:
RIGHT ARM – The element associated with this sephira is the right arm, which obviously also includes the Right Hand of GOD, the one that bestows the infinite benevolence and goodness of the Creator.
Along the right “path” and “two steps” away from the very top, the Divine Attributes begin to be delineated in those who acquire Chesed, and the aspects of the Soul to possess will be:
- Justice:
• Pursuing justice at all times, this corresponds to spreading the Golden Rule anytime and with anyone. We are not simply looking at giving away charity, we are making sure we receive the same justice we spread into the creation. There is no true progress for humanity without true justice. - Kindness:
• To be nice with everyone corresponds to having unconditional love for the people we meet on our path. We are aware that whatever form (in whatever stage it is, even in the illiterate or in the most primitive sinner) we meet, is part of the Work of GOD, and must be respected. He who possesses Chesed is kind to everyone, and not a mere, superficial kindness
- Netzach (through 10 – yod – י )
- Tiphareth (through 30 – lamed – ל )
- Geburah (through 50 – nun – נ )
- Chokmah (through 80 – pe – פ )