Yesod (Hebrew יסוד “the foundations”) is a sephirah or knot in the Tree of Kabbalistic Life, located near the base of the Tree, is the sephirah under Hod and Netzach, and above Malkuth (the kingdom). It is seen as a vehicle that allows movement from one thing or condition to another (the power to be connected with GOD and others).
According to the Jewish Kabbalah, Yesod is the foundation on which GOD built the world, and also serves as a transmitter between the sephirot above and the reality below. The light from the upper sephirot collects in Yesod and is directed downward to Malkuth, which is why Yesod is associated with the reproductive genitals. The sexual organs are channels through which the vital semen arrives to fertilize Malkhut, the female vessel that must receive it. Yesod therefore has a great power of fertility, growth and development. These traits are also extended to the figure of the Tzadiq, as he becomes the one who throws seeds into the fertile soil of the mind and psyche. The male Yesod then collects the vital forces of the higher sepirot, and transmits these creative and vital energies into the female Malkuth below. The channels of Yesod, Malkuth are the receivers. In turn, it is through Malkuth that the earth is able to interact with the divinity.
Yesod plays the role of collecting and balancing the different and opposite energies of Hod and Netzach, and also from Tiferet above it, storing and distributing them all over the world. It is compared to the “engine room” of creation.
Since Yesod is responsible for the powers of communication, connection and contact with the external reality within the Soul, unifying the material world of Malkuth with the other Sephiroth, some Christians compare Yesod to the third “person” of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is defined by some Christians as an aspect of the Trinitarian GOD, believing that the Holy Spirit is the aspect of God that unifies GOD with humanity.
The verse of the Book of Proverbs 10, 25 reads: “tzadiq yesod olam” which means: “the just is the foundation of the world”, so Yesod’s sphere is also related to the figure of Tzadiq, the Just.
- Attribute:
FOUNDATION – You can interpret faith as you want, but of course for the Kabbalah and the Abrahamic religions is the faith in the One GOD, Creator of Justice and Ruler of the Heavens and the Earth. Nothing can be hidden from him, that’s why who really believes is “firm” in his principles: he knows well that even if no one is watching, from above every action is observed, weighed and properly paid. If you generate evil you will receive it, if you spread good you will receive it in the same way. Those who have reached Yesod have learned that they cannot do any harm (to themselves and to others), this is not simply out of altruism, but out of an “healthy selfishness”. Even if apparently something (which we know is wrong because it breaks the Golden Rule) may appear as advantageous to us for our lives, through time this act will always lead to misfortune for the believer. Those who are intent on moving “forward” will no longer be able to do things that will cause them to “backslide” on their personal path, otherwise they will not “get there” in time. - Biblical characters:
•JOSEPH – Joseph, the beloved son of Jacob (Israel), because of his “solid foundation” was able to climb the ladder to enlightenment. Although he had been betrayed by his brothers, sold as a slave and then left this humble condition as a servant of a master in a foreign land, through his “solid foundations” was able to get back to the top, becoming the closest advisor and administrator of the regent of Egypt, the Pharaoh. He did not permit to be corrupted by his master’s wife (always righteous, even when no one could see him) and faithful to his “neighbors”. A great example of a human being who is clear about what his foundation are, no matter what the circumstances.
•SOLOMON –Solomon was the greatest son of King David, lived as a predestined, and the wisest of men, yet he was led into sin by his many foreign wives. To please them he slowly turned “his heart” and so no longer belonged “entirely to the LORD his GOD, as the heart of David his father.” In his old age these wives made him build altars to other gods, and he was stained with the sin of idolatry.
In the first Book of Kings (1Kings, 11) there is this sad tale of Solomon and the growing idolatry that disastrously began to spread throughout the entire nation of Israel.
Therefore, it is not enough to have a solid “foundation” in order not to sin, but it will be necessary to keep it until the departure of our Soul from the earthly body, always keeping it in mind. Even if wise and upright in heart, no one, not even a leader of a great nation will be able to falter, otherwise the “fall” will bring great damage. From that historical moment on, the 12 Tribes were separated (and still today we have not been able to reunite them) and this is because the great Solomon, before dying, let part of the “foundations” built over the years “collapse”. Only because of the construction of the Temple of Jerusalem, and out of GOD’s love for his father David, did the Most High “leave the lamp of hope lit”. Even today, we are still able to repair those “pillars” that have collapsed because of idolatry, the one that today results in the “veneration” of money, fame, and any other practice that puts GOD in the background. - Body part:
PRIVATE PARTS – The element associated with this sephira are the intimate parts of our body. So powerful (able to generate life), but equally fragile and delicate (the feelings of love can destroy any human being in an instant). The foundations must be “fertile” to give new life, and at the same time protected as one would do with the very life of a child.
So if the purpose of human beings’ lives is to evolve to become better human beings, after “conquering” Malkuth, and becoming “present”, by also obtaining Yesod one can truly “leave” towards true “ascent”.
Once the Foundations have been conquered, the climb begins that will give more and more Pure Light.
- Steadfastness:
• To be solid in moral principles and belief, as was Joseph, but also Solomon who committed himself to the pursuit of knowledge and to building the mighty Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
- Immutability:
• The foundation once established cannot change. The walls can, the layout of the furniture can, you can give new colors to the structure, but the foundation will never change.:
- Malkut (through 3 – ghimel – ג )
- Netzach (through 4 – dalet – ד )
- Hod (through 5 – he – ה )
- Tipharet (through 6 – vav – ו )