The ten Sefirot represent the ten lights which G-d* instilled in man and creation as a representation of Himself. When these attributes are used for good, they lead to a fulfilling life as G-d intended. People were also given free will, which allows for the very same attributes to be used negatively.
Used negatively, the attributes become corrupt. In their corrupt form, the they correspond directly to the ten plagues of Egypt. As the crown over all Sefirot — the superconscious over the conscious — when Keter becomes corrupt, the firstborn instincts of the soul die.
The Sefirot Keter – Crown, Superconscious
Keter, the first of the Sefirot, is known as the crown, the superconscious of the soul; it is the root and soul of all Sefirot. The crown of Keter is comprised of three parts, representing desire, faith and pleasure of the soul. Unlike the other sephirot where the energies are fully accessible for people to develop and strengthen through free will, the energies of Keter are beyond human control and not fully accessaible.
Hidden beneath the surface of the conscious self in the superconscious, are the soul's first instincts and motives. They remain hidden, inaccessible and protected in the superconscious and Keter can only be expressed through the other Sefirot. The energies and light of Keter are provided but cannot be sought after and do not reside within a person, just as a crown is not part of the body.
As noted by Gabriella Samuel in The Kabbalah Handbook, the dictum of Ben Sira teaches “Seek not the things that are beyond you and search not out things that are hidden from you.” Although hidden and beyond human control, the superconscious, Keter, is not indestructible and requires protection.
Passover’s Tenth Plague – Makat Bechorot, Death of Firstborn
The thick plague of darkness covering the land of Egypt ceased and Pharaoh called upon Moses telling him the Children of Israel could go out of the land of Egypt to serve G-d. Pharaoh agreed all the people, including the children, could leave, on the condition that the flock and cattle remain behind to ensure their return.
This condition was unacceptable and Moses explained to Pharaoh the livestock must go to provide an offering when they arrived. Pharaoh grew angry and ordered Moses to never again return before him, threatening him with death. Exodus 10:28 says, “‘Go from me! Beware – do not see my face anymore, for on the day you see my face you shall die!’”
Moses replied to Pharaoh’s request in agreement, “You have spoken correctly. I shall never see your face again.” (Exodus 10:29) G-d immediately warned Moses of the coming final plague, promising it would be the final plague which would be so great that the Hebrews would not only be allowed to leave, but would be driven out of the land. The Jews were to request gold and silver valuables from their Egyptian neighbors prior to the coming plague, so as to leave Egypt with great wealth as G-d had promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:14-15).
In great anger, Moses told Pharaoh, “So said HASHEM, ‘At about midnight I shall go out in the midst of Egypt. Every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his thrown to the firstborn of the maidservant who is behind the millstone and the firstborn of beast. There shall be a great outcry in the entire land of Egypt, such as there has never been and such as there shall never be again.” (Exodus 11:4-6)
Moses left Pharaoh and all the Children of Israel prepared their homes as G-d commanded. At midnight, G-d Himself swept through and smote every firstborn Egyptian, passing over the homes of the Jews. And there was a great outcry in the entire land of Egypt, as there was not even one house where there was no corpse.
Pharaoh’s arrogance and pride had been stripped and he told Moses to leave Egypt with the children, with the livestock, with everything. Pharaoh gave them permission to do as they wanted, as long as they left immediately, pleading with Moses ask G-d to bless him so he may live as Pharaoh was the only firstborn of the Egyptians left to survive.
Corruption of Keter Results in Death of First-Born Instincts of the Soul
Just as the crown of Keter surrounds and gives light to the other Sefirot, the superconscious surrounds and gives light to the conscious. The superconscious – the firstborn instincts and motives of the soul - must be protected in order to continue providing light for the conscious.
Addicted to his pride and arrogance, Pharaoh continued to keep the Children of Israel in slavery, refusing to let them leave even after a series of warnings beginning with the first plague. As a result of Pharaoh’s ongoing abuse, the firstborn of the Egyptians died. The firstborn contributed to the pride and survival of the Egyptians; the firstborn of the livestock were worshiped.
The superconscious gives life to the soul, it is essential for all other attributes of the soul to reach their full potential as the conscious cannot receive light without it. Just as the firstborn Egyptians died as a result of ongoing abuse and addiction, so too does the firstborn motives and instincts — the superconscious of the soul — die as a result of a life filled with abuse and addiction.
*The use of "G-d" with the "o" removed is intentional. This is performed in order to prevent any intentional or unintentional deletion/destruction of His name, as is customary in traditional Jewish writings.
Reference and Resources:
Parsha Va’eira and Parsha Bo (Exodus 6:2-9:35 and 10:1-12:33); The Chumash, Stone Edition, Artscroll Series
The Kabbalah Handbook: A Concise Encyclopedia of Terms and Concepts in Jewish Mysticism; Gabriella Samuel; 2007
Our People: A History of the Jews by Jacob Isaacs; Chabad.org
Ten Ways to Destroy Your Life by Yosef Y. Jacobson; Chabad.org
The Ten Sefirot: Introduction; Inner.org
JewishVirtualLibrary.org
Malysa Stratton Louk - Malysa Stratton Louk is a freelance writer, journalist & photographer in the Pacific Northwest. View her full profile for more ...
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