Coming to Terms

Over the years, the inner Kabbalah secrets would only be revealed to a very serious student over the age of forty. Years of purity and preparation, intense study and personal maturity were a prerequisite. But some basic Kabbala steps are more widely known, and have been integrated in the common Siddur prayerbook, i.e. the Omer counting between Passover and Shavouth.

Let us begin here with the most common Kabbalistic terms used today. These are "Chochma, Binah and Daat," generally translated as 'Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge.' These three 'intellectual' attributes (Sefirot) are featured as a triangle on the top of the basic ten point Kabbalistic chart, the diagram showing the development of a person's soul pattern, which reflects the Ten Divine supernal Sefirot.

As a triad, the abbreviations of these three attributes spell out 'Chabad,' which is also the name of the world wide Chabad movement, which emphasizes the intellectual appreciation of G-d and Torah.

The three Intellectual powers are: Chochmah (usually rendered Wisdom, but for our purpose Concept is preferable), Binah (understanding, comprehension), and Daas (concentration, application; carrying the idea to its conclusion).

"Chochma"

In the process of thinking, as one encounters difficulty in understanding a subject, when suddenly his mind is illuminated by an elusive spark, a "point," a concept that is as yet undefined, a germ that contains within itself the solution to the problem. Because it is as yet amorphous, the sudden illuminating flash may dissipate unless it is promptly developed. There is the beginning of a breakthrough, but in this initial stage the abstract Concept defies articulation.

"Binah"

The next stage, Binah, takes this concept-nucleus, and develops its ramifications and details. The Tanya compares Binah to the gestation period of the human seed within the mother's womb as it develops into a fetus. The idea becomes embodied. The original Concept-spark is obscured in this process, but is replaced by broader Comprehension in depth (profound understanding) and breadth (detail).

"Daas"

Daas represents the final focus and specific concentration that carries the Comprehension to its logical conclusion, a verdict in a legal context, or an emotion flowing from the idea.