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The Kabbalah Unveiled

By S.L. Macgregor Mathers

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Concerning the Forehead of Microprosopus

496. THE forehead of the Skull (of Microprosopus) is the forehead for visiting sinners (otherwise, for rooting out sinners).

497. And when that forehead is uncovered there are excited the Lords of judgments against those who are shameless in their deeds.

498. This forehead hath a rosy redness. But at that time when the forehead of the Ancient one is uncovered over against this forehead, the latter appeareth white as snow.

499. And that time is called the Time of Grace for all.

500. In the "Book of the Teaching of the School of Rav Yeyeva the Elder" it is said: The forehead is according as the forehead 1 of the Ancient One. Otherwise, the letter Cheth, Ch, is placed between the other two letters, according to this passage, Num. xxiv. 17: "VMChTz, VeMachetz, and shall smite the corners of Moab?"

501. And we have elsewhere said that it is also called NTzCh, Netzach, the neighbouring letters (M and N; neighbouring letters in the alphabet that is, and allied in sense, for Mem = Water, and Nun = Fish, that which lives in the water) being counterchanged. (Netzach = Victory, and is the seventh Sephira).

502. But many are the NTzChIM, Netzachim, Victories; 1 so that another (development of) Netzach may be elevated into another path, and other Netzachim may be given which are extended throughout the whole body (of Microprosopus).

503. But on the day of the Sabbath, at the time of the afternoon prayers, the forehead of the Most Holy Ancient One is uncovered, so that the judgments may not be aroused.

504. And all the judgments are subjected; and although they be there, yet are they not called forth. (Otherwise, and they are appeased.)

505. From this forehead depend twenty-four tribunals, for all those who are shameless in their deeds.

506. And it is written, Ps. lxxiii. 11: "And they have said, 'How can El know? and is there knowledge in the Most High?'"

507. But truly (the tribunals) are only twenty; wherefore are four added? Assuredly, in respect of the punishments of the inferior tribunals which depend from the Supernals.

508. Therefore there remain twenty. 2 And therefore unto none do they adjudge capital punishment until he shall have fulfilled and reached the age of twenty years in respect of these twenty tribunals.

509. But in our doctrine regarding our Arcana have we taught that the books which are contained in the Law refer back unto these twenty-four.

Footnotes
309:1 The word translated forehead is MTzCh, Metzach; now if a metathesis be formed of this word by placing the last letter between the first and second letters, we get MChTz, he shall smite. Hence the first form symbolizes Mercy, and the second, Severity.

310:1 And therefore is the divine name of Tzabaoth, or hosts, attributed both to Netzach and to Hod, the seventh and eighth Sephiroth. as may be seen by referring to the Introduction, and to the "Book of Concealed Mystery," ch. iii. 15, annotation.

310:2 And 20 is H, He, in the four worlds. for H = 5, which, multiplied by 4 = 20.