138 Gates of Wisdom

Ramchal's Klach Pitchei Chochmah, one gate at a time

קל״ח פתחי חכמה

A free companion to the 138 Openings of Wisdom. Start with a three-minute daily course that gives you the whole structure, watch a short narrated video for each concept, then read each gate in plain language, or study it paragraph by paragraph with the Hebrew beside the English.

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Cover plate of the Visual Book: a descent from Eyn Sof through the four Worlds
The cover of the Visual Book, 104 plates that draw the whole descent.

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Klach in Thirty-Four Cards

Thirty-four short cards and twelve sentences give you the architecture of the book before the details: what a Sefirah (ספירה) is, what a Partzuf (פרצוף) is, and how they work together. Each day takes about three minutes, and every card has a narrated video of about a minute.

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The 138 gates

Twenty-six sections, in the order Ramchal wrote them. Open a section, then choose a gate.

The Revelation of Unity and Goodness: Foundation of the CreationGates 1 to 4
  1. 1Oneness: God's existence, His will and controlSummaryFull analysis
  2. 2His desire is only to bestow good. Even evil is a means through which He bestows good. In this way His oneness is clearly revealed.SummaryFull analysis
  3. 3The ultimate goal of creation – to bestow the ultimate good on God's creaturesSummaryFull analysis
  4. 4His desire to bestow good to perfection through the revelation of His oneness is the cause of the deficiencies in the world, which create the conditions for man's service. The revelation of His oneness is itself the reward.SummaryFull analysis
The SefirotGates 5 to 6
  1. 5The Sefirot were an innovation in that they are visible lights, whereas Eyn Sof is not visible.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 6The Sefirot are what Eyn Sof wanted to reveal of His attributes.SummaryFull analysis
The Forms in which the Sefirot appearGates 7 to 13
  1. 7How the Sefirot appear in the prophetic vision. The images seen by the prophets and what they represent.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 8The Sefirot may appear in opposite likenesses even simultaneously. Both are true representations.SummaryFull analysis
  3. 9The form in which the Sefirot appear is spiritual, yet even this is not part of their intrinsic essence but only the form in which they appear when seen through the "looking glass" of Malchut.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 10How the Emanator operates through the Sefirot – through chains of cause and effect, and by clothing one power in another. How these appear in prophecy.SummaryFull analysis
  5. 11The images of prophecy derive from Malchut, and only through the lens of Malchut can we understand what is above it and what is below it.SummaryFull analysis
  6. 12The entire governmental order and everything that exists are all a single order arranged in the underlying Likeness of Man. Adam Kadmon ('Primordial Adam') encompasses everything.SummaryFull analysis
  7. 13The underlying spiritual forms. The circular and straight or upright form: general and individual providence.SummaryFull analysis
Fundamentals relating to the Sefirot and their ruleGates 14 to 17
  1. 14The governmental order was structured to produce man possessing free will – and everything is laid down in Keter.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 15About Keter, the first foundation, it is forbidden to ask. From Chochmah onwards it is a mitzvah to investigate.SummaryFull analysis
  3. 16Two kinds of direct and returning light: in the governmental order and in the developmental chainSummaryFull analysis
  4. 17Sefirah and Partzuf: Government – overall and detailed.SummaryFull analysis
Letters and NamesGates 18 to 23
  1. 18The government of the worlds is implemented through the letters.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 19The 22 lettersSummaryFull analysis
  3. 20The letters are different combinations of Kindness, Judgment and Mercy – lines and dots, signifying opening and closure.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 21The action of the letters is completed by the musical notes, vowel points and crowns.SummaryFull analysis
  5. 22The musical notes, vowel signs, crowns and letters are governed by the order of the ten Sefirot included in the name of the Four-Letter Name and its expansions.SummaryFull analysis
  6. 23The lights execute their functions through the holy names which make up the Torah.SummaryFull analysis
The Tzimtzum and the LineGates 24 to 30
  1. 24The act of TzimtzumSummaryFull analysis
  2. 25The result of the Tzimtzum: the Sefirot became visible.SummaryFull analysis
  3. 26Details of the Residue that filled the Empty Space.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 27How the Line governs the Residue.SummaryFull analysis
  5. 28The Line divides into the Inner and Encompassing Light of the Sefirot.SummaryFull analysis
  6. 29The Line shines within the Sefirot through a garb.SummaryFull analysis
  7. 30The rule of good and evil and the rule of unitySummaryFull analysis
Adam KadmonGates 31 to 35
  1. 31The entire government of the universe is ordered under the four letters of the Four-Letter NameSummaryFull analysis
  2. 32The radiance of Adam KadmonSummaryFull analysis
  3. 33The branches of Adam Kadmon successively reveal the Likeness of Man.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 34The connection between AV, SaG, MaH and BaN and their place of emergence from Adam Kadmon's sensory organsSummaryFull analysis
  5. 35Absorbed within the lights that break forth from the branches of Adam Kadmon is the root of the VesselSummaryFull analysis
The World of NekudimGates 36 to 50
  1. 36The World of NekudimSummaryFull analysis
  2. 37All the damage and repairs in the world are rooted in the breaking of the vessels and their repairSummaryFull analysis
  3. 38The connection of Beriyah, Yetzirah and Asiyah with AtzilutSummaryFull analysis
  4. 39The world of Nekudim is the material out of which all the details divide upSummaryFull analysis
  5. 40The connection of Beriyah, Yetzirah and Asiyah with Atzilut at their root in NekudimSummaryFull analysis
  6. 41The connection of the Line with the Residue – the soul and the body – becomes complete only after the emergence of evil and its return to goodSummaryFull analysis
  7. 42The light joins with the vessels according to the degree of their repair, which will be completed in the futureSummaryFull analysis
  8. 43The root of actual evil lies in Beriyah-Yetzirah-AsiyahSummaryFull analysis
  9. 44Why the specific root of the Other Side lies in the world of NekudimSummaryFull analysis
  10. 45Evil was rooted at the end of the vessel, so that when the light reached there, the vessel brokeSummaryFull analysis
  11. 46The fall and breaking of the vessels – to produce evilSummaryFull analysis
  12. 47The repair of the vessels from evil, albeit incompleteSummaryFull analysis
  13. 48The repair of Malchut by man, through which everything is completely repairedSummaryFull analysis
  14. 49The production of evil and its future return to good. Beriyah-Yetzirah-Asiyah became Atzilut-Beriyah-Yetzirah-Asiyah but will later revert into Beriyah-Yetzirah-AsiyahSummaryFull analysis
  15. 50The entry of the light into the vessels and its exit are the root of the governmental order of this world in a state of damage and repairSummaryFull analysis
States of the First Three Sefirot of NekudimGates 51 to 53
  1. 51The root of the creations is in the seven lower Sefirot, while the first three only direct them. When the vessels broke, the first three Sefirot did not break, but were flawed through their connection with the lower sevenSummaryFull analysis
  2. 52The intrinsic essence of Zeir Anpin (of the Primordial Kings) is stern judgment – divisiveness and limitation – out of which comes the Other Side. Zeir Anpin is rectified and sweetened by Imma through the arousal of the NukvaSummaryFull analysis
  3. 53The order of the repairSummaryFull analysis
The 288 SparksGates 54 to 58
  1. 54What happened to the vessels when they were broken. The difference between the breaking and the repairSummaryFull analysis
  2. 55AV is Arich Anpin, the root of AV, SaG, MaH and BaN – Abba and Imma, Zeir and NukvaSummaryFull analysis
  3. 56The difference between the name AV contained in AV, SaG and MaH and that contained in BaNSummaryFull analysis
  4. 57The function of the overall AV – 288 sparks – is to prevent the destruction of the vessels and the worldSummaryFull analysis
  5. 58MaH (Yesod) builds Nukva (the deficient BaN), after which Zeir Anpin sends her a flow of blessingSummaryFull analysis
The World of RepairGates 59 to 69
  1. 59The root of the repair – the joining of MaH and BaN: interrelation and kinship between the SefirotSummaryFull analysis
  2. 60BaN and MaH were bound up under Malchut and Yesod of Adam Kadmon, and then coupled together to bring about the repairSummaryFull analysis
  3. 61The connections between MaH and BaN produce the "Tree" – Atzilut-Beriyah-Yetzirah-Asiyah. The repair is completed through men's deedsSummaryFull analysis
  4. 62The Sefirot of BaN are the root of defects and punishments, while facing them are the Sefirot of MaH, which repair themSummaryFull analysis
  5. 63For every function and for each effect there are two generators through the coupling of male and female – Kindness and Judgment coming from MaH and BaN – and likewise in the soul and bodySummaryFull analysis
  6. 64The role of the Male and Female in the channeling and repair of MaH and BaNSummaryFull analysis
  7. 65Male and Female before the Nekudim. The Balance as the root of Male and Female thereafterSummaryFull analysis
  8. 66Coupling, Pregnancy and BirthSummaryFull analysis
  9. 67The legs of Arich Anpin sustained the broken vessels; the folding of the legs repaired and elevated themSummaryFull analysis
  10. 68All parts of the creation and its laws serve the general repairSummaryFull analysis
  11. 69Balance. Cooperation between all the lights brings the complete repairSummaryFull analysis
PartzufimGates 70 to 73
  1. 70Partzuf – a complete mode of government with 613 partsSummaryFull analysis
  2. 71Complete correspondence between the arrangement of the Partzuf and the human formSummaryFull analysis
  3. 72The Partzufim: male and female, and the differences between themSummaryFull analysis
  4. 73Different degrees of connection of male and female in different PartzufimSummaryFull analysis
The Partzuf of AtikGates 74 to 77
  1. 74Atik – Malchut of Adam Kadmon – is clothed in and governs Atzilut.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 75Atik's male and female aspects are literally one body.SummaryFull analysis
  3. 76The 'back' in Atik: The face of BaN is the back of the face of MaH.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 77Coupling in AtikSummaryFull analysis
The Root of the Concealed GovernmentGates 78 to 84
  1. 78A trace of all faulty deeds remains, even after their repair, in order to reveal perfection.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 79The Great Day of Judgment: complete repair and receiving the rewardSummaryFull analysis
  3. 80BaN and MaH are the root of all defects and repairs.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 81The concealed governmental order – the root of free will. The revealed governmental order – the Partzufim of Atzilut.SummaryFull analysis
  5. 82The role of different souls in the overall repair: variations in the fortunes of the righteous are rooted in the hidden connection of MaH and BaN.SummaryFull analysis
  6. 83The parts of MaH and BaN from which the Partzufim were made are not discernible in the governmental order.SummaryFull analysis
  7. 84The different parts of MaH and BaN in each Partzuf have a concealed influence – but outwardly all are equal.SummaryFull analysis
The Unknown HeadGates 85 to 89
  1. 85The root of the interconnections between MaH and BaN lies in the Unknown Head while the results are found in the Partzufim, and both are concealed.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 86The uncertainties in the Unknown Head and their consequences in the Partzufim: opposites that all existSummaryFull analysis
  3. 87The different combinations in the Unknown Head rule as one all the time and are unfathomable.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 88The Unknown Head contains all the interconnections; the uncertainty lies in trying to grasp it.SummaryFull analysis
  5. 89The difference between the Dew of Bedolach and the Unknown HeadSummaryFull analysis
The Partzuf of Arich AnpinGates 90 to 95
  1. 90Arich Anpin is the root; the other Partzufim are branches.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 91Arich Anpin in itself functions with complete Kindness, its branches with Justice.SummaryFull analysis
  3. 92Zeir Anpin – Justice – comes from Arich Anpin – beneficence – and is therefore entirely for good.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 93Zeir Anpin derives from Arich Anpin.SummaryFull analysis
  5. 94At times Arich Anpin removes Zeir Anpin's stern judgments entirely.SummaryFull analysis
  6. 95The Skull and Brain, discussed in Idra Rabba – Arich Anpin's intrinsic government mode; The Three Heads, discussed in Idra Zuta – Arich's mode in generating Zeir Anpin.SummaryFull analysis
Atik and Arich Anpin link Atzilut with Adam KadmonGates 96 to 100
  1. 96Atik Yomin is clothed in Arich Anpin; Atzilut is under Adam Kadmon.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 97The connection between Adam Kadmon, Atik and Atzilut-Beriyah-Yetzirah-Asiyah.SummaryFull analysis
  3. 98Atik elevates man's service to the World of Reward.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 99Transfer of man's deeds to the World of Reward through Daat of AtikSummaryFull analysis
  5. 100The way one power clothes itself in another indicates how the wearer directs the garb, but the underlying reasons are beyond comprehension.SummaryFull analysis
The Repairs of Arich AnpinGates 101 to 109
  1. 101The Head includes the Crown – Keter – and the Mental Powers within it.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 102Atik shines in the Head of Arich Anpin through the Seven Repairs of the Head – in the Skull in general, in the Face in detail.SummaryFull analysis
  3. 103Revelation of the Forehead of Favor completely removes stern Judgment; when it is concealed, the Judgment is sweetened.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 104The entire governmental order depends on the Three Heads – the root of Kindness-Judgment-Mercy – and the Unknown Head – the root of the Receiver.SummaryFull analysis
  5. 105Function of the Hairs of the Head and Beard of Arich AnpinSummaryFull analysis
  6. 106Some repairs come to prepare the flow of blessing, others to channel it.SummaryFull analysis
  7. 107The Beard reveals the governmental order of Kindness-Judgment-Mercy stemming from the Three Heads.SummaryFull analysis
  8. 108The Beard subdues stern judgments, humbles the husks and gives power to Holiness.SummaryFull analysis
  9. 109Interrelation of the Partzufim – in the chain of development and through clothing one anotherSummaryFull analysis
The Partzufim of Abba and ImmaGates 110 to 114
  1. 110In the chain of development, Yesod of Atik ends in the chest (Tiferet) of Arich Anpin; as clothed, it ends in Yesod of Arich.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 111Abba and Imma – spread of the Concealed Wisdom in the columns of Kindness-Judgment-Mercy via the Beard for Zeir AnpinSummaryFull analysis
  3. 112Abba reveals the Mental Powers as a whole, Imma in detail.SummaryFull analysis
  4. 113The coupling of Abba and Imma – root of Zeir Anpin's Mental Powers – is constant; that of Israel Sabba and Tevunah – which transfer them to Zeir Anpin – is sporadic.SummaryFull analysis
  5. 114The path of influence from Arich Anpin to Zeir and NukvaSummaryFull analysis
Zeir and Nukva: General PrinciplesGates 115 to 118
  1. 115Zeir Anpin and Nukva – root of the lower creationsSummaryFull analysis
  2. 116Abba and Imma direct Zeir Anpin through his Mental Powers; the Keter derives from Arich AnpinSummaryFull analysis
  3. 117The entry of Abba and Imma into Zeir Anpin generates additional Partzufim: Jacob and Leah and the diagonalsSummaryFull analysis
  4. 118Leah – the hind parts of Imma and inner soul of NukvaSummaryFull analysis
Building of Zeir Anpin in Pregnancy, Suckling and MaturityGates 119 to 123
  1. 119Start of the repair of the breakage: Zeir Anpin and Nukva grow to maturity togetherSummaryFull analysis
  2. 120Repair of the breakage in stages during Pregnancy, Suckling and MaturitySummaryFull analysis
  3. 121Completion of Zeir Anpin during Pregnancy, Suckling and MaturitySummaryFull analysis
  4. 122Action of Zeir Anpin during Pregnancy, Suckling and MaturitySummaryFull analysis
  5. 123The rule of Judgment is the cause of immaturity; its removal brings maturitySummaryFull analysis
Daat of Zeir AnpinGates 124 to 126
  1. 124Daat expands through the whole of Zeir Anpin, while Chochmah and Binah do notSummaryFull analysis
  2. 125Interrelation of Zeir Anpin and Nukva in the developmental chain and the governmental orderSummaryFull analysis
  3. 126The spread of Daat through the bodySummaryFull analysis
Zeir Anpin's Mental StatesGates 127 to 129
  1. 127The Inner and Encompassing Mental Powers: the TzelemSummaryFull analysis
  2. 128Abba and Imma divide up into the First and Second Israel Sabba and TevunahSummaryFull analysis
  3. 129Zeir Anpin's First and Second MaturitySummaryFull analysis
The Building of NukvaGate 130
  1. 130Nukva is built separately with mitigated Strengths.SummaryFull analysis
Ascent and Descent of the WorldsGates 131 to 133
  1. 131Different times of ascent and descentSummaryFull analysis
  2. 132The difference between expansion and ascentSummaryFull analysis
  3. 133Zeir Anpin's ascent – after the Second MaturitySummaryFull analysis
The Repair of NukvaGates 134 to 138
  1. 134Zeir Anpin repairs Nukva to create the possibility of service by the lower creations.SummaryFull analysis
  2. 135Back-to-Back – and the Separation to come Face-to-FaceSummaryFull analysis
  3. 136When Zeir Anpin and Nukva are complete they are ready for Interior and Exterior couplingSummaryFull analysis
  4. 137The Shechinah is complete when all the lower creations – the angels and the souls – are contained within herSummaryFull analysis
  5. 138The order of Coupling through the Male and Female WatersSummaryFull analysis

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