ng sovereign in the letter of divorce with Moses." The
Pharisees said, "we blame you Galilean Sadducee, that you write the
sovereign on the same page with the NAME, and not only so, but you write
the sovereign above, and the name below, as is said, 'And Pharaoh said,
"Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?" ' "(790)
But when he was punished, what did he say? "The LORD is righteous."(791)

THE KABBALAH UNVEILED: THE LESSER HOLY ASSEMBLY

Translated by S. L. Macgregor Mathers

Chapter I: Which Containeth the Introduction

Tradition.--On that day on which the Companions were assembled together in
the house of Rabbi Schimeon, and on which he had arranged his affairs
because he was about to depart from the world, before him were Rabbi
Eleazar his son, and Rabbi Abba, and the rest of the Companions; and the
house was full.

Therefore lifting up his eyes, Rabbi Schimeon saw that the house was full.
And Rabbi Schimeon wept, saying: "The second time when I was sick, and
Rabbi Benchas Ben Yair was in my presence, and until I had chosen my
place, life hath been prolonged unto me even until now.

"When I was restored, fire surrounded (my habitation) which hitherto hath
never ceased, neither did any man enter in unto me without permission.

"But now I see that it is taken away, and that the house is filled."

While they were sitting down, Rabbi Schimeon, opening his eyes, beheld a
certain vision, and lo! fire surrounded the house!

Therefore all (the others) went forth, and Rabbi Eleazar his son, and
Rabbi Abba remained; but the other Companions sat without.

Rabbi Schimeon said unto Rabbi Eleazar his son: "Go forth, and see whether
Rabbi Yitzchaq be present for whom I have made myself surety.

"And say thou unto him that he dispose his affairs, and that he may sit
down with me. Blessed is his portion."

Rabbi Schimeon arose and again sat down; and he laughed aloud, and
rejoicing said, "Where are the companions?"

Rabbi Eleazar arose and introduced them, and they sat down in his
presence.

Rabbi Schimeon lifted up his hands and prayed a prayer, and was joyful.

And he said, "Let those Companions who were in the former Conclave(792)
assembled here."

Therefore, all the others having gone forth, there remained Rabbi Eleazar
his son, and Rabbi Abba, and Rabbi Yehudah, and Rabbi Yosi Bar Yoqeb, and
Rabbi Chiya.

In the meantime Rabbi Yitzchaq entered, to who