ABCDEFGHIJKLM

NOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Hebrew:

AlephBeitGeemelDaletHayVahvZaiyinChaitTait
YoadKafLahmedMameNuneSahmekAiyinPay
TzahdayQoafRayshS(h)eenTahv


Kaf

Spelling: kaf pay

Kaf, like beit, indicates containment, restraint or suppression. Where beit is the precursor to manifestation and ‘housing’ — kaf is the manifestation proper — an ‘instance’ of beit’s ‘potentials. It is also associated with the Hebrew words koach (potential) and poal (actual), thus symbolizing the transformation of potentials into embodiment through constriction, forcible containment, or suppression of some elements. This is a continual process, which is active and constantly emerging in all of Creation.

Both kaph and its archetypal progenitor beit recall the shape of the right hand making a crescent (as seen by the maker of the sign) or the left hand (as seen by the viewer). Kaph literally means ‘palm’ or ‘sole of the foot’ in Hebrew. It is a common custom to place the palms together in a gesture of prayer, blessing, or respect. It is also the root of the word kipah which is the source of the word ‘cap’ in English, and has the connotation of ‘to cover the upper portion’.

Kaf symbolizes the work of hands in fashioning forms, but also containment, restraint, compression, or suppression — all of which are involved in creative endeavor which results in the arisal of stable forms. When added as a prefix kaf indicates similarity or likeness. As a verb kaf means to subdue or coerce.

In the shape of kaf there is also the association of ‘bending’, such as one who wears a crown prostrating themselves, or the bending of our intentions toward their divine sources and purposes. There is, in its relationship to beit and raysh, an association that renders kaph as the elemental containment of form of every kind in the realm of existence — tangible or intangible.

Kaf is the first of the letters with a ‘sophit’ or ‘end-of-word’ form. This indicates a concept akin to ‘a product’, or the production which is the result of the relations of the preceeding letters. Additionally, this form belongs to the supernal family — indicating the celestial in its aspect as an embodiment existing at once within and outside human space and time. When appearing at the end of a word, in ‘sophit” form, kaf’s shape is that of dalet, with a long descender that ends lower than those of other letters. Perhaps this implies a profound unity of humility and trancendent accomplishment.

o:O:o

 

 

o:O:o

Family: Existential: Actualized in existence within the spiral/cone of transentient emanation. Existing within space-time. The second 9 letters.

Archetypal: Beit

Existential: Kaf

Supernal: Raysh

Position: The eleventh letter. The fourth of ‘the doubles’, letters which have a dual pronunciation (hard or soft) with the exception of raysh. This can be understood as a polarity between a quality and its derivative opposite, and also a harsh or lenient perspective of judgement.

Common associations:

Primary Significations: The palm of the hand. Cloud.

Secondary Significations: Life and death. To supplicate. An expression of power over things and beings. The re-actualization of potential in creation, moment-to-moment.

Body: The left eye. The palm of the hand.

Planet: Venus

Archetype / Tribe: Moses

Element:

Path on the Tree of Life:

Traditional: Chesed / Tiphareth

Hermetic: Chesed / Netzach

Kaf


ABCDEFGHIJKLM

NOPQRSTUVWXYZ

Hebrew:

AlephBeitGeemelDaletHayVahvZaiyinChaitTait
YoadKafLahmedMameNuneSahmekAiyinPay
TzahdayQoafRayshS(h)eenTahv