A • B • C • D • E •
F • G • H • I • J • K • L •
M
N • O • P • Q • R •
S • T • U • V • W • X • Y •
Z
Hebrew:
Aleph • Beit • Geemel • Dalet •
Hay • Vahv • Zaiyin • Chait • Tait
Yoad • Kaf • Lahmed • Mame • Nune •
Sahmek • Aiyin • Pay
Tzahday • Qoaf •
Raysh • S(h)een • Tahv
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
A • B • C • D • E • F • G • H • I • J • K • L • M
N • O • P • Q • R • S • T • U • V • W • X • Y • Z
Hebrew:
Aleph • Beit • Geemel • Dalet • Hay • Vahv • Zaiyin • Chait • Tait
Yoad • Kaf • Lahmed • Mame • Nune • Sahmek • Aiyin • Pay
Tzahday • Qoaf • Raysh • S(h)een • Tahv
