THE KEY OF THE MYSTERIES
Nothingness to open itself, Being to shut up, and the world
to spread itself. It has spanned the heavens, and assembled
with its power the tabernacle of the spheres, with the cords of
its might it has bound the curtains of the creatures of the
universe, and touching with its strength the edge of the
curtain of creation, has joined that which is above to that
which was below.’—(Prayers of Kippour.)
We have given to these bold qabalistic speculations the
only form which suits them, that is, poesy, or the inspiration
of the heart.
Believing souls will have no need of the rational
hypotheses contained in this new explanation of the figures
of the Bible; but those sincere hearts afflicted by doubt,
which are tortured by eighteenth-century criticism, will
understand in reading it that even reason without faith can
find in the Holy Book something besides stumbling-blocks;
if the veils with which the divine text is covered throw a
great shadow, this shadow is so marvellously designed by the
interplay of light that it becomes the sole intelligible image of
the divine ideal.
Ideal, incomprehensible as infinity, and indispensable as
the very essence of mystery!
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