Hokmah

CHokmah (Hebrew: חָכְמָה, romanized: ḥoḵmā, also transliterated as chokma, chokhmah or hokhma) is the Biblical Hebrew word rendered as “wisdom” in English Bible versions (LXX σοφία sophia, Vulgate sapientia). It is the second of the ten sefirot in Kabbalah, and represents the first power of conscious intellect and subtle manifestation, emerging from Keter’s pure potentiality. It embodies wisdom coming from nothingness, as highlighted in the Book of Job and the Bahir. Chokmah is the primordial point of divine wisdom that becomes comprehensible through Binah.

In Jewish mystical texts, Chokmah is described as the primordial point of divine wisdom, which shines forth from the will of God. This point remains incomprehensible until differentiated and given form in Binah. The Zohar, an essential Kabbalistic text, emphasizes Chokmah’s role in the emanation process and its association with the sense of sight, as well as an inner spiritual sense of taste that precedes and arouses sight. The interplay between Chokmah and Binah is crucial for understanding how abstract wisdom becomes concrete understanding.

The ethical behavior associated with Chokmah involves emulating its dual nature: communion with the Creator to gain wisdom and teaching others the wisdom received. This reflects the sefirah’s dual role of receiving and disseminating divine insight. Practical applications of Chokmah in Kabbalistic practice include meditative techniques to cultivate wisdom, selflessness, and alignment with divine will, illustrating its central role in theoretical and applied Kabbalistic disciplines.

In Western esotericism, Chokmah holds a significant place within Hermetic Qabalah, associated with analytical thinking and stability. Its corresponding divine name, Yah, the archangel Raziel, and the angels Ophanim, as well as its Tarot associations, underscore its importance in mystical and spiritual traditions. The paths connecting Chokmah to Keter, Binah, Chesed, and Tiferet, symbolized by corresponding Tarot cards, illustrate the flow of divine wisdom through different aspects of the Tree of Life, integrating it into various levels of consciousness and action.

wikipedia/en/Chokmah

“Hokmah” (חָכְמָה) is a Hebrew word meaning wisdom, often understood as a practical understanding and skill in navigating life, particularly in alignment with God's will. It’s not just intellectual knowledge, but also the ability to apply that knowledge effectively and ethically. In Kabbalah, it’s the second of the ten sefirot, representing the first level of conscious intellect. 

• Beyond mere knowledge: Hokmah signifies more than just information; it implies a deep understanding that leads to skillful action and sound judgment. 
• Godly fear and alignment: In the Bible, particularly in Proverbs, hokmah is often linked to the [fear of the Lord], suggesting that true wisdom comes from aligning one’s life with God’s purposes and character. 
• Technical skill and expertise: Hokmah can also refer to practical skills and craftsmanship, as seen in the biblical accounts of skilled artisans like Bezalel, who were endowed with the spirit of wisdom for building the [tabernacle]. 
• In Kabbalah: Hokmah is the second sefirah in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, representing the initial spark of conscious intellect and the active, expansive force of creation. 
• Grammatical gender: The Hebrew word for wisdom, hokmah, is grammatically feminine, which is why wisdom is sometimes personified as a female figure in some texts.