Mysticism

§ The Sages taught: Four entered the orchard/ pardes, and these are they: Ben Azzai; and ben Zoma; Aḥer [lit., "The Other", an epithet for Elishah ben Avuyah] and Rabbi Akiva. Rabbi Akiva said to them: When you reach marble stones, do not say "Water, water", because it is stated: “One who speaks falsehood shall not be established before My eyes” (Psalms 101:7).

Ben Azzai glimpsed and died. And with regard to him the verse states: “Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His pious ones” (Psalms 116:15). Ben Zoma glimpsed and was stricken. And with regard to him the verse states: “Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you become full from it and vomit it” (Proverbs 25:16). Aḥer chopped down the shoots of saplings. Rabbi Akiva came out in peace.

§ ...Aḥer chopped down the saplings. With regard to him, the verse states: “Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin” (Ecclesiastes 5:5). What is this? He saw the angel Mitatron, who was granted permission to sit and write the merits of Israel. He said: It is settled that in the world above there is no sitting; no competition; no turning one’s back and no tiredness. [Seeing the angel seated, Aher thought:] Heaven forbid, there are two authorities [in the universe]...

...Four entered the orchard/ pardes, and these are they: R. Akiva, etc. R. Akiva went in in peace and came out in peace. And even for R. Aqiba, the ministering angels sought to push him back but the Holy One (blessed be He) said: Leave this old one be, for he is fit to serve My glory....

And Rav Ḥiyya bar Abba said that Rabbi Yoḥanan said: [To save himself, R. Akiva expounded the verses:] “But God was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake; God was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, fire; but God was not in the fire. And after the fire, a still, small voice,” [and later in that verse]: “And behold, the Lord passed by” (I Kings 19:11–12)...

..."My beloved is clear-skinned and ruddy." And pale to make my wrongs paler, clear-skinned and pale when He appeared at Sinai, he appeared like an elder teaching teachings, and similarly on sitting in judgment: "His garment was like white snow and the hair of His head was like lambswool" (Daniel 7:9)

(3) 20. [The beginner] must also know that among the actions of Gevurah are stern Judgment, exactly like its name. It is a lash to cause humankind to suffer. From it are drawn all the Outside forces which denounce and oppose. Among its actions are all the matters which partake of the mystery/sod of fire's redness and heat, and the power of the stones that have a red color. Their virtue is to impose fear on the creatures. Also from this quality love is aroused, as we have explained. Wealth also derives from this quality with the aid of Binah, which is above it. Sustenance is also derived from this quality, and the witness [to this] is the table in the north [side of the temple]. Also, all hearing of prayer and cries is [effected] through this quality, though in truth this is with the help of Binah.

[If one administered the oath to the witnesses] in the name of heaven and in the name of earth, these witnesses are exempt [from liability for taking a false oath of testimony, as that is not an oath in the name of God. If one administered the oath to the witnesses] in the name of alef dalet, i.e., Ado-nai; in the name of yod heh, the Tetragrammaton; in the name of the Almighty [Shakai]; in the name of the Lord of Hosts [Tzevakot]; in the name of the Gracious and Compassionate One [rakhum v-khanun]; in the name of He Who is Slow to Anger [erech apayim]; in the name of He Who is Abounding in Loving-kindness [rav khesed]; or in the name of any of the appellations of God, even though he did not mention the ineffable name of God, these witnesses are liable for taking a false oath of testimony.

Is that to say that "gracious and compassionate" are sacred names? The Gemara raises a contradiction [from a baraita:] There are names of God that may be erased and there are names of God that may not be erased due to their inherent sanctity. These are names that may not be erased: For example, [several variations of the name] God [Eloqim]: Qeil, Eloqekha [with a second person singular suffix], Eloqim, Eloqeikhem [with a second person plural suffix]; I Shall Be As I Shall Be, alef dalet, yod heh, Almighty [Shaqai], Lord of Hosts [Tzevaqot], these names may not be erased.