← Babylonian (Talmudic) Aramaic
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The word "up" in Babylonian Aramaic is primarily expressed as לְעֵילָא (le'eila) or עֵילָא ('eila). This fundamental directional word appears frequently in Talmudic literature, religious texts, and everyday speech to indicate upward movement, elevated position, or metaphorical ascent.
לְעֵילָא (le'eila) - preposition and adverb meaning "up, upward, above, on high"
Q: What does לְעֵילָא mean in Babylonian Aramaic? A: לְעֵילָא (le'eila) means "up" or "upward" in Babylonian Aramaic. It indicates direction toward a higher position, either physically or metaphorically, and can also mean "above" or "on high."
In this lesson, לְעֵילָא will be demonstrated in various contexts including: -
Physical upward movement -
Spiritual elevation -
Hierarchical positioning -
Temporal progression -
Metaphorical ascent
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Subject: Language Learning -
Topic: Babylonian Aramaic Prepositions and Adverbs -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Focus: Directional vocabulary - "up" -
Method: Interlinear translation with grammatical analysis
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לְעֵילָא functions as both preposition and adverb -
The word can indicate physical, spiritual, or metaphorical elevation -
Common variations include עֵילָא (without prefix) and לְעֵילָא מִן (up from) -
Understanding this word is essential for reading Talmudic texts -
The concept of "up" often carries spiritual significance in Aramaic literature
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52.1 הֵיכִי how סָלֵיק does-ascend צִפֳּרָא bird לְעֵילָא up בִּשְׁמַיָּא in-heaven? צִפֳּרָא bird פָּרַח flies לְעֵילָא up בְּגַדְפַּהָא with-its-wings
52.2 אֵימָתַי when אִסְתַּכַּל did-look רַבִּי rabbi לְעֵילָא up? כַּד when חֲזָא he-saw כּוֹכְבַיָּא stars לְעֵילָא up
52.3 סַק go-up לְעֵילָא up לְאִיגָּרָא to-the-roof וַחֲזֵי and-see יַרְחָא moon! טָב good אֲנָא I סָלֵיק ascend לְעֵילָא up
52.4 מַאן who דָּרֵי dwells לְעֵילָא up מִן from אַרְעָא earth? קוּדְשָׁא Holy-One בְּרִיךְ blessed הוּא He דָּרֵי dwells לְעֵילָא up
52.5 הֲוָה was עֲנָנָא cloud סָלֵיק ascending לְעֵילָא up מִן from יַמָּא sea? אִין yes עֲנָנָא cloud סָלֵיק ascended לְעֵילָא up
52.6 לְמָה why נָפַל fell מִלְעֵילָא from-up לְתַתָּא to-down? מִשּׁוּם because דַּהֲוָה that-was כָּבֵיד heavy טוּבָא very
52.7 מַה what אִית is-there לְעֵילָא up מִן from בֵּיתָא house? שְׁמַיָּא heaven וְכוֹכְבַיָּא and-stars אִית are-there לְעֵילָא up
52.8 אִי if תִּסַּק you-ascend לְעֵילָא up מַה what תֶּחֱזֵי will-you-see? אֶחֱזֵי I-will-see נְהוֹרָא light דִּשְׁמַיָּא of-heaven
52.9 כְּבָר already דָּלֵי lifted יְדוֹהִי his-hands לְעֵילָא up בִּצְלוֹתָא in-prayer? אִין yes דָּלֵי he-lifted לְעֵילָא up
52.10 מִי who יָכֵיל is-able לְמֵיסַק to-ascend לְעֵילָא up לִרְקִיעָא to-firmament? לָא not אֱנָשׁ human יָכֵיל is-able
52.11 הֵיכָן where פָּרְחָא flies נִשְׁמְתָא soul לְעֵילָא up? לְגַן to-garden עֵדֶן Eden דִּלְעֵילָא that-is-up
52.12 אֵימַת when מִסְתַּכְּלִין look כּוּלְּהוּ all-of-them לְעֵילָא up? בְּעִידָּן in-time דִּצְלוֹתָא of-prayer מִסְתַּכְּלִין they-look לְעֵילָא up
52.13 לָמָּה why קָא indeed בָּנֵי builds מִגְדָּלָא tower לְעֵילָא up? בְּגִין in-order לְמֵיחַם to-see רָחוֹק far
52.14 אִם if נֵיזִיל we-go לְעֵילָא up לְטוּרָא to-mountain מַה what נַשְׁכַּח will-we-find? נַשְׁכַּח we-will-find אֲוִירָא air דַּכְיָא pure
52.15 כַּמָּה how-much גָּבוֹהַּ high סָלֵיק ascends עֲשָׁנָא smoke לְעֵילָא up? סָלֵיק it-ascends עַד until רְקִיעָא firmament
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52.1 הֵיכִי סָלֵיק צִפֳּרָא לְעֵילָא בִּשְׁמַיָּא? צִפֳּרָא פָּרַח לְעֵילָא בְּגַדְפַּהָא׃ How does a bird ascend up in heaven? The bird flies up with its wings.
52.2 אֵימָתַי אִסְתַּכַּל רַבִּי לְעֵילָא? כַּד חֲזָא כּוֹכְבַיָּא לְעֵילָא׃ When did the rabbi look up? When he saw the stars up above.
52.3 סַק לְעֵילָא לְאִיגָּרָא וַחֲזֵי יַרְחָא! טָב אֲנָא סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא׃ Go up to the roof and see the moon! Good, I will ascend up.
52.4 מַאן דָּרֵי לְעֵילָא מִן אַרְעָא? קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא דָּרֵי לְעֵילָא׃ Who dwells up from the earth? The Holy One, blessed be He, dwells up above.
52.5 הֲוָה עֲנָנָא סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא מִן יַמָּא? אִין עֲנָנָא סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא׃ Was the cloud ascending up from the sea? Yes, the cloud ascended up.
52.6 לְמָה נָפַל מִלְעֵילָא לְתַתָּא? מִשּׁוּם דַּהֲוָה כָּבֵיד טוּבָא׃ Why did it fall from up above to down below? Because it was very heavy.
52.7 מַה אִית לְעֵילָא מִן בֵּיתָא? שְׁמַיָּא וְכוֹכְבַיָּא אִית לְעֵילָא׃ What is there up from the house? Heaven and stars are up above.
52.8 אִי תִּסַּק לְעֵילָא מַה תֶּחֱזֵי? אֶחֱזֵי נְהוֹרָא דִּשְׁמַיָּא׃ If you ascend up, what will you see? I will see the light of heaven.
52.9 כְּבָר דָּלֵי יְדוֹהִי לְעֵילָא בִּצְלוֹתָא? אִין דָּלֵי לְעֵילָא׃ Did he already lift his hands up in prayer? Yes, he lifted them up.
52.10 מִי יָכֵיל לְמֵיסַק לְעֵילָא לִרְקִיעָא? לָא אֱנָשׁ יָכֵיל׃ Who is able to ascend up to the firmament? No human is able.
52.11 הֵיכָן פָּרְחָא נִשְׁמְתָא לְעֵילָא? לְגַן עֵדֶן דִּלְעֵילָא׃ Where does the soul fly up? To the Garden of Eden that is above.
52.12 אֵימַת מִסְתַּכְּלִין כּוּלְּהוּ לְעֵילָא? בְּעִידָּן דִּצְלוֹתָא מִסְתַּכְּלִין לְעֵילָא׃ When do they all look up? In the time of prayer they look up.
52.13 לָמָּה קָא בָּנֵי מִגְדָּלָא לְעֵילָא? בְּגִין לְמֵיחַם רָחוֹק׃ Why is he building a tower up high? In order to see far.
52.14 אִם נֵיזִיל לְעֵילָא לְטוּרָא מַה נַשְׁכַּח? נַשְׁכַּח אֲוִירָא דַּכְיָא׃ If we go up to the mountain, what will we find? We will find pure air.
52.15 כַּמָּה גָּבוֹהַּ סָלֵיק עֲשָׁנָא לְעֵילָא? סָלֵיק עַד רְקִיעָא׃ How high does smoke ascend up? It ascends until the firmament.
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52.1 הֵיכִי סָלֵיק צִפֳּרָא לְעֵילָא בִּשְׁמַיָּא? צִפֳּרָא פָּרַח לְעֵילָא בְּגַדְפַּהָא׃
52.2 אֵימָתַי אִסְתַּכַּל רַבִּי לְעֵילָא? כַּד חֲזָא כּוֹכְבַיָּא לְעֵילָא׃
52.3 סַק לְעֵילָא לְאִיגָּרָא וַחֲזֵי יַרְחָא! טָב אֲנָא סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא׃
52.4 מַאן דָּרֵי לְעֵילָא מִן אַרְעָא? קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא דָּרֵי לְעֵילָא׃
52.5 הֲוָה עֲנָנָא סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא מִן יַמָּא? אִין עֲנָנָא סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא׃
52.6 לְמָה נָפַל מִלְעֵילָא לְתַתָּא? מִשּׁוּם דַּהֲוָה כָּבֵיד טוּבָא׃
52.7 מַה אִית לְעֵילָא מִן בֵּיתָא? שְׁמַיָּא וְכוֹכְבַיָּא אִית לְעֵילָא׃
52.8 אִי תִּסַּק לְעֵילָא מַה תֶּחֱזֵי? אֶחֱזֵי נְהוֹרָא דִּשְׁמַיָּא׃
52.9 כְּבָר דָּלֵי יְדוֹהִי לְעֵילָא בִּצְלוֹתָא? אִין דָּלֵי לְעֵילָא׃
52.10 מִי יָכֵיל לְמֵיסַק לְעֵילָא לִרְקִיעָא? לָא אֱנָשׁ יָכֵיל׃
52.11 הֵיכָן פָּרְחָא נִשְׁמְתָא לְעֵילָא? לְגַן עֵדֶן דִּלְעֵילָא׃
52.12 אֵימַת מִסְתַּכְּלִין כּוּלְּהוּ לְעֵילָא? בְּעִידָּן דִּצְלוֹתָא מִסְתַּכְּלִין לְעֵילָא׃
52.13 לָמָּה קָא בָּנֵי מִגְדָּלָא לְעֵילָא? בְּגִין לְמֵיחַם רָחוֹק׃
52.14 אִם נֵיזִיל לְעֵילָא לְטוּרָא מַה נַשְׁכַּח? נַשְׁכַּח אֲוִירָא דַּכְיָא׃
52.15 כַּמָּה גָּבוֹהַּ סָלֵיק עֲשָׁנָא לְעֵילָא? סָלֵיק עַד רְקִיעָא׃
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Basic Forms and Usage: -
לְעֵילָא (le'eila) - "up, upward, above" (preposition/adverb) -
עֵילָא ('eila) - "up, above" (shortened form) -
מִלְעֵילָא (mil'eila) - "from above, from up" -
דִּלְעֵילָא (dil'eila) - "that is above, which is up"
Grammatical Functions: -
As an adverb: modifies verbs of motion (סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא - "ascends up") -
As a preposition: with מִן (לְעֵילָא מִן - "up from, above") -
In construct phrases: גַּן עֵדֶן דִּלְעֵילָא ("Garden of Eden that is above")
Common Mistakes: -
Confusing לְעֵילָא with לְמַעְלָה (Hebrew form) - use לְעֵילָא in Aramaic contexts -
Forgetting the dagesh in the lamed when prefixed: לְעֵילָא not לעֵילָא -
Using incorrect verbal forms with directional expressions -
Mixing Hebrew and Aramaic directional terms
Comparison with English: -
English uses "up" as both preposition and adverb -
Aramaic לְעֵילָא functions similarly but requires different word order -
English: "he looked up" → Aramaic: אִסְתַּכַּל לְעֵילָא (verb + direction) -
English: "up from the earth" → Aramaic: לְעֵילָא מִן אַרְעָא
Step-by-Step Guide for Complex Usage: -
Identify if "up" is functioning as direction (adverb) or position (preposition) -
For motion verbs, place לְעֵילָא after the verb -
For static position, use לְעֵילָא with appropriate prepositions -
Remember vowel patterns: לְ-עֵי-לָא (sheva-tzere-kamatz) -
In compound expressions, maintain proper construct relationships
Verbal Associations: Common verbs used with לְעֵילָא: -
סָלֵיק (saliq) - ascends -
פָּרַח (parach) - flies -
דָּלֵי (dalei) - lifts -
אִסְתַּכַּל (istakal) - looks -
נָפַל מִלְעֵילָא (nafal mil'eila) - falls from above
Declension Summary: לְעֵילָא remains unchanged regardless of gender or number of the subject. However, it can take various prefixes: -
בִּלְעֵילָא - "in the upper part" -
כִּלְעֵילָא - "as above, like above" -
דִּלְעֵילָא - "that which is above"
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For English speakers learning Babylonian Aramaic, understanding the cultural weight of directional terms is crucial. In Talmudic and religious literature, לְעֵילָא carries profound spiritual significance beyond its literal meaning.
Religious Symbolism: The concept of "up" in Jewish Babylonian culture invariably connects to the divine realm. When the Talmud speaks of looking לְעֵילָא, it often implies seeking divine guidance or acknowledging God's presence. This differs from English, where "up" can be purely directional without spiritual connotation.
Prayer and Worship: In Babylonian Jewish practice, raising hands לְעֵילָא during prayer symbolizes reaching toward the divine. The phrase דָּלֵי יְדוֹהִי לְעֵילָא (lifting his hands up) appears frequently in descriptions of prayer postures, reflecting the physical manifestation of spiritual aspiration.
Cosmological Understanding: The Babylonian worldview placed heaven (שְׁמַיָּא) literally לְעֵילָא, creating a vertical sacred geography. This differs from modern Western thought where "up" is relative. For Babylonian Jews, לְעֵילָא pointed to an absolute divine direction.
Legal and Ethical Dimensions: In Talmudic legal discussions, לְעֵילָא can indicate hierarchical superiority or precedence. Understanding this helps English speakers grasp why certain legal principles are described as coming מִלְעֵילָא (from above), indicating divine origin or higher authority.
Contrast with Earthly Realm: The opposition between לְעֵילָא (up/heavenly) and לְתַתָּא (down/earthly) structures much of Talmudic thought. This binary is more pronounced than in English, where "up" and "down" lack inherent moral or spiritual value.
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אָמַר said רַבִּי Rabbi יוֹחָנָן Yochanan כָּל every הַמְבַקֵּשׁ one-who-seeks רַחֲמִים mercy עַל upon חֲבֵרוֹ his-fellow צָרִיךְ needs לְהַגְבִּיהַּ to-raise קוֹלוֹ his-voice לְעֵילָא up שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר as-it-is-said וַיִּשָּׂא and-he-lifted אַבְרָהָם Abraham אֶת [object marker] עֵינָיו his-eyes וַיַּרְא and-he-saw וְהִנֵּה and-behold שְׁלֹשָׁה three אֲנָשִׁים men נִצָּבִים standing עָלָיו over-him
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן כָּל הַמְבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים עַל חֲבֵרוֹ צָרִיךְ לְהַגְבִּיהַּ קוֹלוֹ לְעֵילָא שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַיִּשָּׂא אַבְרָהָם אֶת עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים נִצָּבִים עָלָיו׃
Rabbi Yochanan said: Anyone who seeks mercy for his fellow needs to raise his voice upward, as it is said, "And Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, three men were standing over him."
אָמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן כָּל הַמְבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים עַל חֲבֵרוֹ צָרִיךְ לְהַגְבִּיהַּ קוֹלוֹ לְעֵילָא שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַיִּשָּׂא אַבְרָהָם אֶת עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים נִצָּבִים עָלָיו׃
This passage demonstrates the spiritual dimension of לְעֵילָא in Talmudic thought. Note how the text mixes Hebrew biblical quotation with Aramaic commentary, typical of Talmudic style. The verb לְהַגְבִּיהַּ (to raise) is Hebrew infinitive, while לְעֵילָא provides the Aramaic directional complement. The connection between raising one's voice לְעֵילָא and Abraham's lifting his eyes creates a theological link between upward physical motion and spiritual intention. For English speakers, this illustrates how directional language in Aramaic often carries deeper meaning than simple spatial orientation.
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52.16 נִשְׁמְתָא soul דְּצַדִּיקַיָּא of-righteous-ones סָלְקָא ascends לְעֵילָא up בְּלֵילְיָא in-night לְמֶחֱזֵי to-see זִיו splendor שְׁכִינְתָּא Divine-Presence
52.17 כַּד when מִתְעַרֵי awakens רוּחָא spirit פָּרְחָא it-flies לְעֵילָא up וְאָזְלָא and-goes לְהֵיכָלָא to-palace דְּמַלְכָּא of-King עִילָּאָה supernal
52.18 רָזִין mysteries דְּאוֹרַיְתָא of-Torah סָלְקִין ascend לְעֵילָא up מִן from לִבָּא heart דְּחַכִּימַיָּא of-wise-ones בִּצְלוֹתָא in-prayer
52.19 מַלְאָכַיָּא angels נָחֲתִין descend וְסָלְקִין and-ascend לְעֵילָא up עִם with נִשְׁמָתִין souls קַדִּישִׁין holy
52.20 אֵימָתַי when פָּתְחִין open תַּרְעֵי gates דִּלְעֵילָא that-are-up? בְּשַׁעֲתָא in-hour דִּרְעוּתָא of-divine-will
52.21 נְהוֹרָא light דְּנָפֵיק that-emanates מִלְעֵילָא from-up מְנַהֵר illuminates כָּל all עָלְמִין worlds תַּתָּאִין lower
52.22 חֵיזוּ vision דִּנְבִיאֵי of-prophets סָלֵיק ascends לְעֵילָא up עַד until כּוּרְסְיָא throne דִּיקָרָא of-glory
52.23 קָלָא voice דִּתְשׁוּבָה of-repentance בָּקַע splits וְסָלֵיק and-ascends לְעֵילָא up קֳדָם before מָארֵי Master עָלְמָא world
52.24 עַמּוּדָא pillar דִּנְהוֹרָא of-light קָאֵים stands מֵאַרְעָא from-earth לְעֵילָא up לִרְקִיעָא to-firmament
52.25 בְּעִידָּן in-time דְּסָלְקָא that-ascends צְלוֹתָא prayer לְעֵילָא up, מִתְבָּרְכָן are-blessed כָּל all בִּרְכָּאן blessings
52.26 רֵיחָא fragrance דְּקָרְבָּנָא of-offering סָלֵיק ascends לְעֵילָא up וּמְעַנֵּג and-delights לְמָארֵיהּ its-Master
52.27 שְׁכִינְתָּא Divine-Presence אִסְתַּלְּקַת withdrew לְעֵילָא up מִן from בֵּית house מַקְדְּשָׁא sanctuary חָרֵיב destroyed
52.28 זַכָּאָה meritorious מַאן who דְּזָכֵי that-merits לְמֵיסַק to-ascend לְעֵילָא up בְּחַיּוֹהִי in-his-lifetime
52.29 עִטְרִין crowns דְּאוֹרַיְתָא of-Torah סָלְקִין ascend לְעֵילָא up וּמִתְעַטְּרָן and-crown בְּרֵישָׁא on-head דְּקוּדְשָׁא of-Holy-One
52.30 כְּגַוְונָא like-manner דִּלְעֵילָא that-is-up כַּךְ so לְתַתָּא below, וּכְגַוְונָא and-like-manner דִּלְתַתָּא that-is-below כַּךְ so לְעֵילָא up
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52.16 נִשְׁמְתָא דְּצַדִּיקַיָּא סָלְקָא לְעֵילָא בְּלֵילְיָא לְמֶחֱזֵי זִיו שְׁכִינְתָּא׃ The soul of the righteous ascends up at night to see the splendor of the Divine Presence.
52.17 כַּד מִתְעַרֵי רוּחָא פָּרְחָא לְעֵילָא וְאָזְלָא לְהֵיכָלָא דְּמַלְכָּא עִילָּאָה׃ When the spirit awakens, it flies up and goes to the palace of the supernal King.
52.18 רָזִין דְּאוֹרַיְתָא סָלְקִין לְעֵילָא מִן לִבָּא דְּחַכִּימַיָּא בִּצְלוֹתָא׃ The mysteries of Torah ascend up from the heart of the wise ones in prayer.
52.19 מַלְאָכַיָּא נָחֲתִין וְסָלְקִין לְעֵילָא עִם נִשְׁמָתִין קַדִּישִׁין׃ Angels descend and ascend up with holy souls.
52.20 אֵימָתַי פָּתְחִין תַּרְעֵי דִּלְעֵילָא? בְּשַׁעֲתָא דִּרְעוּתָא׃ When do the gates that are above open? In the hour of divine will.
52.21 נְהוֹרָא דְּנָפֵיק מִלְעֵילָא מְנַהֵר כָּל עָלְמִין תַּתָּאִין׃ The light that emanates from above illuminates all lower worlds.
52.22 חֵיזוּ דִּנְבִיאֵי סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא עַד כּוּרְסְיָא דִּיקָרָא׃ The vision of prophets ascends up until the throne of glory.
52.23 קָלָא דִּתְשׁוּבָה בָּקַע וְסָלֵיק לְעֵילָא קֳדָם מָארֵי עָלְמָא׃ The voice of repentance splits through and ascends up before the Master of the world.
52.24 עַמּוּדָא דִּנְהוֹרָא קָאֵים מֵאַרְעָא לְעֵילָא לִרְקִיעָא׃ A pillar of light stands from earth up to the firmament.
52.25 בְּעִידָּן דְּסָלְקָא צְלוֹתָא לְעֵילָא, מִתְבָּרְכָן כָּל בִּרְכָּאן׃ In the time that prayer ascends up, all blessings are blessed.
52.26 רֵיחָא דְּקָרְבָּנָא סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא וּמְעַנֵּג לְמָארֵיהּ׃ The fragrance of the offering ascends up and delights its Master.
52.27 שְׁכִינְתָּא אִסְתַּלְּקַת לְעֵילָא מִן בֵּית מַקְדְּשָׁא חָרֵיב׃ The Divine Presence withdrew upward from the destroyed Temple.
52.28 זַכָּאָה מַאן דְּזָכֵי לְמֵיסַק לְעֵילָא בְּחַיּוֹהִי׃ Meritorious is he who merits to ascend up in his lifetime.
52.29 עִטְרִין דְּאוֹרַיְתָא סָלְקִין לְעֵילָא וּמִתְעַטְּרָן בְּרֵישָׁא דְּקוּדְשָׁא׃ The crowns of Torah ascend up and crown the head of the Holy One.
52.30 כְּגַוְונָא דִּלְעֵילָא כַּךְ לְתַתָּא, וּכְגַוְונָא דִּלְתַתָּא כַּךְ לְעֵילָא׃ As it is above, so below, and as it is below, so above.
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52.16 נִשְׁמְתָא דְּצַדִּיקַיָּא סָלְקָא לְעֵילָא בְּלֵילְיָא לְמֶחֱזֵי זִיו שְׁכִינְתָּא׃
52.17 כַּד מִתְעַרֵי רוּחָא פָּרְחָא לְעֵילָא וְאָזְלָא לְהֵיכָלָא דְּמַלְכָּא עִילָּאָה׃
52.18 רָזִין דְּאוֹרַיְתָא סָלְקִין לְעֵילָא מִן לִבָּא דְּחַכִּימַיָּא בִּצְלוֹתָא׃
52.19 מַלְאָכַיָּא נָחֲתִין וְסָלְקִין לְעֵילָא עִם נִשְׁמָתִין קַדִּישִׁין׃
52.20 אֵימָתַי פָּתְחִין תַּרְעֵי דִּלְעֵילָא? בְּשַׁעֲתָא דִּרְעוּתָא׃
52.21 נְהוֹרָא דְּנָפֵיק מִלְעֵילָא מְנַהֵר כָּל עָלְמִין תַּתָּאִין׃
52.22 חֵיזוּ דִּנְבִיאֵי סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא עַד כּוּרְסְיָא דִּיקָרָא׃
52.23 קָלָא דִּתְשׁוּבָה בָּקַע וְסָלֵיק לְעֵילָא קֳדָם מָארֵי עָלְמָא׃
52.24 עַמּוּדָא דִּנְהוֹרָא קָאֵים מֵאַרְעָא לְעֵילָא לִרְקִיעָא׃
52.25 בְּעִידָּן דְּסָלְקָא צְלוֹתָא לְעֵילָא, מִתְבָּרְכָן כָּל בִּרְכָּאן׃
52.26 רֵיחָא דְּקָרְבָּנָא סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא וּמְעַנֵּג לְמָארֵיהּ׃
52.27 שְׁכִינְתָּא אִסְתַּלְּקַת לְעֵילָא מִן בֵּית מַקְדְּשָׁא חָרֵיב׃
52.28 זַכָּאָה מַאן דְּזָכֵי לְמֵיסַק לְעֵילָא בְּחַיּוֹהִי׃
52.29 עִטְרִין דְּאוֹרַיְתָא סָלְקִין לְעֵילָא וּמִתְעַטְּרָן בְּרֵישָׁא דְּקוּדְשָׁא׃
52.30 כְּגַוְונָא דִּלְעֵילָא כַּךְ לְתַתָּא, וּכְגַוְונָא דִּלְתַתָּא כַּךְ לְעֵילָא׃
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Mystical Vocabulary: The mystical genre employs לְעֵילָא with specialized terminology that English speakers must understand: -
עִילָּאָה ('ila'ah) - "supernal, upper" (adjective form) -
דִּלְעֵילָא (dil'eila) - "that which is above" (construct form) -
מִלְעֵילָא (mil'eila) - "from above" (directional origin) -
לְעֵילָא וּלְעֵילָא (le'eila ul'eila) - "higher and higher" (intensive)
Verbal Patterns in Mystical Contexts: -
סָלְקָא (salqa) - feminine form for נִשְׁמְתָא (soul) -
אִסְתַּלְּקַת (istalqat) - reflexive form indicating "withdrew upward" -
מִתְעַטְּרָן (mit'atran) - reflexive "crowning themselves"
Common Mystical Phrases: -
רָזִין דִּלְעֵילָא - "supernal mysteries" -
עָלְמָא דִּלְעֵילָא - "the upper world" -
מַלְכָּא עִילָּאָה - "the supernal King" -
תַּרְעֵי דִּלְעֵילָא - "the gates above"
Grammatical Features Specific to Mystical Texts: -
Frequent use of construct chains: נִשְׁמְתָא דְּצַדִּיקַיָּא -
Reflexive verb forms indicating spiritual transformation -
Feminine nouns (soul, Divine Presence) requiring feminine verb agreement -
Intensive constructions showing progressive ascent
English Speaker Challenges: -
Understanding metaphorical vs. literal "up" -
Recognizing technical mystical terminology -
Grasping the concept of spiritual directionality -
Distinguishing between physical and metaphysical ascent
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