THE FORTY-THREEFOLD HEBREW WISDOM
In the system of kabbalah, the Hebrew sages possessed the same forty-threefold wisdom: There are a total of 42 + 1 = 43 sephirothic emanations, which correspond to the first forty-three layers above the half measure.
The first forty layers were viewed as providing the archetypal basis for the creation of the universe, but beyond these, the Hebrew sages counted three additional layers, known as the ain-soph-aur.The highest or forty-third layer was called the ain, the Supreme Godhead, from which the other forty-two emanated. As in the Vedic tradition, the Supreme Godhead was viewed as the transcendental basis for an uncountable number of universes. The ain, inconceivable and indescribable, corresponds to the fourth or transcendental state of immortal consciousness. The forty-second layer, the soph, represents the omniscient form of the Supreme Godhead, which is filled with infinite wisdom (sophia), or preknowledge (prajna). It corresponds to the sleeping state of immortal consciousness. The forty-first layer, the aur, is the self-luminous form of the Supreme Godhead, the aura of God characterized by transcendental light. It corresponds to the dreaming state of immortal consciousness. These three higher aspects of the Supreme Godhead preside over the lower aspect, represented by the fortieth layer, wherein are seen the immortal archetype and crystalline body of Logos. The fortieth layer thus corresponds to the waking state of immortal consciousness.
The Hebrew sages were therefore in agreement with both the Vedic and Egyptian sages regarding the overall forty-threefold organization of the spectrum. Although this knowledge was made most explicit in the tradition of kabbalah, it was embodied in other forms of Hebrew wisdom as well.