The concept of the 10 Sefiroth also comes from sources outside the Zohar which no Rabbi can dispute!!!
Watch me!!!!!!
Talmud Bavli Hagigah 12a and Pirkei Avoth 5:1, specifically says the world was created with 10 expressions.
First of all, can you not see the difference between creating the world using ten sayings and ten sefirotic beings that combine together to form various combination that kabbalists beleive can be prayed to?
Second of all, from the beginning of the creation until the creation of Hawa(Eve), it says "and G-d said" ten times.
Here they are:
1 And G-d said: 'Let there be light.' And there was light.
2 And G-d said: 'Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.'
3 And G-d said: 'Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear.' And it was so.
4 And G-d said: 'Let the earth put forth grass, herb yielding seed, and fruit-tree bearing fruit after its kind, wherein is the seed thereof, upon the earth.' And it was so.
5 And G-d said: 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years;
6 And G-d said: 'Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let fowl fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.'
7 And G-d said: 'Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after its kind.' And it was so.
8 And G-d said: 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.'
9 And G-d said: 'Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed--to you it shall be for food;
10 And the LORD G-d said: 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.'
What that has to do with Ten Sefiroth, is anyone's guess.Sefer Yetzirah discusses the Sefiroth and I find it very hard to believe that any Rabbi would reject this Sefer.
Actually, Rabbi Saadya Gaon wrote a commentary on the Sefer Yetzirah and he did not interpret it kabbalistically at all.
Hakam Azriel of Gerona said the Sefiroth are a necessary part of Hashem’s perfection. Hashem would not be perfect if He was absolutely infinite, He must also have finite manifestation (the Sefiroth) to be perfect.
Wow, that really is idolatry!!!!
That contradicts the faith of Israel in the most fundamental way.
You wrote it very simply.
Kabbalah does not beleive that Hashem is absolutely infinite.Simply shocking.
This concept is to be found throughout Torah!!!
Yes, Idolatry and idolatrous beleifs are mentioned throughout the Torah as one of the most evil acts a person can do and the reason that the Nation of Israel was sent into exile.
True, that concept is to be found throughout Torah!!!