Q: What is the meaning of the saying that evil begins from the north?
A: "Evil begins from the north" is a quote from the verse in Jeremiah 1:14. In Kabbalah, south corresponds to right, and north to left. In the sefirot, the right corresponds to chesed, which is lovingkindness, and love. The left corresponds togevurah, which is might, and yir'ah, awe.
South | North |
Right | Left |
Chesed | Gevurah |
Ahavah | Yir'ah |
Evil enters through the "breaking in" of the northern wind. In other words, when there is a lack of yirat shamayim, fear of heaven, evil enters. Through fear of heaven and holy might, we prevent the evil from entering.
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