And You, the Reader

It shall be a merit for us that we bring to light the mysteries of wisdom:
The Gates of Justice; original: Sha'arei Tzedek. This title refers to the specific mystical sphere (Sefirah) of Justice/Righteousness, often associated with the entry point into the divine realm. for light has already shone for us through the book The Gates of Light original: Sha'arei Orah. This was Joseph Gikatilla's primary work on the Sefirot, printed shortly before this volume. printed already here; may it be reckoned to us as righteousness. In righteousness, behold His face; for you shall understand and know the secret of Kabbalah. As it is said: "One who comes to purify himself, they open the way for him," A common Talmudic maxim (Shabbat 104a) suggesting that divine assistance follows human initiative. and the gates have not been locked. It is a "ladder set on the earth, with its top reaching the heavens" and the Work of the Chariot Ma'aseh Merkavah|The "Work of the Chariot," referring to the earliest form of Jewish mysticism centered on the vision of the divine throne-chariot in the Book of Ezekiel.. "Lift up your heads, O gates!" and "Justice, justice shall you pursue." "Turn it over and turn it over, for everything is in it" A quote from the Ethics of the Fathers (Pirkei Avot 5:22) regarding the infinite depth of sacred study.. "Enter His gates with thanksgiving"; then my tongue shall sing: "Open for me the gates of righteousness, I will enter them and thank the Lord."

Jacob Marcaria (d. 1562) was a physician and the operator of the famous Hebrew press in Riva di Trento. He was instrumental in disseminating Kabbalistic texts during the 16th century.