Quoted By:
>While Israel occupies the tenth position of every divine emanation and is included even in the name of God Himself, she has no portion in the realm of Kliphoth, although her lowest emanation seems to dwell near it. This view, presented by the Zohar, squares with the Talmud, imparting dignity and even divinity to Jews as a class, but relegating Gentiles to a netherworld region of beasts and demons. Hence, while ultimately spawned by God, the Gentiles, like demons, are evil and polluting. Quoting from the Zohar:
>R. Abba said that ‘living soul’ designates Israel because they are children to the Almighty, and their souls, which are holy, come from Him. From whence, then come the souls of other peoples? R. Eleazer said: ‘They obtained souls from those sides of the left which convey impurity, and therefore they are all impure and defile all those who have contact with them.’
>AND THE LORD SAID, LET THE EARTH BRING FORTH LIVING SOUL, ETC. This includes all the other animals (except man), each after its kind. R. Eleazer said: ‘The repetition of the words “after its kind” confirms what we have said before, that ‘living soul’ refers to Israel, who have holy living souls from above, and ‘cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth’ to the other peoples who are not ‘living soul,’ but who are as we have said. (I Bereshith, 47a) (For copies see pp. 325-328.)
>The term “Kliphoth,” “Hakelifoth,” “Kelippot,” etc. (depending on transliteration), seems to be a very ancient one rooted in Babylon. The Jewish Encyclopedia confirms its origin and antiquity,"... the ‘Kelippot’ (the scalings of impurity), which are so prominent in the medieval Cabala, are found in the old Babylonian incantations...” (“Cabala,” p. 458) Within the Judeo-Babylonian tradition, Kelippot corresponds to the “left side,” the source of everything that is perverse and impious, including idolaters
