R-Q-Y-E – ‘ethereal space’

This version grossly misinterprets Moses, who never thought that ethereal space was either firm or solid…; on the contrary, the root רק,…contains the idea of tenuity and expansion.

The verb רוק or ריק , which comes from it, signifies to be rarified or rendered void… (The Hebraic Tongue Restored, Fabré d’Olivet, p. 36)

RQ – Every idea of tenuity, rarity, expansion, giving way. That which is attenuated, rarified; which gives way, physically as well as morally: in a figurative sense, time. See ריק (The Hebraic Tongue Restored, Fabré d’Olivet, p. 454)

RYQ – Ethereal space, the void. (The Hebraic Tongue Restored, Fabré d’Olivet, p. 451)

YE – Everything hollow, empty and fit to receive another, as a vessel, a shovel, etc. (The Hebraic Tongue Restored, Fabré d’Olivet, p. 366)

These verses apparently relate the creation of a firmament in the midst of the waters to divide the waters which were above the firmament. And the translation goes on to say: and God called the firmament heaven. (In some texts; expanse for firmament).

It is true that Maym (Mem-Yod-Mem: 40.10.40) in colloquial Hebrew means “waters”. The Qabalists (and alchemists) have always considered Maym as a symbol of the biochemical sphere’s attributes, because analogically the waters are the natural environment for epigenisis.

Let us not forget that we are dealing with a treatise on thermodynamics. We have seen in Genesis 1,1 a double equation of energy as Aleph and Yod (as infinite animation and as its own physical casting). Awr is the equation of their symbolic wedlock (Raysh, 200 being the symbol of the entire cosmic physical support). We have then seen Yavdel as the biosphere’s process which originates two trends of structures in each of the two aspects of energy, Awr and Hhosheykh. In Genesis 1, 6-8, which we are now considering this entire process as seen from the point of view of Bayt (2), so-called the second “day”; Bayt being the symbol of all containers. The protagonists, Raysh and Aleph must be expressed now as they appear in existence. But we know that Aleph does not possess the quality of existence in duration. Therefore its symbol must perforce be Qof (100) because, as we have already stated, Qof is symbol of cosmic Aleph in existence, both Aleph and Yod, blending the opposites, timelessness and time. Raysh and Qof assert their existence Yod. But what is the result of this wedlock? It obviously is Ayn (70), the principle of indetermination, which is the common stake of both parties. The equation thus formed, Raysh-Qof-Yod-Ayn (200.100.10.70): reads Raquiy, and is an energy which, not being fixed in extent, has the intrinsic quality of expansion. Energy in expansion: that is the definition of space according to Qabala. It is in expansion because, as its own container, energy cannot cope with itself. It cannot but be perpetually its own overflowing.

We are very far indeed from the “firmament” which is supposed to translate Raquiy, and further still from its other name “heaven” of the canonical text. (The Cipher of Genesis, Carlos Suares, p. 91-92)