Kabbalah Library

70. Adam’s beauty was from the illumination of the upper connection, from the illuminating radiance, from the illumination of Abba, since he had the Neshama of Neshama of Abba of Atzilut. Eve’s beauty was such that all creations could not look at her, for her Neshama of Neshama was from Ima of Atzilut. Even though Adam did not look at her until the time they sinned and their beauty was removed, at that time, Adam looked at her and recognized her, to have intercourse with her, as it is written, “And Adam knew his wife again.” He knew her in everything; he knew in intercourse. “Knew” means he acknowledged her and looked at her.

71. It is forbidden for a man to look at the beauty of a woman, so as not to come into a bad thought and be uprooted to another thing, that a drop will be uprooted from him in vain.

72. Anyone who looks at the beauty of the woman in the day, comes into thoughts at night. If that bad thought comes upon him, the man transgresses the words, “and do not make for yourselves mask gods,” since those shells that suckle from it are called “mask gods.” Also, if he had intercourse with his wife while thinking that bad thought, the sons he begets are called “mask gods.” This is why it is written, “Do not turn to the idols, and do not make for yourselves mask gods.” Man is forbidden to look at the gods of idol-worship and at women from the nations, or enjoy them or be healed by them, since man is forbidden to look where he should not.