##### **You have asked of me, my sibling and soulmate...** A personal opening, as if the book was written for one friend, was a common literary device for Jewish thinkers. How does it impact upon you as the reader? ##### **...to illuminate a path before you in the matter of the names of the Blessed Holy One, through which to attain what you want and achieve what you desire.** What does this reveal about the meaning of "names"? Are you familiar with teachings that attribute special powers to names? ##### **Since I see that your intention is better and more upright than your request,** Excuse me! Wasn't it you that formulated the question!? What is going on here? ##### **I find it necessary to inform you through which paths the light flows (_Job 38:24_) and what way יהו"ה desires or does not desire.** Which way does the light flow? First, let's explore the verse in Job. What is its simple meaning? How is R. Gikatilla reading it? >Job 38:24 >אֵי־זֶ֣ה הַ֭דֶּרֶךְ יֵחָ֣לֶק א֑וֹר יָפֵ֖ץ קָדִ֣ים עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ > By what way is the light parted, Or the east wind scattered upon the earth? (JPS 1917) > >By what path is the west wind (*As Aramaic ’urya*) dispersed, The east wind scattered over the earth? (JPS 1985) > *I suspect he's reading verse 24 in light of verse 19:* Job 38:19 >**אֵי־זֶ֣ה הַ֭דֶּרֶךְ יִשְׁכׇּן־א֑וֹר וְ֝חֹ֗שֶׁךְ אֵי־זֶ֥ה מְקֹמֽוֹ׃** > **Where is the way to the dwelling of light, And as for darkness, where is the place thereof;** (JPS 1917). ##### **and what way יהו"ה desires or does not desire.** What is the relationship between how light flows and what God desires? ##### When you attain knowledge of this, then you shall call and יהו"ה will answer, you will be amongst those who are close to Hir, you will love Hir with all your soul, you will delight in יהו"ה... What kind of *knowledge* is this? What kind of delight are we talking about? ##### ...and S/He will give you the desire of your heart. Great! And what is it that I shall be desiring?