The term "Shi'ur Koma" (Hebrew: שיעור קומה) originates from Kabbalah and refers to a mystical or esoteric concept of the "form of God." Literally translated, "Shi'ur Koma" means something like "measure of form" or "measure of height" and refers to the idea that God possesses a specific, albeit intangible, shape or form that transcends the mental or spiritual realm.
In the Kabbalistic tradition, particularly in the Kabbalah of the Zohar, this concept is used to describe how the divine permeates the world in a specific, symbolic form or measure. The "form" of God is not to be understood as a physical appearance, but rather as a divine presence manifested in a specific structure accessible to human perception, but not in a material sense.
Some important points regarding the term "Shi'ur Koma":
Symbolic Form of God: "Shi'ur Koma" describes the symbolic form or "scale" of the Divine. This "form" is understood in a variety of forms and aspects, which are metaphorical in nature, to make the incomprehensible nature of God comprehensible. It refers to the idea that God reveals himself in various forms but is never fully comprehensible in a human imagination.
The Kabbalistic Perspective: In Kabbalah, God is described as unimaginable and unattainable, yet the "Shi'ur Koma" offers a way to comprehend this infinite source through symbolic and mystical concepts. There is also the idea that this "form" refers to the various aspects of the creative process and the Sefirot (the ten divine emanations in Kabbalah).
Connection to the Sefirot: The Sefirot represent the various attributes of God through which he influences the world. The "Shi'ur Koma" could therefore be understood as a representation of these qualities, with each "gestalt" symbolizing a specific divine function or manifestation in Kabbalistic teachings.
The Divine Measure: Another aspect of "Shi'ur Koma" is that it is understood as a standard for spiritual development. It is a kind of spiritual measure that symbolizes humankind's approach to the divine and the attainment of divine knowledge or grace.
In some Kabbalistic texts, "Shi'ur Koma" is also presented as a form of "miracle" or divine revelation that allows humans to take a step closer to the immeasurable and unimaginable essence of God.
