Sefiroth

Tribal Characteristics in Judaic Symbolism

Contents:
1. Introduction
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2. Some Background Sources: Very Brief Extracts
Twelve Tribes - Twelve Paths By Simon Jacobson
12 Tribes of Israel: The Shevatim By Yecheskel Posner
Sefirot List by Anonymous
The Order of the Tribes Of Israel By Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David (Greg Killian)
What Are the Sefirot? BY GEORGE ROBINSON
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3. Brit-Am. An Appreciation of the Tribes and the  Sefirot
with Illustration.

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1. Introduction

Kabbalah is a kind of Jewish Philosophy that describes difficult concpet is symbolic form. Most of it is based on the Bible or derived from Biblical principles.

One of these Principles concerns the "Sefirot" or  Divine Emanations that radiated out from the Almighty and through with Creation is governed.

God rules everything but he does it through agencies, e.g. just as we get water from clouds, etc, through natural means so too in the metaphysical world.
The Kabballah says there are 10 or 12 (depending how you count them) Emanations called "Sefirot" (singular "sefirah") through which the Creation is governed.
EACH SEFIRAH  CONTAINS ASPECTS OF THE OTHER SEFIROT.
These do not have to be considered real things but rather a way of viewing matters. Each Sefirah has its overriding characteristics e.g. Mercy, Judgment, Strictness, Leniency, Kindness, etc.
These 12 Sefirot are paralleled by the 12 Tribes of Israel.
There are different ways of listing the Tribes and therefore varying correspondences between a certain Tribe and the Sefirah it could be associated with.

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2. Some Background Sources:
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Twelve Tribes - Twelve Paths
Every one of the 12 tribes has its specific energy which it must manifest in this world.
By Simon Jacobson
https://www.chabad.org/kabbalah/article_cdo/aid/1717386/jewish/Twelve-Tribes-Twelve-Paths.htm
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12 Tribes of Israel: The Shevatim
By Yecheskel Posner
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3798842/jewish/12-Tribes-of-Israel-The-Shevatim.htm
Here is one of many applications of these twelve paths, based primarily on Yaakov's blessings.
Reuben - The First 
Simeon - The Aggressor 
Levi - The Cleric
Judah - The Leader  Malcuth
Dan - The Judge 
Naphtali - The Free Spirit
Gad - The Warrior
Asher - The Prosperous One
Issachar - The Scholar
Zebulun - The Business person
Joseph - The Sufferer 
Menashe - Reconnection
Ephraim - Transformation
Benjamin - The Ravenous Consumer
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https://godssecret.wordpress.com/category/sefirot/
 (Chesed  represents love, giving, or mercy, Gevurah is sometimes also called 'Din', and means 'judgment.', Tiferet -  represents beauty and balance. , Netzach stands for limitless energy, great quantity, endurance, and victory.,Hod  represents contained energy that which is clearly defined. It is very specific flow. Yesod serves as a gateway for a certain quantity and quality of these Divine powers can enter the world)
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The Order of the Tribes Of Israel
By Rabbi Dr. Hillel ben David (Greg Killian)
https://www.betemunah.org/tribes.html

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What Are the Sefirot?
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/sefirot/
According to the kabbalists, the attributes of God relate to each other in a scripted way.
BY GEORGE ROBINSON
There are 10 sefirot, linked in a complex figure that some have called the 'Tree of Life,' significantly a phrase also often used to refer to the Torah . They are Keter (Crown), Hokhmah (Wisdom), Binah (Understanding), Hesed (Lovingkindness), Gevurah (Might) or Din (Judgment), Tiferet (Beauty), Hod (Splendor), Netzah (Victory), Yesod (Foundation), and Malkhut (Sovereignty) or Shekhinah (the Divine Presence). Each of them represents one aspect of the Godhead, a facet of the powers of the All Powerful. Each is also identified with a part of the body or aspects of the human personality, a color, and one of the Names of the Holy One.

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3. Brit-Am. An Appreciation of the Tribes and the Sefirot


Note:
The description below is tentative. In the course of time it may be adjusted somewhat though the overall picture will probably remain more or less as it now is.
 
See Diagram:



The Patriarchs and the Tribes are arranged in an inverse triangular form.
We have Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Abraham in tradition represented "Chesed," i.e. Kindness. Abraham brought guests into his house, did good deeds.
Isaac represent "Din," i.e. Judgement. He was prepared to be offered up.
Jacob represents "Daat" i.e. Knowledge and Union with God.

This pattern is repeated with Reuben, Simeon, and Levi.
Reuben is Chesed, Simeon is Gevurah, Levi is Tiferet

After that we have six of the other Tribes.
Three are aligned on the left sight representing Love and three on the right sight for Judgment.

The energy from all of the above flows into Joseph who in turn funnels it towards Benjamin and Judah.

Joseph is Yisod (Foundation, Conduit, Supply, Sexual Restraint).
Ephraim is also Yisod.
Judah is Malcut (Kingdom, Royalty, Rulership, Physical Reality)
Benjamin is part of Malcut (like Judah) but also serves as a kind of interface between Joseph and Judah.

Joseph was the Chief Provider for all the world when he ruled in Egypt.
Joseph also provided for his brothers.

Joseph supports Judah and Benjamin.
Judah and Benjamin together represent the Principle of Judah and Kingdom ("Malcut").
It works both ways.
When Judah strengthens himself the energy flows back into Joseph who in turn funnels it upwards to the other Tribes. When the other Tribes act as they should they influence the rest. 
They all need each other.
They all support and strengthen each other.

It also works in a negative direction. If one Tribe or group of Tribe do not act as they should they weaken all the others.
We all have an obligation  to ourselves, as well as to each other.
What applies in the general sense also pertinent in the private sphere. Each one of us is a little Tribal Kingdom in their own  right.

Brit-Am today works to enhance Tribal Consciousness and AWARENESS.
Brit-Am today is centered in Judah and works from the perspective of Judah in Jerusalem and the Land of Israel.
Brit-Am NEEDS support from the other Tribes especially from Joseph to function.
What Brit-Am succeeds in doing is for the good of all the Tribes.