The name of God associated with Hesed is El, the Hebrew word translated as “God.” El was the common name for a god in ancient Near Eastern cultures. It may come from a root meaning “to be strong” or “power,” connoting not only might but authority and transcendence. In the Old Testament, the term El is often combined with adjectives, resulting in names like El Elyon (the Most High God), El Hai (the Living God), El Shaddai (God Almighty) and El Olam (God Everlasting). El occurs by itself frequently in the Book of Job and other biblical poetry. We can see the importance of this name in ancient Israel by the fact that the name Israel (meaning “he strives with God”) is a compound that includes the divine name El. El, says Gikatilla, is “absolute mercy” that descends to save us. “In times of trouble the saints and the pious would hasten to pray and direct their thoughts to the attribute El,” thus saving the world from “many kinds of tribulation.”Gikatilla says that El saves those who have been sentenced from their punishment. If God decrees that the world’s peoples are to be slaughtered, but one righteous person directs his thoughts to El, then El will come forth with his mercy. Even when a person’s sins have tilted the scales against him, El enumerates all the merits and good he has done—“even a pleasant conversation he has brought up”—in order to mitigate his punishment so he will not suffer too intensely. El calculates a person’s deeds very carefully, including his smallest actions, and then gives generous rewards for whatever good he has done.”
Excerpt From Kabbalah: Key to Your Inner Power (Mystical Paths of the World's Religions) Elizabeth Clare Prophet https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewBook?id=0 This material may be protected by copyright.
(Hesed/Love and Mercy)
“As for El, his way is perfect.... He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” “He that trusteth in the LORD, mercy [Hesed] shall compass him about.” “Thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and plenteous in mercy [Hesed] and truth.” “They shall prosper that love thee.” “His banner over me was love [Hesed].... His left hand [Gevurah] is under my head, and his right hand [Hesed] doth embrace me.”[431] El, the King who dwells on the throne of mercy, in this time of trouble and strife among the nations, shower us with your mercy. Sages and seers of ancient and modern times have prophesied the coming years as a crossroads—a time of tremendous progress or a time of war, turmoil and even cataclysm. El, whose light descends to save even the unworthy, mitigate the potential for calamity, that we might save this earth as a platform for soul evolution.”
“Restore each of my relationships—with family, loved ones, friends and co-workers—to the level of the heart. As you give forgiveness unending, El, help me to let go of the past and forgive all who have wronged me. Comfort all whom I have ever wronged, and help me to forgive myself. Bring me into contact with those to whom I owe a debt of love, and give me the opportunity to rescue the sparks of light, the souls, who are part of my soul family. Ein Sof, direct your light through Hesed as an unguent to quicken the hearts of all mankind to care for those who suffer—especially the elderly, those who are dying and those in hospitals. Cultivate in me your living flame of divine love that I might be the embodiment of your loving-kindness. I offer myself through sacrifice, surrender, selflessness and service to assist those experiencing deep inner pain. [Here offer personal prayers to El.]”
Excerpt From Kabbalah: Key to Your Inner Power (Mystical Paths of the World's Religions) Elizabeth Clare Prophet This material may be protected by copyright.