Keter, 'The Crown'

Keter, Ein Soph, eternity as it were, rather is, is that which is all encompassing, UNKNOWABLE in the sphere of human existence.

Keter ,the first of the ten sefirot, corresponds to the superconscious realm of experience--and thus accounting for the image of a "crown," which suggests an aura surrounding one's consciousness.

In the configuration of the sefirot, keter appears at the top of the middle axis.

The Zohar states: "the supernal crown [keter elyon] is the crown of kingdom [keter malchut]." The first, highest of the Divine emanations--keter--is thus linked to the last--malchut.

Kaf is also the root of the word kipah (etymologically, the root of the word "cap" in English), the yarmulke or skullcap. In reference to the creation of man it is said: "You have placed Your Palm [kaf] over me." Our Sages refer to Adam as, "the formation of the Palms [kaf] of the Holy One, Blessed be He." The awareness of the presence of the "Palms" of God over one's head, in His ongoing creation of him, becomes the cap (kipah) on his head. Even higher, the very power to actualize potential manifest in His Palms, as it were, derives ultimately from His crown (the power of will) above His head (i.e. "superrational" Will.)