818. Similarly, match-making is as difficult before the Holy One, blessed be He, as the splitting of the Red Sea; just as by the splitting of the Red Sea, these are killed on the one hand while others are kept alive on the other hand. By match-making, it is also written, "He brings out the prisoners into prosperity (Heb. bakosharot)" (Tehilim 68:7). We have learned that IT IS SPELLED WITH THE LETTERS of weeping and singing (Heb. bechi veshirot), because this one dies AND THERE IS WEEPING, and He gives his wife to another AND THERE IS SINGING. Sometimes a wicked person gets a good woman; THEREFORE, MATING IS AS DIFFICULT BEFORE HIM AS THE SPLITTING OF THE RED SEA. There are concealed secrets in it all, and it is all according to the law. And what the friends have remarked ABOUT THIS, TO EXPLAIN WHY ONE IS THRUST ASIDE BEFORE ANOTHER, certainly it is so.

819. And the remark that we were taught about 'before,' MEANING THAT 'MATCH-MAKING IS AS DIFFICULT BEFORE THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE,' instead of 'from before the Holy One, blessed be He,' it is because 'before' refers to that which stands before the Holy One, blessed be He, and serves before Him, NAMELY MALCHUT THAT RECEIVES FROM THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE. Therefore, it was not said that match-making is difficult for the Holy One, blessed be He, and similarly, IT WAS NOT SAID that man's food is difficult to obtain for the Holy One, blessed be He. Rather it is before the Holy One, blessed be He, WHICH IS MALCHUT, because all these things are difficult FOR MALCHUT, for they are not under Her authority even though She does accomplish it but this is under another's authority. BECAUSE SHE RECEIVES EVERYTHING FROM THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, IT IS APPROPRIATE TO SAY THAT THESE THINGS ARE DIFFICULT FOR HER.