140. As they were going, they stayed in a field and prayed. A fiery cloud descended and surrounded them. Rabbi Shimon said: I believe that the wish of the Holy One, blessed be He, is here. Let us sit down. They sat and discussed words of Torah. He said, "As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country" (Mishlei 25:25). I examined the words of King Solomon and found that they were said with wisdom.

141. Come and see that Solomon did present to the world three books of wisdom and all contain heavenly wisdom. Shir Hashirim represents wisdom, Kohelet represents understanding and Mishlei represents knowledge. Corresponding to these three, NAMELY CHOCHMAH, BINAH AND DA'AT, he formulated these books - Shir Hashirim corresponds to Chochmah, Kohelet to Tevunah, and Mishlei to Da'at. THIS IS THE SECRET OF THE THREE COLUMNS. How is this shown? HE ANSWERS: All these verses appear in two styles. The beginning OF THE VERSE and the end OF THE VERSE appear as two distinct styles, MEANING IT SPEAKS ABOUT TWO SUBJECTS, THE ASPECTS OF THE TWO COLUMNS, RIGHT AND LEFT. When you examine the verses, you find that they are each comprised in the other, THAT THE TWO SUBJECTS IN THE VERSE ARE INCLUDED ONE IN THE OTHER. For this reason, it is equivalent to Da'at, THE SECRET OF THE CENTRAL COLUMN THAT INCLUDES RIGHT AND LEFT TOGETHER. FROM HERE, WE DERIVE THAT ALL HIS WORDS APPEAR IN THE SECRET OF THE THREE COLUMNS AND SO HIS BOOKS ARE DIVIDED INTO THREE COLUMNS, NAMELY CHOCHMAH, BINAH AND DA'AT.

142. HE EXPLAINS HIS WORDS: In this verse, its beginning is not its end, nor does its end match up with its beginning, MEANING THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT IDEAS. But when I examine them closely, I see common characteristics included from one to the other, both for its beginning to its end or vice versa. IT IS WRITTEN, "good news from a far country" and "As cold water to a thirsty soul," IN WHICH "as cold water to a thirsty soul" IS ONE CONCEPT and "good news from a far country" IS A SEPARATE CONCEPT. YET THEY ARE RELATED ONE TO THE OTHER, as both speak of satisfaction; just as the one gives satisfaction, so does the other give satisfaction. THIS IS THE CENTRAL COLUMN INCLUDING BOTH CONCEPTS, AS WE SAID.

143. As they were sitting, someone arrived and said that the wife of Rabbi Shimon was healed from her illness. The friends heard a proclamation that the Holy One, blessed be He, forgave the sins of the generation. Rabbi Shimon said: Now was fulfilled the verse, "good news from a far country" which gives satisfaction "as cold water to a thirsty soul." He said to them: Let us rise and go as the Holy One, blessed be He, is performing for us miracles.

144. He opened the discussion saying, "Cold water to a thirsty soul" is referring to Torah. Of all those who merit to toil in Torah and satiate their souls from it, it is written, "good news from a far country." The Holy One, blessed be He, announces about many favors for him in this world and in the World to Come. This is the meaning of "good news." Whence do they come TO BE GOOD? "From a far country," MEANING from the place in which the Holy One, blessed be He, was far off from him at the beginning, MEANING where He was in enmity with him at first, as it is written, "And the earth shall rise up against him" (Iyov 20:27). From this place, they welcome him with peace. This is the meaning of, "A far country." It is also written, "Hashem appeared to me from afar, saying, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore I have remained true to you" (Yirmeyah 31:2). THE END OF THE ARTICLE IS MISSING.