304. If those cows which had not been accustomed to miracles were singing only then with their mooing, how much more likely it is that the donkey of the pious old man, RABBI PINCHAS BEN YAIR, who was accustomed to miracles, would sing. Friends, if you say that this is not a custom of a donkey, since it first appeared on the face of the earth, TO CHANT ANY SONG, go take a look at the she-mule of the wicked Bilaam that has defeated her master outright. The donkey of Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair can most certainly sing. Furthermore, when the she-mule of Bilaam spoke, there was a supernal angel above her THAT SCARED HER; HOWEVER, NOBODY COULD SCARE THE DONKEY OF RABBI PINCHAS BEN YAIR.

305. Now there is something that needs to be revealed, friends. Listen. The mouth of the she-mule that was created on the eve of Shabbat at twilight, could you ever think that it was open from that period on? Or rather, THE MEANING IS THAT the Holy One, blessed be He, made a condition from that time on? It is not so and there is a secret reason here that was passed on to the wise, who do not pay attention to the foolish at heart. The mouth of the she-mule is a level of asses, that higher POWER of the female aspect, the one that prevailed over that she-mule, BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING BELOW THAT DOES NOT HAVE AN ANGEL OVER IT THAT IS APPOINTED FROM ABOVE. He talked over her AND IS CONSIDERED THE MOUTH OF THAT SHE-MULE. When the Holy One, blessed be He, created that level that is called the mouth of the she-mule, He plugged it up in the hole of the great abyss and kept it covered until that time. When that time arrived, He opened that hole OF THE GREAT ABYSS. It emerged and prevailed over that she-mule, OF BILAAM, and it talked.

306. Similar to this is the meaning of: "And the earth opened (et) her mouth" (Bemidbar 16:32). The particle "Et (lit. 'the')" is meant to include THE ANGEL Dumah, which is CONSIDERED the mouth of the earth. "(et) The mouth of the she-mule" comes to add THE ANGEL Kamriel, who is considered the mouth of the she-mule. Similarly is the mouth of the well. Who is the mouth of the well? It is that level that is appointed over it from below, which is underneath the mouth of Hashem. Who does this refer to? THAT IS THE ANGEL whose name is Yehadriel. These three mouths, THE MOUTH OF THE EARTH, THE MOUTH OF THE SHE-MULE, THE MOUTH OF THE WELL, were created on the eve of Shabbat at twilight. At the time that the day was sanctified, the mouth that is appointed over all the other mouths ascended. Who is that? That is the day that ascended and was sanctified in everything, the same that is called 'the mouth of Hashem,' WHICH IS MALCHUT. At twilight of Shabbat eve, the rest of the mouths were created, MEANING THE ANGELS THAT LEAD THEIR BRANCHES THAT ARE IN THIS WORLD, WHICH ARE THE WEEKDAY POWERS. When the day was sanctified, the mouth ascended that rules and dominates over all THE POWERS, which is the mouth of Hashem.

307. In the meanwhile, they saw Rabbi Pinchas arriving. They went to him. Rabbi Pinchas approached and kissed Rabbi Shimon. He declared, I have kissed the mouth of Hashem and I was perfumed with the fragrances of His garden. They rejoiced together and sat down. As soon as they sat down, all those birds that created the shadow flew away and scattered. Rabbi Shimon turned back his head, raised his voice to them and said, birds of the sky, you are not careful about to the honor of your Master who stays here. The birds stopped in their flight and traveled no further from their location, but did not get closer to him. Rabbi Pinchas declared, Tell them that they may continue on their way, because they are not given permission to return.

308. Rabbi Shimon said, I know that the Holy One, blessed be He, wishes to do a miracle for us, TO GIVE US SHADE FROM ANOTHER PLACE. Birds' of firds, go on your way and say to the one who is appointed over you that at first you were under his authority, AND IT WAS UP TO HIM TO SEND YOU TO GIVE ME SHADE. You are no longer under his authority, BECAUSE RABBI PINCHAS BEN YAIR RULES NOW AND HE HAS NO DESIRE FOR YOU. However, I will bring you on the day that is as harsh as a rock when a cloud will rise between the mighty teeth OF THE HOT RAYS OF THE SUN and they won't BE ABLE TO join AND CREATE A SHADE. The birds dispersed and left.

309. Meanwhile, behold three trees spreading out their branches to the three directions over their head, WHICH COVERED THEM WITH SHADE. A spring of water flowed before them. All the friends rejoiced and Rabbi Pinchas and Rabbi Shimon were glad. Rabbi Pinchas said, Those birds before had to work hard TO CREATE A SHADE, and the toil of living animals I do not desire, because it says, "And His mercies are over all His works" (Tehilim 145:9). Rabbi Shimon replied, I have not bothered them. However, if the Holy One, blessed be He, had mercy on us AND DISPATCHED THESE BIRDS TO CREATE A SHADE OVER US, we have no right to refuse His gifts. They reposed underneath the shade of that tree, drank from the water and took pleasure there.