Bereshit A: Chapter 47

"Now the serpent was craftier"

Synopsis

Rabbi Yitzhak and Rabbi Yehuda came to their master and teacher, Rabbi Shimon, with an intriguing disagreement. The two students were at odds concerning the underlying cause of Eve's sin in eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Rabbi Yitzchak felt it was the Evil Inclination implanted in Eve that caused her to succumb to temptation. But Rabbi Yehuda believed it was the snake's cunning that beguiled her into eating from the Tree.

Rabbi Shimon said that both of his students were correct. The Zohar's explanation is as follows: The negative part of our intelligence - the part that motivates us to sin - is the same negative intelligence that serves as our prosecutor in the heavenly court, and this same evil intelligence executes any judgements decreed against us. As a final irony, this intelligence is also none other than the Angel of Death, who ultimately consumes us after years of living out this evil cycle of sin. If only we could recognize the voice inside us that says, "Do it!" even when we know we shouldn't, we would shudder in terror at the prospect of succumbing to these negative urges.

The Zohar then discusses the verse, "And the Eyes of them [Adam and Eve] both were open."

Rabbi Chiya explains that at the moment Adam and Eve saw evil, they fell into that reality. The mystery of this explanation concerns the power of consciousness, and the nature of reality and illusion. If we look for evil in others, our consciousness literally creates that reality. The Zohar is telling us that evil is an illusion, but we give it reality when we see it and believe it. For this reason alone, we should turn all our efforts toward finding the good in people instead of always looking for what's wrong. This portion of the Zohar awakens us to these spiritual truths by helping us to distinguish between the reality of good, and the self-confirming nature of evil.

Correction Evil Evil Inclination Punishment Samael Satan, The Serpent Sin

437. "Now the serpent WAS CRAFTIER..." (Beresheet 3:1). Rabbi Yitzchak said: The Serpent is the Evil Inclination, WHICH INCITES ONE TO SIN. Rabbi Yehuda said, It is a real serpent. They approached Rabbi Shimon, who said: Both interpretations are correct. It was Samael and he was seen RIDING on the serpent. The image of the serpent is Satan, NAMELY THE EVIL INCLINATION THAT INCITES HUMANS TO SIN AND THEN ASCENDS TO DEMAND PUNISHMENT ABOVE. They are both the same. YOU CAN SAY THAT THE SERPENT IS BOTH THE EVIL INCLINATION AND A REAL SERPENT.

437. וְהַנָּחָשׁ, ר' יִצְחָק אֲמַר דָּא יֵצֶר הָרָע, רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אֲמַר, נָחָשׁ מַמָּשׁ, אֲתוֹ לְקַמֵּיהּ דְר' שִׁמְעוֹן, אֲמַר לוֹן, וַדַּאי כֹּלָּא חַד, וְסמא"ל הֲוָה, וְאִתְחַזֵּי עַל נָחָשׁ, וְצוּלְמֵיהּ דְּנָחָשׁ, דָּא אִיהוּ שָׂטָן. וְכֹלָּא חַד.

Angels Creation Curse Death Death and the Afterlife Heaven Samael Serpent Sin Tree Women

438. We have learned that Samael, THE ANGEL, descended from heaven riding on this serpent at that time. All the creatures saw his image and fled from him. Then SAMAEL AND THE SERPENT approached the woman with words, and brought death upon the world. So Samael cleverly brought curses upon the world, MEANING THAT HE INCITED THEM TO SIN WITH CUNNING and brought damage to the first tree, NAMELY THE FIRST MAN, which the Holy One, blessed be He, created in the world.

438. תָּנִינָא, בְּהַהִיא שַׁעֲתָא נְחַת סמא"ל מִן שְׁמַיָא רָכֵיב עַל נָחָשׁ דָּא, וְצוּלְמֵיהּ הֲווֹ חָמָאן כָּל בִּרְיָין וְעָרְקָן מִנֵּיהּ, וּמְטוֹ לְגַבֵּי אִתְּתָא בְּמִלִּין, וּגְרִימוּ מוֹתָא לְעָלְמָא, וַדַּאי בְּחָכְמָה אַיְיתֵי סמא"ל לְוָוטִין עַל עָלְמָא, וְחִבֵּל אִילָנָא קַדְמָאָה, דִּבְרָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בְּעָלְמָא.

Adam Blessing Esau Jacob Mochin Samael Sin Tree

439. This matter rested with Samael, WHICH IS DESCRIBED AS STEALING THE BLESSINGS AND THE MOCHIN FROM ADAM BY CUNNINGLY INCITING ADAM TO SIN AND EAT OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, until another holy tree appeared, who is Jacob, and took back the blessings from SAMAEL to prevent Samael, WHO IS THE MINISTER OF ESAU, from being blessed above and Esau FROM BEING BLESSED below. Jacob resembled Adam and his beauty was like that of Adam. So, just as Samael prevented the blessings from reaching the first tree - WHICH IS ADAM - so Jacob, who is a tree that resembled Adam, prevented the blessings from reaching Samael above and ESAU below. Everything Jacob took belonged to him, REFERRING TO EVERYTHING SAMAEL ROBBED FROM ADAM. Therefore, it is written: "And there wrestled a man with him" (Beresheet 32:25), ALLUDING TO SAMAEL.

439. וּמִלָּה דָא הֲוֵי תָּלֵי עַל סמא"ל, עַד דַּאֲתָא אִילָנָא אָחֳרָא קַדִּישָׁא, דְּאִיהוּ יַעֲקֹב, וּנְטַל מִנֵּיהּ בִּרְכָאן, דְּלָא יִתְבָּרֵךְ סמא"ל לְעֵילָא, וְעֵשָׂו לְתַתָּא. דְּהָא יַעֲקֹב דּוּגְמָא דְּאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן הֲוָה דְּיַעֲקֹב שׁוּפְרֵיהּ דְּאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן הֲוָה. וְעַל דָּא כְּמָה דְּמָנַע סמא"ל בִּרְכָאן, מֵאִילָנָא קַדְמָאָה, הָכֵי נָמֵי מָנַע יַעֲקֹב, דְּאִיהוּ אִילָנָא דּוּגְמָא דְאָדָם, מִסמא"ל בִּרְכָאן מִלְּעֵילָא, וּמִתַּתָּא, וְיַעֲקֹב דִּידֵיהּ נָטֵיל בְּכֹלָּא, וְעַל דָּא וַיֵּאָבֶק אִישׁ עִמּוֹ, כְּתִיב.

Angel of Death Angels Death Death and the Afterlife Eve Evil Evil Inclination Flesh Serpent Sin Soul, The Tree

440. "Now the serpent was craftier." THE SERPENT is the Evil Inclination, the Angel of Death. As a result, the serpent brought death upon the whole world BY TEMPTING EVE TO SIN IN THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE. This is the secret of the verse: "The end of all flesh is come before Me" (Beresheet 6:13), WHICH ALLUDES TO THE ANGEL OF DEATH, WHICH PUTS an end to all flesh by taking the soul away from all the flesh. It is thus called "THE END OF ALL FLESH."

440. וְהַנָּחָשׁ הָיָה עָרוּם, דָּא יֵצֶר הָרָע, דָּא מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת וּבְגִין דְּנָחָשׁ אִיהוּ מַלְאַךְ הַמָּוֶת, גְּרַם מוֹתָא לְכָל עָלְמָא, וְדָא הוּא רָזָא דִּכְתִיב, קֵץ כָּל בָּשָׂר בָּא לְפָנַי, דָּא הוּא קִצָּא דְּכָל בִּשְׂרָא, דְּנָטֵיל נִשְׁמְתָא לְכָל בִּשְׂרָא וְאִקְרֵי הָכֵי.

Anger Creation Evil Female Serpent Tree Women Zeir Anpin

441. "And he said to the woman, 'Is it true" (Beresheet 3:1). Rabbi Yosi said, THE SERPENT started with wrath (Heb. af) WHEN IT SAID, "'IS IT TRUE (HEB. AF), HAS ELOHIM SAID...?" Thus, it brought wrath and anger upon the world. He said to the woman, 'By this tree, the Holy One, blessed be He, created the world,' BECAUSE THE WORLD WAS CREATED BY THE FEMALE. Therefore, eat of it "and you shall be as Elohim, knowing good and evil" (Ibid. 5), WHICH MEANS THAT YOU SHALL ALSO BE ABLE TO CREATE WORLDS WITH THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE, because he - NAMELY ZEIR ANPIN - is indeed Elohim. his name, 'THE FEMININE PRINCIPLE,' is the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Therefore, IF YOU EAT FROM THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, WHICH IS HIS NAME, IF YOU CLEAVE TO THE FEMALE AND DRAW UPON HER ABUNDANCE, "you shall be as Elohim, knowing..." - YOU SHALL BE AS ZEIR ANPIN, AND WILL BE ABLE TO CREATE WORLDS AS HE DOES.

441. וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל הָאִשָּׁה אַף, ר' יוֹסֵי אֲמַר, בְּאַף פָּתַח, וְאַף אַטֵּיל בְּעָלְמָא, אֲמַר לוֹ לְאִתְּתָא, בְּאִילָנָא דָא בְּרָא קָדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עָלְמָא וַדַּאי, אֲכָלוּ מִנֵּיהּ, וִהְיִיתֶם כֵּאלֹקִים יוֹדְעֵי טוֹב וָרָע, דְּהָא אִיהוּ הָכֵי הֲוֵי אֱלֹקִים שְׁמֵיהּ עֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע, וְעַל דָּא וִהְיִיתֶם כֵּאלֹקִים יוֹדְעֵי וגו'.

Creation Hands Serpent Tree Zeir Anpin

442. Rabbi Yehuda said: THE SERPENT did not say this because had he said, 'By this tree, the Holy One, blessed be He, created the world,' it would have been good. For this tree is like an ax in the hand of he who hews with it. But THE SERPENT did not say so. Instead, he said that from this tree, the Holy One, blessed be He, ate, MEANING THAT ZEIR ANPIN RECEIVED ABUNDANCE FROM THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE and then created the world. And every craftsman hates his fellow craftsman. So eat from it, and you shall also create worlds. THIS IS A COMPLETE LIE, BECAUSE THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE RECEIVES EVERYTHING FROM ZEIR ANPIN. This is why IT SAID, "For Elohim knows that in the day you eat of it," WHICH MEANS THAT because he knows THAT YOU SHALL BE AS ELOHIM AND BE ABLE TO CREATE WORLDS AS HE DOES, he commanded you not to eat from it.

442. אֲמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה, לָא אֲמַר הָכֵי, דְּאִלּוּ אֲמַר בְּאִילָנָא דָא בְּרָא קָדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עָלְמָא, יָאוֹת הֲוָה, כִּי הוּא כַּגַּרְזֶן בְּיַד הַחוֹצֵב בּוֹ, אֲבָל לֹא אֲמַר, אֶלָּא מֵאִילָנָא דָא אָכַל קָדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וּכְדֵין בְּרָא עָלְמָא, וְכָל אוּמָן סָנֵי לְחַבְרֵיהּ, אֶכָלוּ מִנֵּיהּ וְאַתּוּן תֵּהוֹן בְּרָאן עָלְמִין, וְעַל דָּא כִּי יוֹדֵעַ אֱלֹקִים כִּי בְּיוֹם אֲכָלְכֶם מִמֶּנּוּ וגו', וּבְגִין דְּאִיהוּ יָדַע דָּא, אַפְקֵיד לְכוֹ עֲלֵיהּ, דְּלָא תֵיכְלוּ מִנֵּיהּ.

Tree

443. Rabbi Yitzchak said, All its words were lies, even what it said at first was a lie, as it is written: "Is it true, has Elohim said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'" This was not so, because it is written: "Of every tree of the garden, you may freely eat." So he was permitted to eat of them all.

443. אֲמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק, בְּכֹלָּא מַלִּילוּ שִׁקְרָא, בְּשֵׁירוּתָא דַּאֲמָרוּ שִׁקְרָא הֲוָה, דִּכְתִיב אַף כִּי אָמַר אֱלֹקִים לֹא תֹּאכַל מִכֹּל עֵץ הַגָּן, וְלָאו הָכֵי, דְּהָא כְּתִיב מִכֹּל עֵץ הַגָּן אָכֹל תֹּאכֵל, וְכָלְהוֹ שָׁרָא לֵיהּ.

Adam Blood Idolatry Incest Precepts Seven Tree

444. Rabbi Yosi said: We have learned that the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded him against idolatry, as it is written, "And... commanded" in "Hashem" against blaspheming the name; in "Elohim" for keeping laws; "Adam" the prohibition against shedding blood; and in "saying" against incest. HE ASKED: How many people were there in the world that he had to WARN HIM AGAINST DOING SO. HE RELPIED: All seven precepts were definitely related only to this tree, TO THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, BECAUSE ALL THESE PRECEPTS ARE CONNECTED TO IT.

444. אֲמַר רַבִּי יוֹסֵי, הָא תָּנִינָן, דְּפַקֵּיד לֵיהּ קָדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עַל ע"ז, דִּכְתִיב וַיְצַו. ה' עַל בִּרְכַּת הַשֵּׁם. אֱלֹקִים, עַל הַדִּינִין. עַל הָאָדָם, עַל שְׁפִיכַת דָּמִים. לֵאמֹר, עַל גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת, וְכִי כַּמָּה אִנְשֵׁי הֲווֹ בְּעָלְמָא, דְּאִיהוּ אִצְטְרִיךְ דָּא, אֶלָּא וַדַּאי כֹּלָּא עַל הַאי אִילָנָא הֲוָה.

Adam Asiyah Blood Bloodshed Briyah Esau Female Idolatry Incest Klipot (Shells – Negativity) Precepts Samael Seven Shells (Klipot) Sin Tree Women Worlds Yetzirah Zeir Anpin

445. Because all these precepts are connected to it, whoever takes THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL - NAMELY THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE - on its own WITHOUT HER HUSBAND ZEIR ANPIN, causes a separation BETWEEN ZEIR ANPIN AND THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE. Thus, he takes her down TO BESTOW PLENTY to the masses below IN THE WORLDS OF BRIYAH, YETZIRAH AND ASIYAH OF SEPARATION, WHERE THE KLIPOT ARE. AND THEY CLEAVE TO THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL. SO HE TAKES UPON HIMSELF THE SINS OF IDOLATRY, BLOODSHED AND INCEST. HE IS GUILTY OF idolatry, BECAUSE HE DREW THE ABUNDANCE OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL DOWN to those ministers. IN DOING SO, HE WORSHIPPED THEM, WHICH IS IDOLATRY. HE COMMITTED bloodshed BECAUSE THE POWERS OF SHEDDING BLOOD ARE related to this tree, as it is the side of Gvurah, WHICH IS THE LEFT SIDE. Samael, WHO IS THE MINISTER OF ESAU, is appointed over this. HE IS GUILTY OF incest, because THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL is a woman and she is called the wife, NAMELY THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE OF ZEIR ANPIN. A man is not permitted to invite a wife on her own. She must be accompanied by her husband so there can be no suspicion of incest. AND THE SIN OF THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL IS THAT HE INVITED THE FEMALE ALONE, WITHOUT HER HUSBAND. Because of this, all SEVEN PRECEPTS relate to this tree and, because Adam ate from it, he transgressed them all and they all cleave to him.

445. בְּגִין דְּבֵיהּ אֲחִידָן כָּל אִלֵּין פִּקּוּדִין, דְּכָל מָאן דְּנָטֵיל לֵיהּ בִּלְחוֹדוֹי עֲבִיד פְּרִישׁוּ, וּנְטֵיל לֵיהּ בְּאוּכְלוּסִין דִּלְתַתָּא דַּאֲחִידָן בֵּיהּ. וּנְטֵיל ע"ז וּשְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים וְגִלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת. ע"ז, בְּאִנּוּן רַבְרְבֵי מְמַנָּן. שְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים, בְּהַאי אִילָנָא תַּלְיָין, דְּאִיהוּ בִּסְטַר גְּבוּרָה, וּסמא"ל אִתְפַּקַּד עַל דָּא. גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת, אִשָּׁה הִיא, וְאִנְתְּתָא אִקְרֵי, וַאֲסִיר לְזַמְנָא לְאִנְתְּתָא בִּלְחוֹדָהָא, אֶלָא עִם בַּעֲלָהּ, דְּלָא יְהֵא חָשִׁיד בְּגִלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת, וְעַל דָּא, בְּכָלְהוֹ אִתְפְּקַד בְּהַאי אִילָנָא, כֵּיוָן דַּאֲכַל מִנֵּיהּ, בְּכָלְהוֹ עָבַר, דְּהָא כֹּלָּא אָחִיד בֵּיהּ.

Evil Hands Marriage Samael Tree Women

446. Rabbi Yehuda said: This issue, REFERRING TO PROHIBITION THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, is indeed true, because nobody is allowed to enjoy alone the company of a married woman, unless her husband is with her. So what did that evil one, NAMELY SAMAEL, do? He said: Behold I have touched this tree, yet I have not died. You too can come closer and touch it with your hand - and you shall not die. He added this on his own, BECAUSE THE PROHIBITION WAS NOT ON TOUCHING, BUT ON EATING.

446. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אֲמַר, וַדַּאי מִלָה דָא הָכֵי הוּא, דַּאֲסִיר לְאִתְיַחֲדָא עִם אִנְתְּתָא בִּלְחוֹדָהָא, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן בַּעֲלָהּ עִמָּהּ, מַה עֲבַד הַהוּא רָשָׁע, אֲמַר הָא מָטִיתִי לְהַאי אִילָנָא, וְלָא מַתִּי, אוֹף אַתְּ קְרֵיב וּמְטֵי בִּידָךְ בֵּיהּ, וְלָא תְמוּת, וּמִלָּה דָא הוּא אוֹסֵיף לָהּ מִגַּרְמֵיהּ.

Eyes Field Light Sin Tree Women

447. Immediately AFTER SHE HAD TOUCHED THE TREE, "the woman saw that the tree was good..." (Beresheet 3:6). What did she see? Rabbi Yitzchak said: A tree that emits pleasant odors, as it is written, "As the smell of a field, which the Hashem has blessed" (Beresheet 27:27). Because of that pleasant odor, her desire to eat from it was aroused. Rabbi Yosi said: Her seeing, AND NOT THE ODOR, AROUSED HER DESIRE TO EAT FROM THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, AS IT IS WRITTEN: "AND WHEN THE WOMAN SAW..." Rabbi Yehuda said to him: But AFTER THE SIN, it is written: "And the eyes of them both were opened...," WHICH MEANS THAT THE SEEING WAS ACHIEVED ONLY AFTER EATING. SO BEFORE THE EATING, THE PLEASANT ODOR TEMPTED HER. RABBI YOSI replied: This seeing BEFORE EATING that was related to the size of the tree IS THE ASPECT OF THE LIGHT OF THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE, AND THIS SEEING brought THE DESIRE UPON HER. THE SEEING AFTER THE EATING WAS GREATER THAN THE SIZE OF THE TREE, AND OF THIS, IT IS WRITTEN: "AND THE EYES...WERE OPENED." Therefore, it is written, "And when the woman saw," stressing THE WORD 'woman' TO INDICATE THAT THE SEEING WAS THE LIGHT OF THE ASPECT OF THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE.

447. מִיָּד וַתֵּרֶא הָאִשָּׁה כִּי טוֹב וגו' בַּמֶּה חָמַאת. אָמַר רָבִּי יִצְחָק, הַהוּא אִילָנָא סָלֵיק רֵיחִין כד"א כְּרֵיחַ שָׂדֶה אֲשֶׁר בֵּרֲכוֹ ה', וּבְגִין הַהוּא רֵיחַ דַּהֲוָה סָלֵיק, חָמְדַת לֵיהּ לְמֵיכַל מִנֵּיהּ. ר' יוֹסֵי אֲמַר, רְאִיָּיה הֲוָה. אָמַר לוֹ ר' יְהוּדָה, וְהָא כְתִיב וַתִּפָּקַחְנָה עֵינֵי שְׁנֵיהֶם, אָמַר לוֹ הַאי רְאִיָּה בְּשִׁיעוּרָא דְאִילָנָא נָקְטַת לֵיהּ, דִּכְתִיב וַתֵּרֶא הָאִשָּׁה דַּיְיקָא.

Death Death and the Afterlife Dust Fruit Sin Tree Voice Women Zeir Anpin

448. "And when the woman saw that the tree was good..." She saw yet did not see that the tree was good. She "saw that the tree was good," but could not decide. It is then written, "She took of the fruit thereof" and not 'she took of it.' WHY? BECAUSE HER MIND WAS NOT SET THAT THE "TREE WAS GOOD." BY TAKING OF ITS FRUIT AND NOT FROM THE TREE ITSELF, she became attached to the place of death, brought death upon the world and separated life from death. And this sin caused a separation between the wife, THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE, and her husband, ZEIR ANPIN, because the voice - ZEIR ANPIN - is never separated from the utterance, THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE. Whoever separates the voice from the utterance, NAMELY ZEIR ANPIN FROM HIS FEMALE PRINCIPLE, becomes dumb and loses the ability to speak. As a result of losing the ability to speak, he is given to the dust. THIS IS WHY IT IS WRITTEN, "AND TO DUST SHALL YOU RETURN" (BERESHEET 3:19).

448. וַתֵּרֶא הָאִשָּׁה כִּי טוֹב, חָמַאת וְלָא חָמַאת, כִּי טוֹב, חָמַאת כִּי טוֹב וְלָא אִתְיַישְׁבַת בֵּיהּ, מַה כְּתִיב לְבָתַר, וַתִּקַּח מִפִּרְיוֹ, וְלָא כְתִיב וַתִּקַּח מִמֶּנּוּ, וְהִיא אִתְדְּבָקַת בַּאֲתַר דְּמוֹתָא, וּגְרִימַת לְכָל עַלְמָא מוֹתָא, וְאַפְרִישַׁת חַיֵּי מִן מוֹתָא, וּבְחוֹבָא דָא גָּרֵים פְּרִישׁוּתָא, לְאַפְרָשָׁא אִתְּתָא מִבַּעֲלָהּ, דְּהָא קוֹל מִדִּבּוּר לָא מִתְפָּרְשָׁן לְעָלְמִין, וּמָאן דְּמַפְרִישׁ קוֹל מִדִּבּוּר, אִתְאַלַּם וְלָא יָכֵיל לְמַלָּלָא, וְכֵיוָן דְּאִשְׁתְּקֵיל מִנֵּיהּ מִלּוּלָא אִתְיְיהֵיב לְעַפְרָא.

Congregation David Exile Female Peace Praise Silence Voice Zeir Anpin

449. Rabbi Shimon said: It is written, "I was dumb with silence, I held my peace (even from good), had no comfort, and my pain was stirred up" (Tehilim 39:3). "I was dumb with silence" WAS EXPRESSED BY the Congregation Yisrael, WHICH IS THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE OF ZEIR ANPIN, at the time of the exile. Why? Because the voice, ZEIR ANPIN, conducts the utterance, THE FEMALE. Since she is in exile, the voice is separated from it and the utterance, THE FEMALE, is not heard. Because of this, THE FEMALE SAID, "I was dumb with silence." Why WAS SHE DUMB? Because "I held my peace, even from good," WHICH IS ZEIR ANPIN THAT IS CALLED GOOD AND IS THE VOICE. THEREFORE, the voice does not accompany it. Yisrael THEN said, "Praise waits for you (in silence), Elohim" (Tehilim 65:2). What does "in silence" mean? This is when the praise of David, ALLUDING TO THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE, WHICH IS CALLED PRAISE DURING GREATNESS, is silent during the exile and becomes dumb, without a voice. Rabbi Yitzchak asks: What is the meaning of "for you" IN THE VERSE, "PRAISE WAITS FOR YOU?" HE ANSWERS: YISRAEL CRIES OUT TO ZEIR ANPIN SAYING, 'It is because of you that she is dumb and in silence,' since the voice - NAMELY ZEIR ANPIN - has abandoned her.

449. אָמַר רָבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן כְּתִיב נֶאֱלַמְתִּי דוּמִיָּה הֶחֱשֵׁיתִי מִטּוֹב וּכְאֵבִי נֶעְכָּר. נֶאֱלַמְתִּי דוּמִיָּה, הַאי קְרָא כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲמָרוּ בְּגָלוּתָא, מ"ט, בְּגִין דְּקוֹל מְדַבָּר לֵיהּ לְדִבּוּר, כֵּיוָן דְּאִיהִי בְּגָלוּתָא, קוֹל אִתְפְּרַשׁ מִינָהּ, וּמִלָּה לָא אִשְׁתְּמַע, וְעַל דָּא נֶאֱלַמְתִּי דוּמִיָּה וגו', מ"ט, בְּגִין דְּהֶחֱשֵׁיתִי מִטּוֹב, דְּלָא אָזֵיל קוֹל בַּהֲדָהּ. וְיִשְׂרָאֵל אָמְרִי לְךָ דוּמִיָּה תְהִלָּה, מַאי דּוּמִיָּה, דָּא תְהִלָּה לְדָוִד, דְּאִיהִי דּוּמִיָּה בְּגָלוּתָא, וּשְׁתִיקָא בְּלָא קוֹל. אָמַר רָבִּי יִצְחָק מַאי לְךָ, בְּגִינְךָ, אִיהִי דוּמִיָּה וּשְׁתִיקָא, דְּאִסְתַּלְּקָא מִנָּהּ קוֹל.

Adam Death Death and the Afterlife Eve Fruit Hands Light Morning Nefesh (Soul) Soul (Nefesh) Tree

450. "She took of its fruit" (Beresheet 3:6). We have learned that EVE pressed grapes and gave them to ADAM. AND BY THEIR EATING, they brought death upon the whole world, for death resides within this Tree OF KNOWLEDGE, which is the tree that rules at night - NAMELY THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE. THIS IS THE SECRET OF THE VERSE: "AND THE LESSER LUMINARY TO RULE THE NIGHT" (BERESHEET 1:16). OF HER, IT IS ALSO WRITTEN: "SHE RISES ALSO WHILE IT IS YET NIGHT" (MISHLEI 31:15). When she rules AT NIGHT, all human beings taste death, BECAUSE SLEEP IS ONE SIXTIETH PART OF DEATH, but the faithful make haste to put their Soul in her hands as a deposit. BEFORE THEY FALL ASLEEP, THEY RECITE THE VERSE: "INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT: YOU HAVE REDEEMED ME, HASHEM EL OF TRUTH" (TEHILIM 31:6). Because they, THE SOULS, are entrusted TO THE HANDS OF THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE DURING THE TIME WHEN DEATH GOVERNS, THEY ARE NOT HURT AND return to their places - TO THEIR BODIES - IN THE MORNING. This is why IT IS WRITTEN: "And Your faithfulness every night" (Tehilim 92:3).

450. וַתִּקַּח מִפִּרְיוֹ, הָא תָּנִינָן, סָחֲטָה עֲנָבִים וְיַהֲבַת לֵיהּ, וּגְרִימוּ מוֹתָא לְכָל עָלְמָא, דְּהָא אִילָנָא דָא, בֵּיהּ שַׁרְיָא מוֹתָא, וְהוּא אִילָנָא דְּשָׁלְטָא בְּלֵילְיָא, וְכַד אִיהִי שָׁלְטָא, כָּל בְּנֵי עָלְמָא טָעֲמוּ טַעֲמָא דְמוֹתָא. אֶלָא אִינוּן בְּנֵי מְהֵימְנוּתָא מְקַדְמֵי וְיָהֲבוּ לֵיהּ נַפְשַׁיְיהוּ בְּפִקְדוֹנָא, וּבְגִין דְּאִיהוּ בְּפִקְדוֹנָא, אִתְהַדְּרוּ נַפְשָׁאן לְאַתְרַיְיהוּ, וְעַל דָּא וֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ בַּלֵּילוֹת כְּתִיב.

Evil Eyes Nakedness

451. "And the eyes of them both were opened..." (Beresheet 3:7). Rabbi Chiya said that they were now opened to know the evils of the world, which they were not aware of up to then. As a result of opening their eyes to evil, they learned that they were naked. Since they lost the sublime luster that enveloped them; it was gone from them and they were left naked of it.

451. וַתִּפָּקַחְנָה עֵינֵי שְׁנֵיהֶם, רַבִּי חִיָּיא אֲמַר, דְּהָא אִתְפַּקָּחוּ לְמִנְדַע בִּישִׁין דְּעָלְמָא, מַה דְּלָא יָדְעוּ עַד הַשְׁתָּא, כֵּיוָן דְּיָדְעוּ וְאִתְפַּקָּחוּ לְמִנְדַע בִּישׁ, כְּדֵין יָדְעוּ כִּי עֵרוּמִים הֵם, דַּאֲבָדוּ זָהֲרָא עִלָּאָה, דַּהֲוָה חָפֵי עֲלַיְיהוּ, וְאִסְתְּלַק מִנַּיְיהוּ, וְאִשְׁתָּאֲרוּ עֲרוּמִים מִנֵּיהּ.

Figs Sorcery Tree Witchcraft

452. The phrase: "And they sewed fig leaves together" (Ibid.) MEANS THAT they cleaved to the shadows of that tree from which they ate to cover themselves, as the so-called "leaves of the tree" GIVE SHADE TO THOSE UNDERNEATH THEM. THE VERSE CONTINUES: "And made themselves loincloths." Rabbi Yosi said: Because they acquired knowledge of this world and became attached to it, they saw that this world was governed by these leaves of the tree. Thus, they made themselves a stronghold to strengthen themselves with these leaves in this world. They became acquainted with all sorts of sorcery and wanted to protect themselves with weapons made from the leaves of the tree.

452. וַיִּתְפְּרוּ עֲלֵה תְּאֵנָה, אִתְדַּבָּקוּ לְאִתְחֲפָאָה בְּאִינוּן צוּלְמִין, דְּהַהוּא אִילָנָא דַּאֲכָלוּ מִנֵּיהּ, דְּאִקְרוּן טַרְפֵּי דְאִילָנָא. וַיַּעֲשׂוּ לָהֶם חֲגוֹרוֹת, ר' יוֹסֵי אֲמַר, כֵּיוָן דְּיָדְעוּ מֵהַאי עָלְמָא וְאִתְדַבָּקוּ בֵּיהּ, חָמוּ, דְּהַאי עָלְמָא מִתְדַּבַּר, עַל יְדָא דְאִינוּן טַרְפִּין דְּאִילָנָא, וַעֲבָדוּ לְהוֹן תּוּקְפָא, לְאִתְתַּקְפָא בְּהוֹ בְּהַאי עָלְמָא. וּכְדֵין יָדְעוּ כָּל זְיָינֵי חָרְשִׁין דְּעָלְמָא, וּבְעוֹ לְמִחְגַּר זַיְינִין בְּאִינוּן טַרְפֵּי אִילָנָא, בְּגִין לְאַגָּנָא עֲלַיְיהוּ.

Adam Mount Sinai Serpent

453. Rabbi Yehuda said: Then the three - REFERRING TO THE SERPENT, ADAM AND EVE - entered to be judged and were sentenced. Thus, the lower world was cursed. It did not return to its previous state due to the defilement of the serpent until Yisrael stood before Mount Sinai AND ONLY THEN DID THE DEFILEMENT CEASE.

453. רַבִּי יְהוּדָה אֲמַר, כְּדֵין תְּלַת עָאלוּ בְּדִינָא, וְאִתְדָּנוּ, וְעָלְמָא תַּתָּאָה אִתְלַטְיָיא, וְלָא קַיְימָא בְּקִיּוּמֵיהּ, בְּגִין זוּהֲמָא דְנָחָשׁ, עַד דְּקַיְימוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּטוּרָא דְסִינַי.

Adam Angels Body Crowns Garments Light Nefesh (Soul) Sin Skin Soul (Nefesh)

454. After THE SIN, the Holy One, blessed be He, clothed them in garments comfortable to the skin, BUT NOT TO THE SOUL, as it is written: "Coats of skin (Heb. or, spelled Ayin-Resh)" (Beresheet 3:21). Before, they had coats of light (Heb. or, spelled Aleph-Resh), which served the beings above. The supernal angels used to come TO ADAM and enjoy themselves with that light, as it is written: "Yet you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor" (Tehilim 8:6). But now that they have sinned, they were given coats of skin, comfortable to the skin, NAMELY THE BODY, but not to the Soul.

454. לְבָתַר אַלְבֵּישׁ לוֹן קָדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בִּלְבוּשִׁין, דְּמִשְׁכָא אִתְהַנֵּי מִנַּיְיהוּ, הה"ד כָּתְנוֹת עוֹר, בְּקַדְמֵיתָא הֲווֹ כָּתְנוֹת אוֹר, דַּהֲווֹ מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁין בְּהוֹ בְּעִלָּאִין דִּלְעֵילָא, בְּגִין דְּמַלְאֲכֵי עִלָּאִין הֲווֹ אַתְיָין לְאִתְהֲנָא מֵהַהוּא נְהוֹרָא הה"ד וַתְּחַסְּרֵהוּ מְעַט מֵאֱלֹקִים וְכָבוֹד וְהָדָר תְּעַטְּרֵהוּ, וְהַשְׁתָּא דְּחָבוּ, כָּתְנוֹת עוֹר, דְּעוֹר אִתְהַנֵּי מִנַּיְיהוּ וְלָא נַפְשָׁא.

Abel Adam Birth Eve Holiness (Kedushah) Intercourse Kedushah (Holiness) Serpent

455. After this, they gave birth to the first son. He was the son of THE SERPENT'S defilement, because two had intercourse with Eve, ADAM AND THE SERPENT, and she conceived from both and gave birth to two - CAIN AND ABEL. Each resembled his own father and their spirits were separated, one to the side OF IMPURITY and one to the side OF HOLINESS. Each was in the appearance of his own aspect, THE ASPECT FROM WHICH HE HAD COME.

455. לְבָתַר אוֹלִידוּ, בְּרָא קַדְמָאָה, בְּרָא דְּזוּהֲמָא הֲוָה, תְּרֵין אֲתוֹ עֲלָהּ דְּחַוָּה, וְאִתְעַבְּרַת מִנַּיְיהוּ, וְאוֹלִידַת תְּרֵין, דָּא נְפַק לְזִינֵיהּ, וְדָא נְפַק לְזִינֵיהּ. וְרוּחַ דִּילְהוֹן אִתְפָּרְשׁוּ דָּא לְסִטְרָא דָא, וְדָא לְסִטְרָא דָא. דָּא דָּמֵי לְסִטְרוֹי וְדָא דָּמֵי לְסִטְרוֹי.

Abel Cain Demons Evil Righteous Seth Wicked Wickedness Wine

456. From the side of Cain came all the evil species, spirits, demons and sorcerers. From the side of Abel came something more merciful, but still not perfect. IT IS LIKE good wine mixed with bad. So THE WORLD was not fully established by Abel. This was left to Seth, the ancestor of all the righteous generations in the world, on whom the world was founded. But from Cain issued all the ruthless people, all the sinners and wicked people of the world.

456. מִסִּטְרָא דְקַיִן, כָּל מְדוֹרִין דְּסִטְרָא דְּזַיְינִין בִּישִׁין, וְרוּחִין וְשֵׁדִין וַחֲרָשִׁין אַתְיָין. מִסִּטְרָא דְהֶבֶל, סִטְרָא דְרַחֲמֵי יַתִּיר, וְלָא בִּשְׁלִימוּ. חֲמַר טַב בַּחֲמַר בִּישׁ וְלָא אִתְתַּקַּן בַּהֲדֵיהּ, עַד דַּאֲתָא שֵׁת, וְאִתְיַיחֲסוּ מִנֵּיהּ, כָּל אִינוּן דָּרִין דְּזַכָּאֵי עָלְמָא, וּבֵיהּ אִשְׁתִּיל עָלְמָא, וּמִקַּיִן אַתְיָין כָּל אִינוּן חֲצִיפִין וּרְשָׁעִים וְחַיָּיבֵי עָלְמָא.

Cain Earth Face Fear Hosts Moses

457. Rabbi Elazar said: When Cain sinned, he was in fear, because he saw all sorts of armed hosts coming to kill him. When he repented, he said, "Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from your face I shall be hid...and it shall come to pass, that anyone that finds me shall slay me" (Beresheet 4:14). What is THE MEANING OF: "From Your face I shall I be hid"? It means that he shall be hidden AND BANNED from his own establishment. BECAUSE CAIN WAS A FARMER AND BECAUSE HE WAS DRIVEN OFF THE FACE OF THE EARTH, HIS ENTIRE ESTABLISHMENT WAS DESTROYED AND NOTHING REMAINED FOR HIM IN THE WORLD. Rabbi Aba said: This is as is written, "Nor had He hid his face from him" (Tehilim 22:25) and "And Moses hid his face" (Shemot 3:6). This is why CAIN SAID, "From Your face I shall be hid," AS IF TO SAY that I will be hidden from Your face and not be protected. Therefore, "anyone who finds me shall slay me."

457. אָמַר רָבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, בְּשַׁעֲתָא דְּחָב קַיִן, הֲוָה מִסְתְּפֵי, בְּגִין דַּחֲמָא קַמֵּיהּ, זִינֵי מַשִּׁרְיָין מְזַיְינִין, וְאַתְיָין לְקָטְלָא לֵיהּ, וְכַד אַהֲדַר בִּתְשׁוּבָה, מַאי קָאָמַר, הֵן גֵּרַשְׁתָּ אוֹתִי הַיּוֹם מֵעַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה וּמִפָּנֶיךָ אֶסָּתֵר. מַאי מִפָּנֶיךָ אֶסָּתֵר אֶלָּא אֱהֵא סָתִיר מִבִּנְיָינָא דִילִי, רַבִּי אַבָּא אֲמַר, כד"א וְלֹא הִסְתִּיר פָּנָיו מִמֶּנּוּ, וַיַּסְתֵּר מֹשֶׁה פָּנָיו, וְע"ד וּמִפָּנֶיךָ אֶסָּתֵר, מֵאִינוּן פָּנִים דִּילָךְ, אֱהֵא נִסְתָּר, דְּלָא יַשְׁגְּחוּן בִּי, וְעַל דָּא וְהָיָה כָּל מוֹצְאִי יַהַרְגֵנִי.

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