Beshalach: Chapter 32

"Is Hashem among us"

Synopsis

Rabbi Shimon explains that in the verse, "Is Hashem among us or not (Heb. ayin)?" the word 'not' refers to the most concealed Atik of all, which is called Ayin (naught). Yisrael was trying to discern between Ayin and Zeir Anpin. Because the children of Yisrael tested God, making a separation between Atik and Zeir Anpin, they were punished. "Then came Amalek."

Cloud Ezekiel Prophets Seas Shechinah

434. Rabbi Aba said, It is written, "Is Hashem among us, or not?" (Shemot 17:7). Was Yisrael fools, who did not know this? Did they not see the Shechinah before them, and the clouds of Glory that surrounded them, that they said, "Is Hashem among us, or not?" These are people who saw the shine of the majesty of their King by the sea. And we have learned that a maidservant saw at the sea what the prophet Ezekiel never saw. It seems that they turned to be fools to say, "Is Hashem among us or not (Heb. ayin)?"

434. א"ר אַבָּא, מַאי דִּכְתִּיב הֲיֵשׁ יְיָ' בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ אִם אָיִן. וְכִי טִפְּשִׁין הֲווֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל דְּלָא יַדְעֵי מִלָּה דָּא, וְהָא חָמוּ שְׁכִינְתָּא קָמַיְיהוּ, וַעֲנֵנִי כָּבוֹד עָלַיְיהוּ דְּסַחְרוֹן לוֹן, וְאִינּוּן אָמְרוּ הֲיֵשׁ יְיָ' בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ אִם אָיִן, גּוּבְרִין דְּחָמוּ זִיו יְקָרָא דְּמַלְכֵּיהוֹן עַל יַמָּא, וְתָנֵינָן, רָאָתָה שִׁפְחָה עַל הַיָּם מַה שֶּׁלֹּא רָאָה יְחֶזְקֵאל, אִינּוּן אִשְׁתְּכָחוּ טִפְּשִׁין, וְאָמְרוּ הֲיֵשׁ יְיָ' בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ אִם אָיִן.

Keter Tetragrammaton Torah Yud Hei Vav Hei (YHVH) Zeir Anpin

435. HE ANSWERS, But this is what Rabbi Shimon said. They wanted to discern between the most concealed Atik of all, WHICH IS KETER, which is called 'Ayin ('naught')' and Zeir Anpin, which is called 'Yud Hei Vav Hei.' Therefore, it is not written, 'If Hashem is among us or no' as it is written, "Whether they will follow My Torah, or no" (Shemot 16:4), but rather, "Is Hashem among us or not (Heb. ayin)?"

435. אֶלָּא הָכִי קָאָמַר ר"ש, בָּעוּ לְמִנְדַּע, בֵּין עַתִּיקָא סְתִימָאָה דְּכָל סְתִימִין, דְּאִקְרֵי אַיִן. וּבֵין זְעֵיר אַפִּין דְּאִקְרֵי יְיָ.' וְעַל דָּא, לָא כְּתִיב הֲיֵשׁ יְיָ' בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ אִם לֹא, כְּמָה דִּכְתִּיב הֲיֵלֶךְ בְּתוֹרָתִי אִם לֹא. אֶלָּא הֲיֵשׁ יְיָ' בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ אִם אָיִן.

Amalek Form Zeir Anpin

436. HE ASKS, If so, why were they punished? HE ANSWERS, Because they caused a separation BETWEEN ATIK AND ZEIR ANPIN, and they did it by testing, as it is written, "Because they tempted (also: 'tested') Hashem." Said Yisrael: 'If the one is AMONG US we will ask in one form, and if that one, then we will ask in another form.' Therefore, immediately, "Then came Amalek" (Shemot 17:8).

436. אִי הָכִי אֲמַאי אִתְעַנְשׁוּ. אֶלָּא עַל דַּעֲבִידוּ פֵּרוּדָא, וַעֲבִידוּ בְּנִסְיוֹנָא, דִּכְתִּיב וְעַל נַסּוֹתָם אֶת יְיָ.' אָמְרוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, אִי הַאי נִשְׁאַל בְּגַוְונָא חַד. וְאִי הַאי נִשְׁאַל בְּגַוְונָא אַחֲרָא. וְע"ד מִיָּד וַיָּבֹא עֲמָלֵק.

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