Miketz: Chapter 14

"As soon as the morning was light"

Synopsis

This verse speculates on the meaning of the phrase, "the morning was light." Drawing on many precedents from the Torah, it uses the phrase to define the healing powers of God, the bright future of the people of Israel, and the difficulties that will befall their enemies.

Relevance

The Light of the Creator can heal all our ailments - but we must have certainty and trust in its power, and we must be conscious of sharing this energy with all those in need. These healing forces are summoned forth as we meditate upon the primordial letters of Creation.

Light Morning Torah

225. "As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys" (Beresheet 44:3). Rabbi Elazar said, We have to study this verse carefully. If they were sent, why should the Torah add "they and their donkeys?" HE ANSWERS, Because scripture reads, "and take us for bondsmen, and our donkeys" (Beresheet 43:18), the verse "the men were sent away, they and their donkeys" teaches us that they have not stayed, nor have their donkeys.

225. הַבֹּקֶר אוֹר וְהָאֲנָשִׁים שֻׁלְּחוּ הֵמָּה וַחֲמוֹרֵיהֶם, רִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אֲמַר, הָכָא אִית לְאִסְתַּכָּלָה, אִי אִינוּן הֲווֹ אָזְלֵי וְאִשְׁתַּדָּרוּ, מַה לָּן לְמִכְתַּב בְּאוֹרַיְיתָא, הֵמָּה וַחֲמוֹרֵיהֶם. אֶלָּא בְּגִין דִּכְתִיב, וְלָקַחַת אוֹתָנוּ לַעֲבָדִים וְאֶת חֲמוֹרֵינוּ, בְּגִין כָּךְ, וְהָאֲנָשִׁים שֻׁלְּחוּ הֵמָּה וַחֲמוֹרֵיהֶם, בְּגִין דְּלָא יִשְׁתָּאֲרוּן אִינוּן וַחֲמוֹרֵיהוֹן, כִּדְקָאֲמָרוּ.

Abraham Ass (Donkey) Judgment Merit Morning Peace Tribes

226. He opened the discussion with the verse, "And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his donkey" (Beresheet 22:3). That was the morning of Abraham, WHICH IS CHESED. It shone upon THE TRIBES due to Abraham, whose merit stood for them and enabled them to go in peace and be delivered from Judgment. For at that time, Judgment impended upon them to exact payment, and only the merit of Abraham's morning protected them. Thus they were sent from that place of Judgment, for it had no power over them at the time.

226. פְּתַח וַאֲמַר, וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר וַיַּחֲבשׁ אֶת חֲמוֹרוֹ וגו,' הַהוּא בֹּקֶר דְּאַבְרָהָם הֲוָה נָהֵיר, לְקַיְימָא עֲלַיְיהוּ בִּזְכוּתֵיהּ, כְּדֵין זְכוּתָא דְאַבְרָהָם קָיְימָא עֲלַיְיהוּ, וַאֲזָלוּ בִּשְׁלָם, וְאִשְׁתְּזֵיבוּ מִן דִּינָא, בְּגִין דְּהַהִיא שַׁעְתָּא, קָיְימָא עֲלַיְיהוּ דִינָא, לְאִתְפָּרְעָא מִנַּיְיהוּ, בַּר דִּזְכוּתָא דְּהַהוּא בֹּקֶר דְּאַבְרָהָם, אָגֵין עֲלַיְיהוּ, וְאִשְׁתַּלָּחוּ מִן דִּינָא, דְּלָא שַׁלִּיט עֲלַיְיהוּ בְּהַהוּא זִמְנָא.

Abraham Cloud Earth Isaac Jacob Judgment Light Morning Rain Samuel Sun

227. Rabbi Yehuda continued with the verse, "And he shall be as the light of the morning" (II Shmuel 23:4): This is the light of Abraham's morning, NAMELY, THE LIGHT OF CHESED. "When the sun rises" refers to the sun of Jacob, THE LIGHT OF TIFERET, as it is written, "the sun rose upon him" (Beresheet 32:32). "In a morning without clouds" means the morning, THE LIGHT OF CHESED, is not so cloudy, BECAUSE JUDGMENTS HAVE NO HOLD UPON IT, but "clear shining after rain," WHICH MEANS the brightness that comes through rain, the rain of the side of Isaac, THE LIGHT OF GVURAH, for that rain causes that, "the grass springs out of the earth" (II Shmuel 23:4).

227. רִבִּי יְהוּדָה פְּתַח, וּכְאוֹר בֹּקֶר יִזְרַח שֶׁמֶשׁ, דָּא הוּא נְהוֹרָא, דְּהַהוּא בֹּקֶר דְּאַבְרָהָם. יִזְרַח שֶׁמֶשׁ: דָּא הוּא שִׁמְשָׁא דְיַעֲקֹב, דִּכְתִיב וַיִּזְרַח לוֹ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ. בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֹת, דְּהַהוּא בֹּקֶר לָא אִיהוּ עָבוֹת כָּל כָּךְ, אֶלָּא מִנֹּגַהּ מִמָּטָר, נֹגַהּ מִמָּטָר: אִיהוּ מִטְּרָא דְּאָתֵי מִסִּטְרָא דְיִצְחָק, דְּהַהוּא מִטְרָא אַפֵּיק דֶּשֶׁא מֵאָרֶץ.

Abraham Chassadim Cloud Earth Jacob Joseph Judgment Light Morning Nukva Rain Righteous Sun

228. Another explanation of the phrase, "as the light of the morning," MEANS THAT by the light of Abraham's morning, THE LIGHT OF CHESED, "the sun rises," which is Jacob, whose light is as that of that morning OF ABRAHAM, BEING THE SECRET OF TIFERET, THAT SHINES WITH COVERED CHASSADIM DRAWN FROM THE LIGHT OF CHESED. The "morning without clouds" is not dark but shining, for when morning, THE LIGHT OF CHESED, comes, no judgment has sway. All is illuminating on the side of Abraham, THE RIGHT SIDE, "in the clear shining after rain:" This is the side of Joseph the Righteous, who showers upon the earth, THAT IS, YESOD, WHICH GIVES PLENTY TO THE NUKVA, to produce grass and all the goodness of the world.

228. דָּבָר אֲחֵר וּכְאוֹר בֹּקֶר, בְּהַהוּא נְהִירוּ דְּבֹקֶר דְּאַבְרָהָם, יִזְרַח שֶׁמֶשׁ: דָּא הוּא יַעֲקֹב, דִּנְהִירוּ דִילֵיהּ, כִּנְהִירוּ דְּהַהוּא בֹּקֶר. בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֹת, בְּגִין דְּהַהוּא בֹּקֶר, לָאו אִיהוּ חָשׁוּךְ, אֶלָּא נָהֵיר, דְּהָא בְּשַׁעְתָּא דְּאָתֵי בֹּקֶר, לָא שָׁלְטָא דִינָא כְּלַל, אֶלָּא כֹּלָּא נָהֵיר, בְּסִטְרָא דְאַבְרָהָם. מִנֹּגַהּ מִמָּטָר: דָּא הוּא סִטְרָא דְיוֹסֵף הַצַּדִּיק, דְּאִיהוּ אַמְטֵיר עַל אַרְעָא, לַאֲפָקָא דִשְׂאָה, וְכָל טִיבוּ דְעָלְמָא.

Female Morning Revenge

229. Rabbi Shimon said, Come and behold, When night falls and spreads its wings upon the world, snow-white donkeys, WHICH ARE SPIRITS IN THE SHAPES OF FEMALE DONKEYS, ARE APPOINTED TO TAKE REVENGE ON THOSE WHO TRANSGRESS RELIGION AND THE LAW. They will come out and reign over the world. Numerous accusers are aroused on several sides to rule over the world. When morning breaks, they all vanish and lose their dominion. Each comes to its FIXED position and returns to its place.

229. אֲמַר רָבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, תָּא חֲזֵי, בְּשַׁעְתָּא דְּלֵילְיָא עָאל, וּפָרֵישׂ גַּדְפוֹי עַל עַלְמָא, כַּמָּה גַּרְדִּינֵי טְהִירִין, זְמִינִין לְנַפְקָא, וּלְשַׁלְּטָאָה בְּעַלְמָא, וְכַמָּה מָארֵיהוֹן דְּדִינִין, מִתְעָרִין בְּכַמָּה סִטְרִין לִזְנַיְיהוּ, וְשָׁלְטֵי עַל עַלְמָא, כֵּיוָן דְּאָתֵי צַפְרָא וְנָהֵיר, כֻּלְּהוּ מִסְתַּלְּקֵי, וְלָא שָׁלְטֵי, וְכָל חַד וְחַד עָאל לְדוּכְתֵּיהּ, וְתָב לְאַתְרֵיהּ.

Abraham Female Light Male Morning

230. Another explanation of the phrase, "the morning was light," is that when Abraham's morning breaks, THE REIGN OF THE RIGHT BEGINS. "...The men were sent away" refers to the accusers who rule by night, "they and their donkeys:" These are the female donkeys THAT ARE APPOINTED OVER THOSE WHO TRANSGRESS religion and the law. They come from the side of defilement, being unholy, and do not rule and are not seen when morning comes. The female donkeys in charge of sinners are considered the same as male donkeys, BEING OF THE SAME SPECIES.

230. כד"א הַבֹּקֶר אוֹר, דָּא בֹּקֶר דְּאַבְרָהָם. וְהָאֲנָשִׁים שֻׁלְּחוּ, אִלֵּין מָארֵיהוֹן דְּדִינָא, דַּהֲווֹ שָׁלְטִין בְּלֵילְיָא. הֵמָּה וַחֲמוֹרֵיהֶם אִינוּן גַּרְדִּינֵי נִימוּסִין, דְּאַתְיָין מִסִּטְרָא דִּמְסָאֲבָא, דְּלָאו אִינוּן קַדִּישִׁין, וְלָא שָׁלְטִין, וְלָא אִתְחֲזוּן, מֵכִי אָתֵי צַפְרָא. וְאִינוּן מִסִּטְרָא דְּאִינוּן חֲמָרֵי, גַּרְדִּינֵי נִימוּסִין דְקָאֲמָרוּ.

Grades Holiness (Kedushah) Judgment Kedushah (Holiness) Mercy

231. There are no upper grades that are not divided into right and left, into Mercy and Judgment. There are numerous grades, holy on the side of holiness and defiled on the side of defilement. All grades stand on top of each other.

231. דְּהָא לֵית לָךְ דַּרְגִּין עִלָּאִין. דְּלָא אִיתָאי בְּהוֹ יְמִינָא וּשְׂמָאלָא, רַחֲמֵי וְדִינָא, דַּרְגִּין עַל דַּרְגִּין קַדִּישִׁין, מִסִּטְרָא דִּקְדוּשָּׁה, וּמְסָאֲבִין, מִסִּטְרָא דִּמְסָאֲבָא, וְכֻלְּהוּ דַּרְגִּין עַל דַּרְגִּין, אִלֵּין עַל אִלֵּין.

Abraham Morning World to Come, The

232. Wherever Abraham's morning is awakened into the world, the forces of the left are gone and have no sway, for they cannot exist on the right side, only on the left. THEREFORE, WHEN MORNING ARRIVES, WHICH IS THE REIGN OF THE RIGHT, THEY ARE FORCED TO VANISH. The Holy One, blessed be He, made day and night to give each its own proper aspect, THE RIGHT TO RULE BY DAY AND THE LEFT TO RULE BY NIGHT. Happy is the portion of Yisrael in this world and the World to Come.

232. וּבְכָל אֲתַר דְּבֹקֶר דְּאַבְרָהָם אִתְעַר בְּעַלְמָא, כֻּלְּהוּ מִתְעַבְרֵי, וְלָא שָׁלְטֵי, בְּגִין דְּלֵית לוֹן לְקָיְימָא בִּסְטַר יְמִינָא, אֶלָּא בִּסְטַר שְׂמָאלָא. וְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא עָבַד יְמָמָא וְלֵילְיָא, לְאַנְהָגָא כָּל חַד וְחַד לְסִטְרֵיהּ כִּדְקָא חָזֵי לֵיהּ, זַכָּאָה חוּלָקֵיהוֹן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּעַלְמָא דֵין, וּבְעַלְמָא דְאָתֵי.

Creation Fear Job Light Sun Wicked Wickedness

233. Rabbi Chiya said, "But to you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in its wings" (Malachi 3:20). Come and behold, The Holy One, blessed be He, will cause to shine upon Yisrael the sun, which, from the day the world was created, He concealed from the wicked in the world, as it is written, "And from the wicked their light is withheld" (Iyov 38:15).

233. רִבִּי חִיָּיא פְּתַח וַאֲמַר, וְזָרְחָה לָכֶם יִרְאֵי שְׁמִי שֶׁמֶשׁ צְדָקָה וּמַרְפֵּא בִּכְנָפֶיהָ. תָּא חֲזֵי, זַמִּין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְאַנְהָרָא לוֹן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, הַהוּא שִׁמְשָׁא, דְּגָנֵיז קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, מִיּוֹמָא דְּאִתְבְּרֵי עַלְמָא, מִקַּמֵּי רַשִּׁיעֵי דְעַלְמָא, כְּמָה דִכְתִיב, וַיִּמְנַע מֵרְשָׁעִים אוֹרָם.

Babylon Enosh Light Tower Wicked Wickedness

234. The Holy One, blessed be He, stored that light, for when it first came out, it shone from one end of the world to the other. But when He looked upon the generations of Enosh, the generation of the Flood, the generation of the Tower of Babylon and all the wicked people, He stored the light.

234. וְהַהוּא נְהוֹרָא גָּנֵיז לֵיהּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, דְּכַד נָפַק בְּקַדְמֵיתָא, הֲוָה נָהֵיר מִסְּיָיפֵי עַלְמָא, וְעַד סְיָיפֵי עַלְמָא, כֵּיוָן דְּאִסְתַּכַּל בְּדָרֵיהּ דֶּאֱנוֹשׁ וּבְדָרֵיהּ דְּמַבּוּל, וּבְדָרֵיהּ דְּהַפְלָגָה, וּבְכָל אִינוּן חַיָּיבַיָא, גָּנֵיז לֵיהּ לְהַהוּא נְהוֹרָא.

Body Esau Jacob Sun Thigh

235. When Jacob came to contend with Esau's minister, who bit his thigh, he limped. It is then written, "the sun rose upon him" (Beresheet 32:32). What sun is this? It is the sun that was stored away, which has healing in it, to heal his thigh. When he was healed through that sun, it is written, "And Jacob came to Shalem (lit. 'whole')" (Beresheet 33:18), meaning he was whole in his body and healed.

235. כֵּיוָן דְּאָתָא יַעֲקֹב, וְאִתְדַּבַּק בְּהַהוּא מְמַנָּא רַבְרְבָא דְעֵשָׂו, וְאַכֵּישׁ לֵיהּ בְּיַרְכָא דִילֵיהּ, וַהֲוָה נְכֵי, כְּדֵין מַה כְּתִיב, וַיִּזְרַח לוֹ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, מַאן שֶׁמֶשׁ הַהוּא שִׁמְשָׁא דְגָנֵיז, בְּגִין דְּאִית בֵּיהּ אֲסוּתָא, לְאִתְּסָאָה לֵיהּ מֵאַרְכּוּבָתֵיהּ, וּלְבָתַר אִתְּסֵי בְּהַהוּא שִׁמְשָׁא, דִּכְתִיב, וַיָּבֹא יַעֲקֹב שָׁלֵם, שָׁלֵם בְּגוּפֵיהּ דְּאִתְּסֵי.

Blind Dust Fear Jacob Sun

236. The Holy One, blessed be He, will therefore uncover that sun in the future and shine upon Yisrael, as it is written, "But to you who fear My name the sun of righteousness shall arise," the sun of righteousness being the sun with which Jacob was healed. It is "with healing in its wings," because everybody will then be healed. When Yisrael rise from the dust, many will be lame and blind. The Holy One, blessed be He, will shine the healing sun upon them, as it is written, "with healing in its wings."

236. וְעַל דָּא, זַמִּין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, לְגַלָּאָה הַהוּא שִׁמְשָׁא, וּלְאַנְהָרָא לֵיהּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, דִּכְתִיב וְזָרְחָה לָכֶם יִרְאֵי שְׁמִי שֶׁמֶשׁ צְדָקָה, מַאי שֶׁמֶשׁ צְדָקָה. דָּא שִׁמְשָׁא דְּיַעֲקֹב, דְּאִתְּסֵי בֵיהּ. וּמַרְפֵּא בִּכְנָפֶיהָ, דְּהַהוּא שִׁמְשָׁא, יִתְּסוּן כֻּלְּהוּ, בְּגִין דְּהָא בְּזִמְנָא דִּיקוּמוּן יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעַפְרָא, כַּמָּה חִגְרִין, וְכַמָּה סוּמִין, יְהוֹן בְּהוֹן, וּכְדֵין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא יַנְהֵיר לוֹן הַהוּא שִׁמְשָׁא לְאִתְּסָאָה בָהּ, דִּכְתִיב וּמַרְפֵּא בִּכְנָפֶיהָ.

Health Idolatry Light Morning Sun

237. That sun will then shine from one end of the world to the other. Yisrael will be cured, but the idolatrous nations will be burned by it. Concerning Yisrael, the verse reads, "Then shall your light break forth like the morning, and your health shall spring forth speedily; and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of Hashem shall be your rearguard" (Yeshayah 58:8).

237. וּכְדֵין, יִתְנְהֵיר הַהוּא שִׁמְשָׁא, מִסְּיְיפֵי עַלְמָא, עַד סְיָיפֵי עַלְמָא, וּלְיִשְׂרָאֵל יְהֵא אַסְוָותָא, וְעַמִּין עעכו"ם בֵּיהּ יִתּוֹקְדוּן, אֲבָל לְיִשְׂרָאֵל מַה כְּתִיב, אָז יִבָּקַע כַּשַּׁחַר אוֹרֶךָ וַאֲרֻכָתְךָ מְהֵרָה תִצְמָח וְהָלַךְ לְפָנֶיךָ צִדְקֶךָ כְּבוֹד יי' יַאַסְפֶךָ.

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