Noach: Chapter 40

"He was a mighty hunter"

Synopsis

According to the Zohar, Nimrod used the clothes of Adam to gain strength. Clothes is a code word that alludes to the physicality that conceals the Light, as garments conceal the body. Nimrod, we are told, connected only to the material world, without any regard or consideration for the spiritual essence of reality. This is considered to be a form of idol worshipping. It is falling under the delusion and control of the physical world.

A deeper awareness for the spiritual essence of life is awakened within us by these passages, so that we are not controlled by illusion.

Adam Garments Nimrod Skin

320. "He was a mighty hunter before Hashem; therefore, it is said, 'even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before Hashem'" (Beresheet 10:9). Come and behold: Nimrod was a brave man, who wore the garments of Adam and knew how to hunt. ALL LIVING BEINGS SURRENDERED TO HIM BECAUSE OF THOSE GARMENTS, THOSE "COATS OF SKIN," AS THE VERSE READS: "TO ADAM ALSO AND TO HIS WIFE DID HASHEM ELOHIM MAKE COATS OF SKIN, AND CLOTHED THEM" (BERESHEET 3:21).

320. הוּא הָיָה גִּבּוֹר צַיִּד לִפְנֵי ה' עַל כֵּן יֵאָמַר כְּנִמְרוֹד גִּבּוֹר צַיִד לִפְנֵי ה'. תָּא חֲזֵי, הוּא הֲוָה גְּבַר תַּקִּיף. לְבוּשׁוֹי דְּאָדָם הָרִאשׁוֹן הֲוָה לָבֵישׁ. וַהֲוָה יָדַע לְמֵיצַד צֵידָה דִּבְרִיָּיתָא בְּהוֹ.

Garments Idolatry Nimrod

321. Rabbi Elazar said that Nimrod used to entice people into idol worshipping. He used the power of those garments to rule all other people. He proclaimed himself ELOHIM, the ruler of the world, so all other people served him. But why was he called Nimrod? Because he rebelled (Heb. marad) against the High King of above, against the power of SUPERNAL HOLINESS, and also against the lower beings, THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD.

321. אֲמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, נִמְרוֹד הֲוָה מְפַתֵּי לִבְרִיָּיתָא, לְמֵיהַךְ בָּתַר פּוּלְחַן דַּע"ז. וַהֲוָה שַׁלִּיט בְּאִינוּן לְבוּשִׁין, וְנָצַח בְּנֵי עָלְמָא. וַהֲוָה אֲמַר דְּאִיהוּ שַׁלִּיטָא בְּעָלְמָא, וּפָלְחִין לֵיהּ בְּנֵי נָשָׁא. וְאַמַּאי אִקְרֵי שְׁמֵיהּ נִמְרוֹד. דְּמָרַד בְּמַלְכָּא עִלָּאָה. דִּלְעֵילָא. דְּמָרַד בְּעִלָּאֵי, וּמָרַד בְּתַתָּאֵי.

Garments

322. By the power of these garments, he was able to rule over all mankind. He rebelled against THEM AND his Master by saying that he was the ruler of the world, THAT IS, HE DECLARED HIMSELF ELOHIM. He seduced people into following him, leaving the service of the Master of the universe, and serving him. Rabbi Shimon said that the friends knew a great secret about these garments.

322. בְּאִינוּן לְבוּשִׁין, שַׁלִּיט עַל כָּל בְּנֵי עָלְמָא, וּמָלַךְ בְּהוֹ. וּמָרַד בְּמָארֵיהּ. וַאֲמַר, דְּאִיהוּ שַׁלִּיטָא דְעָלְמָא, וַהֲוָה מְפַתֵּי לִבְרִיָּיתָא אֲבַתְרֵיהּ, עַד דְּמָשַׁךְ בְּנֵי נָשָׁא, לְמֵיפַק מִבָּתַר פּוּלְחָנָא דְּמָארֵי עָלְמָא. אֲמַר רָבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בְּאִילֵין לְבוּשִׁין, יָדְעֵי בְּהוֹ חַבְרַיָיא רָזָא עִלָּאָה.

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