Shemot: Chapter 41

"And he said to his people"

Synopsis

Rabbi Shimon begins the discussion by explaining that the title verse refers to the supernal minister over Egypt who revealed to the Egyptians that the minister over Yisrael was stronger than theirs. Rabbi Shimon then clarifies the distinction between "King of Egypt," which refers to the supernal minister over Egypt, and "Pharaoh, the King of Egypt," which refers to the actual Pharaoh. Similarly, we learn from Rabbi Yitzchak that in the title verse, "the people of the children of Yisrael," refers to the children of the supernal Yisrael above. While the other nations are called the people of their appointed rulers, the children of Yisrael are called the people of Hashem because they are the only nation directly under God.

Rabbi Yochanan then asks about Balak's reference to Yisrael in the verse, "Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt." Rabbi Yitzchak explains that sorcerers prefer to avoid all ambiguity, and therefore when referring to someone, they mention only the mother's name because only maternal descent is certain. Moreover, the demons also adhere to this strict code. Rabbi Aba, however, interprets Balak's reference as one of contempt that implies that the origin of Yisrael is unknown. The discussion then turns to expound upon the concept that God punishes His own children first so that they will guard against sin more than the other nations. Rabbi Yosi provides a personal incident to illustrate this idea, and concludes that God punishes students of the Torah so that they will not separate themselves from the Tree of Life (the Torah) for even a moment.

Finally, we learn from an episode involving Rabbi Yitzchak that an earthquake is a physical sign of the appointment of a minister in heaven who will cause suffering to Yisrael. This is in accordance with the verse, "For three things the earth is disquieted..."

Relevance

A man's wicked tendencies are not part of his soul, nor do they emanate from the Light of the Creator. Each selfish and unkind impulse is rooted in a higher, negative force that attempts to seduce us into immoral behavior, minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour, day-by-day. Genuine positive change can only occur when we uproot the source of our dark side. Instead of treating the symptoms and branches, we must probe to the unseen cause and seed, the spiritual DNA level of our darkest impulses. This passage of sacred texts delves deeply into our spiritual being to extract the root of our Evil Inclination. This Light also reaches into the Upper Worlds to banish forever the negative forces (the snake) that nurture our dark side.

Not only do we rise above all negative cosmic influences that have ruled human existence for millennia, but we transform these dark and demonic forces into positive forces of Light that do our soul's bidding. Light becomes the only reality, and peace and tranquility become our eternal treasures, as the truth of the Torah shines throughout the world.

Finally, this passage heals the earth, preventing earthquakes from taking place, for there are no longer any negative forces dwelling on high to trigger their occurrence.

Angels Egypt Pharaoh, The

295. "And he said to his people, 'Behold the people of the children of Yisrael'" (Shemot 1:9). Rabbi Shimon said, Come and behold. In all instances, a ruling angel was appointed over Egypt AND SAID TO HIS PEOPLE, "BEHOLD, THE CHILDREN OF YISRAEL..." And so it is in the majority of the portion that says plainly, "king of Egypt," meaning the minister who is appointed over Egypt. However, when it is written, "Pharaoh, the King of Egypt," IT IS actually Pharaoh, AND NOT THE ANGEL, WHO IS APPOINTED OVER THEM!

295. וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל עַמּוֹ הִנֵּה עַם בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. א"ר שִׁמְעוֹן תָּא חֲזֵי, דְּהָא עַל כָּל פָּנִים מַלְאָכָא שִׁלְטוֹנָא דִּמְמָנָא עַל מִצְרָאֵי הֲוָה, וְהָכִי הוּא, דְּרוּבָא דְּפַרְשְׁתָּא לָא אִתְּמַר, אֶלָּא מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם סְתָם, וְהַיְינוּ מְמָנָא רַבְרְבָא עַל מִצְרָאֵי. פַּרְעֹה מֶלֶךְ מִצְרַיִם, פַּרְעֹה מַמָּשׁ.

Angels Children David Egypt Haman Hundred Thought Torah Year

296. Rabbi Shimon said, Therefore it is written, "And he said TO HIS PEOPLE," MEANING I will introduce this into their hearts THAT THEY SHOULD THINK SO. As the Torah says, "Because Hashem said to him, 'Curse David'" (II Shmuel 16:10), MEANING the thought of his heart alone, THAT HASHEM INTRODUCED INTO HIS HEART. Also, "And Haman said in his heart" (Ester 6:6), and so, "And he said in his heart, 'Shall a child be born to him that is a hundred years old?'" (Beresheet 17:17). THE MEANING OF "HE SAID" IS also to introduce a thought into their hearts, that they should say IN THEIR HEARTS. "More and mightier than we" (Shemot 1:9). Why does it say "than we?" It means, than the angel who is appointed over them, because they thought in their hearts that Elohim and their power, THAT IS, OF YISRAEL, is greater and stronger than us - than THE APPOINTED ANGEL who rules over Egypt.

296. א"ר שִׁמְעוֹן, לְפִיכָךְ כְּתִיב, וַיֹּאמֶר כְּלוֹמַר אַכְנִיס בְּלִבְּהוֹן מִלְּתָא דָּא, כד"א, כִּי יְיָ' אָמַר לוֹ קַלֵּל אֶת דָּוִד. מַחֲשֶׁבֶת הַלֵּב בִּלְבַד. וְכֵן וַיֹּאמֶר הָמָן בְּלִבּוֹ, וְכֵן וַיֹּאמֶר בְּלִבּוֹ הַלְּבֶן מֵאָה שָׁנָה. אוּף הָכָא נָמֵי, אַכְנִיס מַחֲשַׁבְתָּא בְּלִבְּהוֹן, דְּאָמְרוּ רַב וְעָצוּם מִמֶּנּוּ. מַאי מִמֶּנּוּ. ר"ל מְמָנָא דִּילְהוֹן, אִינּוּן אָמְרוּ בְּלִבַּיְיהוּ, דְּחֵילָא וְתּוּקְפָּא דִּילְּהוֹן, רַבְרְבָא וְתַקִּיפָא מִמֶּנּוּ, מִשׁוּלְטָנָא דִּילְהוֹן.

Egyptians Heaven Strength

297. Rabbi Yitzchak said, All the nations of the world draw strength from the Ministers WHO ARE APPOINTED IN HEAVEN over them. And the children of Yisrael draw their powers from the Holy One, blessed be He. And they are called 'the people of Hashem,' and not 'the people of a ruler WHO WAS APPOINTED.' Rabbi Yehuda said, Here, the Egyptians are called the people OF THE APPOINTED, as is written, "And he said to his people," and there it is written, "I have surely seen the affliction of My people" (Shemot 3:7). The children of Yisrael are called 'the people of Hashem,' and the other nations are called 'the people of their appointed rulers,' as it is written, "For let all people walk, everyone in the name of his Elohim, and we will walk in the name of Hashem our Elohim, forever and ever" (Michah 4:5).

297. ר' יִצְחָק אָמַר, כָּל אוּמִין דְּעָלְמָא, מַשְׁכִין תּוּקְפָּא מִשָּׂרֵיהוֹן, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל נַגְדִּין חֵילֵיהוֹן מְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וְאִינּוּן אִתְקְרוּן עַמָּא דַּיְיָ,' וְלָא עַמָּא דְּשׁוּלְטָנַיָּא. ר' יְהוּדָה אָמַר, הָכָא אִתְקְרוּן עַמּוֹ, דִּכְתִּיב וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל עַמּוֹ, וְהָתָם כְּתִיב, רָאֹה רָאִיתִי אֶת עֳנִי עַמִּי, עַמִּי מַמָּשׁ, יִשְׂרָאֵל אִקְרוּן עַם יְיָ,' וּשְׁאַר אוּמִין אִקְרוּן, עַמּוֹ דְּשׁוּלְטָנָא דִּילְהוֹן דִּכְתִּיב, כִּי כָּל הָעַמִּים יֵלְכוּ אִישׁ בְּשֵׁם אֱלֹהָיו וַאֲנַחְנוּ נֵלֵךְ בְּשֵׁם יְיָ' אֱלֹהֵינוּ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד.

Thought Zeir Anpin

298. Rabbi Aba said, This passage should have read, 'The children of Yisrael are more and mightier than we.' Why does it say, "the people of the children...?" AND HE ANSWERS, It means the actual people of the children of Yisrael, THAT IS, THE PEOPLE OF THE CHILDREN OF YISRAEL OF BELOW, WHICH IS THE CORPOREAL YISRAEL WHO IS DRAWN from that Yisrael of above, WHICH IS ZEIR ANPIN. SINCE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE SUPERNAL YISRAEL, THEY ADDED THE WORD "PEOPLE" because they thought that they were the people of the children of Yisrael OF BELOW, and not the people of Hashem, WHICH IS ZEIR ANPIN. It is written, "And they were mortified on account of the children of Yisrael" (Shemot 1:12), instead of, 'On account of the people of the children of Yisrael,' WHICH IS YISRAEL OF BELOW. FOR EVENTUALLY, THEY RECOGNIZED THAT THEY WERE THE SUPERNAL CHILDREN OF YISRAEL OF ABOVE, MEANING THE PEOPLE OF HASHEM.

298. אָמַר רִבִּי אַבָּא, הַאי פְּסוּקָא, הֲוָה לֵיהּ לְמֵימַר בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל רַב וְעָצוּם מִמֶּנּוּ, מַהוּ עַם בְּנֵי. אֶלָּא עַם בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מַמָּשׁ, מֵהַהוּא יִשְׂרָאֵל דִּלְעֵילָּא, דַּחֲשִׁיבוּ דְּעַם בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֲווֹ, וְלֹא עַם יְיָ,' וּכְתִיב וַיָּקוּצוּ מִפְּנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְלָא כְּתִיב מִפְּנֵי עַם בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶלָּא מִפְּנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מַמָּשׁ.

Balaam Balak Egypt

299. Rabbi Yochanan was before Rabbi Yitzchak. He said, Why did Balak choose to say, "Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt" (Bemidbar 22:5), and did not say, "Behold the people of the children of Yisrael." Rabbi Yitzchak said to him, Balak was a great sorcerer, and it is the way of sorcerers to select a matter that is completely certain. Similarly, they never mention the father's name of a person, but rather his mother's name, which is certain. THEREFORE, BILAAM DID NOT MENTION THE CHILDREN OF YISRAEL, WHICH IS THE NAME OF THE FATHER.

299. רִבִּי יוֹחָנָן הֲוָה קָאֵים קָמֵיהּ דְּר' יִצְחָק, אָמַר, מֶה חָמָא בָּלָק לְמֵימַר, הִנֵּה עַם יָצָא מִמִּצְרַיִם, וְלֹא אָמַר הִנֵּה עַם בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. א"ל ר' יִצְחָק, בָּלָק מְכַשֵּׁף גָּדוֹל הֲוָה, וְכֵן דֶּרֶךְ הַמְכַשְּׁפִים לָקַחַת הַדָּבָר שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ חֲשָׁדָא, וְכֵן אֵין מַזְכִּירִין לְעוֹלָם שֵׁם אָבִיו שֶׁל אָדָם, אֶלָּא שֵׁם אִמּוֹ, דָּבָר שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ חֲשָׁדָא.

Balak Demons Egypt

300. This is the way of the demons. They examine the matter that is said to them BY THE SORCERERS. If it is false, they notify them with false words. And if it is true, whatever they tell them is true at least for a short time. Especially if the sorcerers desire an action of them, THEY ARE PARTICULARLY CAUTIOUS TO SAY THE TRUTH, THAT IS BEYOND SUSPICION. THEREFORE, THEY DO NOT MENTION THE NAME OF A PERSON'S FATHER. Rabbi Acha said, Balak used a degrading tone, "Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt," meaning we do not know where they are from.

300. דְּכֵן דֶּרֶךְ הַשֵּׁדִים, דִּמְעַיְּינִים בְּהַהוּא מִלָּה דְּקַאמְרֵי לְהוּ, אִי אִיהוּ כְּדִיבָא, מוֹדִיעִין לֵיהּ מִלִּין כְּדִיבִין, וְאִי הוּא קְשׁוֹט, כָּל מַה דְּאַמְרִין לְזִמְנָא זְעֵירָא קוּשְׁטָא הוּא, כָּל שֶׁכֵּן לְמֶעְבַּד עֲבִידְתָּא. רִבִּי אָחָא אָמַר, בָּלָק אוֹרְחָא דְּקָלָנָא נָקַט, הִנֵּה עַם יָצָא מִמִּצְרַיִם, כְּלוֹמַר, דְּלֵית אֲנָן יַדְעִין מִמָּאן אִינּוּן.

Earth Sin

301. Rabbi Yochanan said, Why is it that a people THAT IS UNDER THE GUIDANCE of ministers guard themselves, and the people of the Holy One, blessed be He, do not guard themselves? Rabbi Yitzchak said, The poor man is not comparable to the rich man. The poor man needs to guard what is his, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT AFRAID TO CHALLENGE HIM. The rich man does not guard his possessions, BECAUSE EVERYONE IS AFRAID TO CHALLENGE HIM. All the more so, Yisrael is UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF a King who loves Truth and Justice. And He does justice with His household first, because He wants them to be protected against sin more than all THE NATIONS. This is what is written, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth" (Amos 3:2).

301. אָמַר רִבִּי יוֹחָנָן, מִפְּנֵי מַה עַמָּא דְּרַבְרְבִין נְטִירִין, וְעַמָּא דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לָא נְטִירִין. אָמַר רִבִּי יִצְחָק, לָא דָּמֵי מִסְכְּנָא לַעֲתִירָא. מִסְכְּנָא בָּעֵי לְנַטְרָא דִּילֵיהּ, עֲתִירָא לָא נָטִיר דִּילֵיהּ, וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, אִינּוּן מִמַּלְכָּא דְּרָחִים קְשׁוֹט וְדִינָא. וְדִינָא קַדְמָאָה עָבֵיד בְּגוּבְרִין דְּבֵיתֵיהּ, דְּבָעֵי דְּאִינּוּן לֶהֱוָון נְטִירִין מֵחַטָּאָה יַתִּיר מִכֻּלְּהוּ הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִּיב, רַק אֶתְכֶם יָדַעְתִּי מִכֹּל מִשְׁפְּחוֹת הָאֲדָמָה וְגוֹ.'

Blood Earth Jacob Nose Serpent Torah

302. Rabbi Yosi went on the road and Rabbi Acha bar Ya'akov went with him. While they were traveling, Rabbi Yosi kept quiet FROM WORDS OF THE TORAH, and reflected on worldly things. But Rabbi Acha CONTINUED to meditate on the words of the Torah. Rabbi Yosi saw a snake that was running after him. Rabbi Yosi said to Rabbi Acha: Do you see the snake that is chasing me? Rabbi Acha said to him, I do not see it. Rabbi Yosi ran and the snake followed him. Rabbi Yosi fell and blood flowed from his nose. He heard them saying, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth." DUE TO THIS, HE WAS SAVED FROM THE SNAKE. Rabbi Yosi said, If for just one moment I CEASED FROM THE WORDS OF TORAH AND TURNED TO WORLDLY THINGS, AND THIS HAPPENED TO ME, it is much worse for one who has suspended his mind entirely FROM WORDS OF TORAH.

302. רִבִּי יוֹסֵי נָפַק לָאוֹרְחָא, וַהֲוָה רִבִּי אַחָא בַּר יַעֲקֹב אָזִיל עִמֵּיהּ, עַד דַּהֲווֹ אַזְלֵי שָׁתִיק רִבִּי יוֹסֵי, וְהִרְהֵר בְּמִלֵּי דְּעָלְמָא. וְרִבִּי אַחָא הִרְהֵר בְּמִלֵּי דְּאוֹרַיְיתָא. חָמָא רִבִּי יוֹסֵי חַד חִוְיָא, דַּהֲוָה רָהִיט אֲבַתְרֵיהּ. אָמַר רִבִּי יוֹסֵי לְרִבִּי אַחָא, חָזֵית הַאי חִוְיָא דְּרָהִיט אֲבַתְרָאי. אָמַר לֵיהּ רִבִּי אַחָא, אֲנָא לָא חֲמֵינָא לֵיהּ. רָהַט רִבִּי יוֹסֵי וְחִוְיָא אֲבַתְרוֹי. נָפַל רִבִּי יוֹסֵי, וְדָמָא שָׁתַת וְנָחַת מֵחוֹטָמוֹי, שָׁמַע דַּהֲווֹ אַמְרִין, רַק אֶתְכֶם יָדַעְתִּי מִכֹּל מִשְׁפְּחוֹת הָאֲדָמָה וְגוֹ,' אָמַר רִבִּי יוֹסֵי, וּמָה עַל שַׁעֲתָא חֲדָא כַּךְ, מַאן דְּמִתְיָיאֵשׁ מִנָּהּ עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה.

Tree

303. He opened the discussion saying: "For Hashem your Elohim has blessed you in all the work of your hand, He knows your walking through..." (Devarim 2:7). "Who led you...venomous serpents and scorpions" (Devarim 8:15). HE ASKS, Why were there venomous serpents here IN THE WILDERNESS? AND HE ANSWERS, To punish the children of Yisrael any time they separate from the Tree of Life, of which it is written, "For he is your life, and the length of your days" (Devarim 30:20).

303. פָּתַח וְאָמַר, כִּי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ בֵּרַכְךָ בְּכָל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶךָ יָדַע לֶכְתְּךָ וְגוֹ' הַמּוֹלִיכְךָ וְגוֹ,' נָחָשׁ שָׂרָף וְעַקְרָב וְגוֹ,' נָחָשׁ שָׂרָף לָמָּה הָכָא. אֶלָּא, לָקַחַת עוֹנְשָׁן מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, כָּל זְמָן שֶׁמִּתְפָּרְשִׁין מִן עֵץ הַחַיִּים. דִּכְתִּיב כִּי הוּא חַיֶּיךָ וְאוֹרֶךְ יָמֶיךָ.

Esau Hatred Rod Tree Tree of Life

304. Come and behold. Rabbi Chiya said, It is written, "He that spares his rod hates his son..." (Mishlei 13:24) and, "'I have loved you,' says Hashem" (Malachi 1:2), and also: "And I hated Esau" (Ibid. 3). What does "hate" REFER TO? It is written, "He that spares his rod hates his son," meaning: I hate him, therefore, I spare his rod from him. This is even more so with Torah scholars; HE DOES NOT SPARE HIS ROD FROM THEM, for the Holy One, blessed be He, does not want them to become separated from the Tree of Life, even for one moment.

304. תָּא חֲזֵי, אָמַר רִבִּי חִיָּיא, כְּתִיב חוֹשֵׂךְ שִׁבְטוֹ שׂוֹנֵא בְנוֹ וְגוֹ.' וּכְתִיב אָהַבְתִּי אֶתְכֶם אָמַר ה.' וּכְתִּיב, וְאֶת עֵשָׂו שָׂנֵאתִי. מַהוּ שָׂנֵאתִי, דִּכְתִּיב חוֹשֵׂךְ שִׁבְטוֹ שׂוֹנֵא בְנוֹ. כְּלוֹמַר שָׂנֵאתִי אוֹתוֹ, וְעַל כֵּן חָשַׂכְתִּי שֵׁבֶט מֵהֶם, כָּל שֶׁכֵּן וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים, דְּלָא בָּעֵי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא דְּיִתְפָּרְשׁוּן מֵעֵץ הַחַיִּים אֲפִילוּ רִגְעָא חֲדָא.

Astrology Egyptians Evil

305. "And he said to his people" (Shemot 1:9). He gave them advice in order to do evil with them. Rabbi Tanchum said, The Egyptians knew by their knowledge of astrology that they would eventually be smitten because of Yisrael. Therefore, their Minister did evil to them first.

305. וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל עַמּוֹ. יָהַב לְהוֹן עֵיטָא, לְמֶעְבַּד עִמְּהוֹן בִּישָׁא. אָמַר רִבִּי תַּנְחוּם, יַדְעִין הֲווֹ מִצְרָאֵי בְּאִצְטַגְנִינוּת דִּלְהוֹן, שֶׁסּוֹפָן לְמִלְקֵי בְּגִין יִשְׂרָאֵל, וּלְכָךְ אַקְדִּים שׁוּלְטָנָא דִּלְּהוֹן, לְמֶעְבַּד עִמְּהוֹן בִּישׁ.

Earth Mountains Tree

306. Rabbi Yitzchak came upon a mountain and saw a man sleeping under a tree. RABBI YITZCHAK sat down there. While he was sitting, he noticed the earth moving, and saw that tree break and fall. He saw fissure holes in the earth, and the earth was rising and falling

306. רִבִּי יִצְחָק פָּגַע בְּהַהוּא טוּרָא, וְחָמָא חַד בַּר נָשׁ דַּהֲוָה נָאִים תְּחוֹת חַד אִילָן. יָתִיב תַּמָּן, אַדְהֲוָה יָתִיב, חָמָא אַרְעָא דְּמִתְחַלְחֲלָא, וְאִתְּבַּר הַהוּא אִילָנָא, וְנָפַל, וְחָמָא בְּקִיעִין גּוּמִּין בְּאַרְעָא, וְאַרְעָא סַלְּקָא וְנַחְתָּא.

Earth Evil Heaven

307. The man awoke and screamed towards Rabbi Yitzchak: Jew, Jew, cry and wail, because now they are setting up in heaven a minister, a supernal ruler, who is destined to do great evil with your people. These tremors in the earth are because of you, for whenever the earth rumbles it is when a minister arises in the heaven, who will do evil with you!

307. אִתְּעַר הַהוּא גַּבְרָא, צָוַוח לָקֳבְלֵיהּ דְּרִבִּי יִצְחָק, וְאָמַר לֵיהּ יוּדָאי יוּדָאי, בְּכֵי וְנָהִים, דְּהָאִידָּנָא מְקִימִין בִּרְקִיעָא חַד רַבְרְבָא מְמָנָא שֻׁלְטָנָא עִלָּאָה, וְהוּא זַמִין לְמֶעְבַּד עִמְּכוֹן בִּישׁ סַגִּי, וְהַאי רִגְשָׁא דְּאַרְעָא בְּגִינֵיכוֹן הֲוָה. דְּכָל זִמְנָא דְּרָגְשָׁא אַרְעָא, כַּד קָם מְמָנָא, דְּיַעֲבֵיד עִמְּכוֹן בִּישָׁא.

Earth Rod Slavery

308. Rabbi Yitzchak was astonished and said, It is certainly written, "For three things the earth is disquieted...for a slave when he becomes king" ((Mishlei 30:21-22). ITS MEANING refers to a minister who was ORIGINALLY SUBJUGATED under a different ruler, AND NOW that he rules, and they give him dominion, THE SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT THE EARTH QUAKES and, moreover, when THAT APPOINTED ONE rules over Yisrael, CERTAINLY THE EARTH QUAKES AND IS DISQUIETED.

308. תָּוָוה רִבִּי יִצְחָק וְאָמַר, וַדַּאי כְּתִיב, תַּחַת שָׁלֹשׁ רָגְזָה אֶרֶץ, וּכְתִיב תַּחַת עֶבֶד כִּי יִמְלוֹךְ. מְמָנָא דַּהֲוָה תְּחוֹת שֻׁלְטָנָא אַחֲרָא, וּמָלִיךְ, וְיָהֲבִין לֵיהּ שֻׁלְטָנָא, וכ"ש כַּד שָׁלִיט בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל.

Atzilut Jeremiah Soul, The

309. Rabbi Chama bar Guria said, When the Holy One, blessed be He, placed Yisrael under the dominion of other nations, He sat and wailed and wept. This is what is written, "My soul shall weep in secret" (Yirmeyah 13:17). Rabbi Yosi said, "In secret" is precise, THAT IS, IN THE WORLD OF ATZILUT.

309. א"ר חָמָא בַּר גּוּרְיָא, כַּד אֲנָח לְיִשְׂרָאֵל תְּחוֹת שֻׁלְטָנוּתָא דְּאוּמִין, יָתִיב וְגָעֵי וּבָכֵי, הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִּיב, בְּמִסְתָּרִים תִּבְכֶּה נַפְשִׁי. אָמַר רִבִּי יוֹסֵי, בְּמִסְתָּרִים דַּוְוקָא.

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