A Cup of Blessing

Synopsis

Here, Rabbi Yosi says that the Cup of Blessing becomes blessed from Chesed, Gvurah and Tiferet of Zeir Anpin that are the three patriarchs; therefore a cup is necessary only when there are three men together. The Cup of Blessing, which, we learn, is Malchut, is perfected by the ten Sfirot. It should be looked at because, "The eyes of the Creator your Elohim are always upon it." It is the secret of Faith, and must always be guarded because it is for the Cup's sake that the table is blessed during the prayer after meals. Rabbi Yosi says again that the table must never be empty because the blessing does not exist on an empty table. Just so, wisdom is given to the wise.

Relevance

As our eyes drink the Light of these verses, our souls partake of the Cup of Blessing. We receive sustenance so that we may tithe, spiritual nourishment so that we may persevere on the spiritual path, and appreciation of God's endless goodness so that we may protect and forever keep all that is sacred and precious in our lives. By the virtue of the Patriarchs, our tables are kept full so that we may now take possession of all these blessings.

Chassadim Hands Light Patriarchs Zeir Anpin

569. The Cup of Blessing is used only when there are three WHO ATE TOGETHER. It is blessed from the secret of the three Patriarchs, FOR MALCHUT, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE CUP OF BLESSING, IS BLESSED FROM CHESED, GVURAH AND TIFERET OF ZEIR ANPIN THAT ARE CALLED 'PATRIARCHS.' Therefore, a cup is necessary only when there are three men. One should give the Cup of Blessing with the right and left HANDS, and receive it in both, because MALCHUT is given between the right and left OF ZEIR ANPIN. Afterwards one should leave it only in his right hand, because from there it is blessed, MEANING FROM THE LIGHT OF THE CHASSADIM THAT ARE IN THE RIGHT OF ZEIR ANPIN.

569. כּוֹס שֶׁל בְּרָכָה, לָא הֲוֵי אֶלָּא בִּתְלָתָא. בְּגִין דְּהָא מֵרָזָא דִּתְלַת אֲבָהָן קָא מִתְבָּרְכָא, וְע"ד לָא אִצְטְרִיךְ כּוֹס אֶלָּא בִּתְלָתָא. כּוֹס שֶׁל בְּרָכָה אִצְטְרִיךְ לְמֵיהַב לֵיהּ בִּימִינָא וּבִשְׂמָאלָא, וּלְקַבְּלָא לֵיהּ בֵּין תַּרְוַויְיהוּ, בְּגִין דְּאִתְיְהִיב בֵּין יְמִינָא וּשְׂמָאלָא. וּלְבָתַר יִּשְׁתְּבִיק לֵיהּ בִּימִינָא, דְּהָא מִתַּמָּן אִתְבָּרְכָא.

Eyes Ten

570. Ten things were said about the Cup of Blessing and they are all proper, because the Cup of Blessing, WHICH IS MALCHUT, is perfected by ten, NAMELY THE TEN SFIROT, as the friends have established. It is necessary to look at the Cup of Blessing with the eyes, because it is written, "The eyes of Hashem your Elohim are always upon it" (Devarim 11:12) ON THE LAND WHICH IS MALCHUT, THAT IS CALLED 'CUP OF BLESSING.' It should not be removed from the eye, but should rather be looked at.

570. עֲשָׂרָה דְּבָרִים נֶאֶמְרוּ בְּכוֹס שֶׁל בְּרָכָה, וְכֻלְּהוּ הֲווֹ כַּדְקָא יֵאוֹת, בְּגִין דְּתִקּוּנֵי דְּכוֹס שֶׁל בְּרָכָה עֲשָׂרָה אִינּוּן, וְהָא אוּקְמוּהָ חַבְרַיָּא. כּוֹס שֶׁל בְּרָכָה אִצְטְרִיךְ לְאַשְׁגָּחָא בֵּיהּ בְּעֵינָא, בְּגִין דִּכְתִּיב עֵינֵי יְיָ' אֱלֹהֶיךָ בָּהּ, וְלָא אִצְטְרִיךְ לְאִתְנָשֵׁי מֵעֵינָא, אֶלָּא לְאַשְׁגָּחָא בֵּיהּ.

Blessing Faith Meals Table

571. כּוֹס שֶׁל בְּרָכָה, אִתְבְּרַךְ בְּהַהוּא בִּרְכְתָא, דְּקָא מְבָרֵךְ בַּר נָשׁ עָלֵיהּ לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, בְּגִין דְּאִיהוּ רָזָא דִּמְהֵימְנוּתָא, וְאִצְטְרִיךְ לְנַטְרָא לֵיהּ בִּנְטִירוּ עִלָּאָה, כְּמַאן דְּאִיהוּ חַשִׁיבוּתָא דְּמַלְכָּא, דְּהָא בְּגִינֵיהּ, אִתְבְּרַךְ פָּתוֹרֵיהּ, בְּשַׁעֲתָא דְּבִרְכָּתָא מְזוֹנָא, דְּהַהוּא בַּר נָשׁ מְבָרֵךְ.

Blessing Daniel Heart Shepherd Shewbread Table Wisdom

572. The table OF A PERSON must never be empty, because the blessing is not present on an empty table, as we have established, "Tell me, what have you in the house" (II Melachim 4:2). Therefore, the table should not appear empty, because the supernal blessings dwell only in a whole place. This is the secret of, "And in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom" (Shemot 31:6), MEANING AFTER HE HAS BEEN PERFECTED WITH WISDOM, HE IS GIVEN WISDOM. "He gives Wisdom to the wise" (Daniel 2:21). Upon this secret is based the table of the shewbread, THAT IT IS NEVER EMPTY, as it is written, "And you shall set upon the table shewbread before Me always" (Shemot 25:30).

572. פָּתוֹרֵיהּ אִצְטְרִיךְ דְּלָא יְהֵא בְּרֵיקָנַיָּא, דְּהָא לֵית בִּרְכְתָא מִשְׁתַּכְּחָא עַל פָּתוֹרָא רֵיקָנַיָּא, כְּמָה דְּאוּקְמוּהָ, דִּכְתִּיב, הַגִּידִי לִי מַה יֶשׁ לָכְי בַּבָּיִת וְגוֹ.' וְע"ד פָּתוֹרָא לָא אִצְטְרִיךְ לְאִתְחֲזָאָה בְּרֵיקָנַיָּא, דְּהָא בִּרְכָּאן עִלָּאִין לָא שַׁרְיָין, אֶלָּא בַּאֲתָר שְׁלִים. וְרָזָא דָּא וּבְלֵב כָּל חָכָם לֵב נָתַתִּי חָכְמָה, וּכְתִיב יָהֵב חָכְמְתָא לְחַכִּימִין. וְעַל רָזָא דְּנָא שֻׁלְחָן דְּלֶחֶם הַפָּנִים, דִּכְתִּיב וְנָתַתָּ עַל הַשֻׁלְחָן לֶחֶם פָּנִים לְפָנַי תָּמִיד.