The righteous are the face of the Shechinah

Synopsis

When Rabbi Elazar encounters Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Chiya on the road, he tells them he sees the face of the Shechinah. This, we learn, is because when one sees the righteous or pious they represent Her face since She hides within them.

Relevance

Here we draw the Light of righteousness into our souls so that our faces shine with the radiance of the Shechinah. Further, would any of us, if we met an Angel on the road, recognize the Holy Spirit in him? Would we even register the Angel's presence, as used to ignoring strangers as we are? The Light of this passage ensures that when we gaze into the faces of strangers or friends or family, we recognize the presence of the Shechinah and the spark of Light that lives within all men. Thus, the goal of "Love thy Neighbor" is readily achieved and we complete our purpose in life.

Donkeys Face Female Waters (Mayin Nukvin) Mayin Nukvin (Female Waters) Righteous Shechinah Waters Zeir Anpin

680. Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Yehuda and Rabbi Chiya were traveling on the road and Rabbi Elazar met them. As soon as they saw him, they all got off their donkeys. Rabbi Elazar said, For certain, I see the face of the Shechinah. When one sees the righteous or the pious of the generation and meets them, certainly they represent the face of Shechinah. Why are they called 'the face of Shechinah?' It is because the Shechinah hides within them. THE SHECHINAH is concealed in them, but they are visible. Therefore, those who are close to Her are called 'Her face.' Who are those THAT ARE CLOSE TO HER? They are those with whom She prepares to appear before the supernal King, ZEIR ANPIN, MEANING WHO ELEVATE MAYIN NUKVIN (FEMALE WATERS) TO UNITE THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, WITH HIS SHECHINAH. Now that you are here, certainly the Shechinah is positioned over you, and you are Her face.

680. רַבִּי יוֹסִי וְרַבִּי יְהוּדָה וְרַבִּי חִיָּיא, הֲווֹ אַזְלֵי בְּאָרְחָא, פָּגַע בְּהוּ ר' אֶלְעָזָר, עַד דְּחָמוּ לֵיהּ, נָחְתוּ מִן חֲמָרֵי כֻּלְּהוּ. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, וַדַּאי אַנְפֵּי שְׁכִינְתָּא חֲמֵינָא, דְּהָא כַּד חָמֵי ב"נ צַדִּיקַיָּא, אוֹ זַכָּאִין דִּי בְּדָרָא, וְאִעֲרַע בְּהוּ, וַדַּאי אִינּוּן אַנְפֵּי שְׁכִינְתָּא. וַאֲמַאי אִקְרוּן אַנְפֵּי שְׁכִינְתָּא. בְּגִין דִּשְׁכִינְתָּא אִסְתָּתָּרַת בְּגַּוַּויְיהוּ, אִיהִי בִּסְתִימוּ, וְאִינּוּן בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא. בְּגִין דִּשְׁכִינְתָּא אִינּוּן דִּקְרִיבִין לָהּ, אִקְרוּן פָּנִים דִּילָהּ. וּמַאן אִינּוּן. אִינּוּן דְּאִיהִי אִתְתַּקְנַת בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ, לְאִתְחֲזָאָה לְגַבֵּי מַלְכָּא עִלָּאָה. וְהוֹאִיל וְאַתּוּן הָכָא, וַדַּאי שְׁכִינְתָּא אִתְתַּקְנַת עָלַיְיכוּ, וְאַתּוּן פָּנִים דִּילָהּ.