The stars
It would not be wise to make a synopsis of this long and exquisite passage. Each reader must read the entire section for himself, in order to delight in the beauty of its imagery and to gain some understanding of its profound teaching.
Here we are treated to an entirely new vision of the role of the stars, in everything from the growth of plants to the governance of all human activity. When we read this section with its unforgettable imagery we are filled with a sense of mystery, and also with a lust for knowledge that burns as brightly as the stars. Though a bounty of celestial wisdom is distilled here, foremost to the reader is the knowledge that man, alone, can steer the stars and direct his destiny. Distant stars of war and stern judgments are subdued by our efforts here. Stars used by the wicked to propagate evil are snuffed out and rendered powerless. Stars of mercy sparkle, stars of joy flash, and stars of peace gleam to ignite our personal redemptions and the immediate arrival of Heaven on earth.
831. "And you shall make fifty clasps of brass... " (Shemot 26:11). Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Aba were sitting one night. When it became dark, they entered a garden that was by the Sea of Tiberias. In the meantime, they saw two stars that were moving, one from one side and the other from the other side. The stars met and disappeared.
831. וְעָשִׂיתָ קַרְסֵי נְחֹשֶׁת חֲמִשִׁים וְגוֹ.' רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר וְרַבִּי אַבָּא הֲווֹ יַתְבֵי לֵילְיָא חַד. כַּד רָמַשׁ לֵילְיָא, עָאלוּ גּוֹ גִּנָּא דְּעַל יַמָּא דִּטְבֶרְיָא. אַדְּהָכִי, חָמוּ תְּרֵין כֹּכָבַיָא דְּנַטְלֵי, דָּא מֵהָכָא, וְדָא מֵהָכָא, וְאִעֲרָעוּ דָּא בְּדָא וְאִטְמָרוּ.
832. Rabbi Aba said, How great are the works of the Holy One, blessed be He, in the heavens above and on the earth below. Who can understand these two stars that came out each from a different side, met and then disappeared. Rabbi Elazar said to him, Have we not seen them? For we observed them and we have observed other actions that the Holy One, blessed be He, does constantly.
832. אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא, כַּמָה רַבְרְבָן עוֹבָדֵי דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, בִּשְׁמַיָּא מִלְּעֵילָּא, וּבְאַרְעָא מִלְּרַע. מַאן יָכִיל לְמִנְדַּע בְּאִלֵּין תְּרֵין כֹּכָבַיָא, דְּנַפְקוּ חַד מֵהָכָא, וְחַד מֵהָכָא וְאִעֲרָעוּ דָּא בְּדָא, וְאִטְמָרוּ. א"ל רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר וְכִי לָא חֲמֵינָא לוֹן, הָא אַשְׁגַּחְנָא בְּהוּ, וְאַשְׁגַּחְנָא בְּכַמָּה עוֹבָדִין אַחֲרָנִין דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא עָבֵיד תָּדִיר.
833. He opened the discussion with the verse, "Great is our Master, and of great power" (Tehilim 147:5). HE QUESTIONS, The passage tells that the Holy One, blessed be He, is great, mighty and supernal. Don't I know that the Holy One, blessed be He, is great and mighty? What is the reason for David's praise here?
833. פָּתַח וְאָמַר גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵינוּ וְרַב כֹּחַ וְגוֹ' גָּדוֹל וְרַב וְעִלָּאָה אִיהוּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. וְכִי לָא יָדַעְנָא דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא גָּדוֹל אִיהוּ וְרַב כֹּחַ, מַאי שְׁבָחָא דְּדָוִד הָכָא.
834. HE ANSWERS, He always says "great is Hashem," but here he says "great is our Master." What is the reason? When he says, "Great is Hashem, and greatly to be praised" (Tehilim 145:3), he is speaking of the higher level, ZEIR ANPIN, but where it is written, "Great is our Master," he is talking about the lower level, WHICH IS MALCHUT, the Master of the whole world. What is written before this verse? "He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by their names" (Tehilim 147:4). If all the people from the time that Adam was created would gather to count the stars, they would not be able to do it, as it says, "And count the stars, if you be able to number them" (Beresheet 15:5). What is written about the Holy One, blessed be He? "He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by their names" What is the reason? It is written, "Great is our Master, and of great power." Just as there are none who can count the stars except the Holy One, blessed be He, so is it written pertaining to Him, "His understanding is infinite" (Tehilim 147:5).
834. אֶלָּא בְּכָל אֲתָר אִיהוּ אָמַר גָּדוֹל יְיָ,' וְהָכָא אָמַר גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵינוּ. מ"ט. אֶלָּא הָתָם דְּאִיהוּ אָמַר גָּדוֹל יְיָ' וּמְהֻלָל מְאֹד. בְּדַרְגָּא עִלָּאָה קָאָמַר. וְהָכָא דִּכְתִּיב גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵינוּ בְּדַרְגָּא תַּתָּאָה קָאָמַר, דְּאִיהוּ אֲדוֹן כָּל הָאָרֶץ. מָה כְּתִיב לְעֵילָּא מֵהַאי קְרָא, מוֹנֶה מִסְפָּר לַכֹּכָבִים לְכֻלָּם שֵׁמוֹת יִקְרָא. אִי כָּל בְּנֵי עָלְמָא מִיּוֹמָא דְּאִתְבְּרֵי אָדָם, יִתְכַּנְּשׁוּן לְמִמְנֵי כֹּכָבַיָא, לָא יַכְלִין, כד"א וּסְפוֹר הַכֹּכָבִים אִם תּוּכַל לִסְפּוֹר אוֹתָם. וְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מַה כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ, מוֹנֶה מִסְפָּר לַכֹּכָבִים לְכֻלָּם שֵׁמוֹת יִקְרָא. מ"ט. בְּגִין דִּכְתִּיב גָּדוֹל אֲדוֹנֵינוּ וְרַב כֹּחַ וְגוֹ.' כְּמָה דְּלֵית מִסְפָּר לְכֹּכְבֵי שְׁמַיָא, בַּר מִנֵּיהּ. אוּף הָכִי אִיהוּ כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ, וְלִתְבוּנָתוֹ אֵין מִסְפָּר.
835. Come and see, It is written, "That brings out their host by number" (Yeshayah 40:26), MEANING that the Holy One, blessed be He, brought forth all the hosts and companies and stars, each one by name and none was missing. Throughout the stars and constellations of all the firmaments, leaders, and supervisors were appointed to minister the world, each one as is worthy for him. There is not even one small blade of grass in the world that does not have a star and constellation in the firmament that rules over it, and over each and every star is an appointee that serves before the Holy One, blessed be He, as is proper for Him.
835. תָּא חֲזִי, כְּתִיב הַמּוֹצִיא בְמִסְפָּר צְבָאָם וְגוֹ,' כֻּלְּהוּ חַיָּילִין וּמַשִּׁרְיָין וְכֹכָבַיָּא, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אַפִּיק לוֹן בִּשְׁמָא, כָּל חַד וְחַד, וְלָא גָּרַע אֲפִילּוּ חַד. בְּכָל כֹּכָבַיָּא וּמַזָּלֵי דִּרְקִיעִין כֻּלְּהוּ, אִתְמְנוּן נְגִּידִין וּפְקִידִּין לְשַׁמְּשָׁא עָלְמָא, כָּל חַד וְחַד כַּדְקָא חֲזִי לֵיהּ. וְלֵית לָךְ עִשְׂבָּא זְעִירָא בְּכָל עָלְמָא, דְּלָא שַׁלְטָא עָלֵיהּ כֹּכָבָא וּמַזָּלָא בִּרְקִיעָא, וְעַל הַהוּא כֹּכָבָא מְמָנָא חַד, דְּקָא מְשַׁמֵּשׁ קָמֵיהּ דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, כָּל חַד וְחַד כַּדְקָא חֲזִי לֵיהּ.
836. All the stars in the firmament are in charge over this world, and they are all appointed to attend to every single thing for those that are in this world. No grass, trees or vegetables grow without the supervision of the stars that stand over them and appear to them face-to-face, each one as is proper for it.
836. כָּל כֹּכָבַיָּא דְּבִרְקִיעִין כֻּלְּהוּ מְשַׁמְּשֵׁי עַל הַאי עָלְמָא, וְכֻלְּהוּ פְּקִידָן לְשַׁמְּשָׁא כָּל מִלָּה וּמִלָּה לְאִינּוּן דִּבְּהַאי עָלְמָא, וְלָא צַמְחִין וְלָא מְגַדְּלִין עֲשָׂבִין וְאִלָנִין וּדְשָׁאִין, וְעִשְׂבֵי בָּרָא, בַּר בְּחֵיזוּ דְּכֹּכָבַיָּא דְּקָא קַיְימֵי עָלַיְיהוּ, וְאִתְחָזוּן עָלַיְיהוּ אַנְפִּין, בְּאַנְפִּין כָּל חַד וְחַד כְּמָה דְּאִתְחָזֵי לֵיהּ.
837. Most of the companies of stars and constellations come out at the beginning of the night, until three hours minus a quarter. From there onwards only small stars come out. And all these stars do not work for no reason and do not appear in vain. There are some stars that serve the entire night, in order to cause all those things that are under their responsibility to sprout and grow. There are certain stars that serve until midnight, and they cause to sprout and grow from the beginning of the night until that time all those things that were assigned to them. There are also stars that serve a short period of the night, for their service is completed after they have appeared to that grass or plant. They do not have to serve further that night, for they do not stand idly. As soon as they conclude their service, they are no longer seen in the world but enter their place.
837. רוֹב מַשִּׁרְיָין דְּכֹּכָבַיָּא וּמַזָּלֵי, כֻּלְּהוּ נָפְקִין בְּרֵאשִׁיתָא דְּלֵילְיָא, עַד תְּלַת שַׁעְתֵּי חָסֵר רְבִיעָא. מִתַּמָּן וּלְהָלְאָה לָא נָפְקִין בַּר זְעִירִין. וְאִינּוּן כֹּכָבַיָּא כֻּלְּהוּ לָא מְשַׁמְשֵׁי לְבַטָּלָה, וְלָא אִתְחָזוּן לְבַטָּלָה. וְאִית כֹּכָבַיָא דְּקָא מְשַׁמְשֵׁי כָּל לֵילְיָא, בְּגִין לְאַצְמְחָא וּלְגַדְּלָא כָּל אִינּוּן מִלִּין דְּאִתְפְּקָדוּ עָלַיְיהוּ. וְאִית כֹּכָבַיָּא דְּקָא מְשַׁמְשֵׁי עַד פַּלְגוּת לֵילְיָא, וְצָמְחִין וּמְגַדְּלִין מֵרֵאשִׁיתָא דְּלֵילְיָא, עַד הַהִיא שַׁעֲתָא, כָּל אִינּוּן מִלִּין דְּאִתְפְּקָדוּ עָלַיְיהוּ, וְאִית כֹּכָבַיָא דְּקָא מְשַׁמְשֵׁי זְעֵיר מִלֵילְיָא, דְּכֵיוָן דְּאִתְחָזֵי בַּהֲדֵי הַהוּא עִשְׂבָּא, אוֹ הַהוּא דְּשָׁאָה, מִיָּד אַשְׁלִים שִׁמוּשֵׁיהּ, וְלָא אִצְטְרִיךְ יַתִּיר בְּהַהוּא לֵילְיָא. וְהָא אִינּוּן לָא קַיְימִין לְבַטָּלָה, כֵּיוָן דְּאַשְׁלִימוּ שִׁמּוּשַׁיְיהוּ, לָא אִתְחָזוּן יַתִּיר בְּהַאי עָלְמָא, וְעַיְילִין לְאַתְרַיְיהוּ.
838. In the Book of Supernal Wisdom of the people of the East, they talk about the comets that have a scepter behind them in the sky, MEANING THAT A LONG TAIL OF LIGHT IS ATTACHED AND EMANATES FROM THOSE STARS. They say that there are grasses on the earth of those that are called 'the spice of life,' and there are precious stones in the earth and hammered gold that is formed in the high mountains with a bit of water, that covers it yet does not cover it. But it is drawn over it. The comets rule over them, and they grow through them.
838. בְּסִפְרָא דְּחָכְמְתָא עִלָּאָה דִּבְנֵי קֶדֶם, אַמְרֵי עַל כָּל אִינּוּן כֹּכָבַיָא דְּשַׁרְבִיטָא, דְּקָא מְשַׁדְּרֵי שַׁרְבִיטָא בִּרְקִיעָא, אַמְרִי דַּעֲשָׂבִין אִינּוּן בְּאַרְעָא, מֵאִינּוּן דְּאִקְרוּן סַמֵי דְּחַיֵּי, וְאַבְנִין יַקִירָן אִית בְּאַרְעָא, וְזָהָב שָׁחוּט דִּמְגַּדְלָא גּוֹ טוּרֵי רָמָאֵי, בִּזְעֵיר מַיִין דְּחַפְיָא עָלֵיהּ, וְלָא חַפְיָא אֶלָּא דְּנָגִיד עָלֵיהּ, וְשָׁלְטָאן עַל כָּל אִלֵּין אִינּוּן כֹּכָבַיָּא דְּשַׁרְבִיטָא, וּמְגַּדְלֵי אִלֵּין בְּגִינַיְיהוּ.
839. All their development and growth is only through the brilliance of the tail that the star extends into the firmament, and then all these things are perfected.
839. וְכָל תִּקּוּנָא וּגְדוּלָא דִּלְהוֹן, לָאו אִיהוּ אֶלָּא בְּחֵיזוּ וְנֹגְהָא דְּהַהוּא שַׁרְבִיטָא, דְּקָא מְשַׁדֵּר הַהוּא כֹּכָבָא, גּוֹ רְקִיעָא, וּכְדֵין אִתְתַּקְנָן וּמִתְגַּדְלָן כָּל אִינּוּן מִלִּין.
840. There are illnesses among people, namely jaundice and infection, WHICH ARE TYPES OF SICKNESSES, AND THEY SEEM TO BE SICKNESS OF THE GALL IN WHICH THEIR FACES BECOME GREENISH. Their only remedy is the mirror of glittering metal that sparkles in the eyes, NAMELY A MIRROR THAT IS MADE OF POLISHED METAL, and the ill person has to stare at it. The ill person is not cured until the mirror is moved from one side to the other, AND THE MIRROR has to reflect a spark or flash similar to a comet onto his face. When that flash sparks in the eyes, the remedy is effected. In this case also, all those ruled by the stars develop and grow only due to the expansion of the comet, and they develop this in appearance, color and strength, as it should be.
840. מַרְעִין אִית בִּבְנֵי נָשָׁא, כְּגוֹן יְרוֹקִין וְקַסְטִירִין. דְּאַסְוָותָא דִּלְהוֹן לָא תָּלֵי, אֶלָּא בְּחַד מַרְאֶה דְּפַרְזְלָא קָלִיל נָצִיץ לְעַיְינִין, וְאִית לֵיהּ לְמָארֵיהּ דְּמַרֵע לְאִסְתַּכְּלָא בֵּיהּ. וְלָא אִתְּסֵי בְּהַאי עַד דְּאַעְבַּר הַהוּא מַרְאֶה לְסִטְרָא דָּא וּלְסִטְרָא דָּא, כְּגַוְונָא דְּשַׁרְבִיטָא, דְּיוֹשִׁיט נְצִיצוּ דְּבָרָק לְאַנְפּוֹי, וּבְהַהוּא אוֹשִׁיטוּ דְּבָרָק דְּקָא נָצִיץ לְעַיְינִין, אָתֵי לֵיהּ אַסְוָותָא. אוּף הָכִי, כָּל אִינּוּן דְּשַׁלְטֵי עָלַיְיהוּ אִינּוּן כֹּכָבַיָא, לֵית לוֹן תִּקּוּנָא וּגְדוּלָא בַּמֶּה דְּאִתְחָזֵי, בַּר הַהוּא פְּשִׁיטוּ דְּשַׁרְבִיטָא, וּבְהַאי מִתַּתְקְנֵי, בְּחֵיזוּ, בְּגָוֶון, בְּחֵילָא, כְּמָה דְּאִתְחָזֵי.
841. It is good, because the like of it is alluded to in the book of King Solomon. HE SAYS, In the science of precious stones, if there would have been lacking the brilliance of the sparkle and flaming of certain stars, they would never grow or develop. The Holy One, blessed be He, prepared all this in the development of the world, as it is written, "To give light upon the earth" (Beresheet. 1:15), MEANING THEY SHINE ON AND PERFECT anything in the world that needs perfecting.
841. וְשַׁפִּיר אִיהוּ, דְּהָא כְּגַוְונָא דָּא, רָמִיז בְּסִפְרָא דִּשְׁלֹמֹה מַלְכָּא, בְּחָכְמְתָא דְּאַבְנִין יְקִירִן, דְּאִי חָסֵר מִנְּהוֹן נֹגְהָא דִּנְצִיצוּ וּלְהִיטוּ דְּכֹּכָבַיָּא יְדִיעָן, לָא מְגַדְּלִין, וְלָא מְתַקְּנֵי לוֹן לְעָלְמִין, וְכֹלָּא אַתְקִין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְתִקּוּנָא דְּעָלְמָא, כד"א לְהָאִיר עַל הָאָרֶץ, בְּכָל מַה דְּאִצְטְרִיךְ בְּהַאי עָלְמָא לְתַקְּנָא לֵיהּ.
842. It is written, "And you shall make fifty clasps of brass" and "you shall make fifty golden clasps" (Shemot 26:6). We have learned that one who has never seen the clasps in the Tabernacle has never seen the light of the stars in the sky, because THE CLASPS OF THE TABERNACLE were similar in appearance and manner OF THE STARS to all who viewed them.
842. כְּתִיב וְעָשִׂיתָ קַרְסֵי נְחֹשֶׁת חַמִשִׁים, וּכְתִיב וְעָשִׂיתָ חַמִשִׁים קַרְסֵי זָהָב, וְתָנֵינָן, מַאן דְּלָא חָמָא אִינּוּן קְרָסִים בְּמַשְׁכְּנָא, לָא חָמָא נְהִירוּ דְּכֹּכָבַיָּא בִּרְקִיעָא, בְּגִין דִּבְהַהוּא חֵיזוּ, וּבְהַהוּא גַּוְונָא, דַּמְיָין לְכָל מַאן דְּאִסְתָּכַּל בְּהוּ.
843. There are stars in the sky that emerge from that firmament wherein all the stars are kept, WHICH IS THE SECOND FIRMAMENT WHEREIN THE SUN, MOON, STARS AND CONSTELLATIONS ARE SET, AND THIS FIRMAMENT IS THE THIRD FIRMAMENT THAT EMERGES FROM IT. In that firmament, there are one hundred framed windows, some on the East and some on the South, and in every window there is one star.
843. כֹּכָבַיָא אִית בִּרְקִיעָא, דְּאִלֵּין נַפְקֵי מֵהַהוּא רְקִיעָא, דְּכָל כֹּכָבַיָא אַדּוּקִין תַּמָּן. בְּהַהוּא רְקִיעָא אִית מְאָה חַלוֹנֵי מַשְׁקוֹפִין, מִנְּהוֹן לִסְטַר מִזְרָח, וּמִנְּהוֹן לִסְטַר דָּרוֹם. וּבְכָל חַלוֹנָא וְחַלוֹנָא כֹּכָבָא חַד.
844. When the sun travels through these windows and frames in the firmament and sparkles, those stars emerge to sparkle from the sun's sparkle, and become colored, some red like bronze and some yellow like gold. Therefore, some are red and some are yellow. There are fifty STARS in these fifty windows, and fifty in the other fifty windows. On the East side, they are yellow and on the South side they are red. With them were joined the ending of the Tabernacle.
844. וְכַד שִׁמְשָׁא אָזִיל בְּאִינּוּן חַלּוֹנִין וּמַשְׁקוֹפִין דִּי בִּרְקִיעָא נָצִיץ בִּנְצִיצוּ, וְאִלֵּין כֹּכָבַיָּא נַפְקֵי לְאִתְנַצְּצָא מֵהַהוּא נְצִיצוּ דְּשִׁמְשָׁא וְאִצְטָבָּעוּ, מִנְהוֹן סוּמָקִין כְּגַוְונָא דִּנְחֹשֶׁת, וּמִנְהוֹן יְרוֹקִין כְּגַוְונָא דְּזָהָב, וְעַל דָּא, אִלֵּין סוּמָקִין, וְאִלֵּין יְרוֹקִין. חַמִשִּׁים אִינּוּן בְּאִינּוּן חַמִשִּׁים חַלּוֹנִין, וַחֲמִשִׁים אִינּוּן בְּאִינּוּן חַלּוֹנִין אַחֲרָנִין. דְּלִסְטַר מִזְרָח אִינּוּן יְרוֹקִין, דְּלִסְטַר דָּרוֹם אִינּוּן סוּמָקִין, בְּהוּ אִתְאֲחָד סִיּוּמָא דְּמַשְׁכְּנָא.
845. The night stars are intermingled in all these stars that emerge from that firmament, and they sparkle and flame and rule this world. Some DOMINATE over bronze, some over yellow-gold, which develop and grow with their strength.
845. בְּכָל אִינּוּן כֹּכָבַיָא דְּנַפְקֵי מֵהַהוּא רְקִיעַ, מִתְעָרְבֵי אִינּוּן כֹּכָבַיָא בְּלֵילְיָא, וְנַצְצֵי וּמְלַהֲטֵי וְשַׁלְטֵי בְּהַאי עָלְמָא. מִנְהוֹן עַל נְחֹשֶׁת, מִנְהוֹן עַל זָהָב יְרַקְרָק, וְאִתְתַּקְנָן וּמְגַּדְלָן עַל חֵילָא דִּלְהוֹן.
846. These stars rule over twenty five and a half points of the night, which are the minutes of the hour. Some produce bronze and some are red, and they flash and glitter. When they emit sparks three times toward the East, or five TIMES or seven, the kings of the nations come against that side and all riches and gold move out of that side. If that sparkle is once, twice, four or six times, one after the other, fear and terror then fall and dwell upon that side. If the sparkle throbs and then is quiet, wars are threatened but are not effected, because there is then an arousing among the Patrons of the world that dominate over the other nations before the Holy One, blessed be He. It is the same on the other side, WEST.
846. אִלֵּין כֹּכָבַיָא שַׁלְטֵי בְּכ"ה וּפַלְגָּא נְקוּדִין דְּלֵילְיָא, דְּאִינּוּן רִגְעֵי שַׁעֲתָא, וְאִינּוּן דִּמְגַּדְלֵי נְחֹשֶׁת דְּאִינּוּן סוּמָקֵי וְלַהֲטֵי וְנַצְצֵי. וְכַד אוֹשִׁיטוּ תְּלָת זִמְנִין נְצִיצוּ לְסִטְרָא דְּמִזְרָח, אוֹ חֲמֵשׁ, אוֹ שְׁבַע, מַלְכֵי עַמִּין יֵיתוּן עַל הַהוּא סִטְרָא, וְכָל עֻתְרָא וְדַהֲבָא יִסְתַּלָּק מֵהַהוּא סִטְרָא. וְאִי נְצִיצוּ חַד, תְּרֵין, אַרְבַּע, שִׁית, דָּא בָּתַר דָּא, אֵימָתָא וּפַחֲדָא יִפּוֹל, וְיִשְׁרֵי עַל הַהוּא סִטְרָא. בָּטִישׁ נְצִיצוּ וְשָׁכִיךְ, בָּטִישׁ נְצִיצוּ וְשָׁכִיךְ, יִתְּעֲרוּ קְרָבֵי, וְלָא יִתְעַבִידוּ, דְּהָא בְּהַהוּא זִמְנָא, אִתְעֲרוּתָא הוּא לְעֵילָּא קָמֵי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, בְּאִינּוּן מְמָנָן דְּעָלְמָא דְּשַׁלְטִין עַל שְׁאַר עַמִּין, וְכֵן כְּגַוְונָא דָּא בְּסִטְרָא אַחֲרָא.
847. He opened the discussion with the verse, "Blessed be the Name of Elohim forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His, and He changes the times and the seasons" (Daniel 2:20-21). Everything is in His jurisdiction, and He removed His holy people from the control of the stars and constellations, because they are other Elohim. The portion of Jacob is not with them but rather "the former of all things" (Yirmeyah 10:16) IS HIS PORTION.
847. פָּתַח וְאָמַר, לֶהֱוֵא שְׁמֵיהּ דִּי אֱלָהָא מְבָרַךְ מִן עָלְמָא וְעַד עָלְמָא דִּי חָכְמְתָא וּגְבוּרְתָּא דִּילֵיהּ הִיא. וְהוּא מְהַשְׁנֵא עִדָּנַיָּא וְזִמְנַיָא. וְכֹלָּא אִיהוּ בִּרְשׁוּתֵיהּ, וְאַפִּיק לְעַמֵּיהּ קַדִּישָׁא, מֵחֵילָא וּרְשׁוּתָא דְּכֹּכָבַיָּא וּמַזָּלֵי, בְּגִין דְּאִינּוּן טַעֲוָון אַחֲרָן וְלָא בְּאִלֵּין חוּלָקָא דְּיַעֲקֹב, כִּי אִם בְּיוֹצֵר הַכֹּל הוּא.
848. There is a firmament above all these firmaments, NAMELY THE FIRMAMENT OF BINAH, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN THE SEVEN FIRMAMENTS, WHICH ARE CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD, YESOD AND MALCHUT, ABOUT WHOM IS SAID, "OUT OF WHOSE WOMB CAME THE ICE" (IYOV 38:29). It is concealed and hidden and is sealed with the ring of the Tabernacle, NAMELY THE SUPERNAL TABERNACLE WHICH IS BINAH, AND THE SEAL OF THE RING IS THE SECRET OF MALCHUT OF THE ATTRIBUTE OF JUDGMENT THAT IS CONCEALED IN THIS FIRMAMENT, WHICH CAUSES IT TO BE HIDDEN AND CONCEALED AND UNKNOWN. This firmament is known as Idra DeMishkena, NAMELY THE CHAMBER OF THE SUPERNAL TABERNACLE, and in this firmament are all these HUNDRED windows, MENTIONED EARLIER, of this side and of that side. FROM THEM ARE THEY DRAWN TO THE THIRD FIRMAMENT OF BELOW, and it is attached to all parts of the LOWER Tabernacle, WHICH IS MALCHUT. There are six windows greater than all of them, WHICH ARE CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD, and one closed, WHICH CORRESPONDS TO THE SEAL OF THE RING THAT WAS MENTIONED, WHICH IS MALCHUT OF THE LOCK, which dominates them, CONCEALS AND COVERS THEM FROM THE CONCEIVING OF THOSE BELOW.
848. רָקִיעַ אִית לְעֵילָּא, עַל כָּל אִלֵּין רְקִיעִין, וְאִיהוּ טָמִיר וְגָנִיז, וְחוֹתָמָא דְּגוּשְׁפַּנְקָא דְּמַשְׁכְּנָא שַׁלְטָא עַל הַאי רָקִיעַ, וְהַאי רָקִיעַ אִקְרֵי אִדָּרָא דְּמַשְׁכְּנָא, וּבְהַאי רָקִיעַ כָּל אִינּוּן חַלּוֹנִין, מִסִּטְרָא דָּא, וּמִסִּטְרָא דָּא, וְאָחִיד כָּל אִינּוּן סִדּוּרִין דְּמַשְׁכְּנָא. שִׁית חַלּוֹנִין אִינּוּן רַבְרְבִין עַל כֻּלְּהוּ, וְחַד סָתִים לְשַׁלְטָא עָלַיְיהוּ.
849. One window, OF THE SEVEN LARGE WINDOWS, is called 'the Light Window,' WHICH CORRESPONDS TO CHESED. Through it emerges a star called by the sages Yad (Eng. 'Hand'), which is the POWER OF melting that melts downward, IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE JUDGMENTS THAT ARE IN IT under the dominion of Judah. Not that Judah has a part in it, since the tribes have no part or possession in THE STARS to worship them, but rather the tribe Judah rules over these JUDGMENTS and not they over him.
849. חַלוֹנָא חַד, אִקְרֵי חַלוֹן זָהֳרָא, וּבֵיהּ נָפְקָא כֹּכָבָא חֲדָא, דְּאִקְרֵי לְחַכִּימֵי יַ"ד, וְדָא אִיהוּ הִתּוּכָא דְּקָא מְהַתֵּךְ לְתַתָּא בְּשֻׁלְטָנוּתָא דִּיהוּדָה. לָאו דְּאִית לֵיהּ חוּלָקָא בֵּיהּ, דְּהָא לֵית לַשְּׁבָטִין דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל חוּלָקָא וְאַחֲסָנָא בְּהוּ, אֶלָּא שִׁבְטָא דִּיהוּדָה שַׁלְטָא עַל הַאי, וְלָאו אִיהוּ עָלֵיהּ.
850. When the children of Judah turned away from the Holy One, blessed be He, and followed after this window and the star for understanding, they said that the Yad (Eng. 'hand') triumphs over the other nations, as it is written, "Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies" (Beresheet 49:8). They followed it and served it, and about this is written, "And Judah did evil in the sight of Hashem" (I Melachim 14:22).
850. וְכַד אַסְטוּ בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה אָרְחַיְיהוּ מִבָּתַר קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, אָזְלוּ לְמִנְדַּע בָּתַר חַלוֹנָא דָּא, וְהַאי כֹּכָבָא. וְאָמְרוּ דְּהַאי יְדָא דְּקָא מְנַצַּח לִשְׁאַר עַמִּין, דִּכְתִּיב בֵּיהּ יָדְךָ בְּעֹרֶף אוֹיְבֶיךָ, וְאָזְלוּ אֲבַתְרֵיהּ וְעַבְדּוּ לֵיהּ שִׁמּוּשָׁא וּפֻלְחָנָא, וְעַל דָּא כְּתִיב, וַיַּעַשׂ יְהוּדָה הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְיָ.'
851. When this star emerges, it stretches out one hand, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF CHESED THAT IS CALLED 'RIGHT HAND,' with five fingers, WHICH ARE CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH AND HOD THAT ARE IN IT, and illuminates and sparkles in that window. Then the sorcerers and magicians fear that place, because all the sorcerers and magicians are confused and their magic does not thrive during the time that it dominates.
851. הַאי כֹּכָבָא כַּד נָפִיק פָּשִׁיט חַד יָד בַּחֲמֵשׁ אֶצְבְּעָן, נָהִיר וְנָצִיץ בְּהַהוּא חַלוֹן. מָארֵיהוֹן דְּקוּסְמִין וְחֵרְשִׁין, דַּחֲלֵי מֵהַאי אֲתָר, בְּגִין דִּבְשַׁעֲתָא דְּהַאי שַׁלְטָא, כֻּלְּהוּ קְסָמִין וְחֵרְשִׁין מִתְבַּלְבְּלֵי, וְלָא אַצְלַח בִּידַיְיהוּ.
852. If you ask, Since this firmament is concealed, AS MENTIONED THAT IT IS IN BINAH, how do THE SORCERERS know about it, TO BECOME CONFUSED BY IT? HE ANSWERS, They have a sign in the outer part OF THE HOLINESS from which they know that star is ruling. They constantly fear it, and their sorcery and magic do not succeed in it. There are times when people are successful in it and there are times when people are not successful. Therefore, the sorcerers and magicians are becoming less numerous in the world because they do not know the source when they see that the magic is not successful by them. Therefore, the ancient MAGICIANS knew THE SOURCE, for they would gaze at that sign THAT WAS ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOLINESS of which they knew.
852. וְאִי תֵּימָא, הוֹאִיל וְאִיהוּ הַאי רָקִיעַ טְמִירָא, הֵיךְ יַדְעֵי לֵיהּ. אֶלָּא סִימָנָא אִית לוֹן לְבַר, וְיַדְעֵי דְּהָא שַׁלְטָא כֹּכָבָא דָּא, וְדַחֲלֵי תָּדִיר מִנֵּיהּ, וְלָא אַצְלַח בִּידֵיהוֹן, אִינּוּן קְסָמִין וְחֵרְשִׁין. וְעַל דָּא אִית זִמְנִין דְּאַצְלָחוּ בֵּיהּ בְּנֵי נָשָׁא, וְאִית זִמְנִין דְּלָא אַצְלָחוּ בֵּיהּ. וּבְגִין דָּא אִינּוּן מָארֵי קוּסְמִין וְחֵרְשִׁין מִתְמַעֲטֵי מֵעָלְמָא, בְּגִין דְּלָא יַדְעִין עִקָרָא, כַּד חָמָאן דְּלָא אַצְלַח בִּידַיְיהוּ. וְעַל דָּא אִינּוּן קַדְמָאֵי הֲווֹ יַדְעֵי, וּמִסְתַּכְּלָן לְבַר בְּהַהוּא סִימָנָא, דְּקָא יַדְעֵי.
853. The second window, WHICH IS GVURAH, is called 'the Window of Nail (Heb. tziporen)' because it is similar to the Nail, NAMELY THE LEFT COLUMN THAT IS CALLED 'TZIPOREN.' Through it emerges a star that is called by the scholars 'Tziph'on (Eng. 'viper'),' because it dominates with harsh Judgment and with its head and tail, like a viper that lies in wait to kill.
853. חַלוֹנָא תִּנְיָינָא, אִקְרֵי חַלוֹן טוּפְרָא, בְּגִין דְּאִיהוּ כְּגַוְונָא דְּטוּפְרָא, וּבֵיהּ נָפְקָא כֹּכָבָא חַד, דְּאִקְרֵי לְחַכִּימִין צִפְעוֹן, דְּהָא דָּא שַׁלְטָא בְּשׁוּלְטָנָא תַּקִּיף בְּדִינָא בְּרֵישָׁא וְזַנְבָא, אִית לֵיהּ כְּצִפְעוֹן כָּמִין לְקָטְלָא.
854. From that window emerge TO BELOW six billion spirits that rule over the nails of people when they are thrown away openly. All those who know how to perform sorcery and magic with them at the time that this star dominates. All those who throw away their nails or perform magic with them bring death to the whole world. And the magic that they perform is successful in it.
854. מֵהַהוּא חַלוֹן, נַפְקֵי שִׁית מֵאָה אֲלַף רִבּוֹא רוּחִין, דְּשַׁלְטִין עַל אִינּוּן טוּפְרִין דִּבְנֵי נָשָׁא, כַּד אִזְדַרְקָן בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא. בְּהַאי עַבְדֵי חֲרָשִׁין וּקְסָמִין, כָּל אִינּוּן דְּיַדְעֵי לוֹן. בְּהַהִיא שַׁעֲתָא דְּהַאי כֹּכָבָא שַׁלְטָא, כָּל אִינּוּן דְּזַרְקֵי טוּפְרֵי, אוֹ עַבְדֵי חֲרָשִׁין בְּהוֹן, גָּרִים מוֹתָא לְכָל עָלְמָא, וְסָלִיק חֲרָשִׁין בִּידַיְיהוּ דְּאִינּוּן דְּעַבְדֵי לוֹן.
855. The third window, WHICH IS TIFERET, is called 'the Window of the Breastplate,' BECAUSE TIFERET IS CALLED 'BREASTPLATE.' Through it emerges a star called 'the Nig'ha DeBusina,' THE BRILLIANCE OF THE LAMP. This is a sparkle that sparkles despite all winds, and peace and deliverance are in it, SINCE IT IS THE CENTRAL COLUMN THAT UNITES RIGHT AND LEFT TOGETHER AND THEREBY REMOVES ALL THE JUDGMENTS THAT ARE IN THEM. It bears no accusation at all. When it dominates, all peace and all light rule the world, and tranquillity and satisfaction and all GOOD rule the world.
855. חַלוֹנָא תְּלִיתָאָה, אִקְרֵי חַלוֹן חוֹשְׁנָא, וּבֵיהּ נָפְקָא כֹּכָבָא חֲדָא, וְאִקְרֵי נִגְהָ"א דְּבוּסִי"נָא, הַאי אִיהוּ נְצִיצוּ דְּנָצִיץ, וְקַיְּימָא עַל כָּל רוּחָא, וְנַיְיחָא וְשֵׁיזְבוּתָא וְטִיבוּתָא בֵּיהּ. לֵית בֵּיהּ קִטְרוּגָא כְּלַל, כַּד אִיהוּ שַׁלְטָא, כָּל נַיְיחָא, וְכָל נְהִירוּ שַׁלְטָא בְּעָלְמָא, שַׁלְוָה שָׂבְעָא וְכֹלָּא שַׁלִּיט בְּעָלְמָא.
856. The fourth window, WHICH IS YESOD, is called 'the Window of the Goblet,' BECAUSE IT RECEIVES AND PROVIDES WINE, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LEFT THAT IS SWEETENED BY THE RIGHT TO MALCHUT. Through it emerges a star that is called 'the cluster of the henna' by the sages, because it emerges AND ILLUMINATES like a cluster and sparkles like grapes IN A CLUSTER of the henna. Through it is aroused Mercy in the world. It keeps THE JUDGMENTS at a distance and brings close MERCY. Many children are born into the world, and people are not particular when they need one another. Peace and joy are aroused in the world.
856. חַלוֹנָא רְבִיעָאָה, אִיהוּ חַלוֹן דְּאִקְרֵי גְּבִיעַ, וּבֵיהּ נָפְקָא כֹּכָבָא חַד, דְּאִקְרֵי לְחַכִּימִין אֶשְׁכּוֹל הַכֹּפֶר, בְּגִין דְּהָכִי נָפִיק כְּאֶשְׁכּוֹל, נָצִיץ נְצִיצִין כַּעֲנָבִין בְּכּוֹפָרָא, בְּהַאי אִתְּעָרוּ דְּרַחֲמֵי אִתְּעַר בְּעָלְמָא, מַרְחִיק וּמַקְרִיב, תּוֹלְדִין סַגִּיאִין אַסְגִּיאוּ בְּעָלְמָא. בְּנֵי עָלְמָא לָא קַפְדֵּי כַּד אִצְטְרִיכוּ דְּא לְדָא, שְׁלָמָא וְחֶדְוָה אִתְּעַר בְּעָלְמָא.
857. The fifth window, WHICH IS NETZACH, is a window called 'a Well,' because of the star that emerges from it. It enters and emerges and draws sustenance like a pail FROM A WELL, and never ceases. The wise-hearted could never trully understand this star, because it is never stationary and is never quiet. Therefore, THE WISE-HEARTED had difficulty studying this place and making conclusions.
857. חַלוֹנָא חֲמִישָׁאָה, אִיהוּ חַלוֹן דְּאִקְרֵי בְּאֵר, עַל דִּי כֹּכָבָא דְּנָפִיק בֵּיהּ, עָאל וְנָפִיק שָׁאִיב כַּדְּלִי, לָא שָׁכִיךְ לְעָלְמִין. בְּהַאי חַכִּימֵי לִבָּא לָא יַכְלִין לְמֵיקָם בְּאֹרַח קְשׁוֹט, בְּגִין דְּלָא קָאֵים בְּקִיּוּמָא, וְלָא שָׁכִיךְ לְעָלְמִין. וְע"ד אִתְדַּחֲקָן גַּרְמַיְיהוּ, לְעַיְּינָא בְּהַאי אֲתָר, וּלְמֵידַן דִּינָא.
858. The sixth window IS HOD. This is a window that is called 'Nog'ha' (brightness) and a star emerges from it called 'Gizron' (Eng. 'decree'). When it rules, the world is under Judgment, under many decrees and many punishments. Every single day, there are new decrees against the world and new ones are formed before these Judgments are completely executed. This star does not rule much in the world.
858. חַלוֹנָא שְׁתִּיתָאָה, אִיהוּ חַלוֹן דְּאִקְרֵי נֹגְהָא, וְנָפְקָא בֵּיהּ כֹּכָבָא חַד, דְּאַקְרִין גִּזְרוֹן, בְּגִין דְּכַד הַאי שַׁלְטָא, עָלְמָא קָאֵים בְּדִינָא, וְכַמָּה גִּזְרִין, וּבְכַמָּה עוֹנָשִׁין, וּבְכָל יוֹמָא וְיוֹמָא מִתְחַדְּשָׁן גִּזְרִין עַל עָלְמָא, וְעַד לָא יְסַיְּימוּן אִלֵּין, הָא אַחֲרָנִין מִתְחַדְּשִין, וְהַאי לָא שַׁלְטָא כ"כ בְּעָלְמָא.
859. Close to the days of Messiah, the window with this star shall rule the world. Therefore, wild animals will rule the world and new evil species will be formed one after the other, and the children of Yisrael will be in distress. When they are pressed in the darkness of exile, the Holy One, blessed be He, will light up for them the light of day, WHICH IS REDEMPTION, and the supernal Holy Ones will accept the kingdom. Rulership will be annulled from the idol-worshipping nations and Yisrael will rule over them. Then will be fulfilled, "Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun... " (Yeshayah 30:26).
859. אֲבָל סָמוּךְ לְיוֹמֵי מְשִׁיחָא, יִשְׁלוֹט הַאי חַלוֹנָא, בְּהַאי כֹּכָבָא, עַל עָלְמָא. וְע"ד יִשְׁלְטוּן חֵיוָן בִּישִׁין עַל עָלְמָא, וְיִתְחַדְתּוּן זִינִין בִּישִׁין, דָּא בָּתַר דָּא, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוֹן בְּעָקוּ. וְכַד יִתְדַּחֲקוּן גּוֹ חֲשׁוֹכָא דְּגָלוּתָא, כְּדֵין יַנְהֵר לוֹן קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא נְהִירוּ דִּימָמָא, וִיקַבְּלוּן מַלְכוּתָא קַדִּישֵׁי עֶלְיוֹנִין, וְיִּתְבַּטֵּל מַלְכוּתָא מִידָא דְּעֲמְמִין עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים, וְיִשְׁלְטוּן עָלַיְיהוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְיִתְקַיֵּים וְהָיָה אוֹר הַלְּבָנָה וְגוֹ.'
860. Then the seventh window will be opened to the whole world, and its star is the star of Jacob. This is what Bila'am said: "There shall come a star out of Jacob" (Bemidbar 24:17), and this star will illuminate for forty days. When King Messiah will be revealed and all the nations of the world will gather before him, this passage will be fulfilled, "That the root of Yishai, that stands for a banner of the peoples, to it shall the nations seek, and his resting place shall be glorious" (Yeshayah 11:10).
860. וּכְדֵין חַלוֹנָא שְׁבִיעָאָה יִתְפְּתַח בְּכָל עָלְמָא, וְכֹכָבָא דִּילֵיהּ אִיהוּ כֹּכָבָא דְּיַעֲקֹב, וְהַאי אִיהוּ דְּקָאָמַר בִּלְעָם, דָּרַךְ כֹּכָב מִיַּעֲקֹב, וְכֹכָבָא דָּא יְהֵא נָהִיר אַרְבְּעִין יוֹמִין. וְכַד יִתְגְּלֵי מַלְכָּא מְשִׁיחָא, וְיִתְכַּנְּשׁוּן לְגַבֵּי מַלְכָּא מְשִׁיחָא כָּל עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא, כְּדֵין יִתְקַיֵּים קְרָא דִּכְתִּיב, שֹׁרֶשׁ יִשַׁי אֲשֶׁר עוֹמֵד לְנֵס עַמִּים אֵלָיו גּוֹיִם יִדְרֹשׁוּ וְהָיְתָה מְנוּחָתוֹ כָּבוֹד.