The three watches of the night
Rabbi Shimon opens this discussion with the verse, "But none says, 'Where is Eloha my maker (lit. 'makers'), who gives songs in the night.'" By 'makers', we learn, the Scripture means that Eloha includes both Zeir Anpin and His court, Malchut. Malchut is constantly praising all night in order to receive His joyous supernal Light. All the stars are thankful and praise God during the entire time that they are visible in the sky, because the supernal angels who are appointed over the stars are all thankful and praise in watches during the three parts of the night. We next learn that in order to unite with their Master, the angels must push the Other Side outside, and they do this by bringing sleep to the inhabitants of the world, which attracts the Other Side downward. Evil spirits float around until midnight, we are told. Rabbi Shimon then tells of the angels that stand outside, spoken of in "Who makes the winds (spirits) His messengers," and the angels who are fire that stand inside, spoken of in "the flames of fire His ministers." The supernal angels praise God only after they have pushed the impurity outside. The master over all the companies of angels is the candle of David, who is Malchut. Next, Rabbi Shimon offers an alternative explanation for the opening verse, where the secret is that the spirit of man is composed of male and female, as in "And Elohim said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.'" Following this, Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Aba arise at midnight to study Torah. At midnight the Holy One is aroused through love for the Congregation of Yisrael, and He sees the good deeds they performed that day, inhaling their sweet savor. Then the Light shines, the trees in the Garden of Eden sing praises, and the righteous experience there the delights of the World to Come.
The Light of the Creator travels though numerous dimensions before manifesting in our physical realm. A vast "communication" network runs throughout these dimensions, transporting this Light. This network incorporates what we commonly refer to as angels. Angels are the interface through which a man interacts with the awesome Light of the Creator. However, our senses of perception are, by design, restricted and limited. Much remains hidden from the thoughts of men and women.
Consequently, the force called "angel" remains unobservable to the naked eye and illogical to the rational mind. Like the unseen wind, however, its influence is very real. Positive actions of sharing, tolerance, and compassion ignite positive angels in our lives. Behavior that embodies selfishness, intolerance, hatred, and self-indulgence rouses negative forces of darkness.
David, we are told, ruled over all the angels. Thus, here we are given the power to govern all the angels, to have them do our bidding, so that we attract the Light of the Creator into our lives. We animate positive angels and bring forth countless blessings. We expel all negative angels and dissolve all blockages. The Light that illuminates after midnight, when two saintly sages engage in Torah study, shines here, endowing us with the power to triumph over the Other Side, especially during the evening hours when the influence of the dark force reaches its maximum power. This is the final end of darkness and all Creation rejoices in turn!
861. Rabbi Shimon opened the discussion with the verse, "But none says, 'Where is Eloha my maker (lit. 'makers'), who gives songs in the night'" (Iyov 35:10). This passage has been established and we have studied it. The Scripture says "my makers" IN THE PLURAL instead of 'my maker' IN THE SINGULAR. Who are "my makers," IN THE PLURAL? HE ANSWERS, The name Eloha is an inclusive name that denotes Him, WHO IS ZEIR ANPIN, and His court, WHICH IS MALCHUT. This is a complete name that includes male and female, WHICH CONTAINS THE LETTERS El-Vav-Hei. THEREFORE IT IS WRITTEN, "my makers" IN THE PLURAL, BECAUSE IT INCLUDES BOTH LEVELS.
861. פָּתַח ר"ש וְאָמַר, וְלֹֹא אָמַר אַיֵּה אֱלוֹהַּ עֹשָׂי נוֹתֵן זְמִירוֹת בַּלַּיְלָה. הַאי קְרָא אוּקְמוּהָ וְאִתְּמַר, אֲבָל עוֹשָׂי, עוֹשֵׂי מִבָּעֵי לֵיהּ, מַאן עוֹשָׂי. אֶלָּא שְׁמָא דְּאֱלוֹהַּ שְׁמָא כָּלִיל אִיהוּ דְּאִתְחָזֵי הוּא וּבֵי דִּינֵיהּ. דָּא שְׁמָא שְׁלִים אִיהוּ, דְּכָלִיל דְּכַר וְנוּקְבָּא: א"ל ו"ה וּבְגִינֵי כַּךְ עוֹשָׂי.
862. "Who gives songs in the night:" WHY IN THE NIGHT? IT IS because MALCHUT THAT IS CALLED 'NIGHT,' constantly praises the King that the Peace is His, WHO IS ZEIR ANPIN, like a candle that is never placid, BUT ALWAYS WAVERS HERE AND THERE. SIMILARLY, MALCHUT IS CONSTANTLY PRAISING IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE SUPERNAL JOYOUS LIGHT OF ZEIR ANPIN, BECAUSE OF THIS GREAT JOY THAT IS AROUSED BY THE RECITED PRAISES. Therefore it says, "who gives songs in the night."
862. נוֹתֵן זְמִירוֹת בַּלַּיְלָה, בְּגִין דְּדָא אִיהוּ דְּקָא מְשָׁבַּחַת תָּדִיר לְגַבֵּי מַלְכָּא דִּשְׁלָמָא דִּילֵיהּ, כְּגַוְונָא דְּבוּצִינָא דְּלָא שָׁכִיךְ תָּדִיר, בְּגִין לְקַבְּלָא נְהוֹרָא חֶדְוָה עִלָּאָה, מִסְּגִיאוּת חֶדְוָה דִּילֵיהּ. וְע"ד נוֹתֵן זְמִירוֹת בַּלַּיְלָה.
863. All these stars that illuminate in the firmament are thankful and praise the Holy One, blessed be He, during the entire time that they are visible in the sky, because the supernal angels, WHO ARE APPOINTED OVER THE STARS, are all thankful and praise in watches during the three parts into which the night is divided.
863. כָּל אִינּוּן כֹּכָבַיָא דְּקָא מְנָהֲרָן בִּרְקִיעָא, כֻּלְּהוּ אוֹדָאן וּמְשַׁבְּחָן לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, בְּכָל הַהוּא זִמְנָא דְּאִתְחָזוּן בִּרְקִיעָא, בְּגִין דְּמַלְאֲכֵי עִלָּאֵי, כֻּלְּהוּ אוֹדָאן וּמְשַׁבְּחָן אַשְׁמוּרוֹת אַשְׁמוּרוֹת, בִּתְלַת פַּלְגֵּי דְּהַוְי לֵילְיָא.
864. During the night, various sides are divided. At the beginning of the night, when the night sets in and it becomes dark, all these evil spirits and evil species scatter and float throughout the whole world, and the Other Side separates and demands the ways of the King from all these holy sides.
864. בְּלֵילְיָא אִתְפַּלְגָּן כַּמָּה סִטְרִין. בְּרֵאשִׁיתָא דְּלֵילְיָא, כַּד רָמַשׁ לֵילְיָא וְאִתְחֲשָׁךְ, כֹּל אִינּוּן רוּחִין בִּישִׁין וְּזִינִין בִּישִׁין, כֻּלְּהוּ מִתְבַּדְּרָן וְּמְשַׁטְטֵי בְּכָל עָלְמָא. וְאִתְפַּרְשַׁת סִטְרָא אַחֲרָא, וְתָבְעֵי אָרְחֵי דְּבֵי מַלְכָּא, מִכָּל אִינּוּן סִטְרִין קַדִּישִׁין.
865. As soon as the Other Side is aroused, all the inhabitants of the world taste death, MEANING THAT SLEEP FALLS UPON THEM, which is one-sixtieth of death, AND THE OTHER SIDE dominates them. Since the impurity is separated from above and descended to dominate below, three companies of angels separate to praise the Holy One, blessed be He, in the three parts of the night, as the friends have remarked.
865. כֵּיוָן דְּהַהוּא סִטְרָא אַחֲרָא אִתְּעַר, כָּל בְּנֵי עָלְמָא טַעֲמֵי טַעֲמָא דְּמוֹתָא, חַד מִשִׁתִין בְּמוֹתָא, וְשַׁלְטָא עָלַיְיהוּ. כְּדֵין כֵּיוָן דִּמְסָאֳבוּ אִתְפָּרְשָׁא מִלְּעֵילָּא, וְשַׁלְטָא וְנַחְתָּא לְתַתָּא, כְּדֵין אִתְפָּרְשָׁן תְּלַת מַשִּׁרְיָין לְשַׁבְּחָא לֵיהּ לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, בִּתְלַת סִטְרִין דְּלֵילְיָא, כְּמָה דְּאִתְעֲרוּ בְּהַאי חַבְרַיָא.
866. While they are still praising the Holy One, blessed be He, the Other Side goes and flies below to all directions of the world. As long as the Other Side is not removed from there, the angels cannot be united with their Master.
866. בְּעוֹד דְּאִינּוּן מְשַׁבְּחִין לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, סִטְרָא אַחֲרָא אַזְלָא וּמְשַׁטְּטָא לְתַתָּא, בְּכָל סִטְרֵי עָלְמָא, וְעַד דְּסִטְרָא אַחֲרָא לָא אִתְעַבָּר מִתַּמָּן, לָא יַכְלִין אִינּוּן לְאִתְיַיחֲדָא בְּמָארֵיהוֹן.
867. This is a secret for the sages. The angels above and the children of Yisrael below all reject that Other Side. When the supernal angels wish to unite with their Master, they cannot do it until they push THE OTHER SIDE outside. What do they do? About six hundred thousand holy angels descend and throw down sleep upon all the inhabitants of the world. Once THE OTHER SIDE has descended, because they pushed it out and give it this world entirely in that sleep, then THE OTHER SIDE rules over them, PEOPLE, and they become impure by it, except in the Land of Yisrael alone, for THE OTHER SIDE does not rule there. As soon as THE OTHER SIDE separates from them, the angels come before their Master, and praise and give thanks before Him.
867. רָזָא לְחַכִּימִין, מַלְאֲכֵי עֶלְיוֹנִין, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל לְתַתָּא, כֻּלְּהוּ דָּחֲקֵי בְּהַהוּא סִטְרָא אַחֲרָא. מַלְאָכִין עִלָּאִין כַּד בָּעָאן לְאִתְיַיחֲדָא בְּמָארֵיהוֹן, לָא יַכְלִין עַד דְּדַחְיָין לָהּ לְבַר. מָה עַבְדִּין, נַחְתִּין שִׁיתִין רִבּוֹא דְּמַלְאֲכֵי קַדִּישֵׁי, וַאֲפִילּוּ שֵׁינָתָא עַל כָּל בְּנֵי עָלְמָא, כֵּיוָן דְּאִיהִי נַחְתָּא, דְּקָא דַּחְיָּין לָהּ לְבַר, וְיָהֲבֵי לָהּ כָּל עָלְמָא דָּא בְּהַהִיא שֵׁינָתָא, כְּדֵין אִיהִי שַׁלְטָא עָלַיְיהוּ, וּמְקַבְּלִין מִסְאֲבוּ מִינָּהּ. בַּר בְּאַרְעָא דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל בִּלְחוֹדָהָא, דְּלָא שַׁלְטָא תַּמָּן. כֵּיוָן דְּאִיהִי אִתְפָּרְשָׁא מִנַּיְיהוּ, עָאלִין לְקָמֵי מָארֵיהוֹן, וּמְשַׁבְּחָן וְאוֹדָאן קָמֵיהּ.
868. Similarly, Yisrael below cannot become united with their Master until they push away the Other Side from them, and give it a portion to keep it occupied, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE SCAPEGOAT. Afterwards, they approach their Master, and there is no accuser is present above or below.
868. כְּגַוְונָא דָּא יִשְׂרָאֵל לְתַתָּא, לָא יַכְלִין לְאִתְיַיחֲדָא בְּמָארֵיהוֹן, עַד דְּדַחְיָין לְהַהוּא סִטְרָא אַחֲרָא מִנַּיְיהוּ, וְיָהֲבֵי לָהּ חוּלָקָא בְּמָּה דְּאִתְעַסְקַת, וּלְבָתַר, אִינּוּן מִתְקָרְבֵי לְגַבֵּי מָארֵיהוֹן, וְלָא אִשְׁתְּכַח מְקַטְרְגָא עֵילָּא וְתַתָּא.
869. If you ask, This is all applicable below, WITH HUMANS, but above WITH ANGELS, what kind of accusation is possible there, BECAUSE OF WHICH THEY ARE OBLIGED TO PUSH THE OTHER SIDE DOWNWARDS, AS MENTIONED? HE ANSWERS, Above, it is because THE OTHER SIDE is an impure spirit and they, THE ANGELS, are Holy Spirits. THEREFORE, until they send away the Other Side from among them, they cannot approach their Master, because holiness and impurity can never mix. Similarly, the children of Yisrael below do not mix with the nations of the world who worship idols. When both sides, those above, THE ANGELS, and those below, YISRAEL, desire to approach the King, they push THE OTHER SIDE out.
869. וְאִי תֵּימָא תִּינַח לְתַתָּא, אֲבָל לְעֵילָּא מַאי קִטְרוּגָא תַּמָּן. אֶלָּא לְעֵילָּא, בְּגִין דְּאִיהוּ רוּחַ מְסַאֲבָא, וְאִינּוּן רוּחִין קַדִּישִׁין, עַד דִּמְשַׁדְּרֵי רוּחָא מְסַאֲבָא מִבֵּינַיְיהוּ, לָא יַכְלִין לְקָרְבָא לְגַבֵּי מָארֵיהוֹן, דְּהָא קוּדְשָׁא גּוֹ מְסַאֲבָא, לָא מִתְעָרֵב לְעָלְמִין. וְכֵן כְּגַוְונָא דָּא, יִשְׂרָאֵל לְתַתָּא, לָא מִתְעָרְבִין בְּאוּמִין עכו"ם דְּעָלְמָא. וּתְרֵין סִטְרִין, עִלָּאִין וְתַתָּאִין, כַּד בַּעְיָין לְקָרְבָא לְגַבֵּי מַלְכָּא קַדִּישָׁא, דַּחְיָּין לָהּ לְבַר.
870. Therefore, when night arrives and the holy supernal angels arrange themselves in lines to approach their Master, they first push the Other Side out, and afterwards come into the sanctuary.
870. וְעַל דָּא, כַּד עָיֵיל לֵילְיָא, וּמַלְאָכִין קַדִּישִׁין עִלָּאִין, כַּד מִסְתַּדְּרָן שׁוּרִין שׁוּרִין לְקָרְבָא לְגַבֵּי מָארֵיהוֹן, דַּחְיָּין לֵיהּ לְהַהוּא סִטְרָא לְבַר בְּקַדְמֵיתָא, וּלְבָתַר עָאלִין בְּקוּדְשָׁא.
871. THIS IS SIMILAR to a king who had precious stones in a locked chest in his fortress. That king was wise and in his great wisdom, he took a strong snake and wrapped it around the chest in order that not everyone who so wished could approach the chest with precious gems and pearls. If anyone would try to put his hand to that box, the snake would pounce upon him and kill him.
871. לְמַלְכָּא, דַּהֲווֹ לֵיהּ אֲבָנִין יַקִירִין בְּחַד תֵּיבוּתָא, מִתְגַּלְּפָא בְּקוּסְטְרוֹי. וְהַהוּא מַלְכָּא הֲוָה חַכִּים. בְּגִין דְּלָא יִתְקָרֵב כָּל מַאן דְּבָעֵי, לְגַבֵּי הַהוּא תֵּיבוּתָא דַּאֲבָנִין יַקִירָן וּמַרְגְּלָן דְּתַמָּן, נָטַל בְּחָכְמָתֵיהּ, חַד חִוְיָא תַּקִּיפָא, וְכָּרִיךְ לֵיהּ סָחֲרָנֵיהּ דְּהַהוּא תֵּיבוּתָא, כָּל מַאן דְּבָעֵי לְאוֹשָטָא יְדֵיהּ לְגַבֵּי תֵּיבוּתָא, הָא חִוְיָא דָּלִיג עָלֵיהּ, וְקָטִיל לֵיהּ.
872. The king had a close friend and the king said to him, Whenever you want to enter and make use of that chest, you may do such and such to the snake. Then you can open the chest and help yourself to my treasure. The Holy One, blessed be He, also wraps a snake around the sanctuary, NAMELY THE OTHER SIDE THAT APPROACHES ANGELS, WHEN THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LEFT DOMINATES DURING THE BEGINNING OF NIGHT. When the supernal angels come to enter the sanctuary, the snake is there and they fear becoming impure through it. THEREFORE, THEY CAUSE SLEEP TO FALL UPON PEOPLE, FOR THEN THE OTHER SIDE GOES BELOW AND SEPARATES FROM THEM, AND THE ANGELS CAN ENTER THE SANCTUARY AND RECITE POETRY, AS MENTIONED.
872. חַד רְחִימָא הֲוָה לְמַלְכָּא, אָמַר לֵיהּ מַלְכָּא, כָּל זִמְנָא דְּאַתְּ בָּעֵי לְאָעֲלָא וּלְאִשְׁתַּמְּשָׁא בְּתֵיבוּתָא, תַּעֲבִיד כַּךְ וְכַךְ לְגַבֵּי הַהוּא חִוְיָא, וְתִפְתַּח תֵּיבוּתָא, וּתְשַׁמֵּשׁ בִּגְנִיזִין דִּילִי. כַּךְ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, כָּרִיךְ חִוְיָא סָחֲרָנֵיהּ דְּקֻדְשָׁא, אָתָאן מַלְאָכִין עִלָּאִין לְאָעָלָא גּוֹ קֻדְשָׁא, הָא חִוְיָא תַּמָּן, וְדַחֲלֵי לְאִסְתָּאֲבָא בֵּיהּ.
873. Come and see, It is written, "Who makes the winds (or, spirits) His messengers, the flames of fire His ministers" (Tehilim 104:4). "Who makes the spirits His messengers:" These are the angels that stand outside, while "the flames of fire His ministers" are the angels that stand inside. SO WE REALIZE THAT THE OTHER SIDE is the impure spirit, AND THESE ANGELS WHO SAY PRAISE DURING THE NIGHT ARE THE EXTERNAL ANGELS. And they are a spirit, and one spirit does not enter another. The impure spirit and the Holy Spirit do not mix together. Therefore, those that are called 'spirit,' WHICH ARE THE EXTERNAL ANGELS, cannot enter inside because of that impure spirit. SO THEY PUSH IT DOWN AS MENTIONED. The angels that are inside are fire, and the fire pushes away that impure spirit, so it does not enter inside. They all push the impure spirit outside so it does not mix with them. Therefore, the supernal angels praise the Holy One, blessed be He, only after they have pushed impurity out.
873. ת"ח, כְּתִיב עוֹשֶׂה מַלְאָכָיו רוּחוֹת מְשָׁרְתָיו אֵשׁ לוֹהֵט, עוֹשֶׂה מַלְאָכָיו רוּחוֹת, אִלֵּין מַלְאָכִין דְּקַיְימִין לְבַר. מְשָׁרְתָיו אֵשׁ לֹהֵט, אִלֵּין מַלְאָכִין דְּקַיְימִין לְגוֹ, אִיהוּ רוּחָא מִסְאֲבוּ, וְאִינּוּן רוּחַ. רוּחַ בְּרוּחַ לָא עָיֵיל דָּא בְּדָא. רוּחַ מִסְאֲבוּ בְּרוּחַ קֻדְשָׁא לָא אִתְעָרְבֵי דָּא בְּדָא. וּבג"כ אִינּוּן דְּאִקְרוּן רוּחַ, לָא יַכְלִין לְאַעֲלָא לְגוֹ, בְּגִין הַהוּא רוּחָא מִסְאֲבוּ. אִינּוּן דִּלְגוֹ, אִינּוּן אֵשׁ, וְהַהוּא אֵשׁ דָּחֵי לְהַהוּא מִסְאֲבוּ דְּלָא עָיֵיל לְגוֹ. וּבג"כ כֹּלָּא דַּחְיָּין לֵיהּ לְבַר לְמִסְאֲבוּ, דְּלָא יִתְעָרַב בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ. וְעַל דָּא, מַלְאֲכֵי עִלָּאֵי קָא מְשַׁבְּחָן לֵיהּ לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, בָּתַר דְּדַחְיָין לֵיהּ לְמִסְאֲבוּ לְבַר.
874. There are three watches during the night, corresponding to three companies OF ANGELS who divide to praise the Holy One, blessed be He, as we have learned. Therefore, the master over them all is the candle of David, NAMELY MALCHUT, that is never quiet, but is rather constantly thanking and praising the supernal King, ZEIR ANPIN. Therefore, IT IS WRITTEN, "Who gives songs in the night."
874. תְּלַת אַשְׁמוּרוֹת אִינּוּן בְּלֵילְיָא, לָקֳבְלֵיהוֹן תְּלַת מַשִּׁרְיָין, דְּקָא מִתְפַּלְּגֵי לְשַׁבְּחָא לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמַר. וְע"ד הַאי רִבּוֹן דְּכֻלְּהוּ, אִיהוּ נֵר דְּדָוִד דְּלָא שָׁכִיךְ לְעָלְמִין, אֶלָּא תָּדִיר אוֹדֵי וּמְשַׁבַּח לֵיהּ לְמַלְכָּא עִלָּאָה, וְע"ד נוֹתֵן זְמִירוֹת בַּלָּיְלָה.
875. Another explanation OF THE VERSE, "But none says, 'Where is Eloha my maker (' makers'), who gives songs in the night:'" It is as we have learned that since man is made and comprised of above and below, just like the body comes out from male and female, so it is with the spirit. The spirit of man is composed of male and female, NAMELY OF ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT. By these means is man perfected in his engravings of body and spirit. Since he pertains to this secret and this action, OF MALE AND FEMALE, as we have learned, it is written, "And Elohim said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness'" (Beresheet 1:26), WHICH IS IN THE PLURAL AND REFERS TO ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT. And we have already learned this. THEREFORE IT ALSO SAYS, "WHERE IS ELOHA MY MAKERS" IN THE PLURAL, NAMELY BOTH ASPECTS OF ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT THAT EFFECTED MAN.
875. ד"א, וְלָא אָמַר אַיֵּה אֱלוֹהַי עוֹשָׂי, כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמַר, בְּגִין דְּהָא מֵעֵילָּא וּמִתַּתָּא אִתְכְּלִיל בַּר נָשׁ, וְאִתְעָבֵיד, כְּמָה דְּאִיהוּ גּוּפָא מִתְּרֵין סִטְרִין, מִגּוֹ דְּכַר וְנוּקְבָּא, אוּף הָכִי רוּחָא. רוּחַ אִיהוּ כָּלִיל, מִגּוֹ דְּכַר וְנוּקְבָּא. וְעַל רָזָא דְּנָא אִתְתָּקַּן בַּר נָשׁ בִּגְלִיפוֹי, בְּגוּפָא וְרוּחָא. וּבְגִין דְּאִיהוּ כָּלִיל בְּרָזָא דָּא, וּבְעוֹבָדָא דָּא, כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמַר, ע"ד כְּתִיב, וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ וְהָא אִתְּמַר.
876. During the night, you say that in the beginning of the night all these types of evil spirits are aroused in the world. How can this be, for we have learned that all these evil types emerge from the North, WHICH IS LEFT, and we have learned that when the North Wind is aroused at midnight, all these evil spirits and evil aspects gather together from the whole world and enter through the hole of the Great Abyss. If so then in the South Side, which is the Right, WHICH IS CHESED, why do these evil types rove around in the beginning of the night when the South Wind dominates? IT SHOULD BE THE OPPOSITE THAT DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT WHEN THE SOUTH WIND DOMINATES, THE OTHER SIDE SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE WORLD AND AT MIDNIGHT WHEN THE NORTH WIND DOMINATES, THEY SHOULD AGAIN DOMINATE IN THE WORLD.
876. בְּלֵילְיָא הָא אַמָרְתְּ, דְּהָא בְּרֵאשִׁיתָא דְּלֵילְיָא, כָּל אִינּוּן זִינִין וְרוּחִין בִּישִׁין מִתְעָרֵי בְּעָלְמָא, הֵיךְ אִיהוּ יָכִיל לְמֶהֱוֵי, דְּאִי הָכִי, הָא תָּנֵינָן, דְּמִסְטְרָא דְּצָפוֹן נַפְקֵי כָּל הָנֵי זִינִין בִּישִׁין, וְאִתְּמַר דְּכַד אִתְּעַר רוּחַ צָפוֹן בְּפַגְלוּת לֵילְיָא, דְּהָא כְּדֵין כָּל אִינּוּן רוּחִין בִּישִׁין, וְסִטְרִין בִּישִׁין, אִתְכְּנָשׁוּ מֵעָלְמָא, וְעָאלִין גּוֹ נוּקְבָּא דִּתְהוֹמָא רַבָּא, אִי הָכִי הָא בְּסִטְרָא דְּדָרוֹם דְּאִיהוּ יְמִינָא, אֲמַאי מְשַׁטְטֵי אִינּוּן זִינִין בִּישִׁין בְּרֵישׁ לֵילְיָא, דְּקָא שָׁלְטָא רוּחַ דָּרוֹם.
877. HE ANSWERS, But surely, were it not for the South Side that detains and pushes away the Other Side, THEN THE OTHER SIDE would trouble the whole world, and the world could not tolerate it. When the Other Side is aroused TO DOMINATE THE WORLD, it is aroused only from the West Side, WHICH IS MALCHUT, that dominates during the beginning of the night and gathers the whole world. Therefore, the Holy One, blessed be He, precedes with a remedy for the world BY THE SLEEP, as we have learned. Blessed are the children of Yisrael in this world and in the World to Come, that the Holy One, blessed be He, has chosen them of all the other nations of the world.
877. אֶלָּא וַדַּאי, אִלְמָלֵא הַהוּא סִטְרָא דְּדָרוֹם, דְּקָא מְעַכֵּב וְדַחְיָיא לְהַהוּא סִטְרָא בִּישָׁא, הֲוָה מִטַשְׁטֵשׁ כּוּלֵי עָלְמָא, וְלָא יָכִיל עָלְמָא לְמִסְבַּל. אֲבָל כַּד אִתְּעַר הַהוּא סִטְרָא אַחֲרָא, לָא אִתְּעַר אֶלָּא בִּסְטַר רוּחַ מַעֲרָב, דְּקָא שַׁלְטָא בְּרֵישׁ לֵילְיָא, וְעָלְמָא אִיהוּ כֹּלָּא כָּנִישׁ. וְע"ד קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אַקְדִּים אַסְוָותָא לְעָלְמָא, בְּגַוְונָא דָּא כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמַר. זַכָּאִין אִינּוּן יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּהַאי עָלְמָא וּבְעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אִתְרְעֵי בְּהוּ מִכָּל שְׁאַר עַמִּין דְּעָלְמָא.
878. Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Aba entered the house. At midnight, they rose to study Torah. Rabbi Aba said, It is certainly a favorable time for the Holy One, blessed be He. Many times, we have remarked about this, that at midnight, the Holy One, blessed be He, enters the Garden of Eden with the righteous and delights Himself with them. Blessed is he who studies Torah at that time.
878. עָאלוּ לְבֵיתָא רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר וְרַבִּי אַבָּא. כַּד אִתְפְּלַג לֵילְיָא, קָמוּ לְמִלְעֵי בְּאוֹרַיְיתָא. אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא, הַשְׁתָּא וַדַּאי אִיהוּ עִידָּן רְעוּתָא לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וְהָא זִמְנִין סַגִּיאִין אִתְּעַרְנָא הַאי, דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בְּשַׁעֲתָא דְּאִתְפְּלַג לֵילְיָא, עָאל גּוֹ אִינּוּן צַדִּיקַיָּיא בְּגִּנְתָּא דְּעֵדֶן, וְאִשְׁתַּעֲשַׁע בְּהוּ. זַכָּאָה אִיהוּ מַאן דְּאִשְׁתָּדַּל בְּאוֹרַיְיתָא, בְּהַהִיא זִמְנָא.
879. Rabbi Elazar said, When the Holy One, blessed be He, delights Himself with the righteous, how does He delight Himself? HE ANSWERS, At midnight, the Holy One, blessed be He, is aroused through the love of the Left for the Congregation of Yisrael, WHICH IS MALCHUT. Love is only in the Left, MEANING THAT CHOCHMAH OF THE LEFT IS CLOTHED WITH THE CHASSADIM OF THE CENTRAL COLUMN, AND THEN CHOCHMAH IS COMPLETED. The Congregation of Yisrael has no present to offer the King or a beautiful and distinguished thing, except for these spirits of the righteous, for the Holy One, blessed be He, sees them adorned with many good deeds and many merits that they performed that day. They are accepted more favorably than all the offerings and burnt sacrifices, for the Holy One, blessed be He, smells in them the sweet savor that the children of Yisrael produce.
879. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, הָא דְּאִשְׁתַּעֲשָׁע קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא גּוֹ צַדִּיקַיָּא בְּגִּנְתָּא דְּעֵדֶן, הֵיךְ אִשְׁתֲּעְשָׁע. אֶלָּא בְּהַהוּא זִמְנָא דְּאִתְפְּלַג לֵילְיָא, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אִתְּעַר בִּרְחִימוּ דִּשְׂמָאלָא, לְגַבֵּי כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּהָא לֵית רְחִימוּ אֶלָּא מִסִּטְרָא דִּשְׂמָאלָא. וּכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לֵיהּ לָהּ דּוֹרוֹנָא לְמִקְרַב לְגַבֵּי מַלְכָּא, אוֹ חֲשִׁיבוּ מֵעַלְיָא, אֶלָּא בְּאִינּוּן רוּחִין דְּצַדִּיקַיָּא, דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא חָמֵי לוֹן מִתְעַטְּרָן, בְּכַמָּה עוֹבָדִין טָבִין, וּבְכַמָּה זַכְיָין דְּעָבְדוּ בְּהַהוּא יוֹמָא, וְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא נִיחָא לֵיהּ מִכָּל קָרְבָּנִין וְעִלָּוָון, דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אָרַח בְּהוּ רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, דְּקָא עַבְדֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.
880. Then the light lights up, FOR THE LIGHT OF CHOCHMAH IS LIT UP AFTER BEING CLOTHED IN CHASSADIM OF THE CENTRAL COLUMN. All the trees in the Garden of Eden sing songs of praise and the righteous become adorned there with the delights of the World to Come, WHICH ARE THE ILLUMINATION OF CHOCHMAH THAT IS CALLED 'EDEN.' When a person wakes FROM HIS SLEEP at that time to study Torah, He takes his portion with the righteous in the Garden of Eden. One Name which is engraved with 32 letters, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE 32 PATHS OF CHOCHMAH, adorns the righteous there, and this pertains to the secret of the righteous.
880. כְּדֵין נְהִירוּ אִתְנְהִיר, וְכֹל אִילָנִין דְּגִּנְתָּא דְּעֵדֶן אָמְרוּ שִׁירָתָא, וְצַדִּיקַיָּא מִתְעַטְּרָן תַּמָּן בְּאִינּוּן עִדּוּנִין דְּעָלְמָא דְּאָתֵי. כַּד אִתְּעַר בַּר נָשׁ בְּהַהִיא שַׁעֲתָא לְמִלְעֵי בְּאוֹרַיְיתָא, נָטִיל חוּלָקֵיהּ עִמְּהוֹן דְּצַדִּיקַיָּא דִּי בְּגוֹ גִּנְתָּא, חַד שְׁמָא גְּלִיפָא דִּתְלָתִין וּתְרֵין אַתְוָון, אִתְעַטָּר בְּהוּ תַּמָּן, וְאִיהוּ גּוֹ רָזִין דְּצַדִּיקַיָּא.