The four elements - fire, air, water, earth

Synopsis

Rabbi Chizkiyah tells us that when man was created he was made from the dust of the Temple of below, and that the four winds of the world - Chesed, Gvurah, Tiferet and Malchut - became joined there. These four winds joined in the four elements of the world, fire, air, water and dust. Furthermore, the four directions of the world joined in the four elements. In this way, the body of man is composed of and joins together the lower world and the world above.

Next, Rabbi Chizkiyah says that gold, silver, copper and iron are emitted from fire, air, water and dust. He explains further that fire stands in the direction of north, air in the east, water in the south and dust in the west. Opposites are combined, in that fire has the power of heat and dryness, and it combines with the cold moist north. Water combines with the hot dry south. The east draws from them both; so it is hot and moist. Fire and water circulate back and forth between these directions. They are in conflict, though, because fire wants to burn up water and water wants to extinguish fire. It is the air that reconciles them, as is seen in, "And the wind of Elohim hovers upon the surface of the water." Dust, then, receives from fire, water and air. The air is hot and moist because it draws from fire and water. Because dust is cold and dry, it can receive from all of them.

Next, we are told how the metals are created from earth, air, fire and water. When the dust fused with fire, water and air to produce gold, silver and copper, the dirt became stronger and brought forth other metals. It also produced four rivers where the twelve precious stones are found that correspond to the twelve tribes and the twelve oxen under the sea. However, the main sustenance of the world is still the air, or spirit. Without it, nothing could exist. The soul, Nefesh, could not exist without the air, Ruach. This is the secret of, "Also, that the soul be without knowledge is not good." Rabbi Shimon says that man's body was created from the dust of Malchut yet his soul was given to him from the dust of Binah. When he was created from the dust of above and below the fire, air and water of above and below were combined in him. This is how man was completed with a body and a soul.

Relevance

We now understand how the elements that make up the world are combined in the human being, and how the spirit sustains everything. These images of fire, water and air - continually circulating and exchanging properties -- engender in us a sense of appreciation for the astonishing beauty of creation and our extraordinary place in it. We may wonder whether the elements could ever have combined at all, if they had not done so in the human being. Is this perhaps the essential reason for the creation of mankind?

Abraham Creation Earth Isaac Jacob Shadai Torah Water Wind

32. "And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, by the name of El Shadai, but by My name, Hashem, I was not known to them" (Shemot 6:3). Rabbi Chizkiyah opened the discussion saying, "Blessed is the man to whom Hashem imputes no iniquity..." (Tehilim 32:2). How obtuse are people who do not know and do not observe why they are in the world. For when the Holy One, blessed be He, created the world, He made man in His image and made him the way He did, in order that he should be occupied with the Torah and walk in His ways.

32. וָאֵרָא אֶל אַבְרָהָם אֶל יִצְחָק וְאֶל יַעֲקֹב בְּאֵל שַׁדָּי וּשְׁמִי יְיָ' לֹא נוֹדַעְתִּי לָהֶם. רִבִּי חִזְקִיָּה פָּתַח, אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם לֹֹא יַחְשֹׁב ה' לוֹ עֲוֹן וְגוֹ.' כַּמָּה אִינּוּן בְּנֵי נָשָׁא אֲטִימִין, דְּלָא יָדְעִין, וְלָא מִסְתַּכְּלָן, עַל מַה קַיָּימִין בְּעָלְמָא. דְּהָא קוּדְשָׁה ב"ה כַּד בָּרָא עָלְמָא, עָבֵד לֵיהּ לְבַר נָשׁ בְּדִיּוּקְנָא דִּילֵיהּ, וְאַתְקִין לֵיהּ בְּתִקּוּנוֹי, בְּגִין דְּיִשְׁתַּדַּל בְּאוֹרַיְיתָא, וְיֵהַךְ בְּאוֹרְחוֹי.

Adam Air Body Creation Directions Fire (Holy) Temple Temple, The Water Wind

33. For when Adam was created, he was composed of the earth of the terrestrial Temple, WHICH IS MALCHUT THAT IS CALLED EARTH, THOUGH IT IS MALCHUT SWEETENED BY BINAH, WHICH IS CALLED THE EARTH OF THE TERRESTRIAL TEMPLE. And the four directions of the world, WHICH ARE CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET AND MALCHUT, were joined to that place called the Temple, MEANING IN MALCHUT THAT IS MITIGATED BY BINAH. These four directions joined in four aspects, which are the elements, WHICH ARE fire, air, water and earth, WHICH ARE THE INNER PART OF CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET AND MALCHUT, and the four directions joined the four elements. The Holy One, blessed be He, formed from them one body of supernal arrangement, WHICH IS BINAH, MEANING THAT MALCHUT IN IT WAS REFINED IN BINAH. THUS, this body is composed of two worlds, this lower world, WHICH IS MALCHUT, and the world above, WHICH IS BINAH.

33. דְּהָא כַּד אִתְבְּרֵי אָדָם, מֵעַפְרָא דְּמַקְדְּשָׁא דִּלְתַתָּא אִתְתַּקַּן וְאַרְבַּע סִטְרֵי דְּעָלְמָא, אִתְחַבְּרוּ בְּהַהוּא אֲתָר דְּאִקְרֵי בֵּי מַקְדְּשָׁא. וְאִינּוּן אַרְבַּע סִטְרִין דְּעָלְמָא, אִתְחַבְּרוּ בְּאַרְבַּע סִטְרִין, דְּאִינּוּן יְסוֹדִין דְּעָלְמָא, אֵ"ש רוּ"חַ וְמַיִ"ם וְעָפָ"ר, וְאִתְחַבְּרוּ אַרְבַּע סִטְרִין אִלֵּין, בְּד' יְסוֹדִין דְּעָלְמָא, וְאַתְקִין מִנַּיְיהוּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא חַד גּוּפָא בְּתִקּוּנָא עִלָּאָה. וְהַאי גּוּפָא, אִתְחַבַּר מִתְּרֵין עָלְמִין, מֵעָלְמָא דָּא תַּתָּאָה, וּמֵעָלְמָא דִּלְעֵילָּא.

Air Asiyah Atzilut Briyah Chariot Copper Directions Faith Female Fire Gold Iron Patriarchs Silver Water Worlds Yetzirah Zeir Anpin

34. Rabbi Shimon said, Come and see, The four first ones, WHICH ARE THE FOUR DIRECTIONS, are the secret of the Faith, WHICH IS THE NUKVA THAT IS CORRECTED BY THEM. They are the patriarchs of all the worlds, BECAUSE ALL THE WORLDS, BINAH, ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT IN ATZILUT AND THE THREE WORLDS BRIYAH, YETZIRAH AND ASIYAH WERE FORMED FROM CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET AND MALCHUT, WHICH ARE THREE COLUMNS, AND MALCHUT THAT RECEIVES FROM THEM. And they are the secret of the supernal holy Chariot, MEANING BINAH, WHICH IS A CHARIOT TO CHOCHMAH. And these four elements - fire, air, water and earth - are a supernal secret CONTAINED IN THE FOUR DIRECTIONS, MEANING THAT THEY ARE THE INNER PART OF CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET AND MALCHUT. Gold, silver, brass, and iron originate in these four ELEMENTS, MEANING THAT GOLD ORIGINATES FROM THE UNION OF ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT UNDER THE DOMINATION OF FIRE OF THE LEFT COLUMN; SILVER ORIGINATES IN THE UNION OF ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT UNDER THE DOMINATION OF WATER OF THE RIGHT COLUMN; BRASS ORIGINATES IN THE DOMINATION OF THE CENTRAL COLUMN AND IRON IN MALCHUT WHEN IT IS NOT UNITED WITH ZEIR ANPIN. Under these FOUR, there are other similar metals. FROM THE GOLD METAL A GREEN METAL ALLOY IS PRODUCED AND FROM THE SILVER METAL, LEAD, ETC.

34. אר"ש, תָּא חֲזֵי, ד' קַדְמָאֵי אִינּוּן רָזָא דִּמְהֵימָנוּתָא. וְאִינּוּן אֲבָהָן דְּכֻלְּהוּ עָלְמִין. וְרָזָא דִּרְתִיכָא עִלָּאָה קַדִּישָׁא. וְאִינּוּן ד' יְסוֹדִין: אֵ"ש רוּ"חַ וְמַיִ"ם וְעָפָ"ר. אִלֵּין אִינּוּן רָזָא עִלָּאָה. וּמֵאִינּוּן נָפְקִין, זָהָ"ב וָכֶסֶ"ף וּנְחֹשֶׁ"ת וּבַרְזֶ"ל. וּתְחוֹת אִלֵּין מַתָּכָאן אַחֲרָנִין, דְּדַמְיָין לוֹן.

Air Copper Directions Dots East Fire Gold Iron North Silver South Twelve Water West

35. (formatting) Come and see: fire, air, water and earth are the first ones and the roots above and below; upper and lower beings are based on them. These four ELEMENTS - FIRE, AIR, WATER AND EARTH - correspond to the four directions, BECAUSE THE RELATION BETWEEN THEM IS THAT OF AN OUTER TO THE INNER. THEREFORE, THEY are situated in these four - north, south, east and west - which are the four directions, and the four ELEMENTS abide in them. Fire IS to the north side, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE VOWEL SHURUK, THE LEFT COLUMN AND THE SFIRAH OF GVURAH. Air is to the east side, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE VOWEL CHIRIK, THE CENTRAL COLUMN AND THE SFIRAH OF TIFERET. Water is to the south side, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE VOWEL CHOLAM, THE RIGHT COLUMN AND THE SFIRAH OF CHESED. Earth is to the west, WHICH IS THE SFIRAH OF MALCHUT THAT RECEIVES THE THREE, FIRE, AIR AND WATER. And these four ELEMENTS - FIRE, AIR, WATER EARTH - are connected to the four DIRECTIONS - NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST. And they are all one, EXCEPT THEY ARE WRAPPED ONE WITHIN THE ANOTHER AS OUTER AND INNER. And FIRE, AIR, WATER AND EARTH produce four metals, BY MEANS OF UNION WITH MALCHUT, which are gold, silver, brass and iron. And together there are twelve ASPECTS that are all one, NAMELY THREE COLUMNS AND MALCHUT, WHICH RECEIVES THEM. AND THEY ARE THUS THREE TIMES FOUR, BECAUSE THE FIRST EIGHT ARE INNER AND OUTER, AND THE FOUR METALS ARE PRODUCED BY THEM, AS SHALL BE EXPLAINED.

35. תָּא חֲזֵי. אֵ"ש רוּ"חַ וְמַיִ"ם וְעָפָ"ר, אִלֵּין אִינּוּן קַדְמָאֵי וְשָׁרָשִׁין דִּלְעֵילָּא וְתַתָּא, וְתַתָּאִין וְעִלָּאִין עָלַיְיהוּ קַיְּימִין. וְאִלֵּין אִינּוּן אַרְבַּע, לְאַרְבַּע סִטְרֵי עָלְמָא, וְקַיְּימִין בְּאַרְבַּע אִלֵּין: צָפוֹ"ן, וְדָרוֹ"ם, וּמִזְרָ"ח, וּמַעֲרָ"ב. אִלֵּין אִינּוּן אַרְבַּע סִטְרִין דְּעָלְמָא, וְקַיְּימִין בְּאַרְבַּע אִלֵּין. אֵ"ש לִסְטַר צָפוֹ"ן. רוּ"חַ לִסְטַר מִזְרָ"ח. מַיִ"ם לִסְטַר דָּרוֹ"ם. עָפָ"ר לִסְטַר מַעֲרָ"ב. וְאַרְבַּע אִלֵּין, בְּאַרְבַּע אִלֵּין קְטִירִין, וְכֻלְּהוּ חַד, וְאִלֵּין עַבְדֵי אַרְבַּע מַתָּכָאן, דְּאִינּוּן זָהָ"ב וָכֶסֶ"ף וּנְחֹשֶׁ"ת וּבַרְזֶ"ל הָא אִינּוּן תְּרֵיסָר, וְכֻלְּהוּ חַד.

Dryness Fire North South Water

36. Come and see, Fire is in the Left COLUMN to the north side, WHICH IS GVURAH. Because in the fire are the power of heat and the power of dryness. Its opposite is the north, WHICH IS COLD AND MOIST. The one blends with the other and they are one. Water is in the Right COLUMN and is to the south side, WHICH IS CHESED AND IS HOT AND DRY, AS SHALL BE SAID. And the Holy One, blessed be He, in order to join them together, made the disposition of the one as the disposition of the other.

36. תָּא חֲזֵי, אֵשׁ הוּא בִּשְׂמָאלָא, לִסְטַר צָפוֹן, דְּהָא אֵשׁ, תּוּקְפָּא דַּחֲמִימוּתָא בֵּיהּ, וְיָבִישׁוּ דִּילֵיהּ תַּקִּיף. וְצָפוֹן בְּהִפּוּכָא דִּילֵיהּ הוּא, וְאִתְמְזִיג חַד בְּחַד וְאִיהוּ חַד. מַיִם לִימִינָא, וְהוּא לִסְטַר דָּרוֹם. וְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, לְחַבְּרָא לוֹן כַּחֲדָא, עָבֵיד מִזְגָּא דָּא כְּמִזְגָּא דָּא.

East Fire North South Water

37. HE EXPLAINS FURTHER, IN the north, WHICH is cold and moist, WAS fire PLACED, WHICH IS hot and dry. SIMILARLY, He switched them in the south side. IN the south, WHICH is hot and dry, water WAS PLACED, WHICH IS cold and moist. NOW HE EXPLAINS THE BLENDING TOGETHER THAT HE AFFECTED. AND HE SAYS, And the Holy One, blessed be He, blended them as one, because water emerges from the south and enters into the north, and water flows from the north. SIMILARLY fire emerges from the north and comes into the power of the south, and the power of heat emerges into the world from the south. WE SEE THAT THE NORTH BRINGS FORTH WATER THAT APPERTAINS TO THE SOUTH, AND THE SOUTH PRODUCES HEAT THAT APPERTAINS TO THE NORTH because the Holy One, blessed be He, CAUSED them to borrow from each other. And each one lent the other of its own, as appropriate. Similarly, the wind and the east side, WHICH ARE HOT AND MOIST, CONTAINS TWO OPPOSITES BECAUSE HEAT COMES FROM THE FIRE, WHICH IS IN THE NORTH, AND MOISTURE COMES FROM WATER, WHICH IS IN THE SOUTH, in order that they should lend one to the other, to be included and join with each other.

37. צָפוֹן אִיהוּ קַר וְלַח, אֶשָּׁא חַם וְיָבֵשׁ. אַחְלַף לוֹן לִסְטַר דָּרוֹם. דָּרוֹם, אִיהוּ חַם וְיָבֵשׁ. מַיִם קָרִים וְלַחִים. וְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מָזִיג לוֹן כְּחַד דְּנַפְקֵי מַיָּא מִדָּרוֹם, וְעָאלִין בְּגוֹ צָפוֹן. וּמִצָּפוֹן נַגְדֵּי מַיָּא. נָפִיק אֶשָּׁא מִצָּפוֹן, וְעָאל בְּתּוּקְפָּא דְּדָרוֹם, וּמִדָּרוֹם נָפִיק תּוּקְפָּא דַּחֲמִימוּתָא לְעָלְמָא. בְּגִין דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אוֹזִיף דָּא בְּדָא, וְכָל חַד וְחַד אוֹזִיף לְחַבְרֵיהּ מִדִּילֵיהּ כַּדְקָא חֲזֵי לֵיהּ. כְּגַוְונָא דָּא רוּחַ וּמִזְרָח, בְּגִין דְּיוֹזִיף כָּל חַד לְחַבְרֵיהּ, וְאִתְכְּלִיל דָּא בְּדָא, לְאִתְחַבְּרָא כְּחַד.

Air East Fire North South Water Wind

38. HE EXPLAINS THE OPPOSITES CONTAINED IN THE AIR AND IN THE EAST, AND SAYS, Come and see: fire is on the one side, SOUTH, and water is on the other, NORTH. They are in conflict, AS FIRE WANTS TO BURN THE WATER AND WATER WANTS TO EXTINGUISH FIRE. Air comes between them and holds both sides together, UPHOLDING THEM BOTH, as it is written, "And a wind from Elohim moved over the surface of the water" (Beresheet 1:2). For fire is situated above to the SOUTH side and water to the NORTH side. Air comes between them, holds both sides and settles the quarrel. The water, air and fire stand over the earth, and by means of the three over it, it receives from all of them.

38. תָּא חֲזֵי, אֶשָּׁא מִסִּטְרָא דָּא, מַיִם מִסִּטְרָא דָּא. וְאִינּוּן מַחֲלוֹקֶת. עָאל רוּחַ בֵּינַיְיהוּ, וְאָחִיד לִתְרֵין סִטְרִין. הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִּיב וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם. דְּהָא אֶשָּׁא קָאֵים לְעֵילָּא בְּסִטְרָא דָּא. וּמַיִם קַיְימֵי. רוּחָא אָעִיל בֵּינַיְיהוּ, וְאָחִיד לִתְרֵין סִטְרִין, וְאַפְרִישׁ מַחֲלוֹקֶת. עָפָר מַיָּא קַיְּימֵי עָלֵיהּ וְרוּחָא וְאֶשָּׁא וּמְקַבְּלָא מִכֻּלְּהוּ, בְּחֵילָא דִּתְלָתָא אִלֵּין דְּקַיְּימֵי עָלָהּ.

Air East Fire Peace Water

39. תָּא חֲזֵי, רוּחַ וּמִזְרָח. מִזְרָח, חַם וְלַח, רוּחַ, חַם וְלַח אִיהוּ, וּבְגִינֵי כַּךְ, אָחִיד לִתְרֵין סִטְרִין, דְּהָא אֵשׁ חַם וְיָבֵשׁ, וּמַיִם קָרִים וְלַחִים, רוּחַ אִיהוּ חַם וְלַח, סִטְרָא דְּאִיהוּ חַם, אָחִיד בְּאֶשָּׁא. סִטְרָא דְּאִיהוּ לַח, אָחִיד בְּמַיָּא. וְעַל דָּא אַסְכִּים בֵּינַיְיהוּ, וְאַפְרִישׁ מַחֲלוֹקֶת דְּאֶשָׁא וּמַיָּא.

Air Dryness Fire Food North South Strength Water West

40. Earth is cold and dry; therefore, it can receive upon itself all of them, NAMELY THE FIRE, WATER AND AIR. They all perform their tasks by it, and it receives from all of them in order to produce by their powers sustenance to the world. Because the earth is attached to the west, being cold and dry LIKE THE WEST, and the cold aspect IN THE EARTH is attached to the north, which is cold and moist, because cold is attached to cold, therefore, the north is attached to the west from the one side. That which is dry in the south, which is hot and dry, is attached to the dryness of the west on the other side OF THE WEST. And so the west is attached to the two sides.

40. עָפָר אִיהוּ קַר וְיָבֵשׁ, וע"ד מְקַבֵּל עָלֵיהּ כֻּלְּהוּ, וְכֻלְּהוּ עַבְדֵי בֵּיהּ עֲבִידְתַּיְיהוּ, וּמְקַבְּלָא מִכֻּלְּהוּ, לְאַפָּקָא בְּחֵילֵיהוֹן מְזוֹנָא לְעָלְמָא. בְּגִין דְּבְמַעֲרָב אִתְאֲחִיד עַפְרָא, דְּאִיהוּ קַר וְיָבֵשׁ. וְסִטְרָא דְּאִיהוּ קַר, אָחִיד בַּצָּפוֹן דְּאִיהוּ קַר וְלַח, דְּהָא קְרִירָא אִתְאֲחִיד בִּקְרִירָא. בג"כ צָפוֹן אִתְאֲחִיד בַּמַּעֲרָב בְּסִטְרָא דָּא. דָּרוֹם דְּאִיהוּ חַם וְיָבֵשׁ, בְּהַהוּא יְבֵישׁוּתָא דִּילֵיהּ, אָחִיד לִיבֵשׁוּתָא דְּמַעֲרָב בְּסִטְרָא אָחֳרָא, וְאִתְאֲחִיד מַעֲרָב בִּתְרֵין סִטְרִין.

Dryness East North South

41. The south similarly is attached to the east, for the heat of the south fuses with the heat of the east. Similarly the east is attached to the north, because its moistness fuses with the moistness of the north. Now there is south-east, MEANING THAT THEY ADHERE TO EACH OTHER THROUGH THEIR MUTUAL HEAT, north-east, THROUGH THEIR MUTUAL MOISTNESS, north-west THROUGH THEIR MUTUAL COLDNESS, and south-west THROUGH THEIR MUTUAL DRYNESS. They all are combined with each other, for they evolve from one to another.

41. וְכֵן אִתְאֲחִיד דָּרוֹם בְּמִזְרָח, דְּהָא חֲמִימוּתָא דְּדָרוֹם, אִתְאֲחִיד בֵּיהּ בַּחֲמִימוּתָא דְּמִזְרָח. וּמִזְרָח אִתְאֲחִיד בַּצָּפוֹן דְּהָא לָחוּתָא דִּילֵיהּ אִתְאֲחִיד בְּלָחוּתָא דְּצָפוֹן. הַשְּׁתָּא אִשְׁתְּכַח דְּרוֹמִי"ת מִזְרָחִי"ת. מִזְרָחִי"ת צְפוֹנִי"ת. צְפוֹנִי"ת מַעֲרָבִי"ת. מַעֲרָבִי"ת דְּרוֹמִי"ת וְכֻלְּהוּ כְּלִילָן דָּא בְּדָא, לְאִשְׁתַּלְשְׁלָא חַד בְּחַד.

Fire Gold Job North

42. כְּגַוְונָא דָּא, צָפוֹן עָבֵיד דַּהֲבָא. דְּמִסְטְרָא דְּתּוּקְפָּא דְּאֶשָּׁא, אִתְעָבֵיד דַּהֲבָא. וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִּיב, מִצָּפוֹן זָהָב יֶאֱתֶה. דְּאֵשׁ אִתְאֲחִיד בֶּעָפָר, וְאִתְעָבֵיד דַּהֲבָא. וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִּיב, וְעַפְרוֹת זָהָב לוֹ. וְרָזָא דָּא, שְׁנַיִם כְּרוּבִים זָהָב.

Air Copper Daniel Dryness Fire Flow Form Gold Grades Iron Light Silver South Water

43. Water fuses with earth, and the coldness OF THE EARTH with the moistness OF THE WATER produces silver, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE LIGHT OF CHASSADIM IN THE SOUTH, WHICH FLOWS FROM ABOVE DOWNWARDS. WHEN IT FUSES WITH THE COLDNESS AND DRYNESS IN THE EARTH, THE DRYNESS OF THE EARTH IS VOIDED AND BECOMES MOIST, MEANING THAT IT FLOWS FROM ABOVE DOWNWARDS. THIS GRADE OF EARTH IS CALLED SILVER. Now earth is attached to two sides, to gold and silver, and is placed between them. Air holds to water and fire, BEING THE CENTRAL COLUMN AS MENTIONED, and brings them both out as one, which is CONSIDERED "like burnished brass" (Daniel 10:6). When earth is on its own, with its coldness and dryness, it produces iron, as mentioned. This is deduced from, "If the iron is blunt (Heb. kehah)..." (Kohelet 10:10). EARTH, WHICH IS MALCHUT, IS CALLED THE DARK (HEB. KEHAH) HAND BECAUSE MALCHUT IS THE SECRET OF THE HAND TEFILIN, AS IS KNOWN.

43. מַיִם אִתְאֲחִיד בֶּעָפָר, וּקְרִירוּתָא בְּלָחוּתָא עָבֵיד כֶּסֶף, הַשְׁתָּא הָא עָפָר אִתְאֲחִיד בִּתְרֵין סִטְרִין, בַּזָּהָב וּבַכֶּסֶף, וְאִתְיְיהִיב בֵּינַיְיהוּ. רוּחָא אָחִיד לְמַיִם, וְאָחִיד לְאֵשׁ, וְאַפִּיק תְּרֵין כְּחַד, דְּאִיהוּ עֵין נְחֹשֶׁת קָלָל. וְעָפָר דְּקַאמְרָן, כַּד אִיהוּ בִּלְחוֹדוֹי, בִּיבִישׁוּ וּקְרִירוּ דִּילֵיהּ, נָפִיק בַּרְזֶל, וְסִימָנִיךְ, אִם קֵהָה הַבַּרְזֶל וְגוֹ.'

Air Copper Deeds Dryness Fire Gold Silver Water Zeir Anpin

44. This earth fuses with them all, NAMELY WITH FIRE, AIR AND WATER, and they all produce with it according to their likeness. FIRE PRODUCES GOLD, WHICH RESEMBLES IT AND SO DOES WATER PRODUCE SILVER, WHICH RESEMBLES IT. Come and see, Without earth, there is neither gold, silver nor brass, because each one lends to the other of its characteristics IN ORDER to combine one with the other. And the earth fuses with all of them because the two sides, fire and water, fuse with it. FOR THE COLDNESS IN IT FUSES WITH THE WATER AND THE DRYNESS IN IT FUSES WITH THE FIRE. And air, WHICH IS ZEIR ANPIN, is attracted to it because IT COMBINES these two - FIRE AND WATER - and performs its deed by it. AIR ALSO COMBINES FIRE AND WATER, FOR THE HEAT IN IT IS FROM FIRE AND THE MOISTNESS IN IT IS FROM WATER.

44. וְהַאי עָפָר, אִתְאֲחִיד בְּכֻלְּהוּ, וְכֻלְּהוּ עַבְדִין בֵּיהּ כְּגַוְונָא דִּלְהוֹן. תָּא חֲזֵי, בְּלָא עָפָר, לֵית זָהָב וָכָסֶף וּנְחֹשֶׁת, דְּהָא כָּל חַד וְחַד אוֹזִיף לְחַבְרֵיהּ מִדִּילֵיהּ, לְאִתְקַשְּׁרָא דָּא בְּדָא. וְאִתְאֲחִיד עָפָר בְּכֻלְּהוּ, בְּגִין דִּתְרֵין סִטְרִין אֲחִידָן לֵיהּ, אֶשָּׁא וּמַיָּא. וְרוּחָא אִתְקְרִיב בֵּיהּ, בְּגִין אִלֵּין תְּרֵין וְעָבֵיד בֵּיהּ עֲבִידְתָּא.

Air Brass Copper Fire Gold Iron Silver Strength Water

45. We find that when the earth fused WITH FIRE, WATER AND AIR -- THAT PRODUCED WITH IT GOLD, SILVER AND BRASS -- EARTH ACQUIRED STRENGTH. EARTH made and produced other METALS similar TO GOLD, SILVER AND BRASS. In the likeness of gold, the earth produces dross OF GOLD, which is green just like real gold. In the likeness of silver, it produces lead, WHICH IS LIKE SILVER, and in the likeness of the superior brass, it produces tin, which is called brass minor. In the likeness of iron, it produces a DIFFERENT kind of iron. This is derived from, "Iron sharpens iron" (Mishlei 27:17). IT SHOWS THAT THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF IRON.

45. אִשְׁתְּכַח, דְּכַד אִתְחַבַּר עַפְרָא בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ, עָבֵיד וְאוֹלִיד עַפְרָא אַחֲרָנִין, כְּגַוְונָא דִּלְהוֹן. כְּגַוְונָא דְּזָהָב, אוֹלִיד עַפְרָא סוּסְפִיתָא יְרוֹקָא, דְּאִיהוּ כְּגַוְונָא דְּדַהֲבָא מַמָּשׁ. כְּגַוְונָא דְּכֶסֶף, אוֹלִיד עוֹפֶרֶת. כְּגַוְונָא דִּנְחֹשֶׁת עִילָּאָה, אוֹלִיד קְסִיטְרָא דְּאִיהוּ נְחֹשֶׁת זוּטָא. כְּגַוְונָא דְּבַרְזֶל, אוֹלִיד בַּרְזֶל, וְסִימָנִךְ בַּרְזֶל בְּבַרְזֶל יָחַד.

Air Copper Fire Gold Head Iron Silver Water

46. Come and see, Fire, air, water and earth are all attached to each other and connected to one another. There is no division between them. THEREFORE THERE IS NO DISCONNECTION BETWEEN GOLD, SILVER AND BRASS THAT EMERGED FROM THEM. But those that earth produces afterwards, NAMELY THE DROSS OF GOLD, LEAD, TIN AND IRON, do not connect with each other as those superior do, NAMELY GOLD, SILVER AND BRASS THAT EMERGE FROM FIRE, WATER AND AIR, WHEN COMBINED WITH EARTH. This is stated in the verse, "And from thence it was parted, and branched into four streams" (Beresheet 2:10). Among those there is division.

46. תָּא חֲזֵי, אֵשׁ רוּחַ מַיִם וְעָפָר, כֻּלְּהוּ אֲחִידָן דָּא בְּדָא, וְאִתְקַשְּׁרָן דָּא בְּדָא. וְלָא הֲוֵי בְּהוּ פִּרוּדָא. וְעָפָר דָּא, כַּד אִיהוּ אוֹלִיד לְבָתַר, לָא מִתְקַשְּׁרָן דָּא בְּדָא בְּאִינּוּן עִלָּאֵי, כְּמָה דְּאַתְּ אָמֵר, וּמִשָּׁם יִפָּרֵד וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁים, בְּאִלֵּין הֲוֵי פִּרוּדָא.

Air Directions Fire Pishon (River) Rivers Seas Stone Stones Twelve Twelve Tribes of Israel Water

47. Since when the earth produced by the power of the three upper ones, it brought forth ON ITS OWN four rivers, where there are precious stones. They concentrate in one place, NAMELY IN THE RIVER PISHON ONLY, THAT ORIGINATES FROM THE POWER OF THE FIRE WHICH IS IN THE EARTH, as it is written, "There is the crystal and the onyx stone" (Ibid. 12). And these precious stones are twelve in number, to the four directions of the world, THREE TO EVERY SIDE. FOR WHEN THEY ARE INCLUDED WITHIN EACH OTHER THERE ARE ONLY THREE TO EACH OF FIRE, WATER, AIR AND EARTH, INSTEAD OF FOUR TO EACH SIDE, SINCE EARTH HAS NO ILLUMINATION OF ITS OWN, BEING JUST THE RECIPIENT. And they correspond to the twelve tribes, as it is written, "And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Yisrael, twelve, according to their names" (Shemot 28:21). And these are the twelve oxen that stood under the sea THAT SOLOMON MADE, MENTIONED IN I MELACHIM 7:25.

47. בְּגִין דְּהָא עָפָר, כַּד אִיהוּ אוֹלִיד בְּחֵילָא דִּתְלַת עִלָּאֵי, אַפִּיק אַרְבְּעָה נַהֲרִין, דְּתַמָּן מִשְׁתַּכְּחֵי אַבְנֵי יְקָר, וּבַאֲתַר חַד אִינּוּן, דִּכְתִּיב שָׁם הַבְּדֹלַח וְאֶבֶן הַשֹׁהַם. וְאִלֵּין אַבְנֵי יָקָר אִינּוּן תְּרֵיסַר, וְאִינּוּן לְאַרְבַּע סִטְרֵי עָלְמָא, לָקֳבֵיל תְּרֵיסַר שְׁבָטִין, דִּכְתִּיב וְהָאֲבָנִים תִּהְיֶיןָ עַל שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה עַל שְׁמוֹתָם. וְאִלֵּין תְּרֵיסַר בָּקָר, דְּאִינּוּן תְּחוֹת יַמָּא.

Air Nefesh (Soul) Ruach (Soul) Soul (Nefesh) Soul (Ruach) Soul, The

48. Come and see, Even though the four aspects that we mentioned are interconnected and sustain the world, it is mostly sustained on air. Everything exists because of it. The Nefesh exists only with air (Ruach), for if air were missing FROM IT even for one moment, the Nefesh could not exist. This is the secret of what is written, "Also, that the soul (Nefesh) be without knowledge is not good" (Mishlei 19:2). DA'AT (KNOWLEDGE) IS THE CENTRAL COLUMN THAT IS CALLED AIR. A Nefesh without Ruach is no good and cannot exist.

48. תָּא חֲזֵי, כָּל אַרְבְּעָה סִטְרִין עִלָּאִין דְּקַאמְרָן, אַף עַל גַּב דְּמִתְקַשְּׁרָן דָּא בְּדָא, וְאִינּוּן קִיּוּמָא דִּלְעֵילָּא וְתַתָּא, קִיּוּמָא דְּעָלְמָא יַתִּיר רוּחַ, בְּגִין דְּכֹלָּא קַיְּימָא בְּגִינֵיהּ, וְנַפְשָׁא לָא קַיְּימָא אֶלָּא בְּרוּחָא, דְּאִי גָּרַע רוּחָא אֲפִילּוּ רִגְעָא חֲדָא, נַפְשָׁא לָא יָכִילַת לְאִתְקַיְּימָא, וְרָזָא דָּא כְּתִיב, גַּם בְּלֹא דַעַת נֶפֶשׁ לֹא טוֹב. נַפְשָׁא בְּלֹא רוּחָא לָאו אִיהוּ טוֹב, וְלָא יַכְלָא לְאִתְקַיְּימָא.

Creation Face Nukva Offering Ox Seas Twelve Twelve Stones Wisdom

49. Come and see, These twelve stones we mentioned are the twelve oxen that are under the sea THAT SOLOMON MADE. FOR THE NUKVA IS CALLED SEA, AND IT STANDS UPON TWELVE OXEN, WHICH ARE FOUR OXEN EACH ONE COMPOSED OF THREE IN THE WORLD OF BRIYAH. THEY ARE CALLED OXEN BECAUSE THEY ARE MOSTLY UNDER THE DOMINATION OF THE LEFT, AS IT IS SAID, "THE FACE OF AN OX ON THE LEFT SIDE" (YECHEZKEL 1:10). Therefore, the twelve tribal princes took, AS IT IS SAID: "All the oxen for burnt offering were twelve bullocks..." (Bemidbar 7:87). It is all a lofty secret, and one who will observe these things will understand the secret of Supernal Wisdom wherein lies the essence of everything.

49. וְתָא חֲזֵי, אִינּוּן תְּרֵיסָר דְּקַאמְרָן, דְּאִינּוּן תְּרֵיסַר אַבָנִין, אִינּוּן תְּרֵיסַר בָּקָר, דִּתְחוֹת יַמָּא. בְּגִין כַּךְ, נָטְלוּ אִינּוּן תְּרֵיסָר נְשִׂיאִים, כָּל הַבָּקָר לָעֹלָה שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר פָרִים וְגוֹ.' וְכֹלָּא רָזָא עִלָּאָה הוּא, וּמַאן דְּיַשְׁגַּח בְּמִלִּין אִלֵּין, יַשְׁגַּח בְּרָזָא דְּחָכְמְתָא עִלָּאָה, דְּעִקָר דְּכֹלָּא בֵּיהּ.

Air Body Creation Fire (Holy) Temple Soul, The Temple, The Water

50. Rabbi Shimon said, Rabbi Chizkiyah remarked that when the Holy One, blessed be He, created Adam, NAMELY HIS BODY, it was created from the earth of the terrestrial Temple, WHICH IS MALCHUT. Yet his soul was given to him from the earth of the celestial Temple, WHICH IS BINAH. As he was created from the lower earth, three aspects of the elements, WHICH ARE LOWER FIRE, AIR, AND WATER were combined with it, WITH EARTH. So when he was created from the upper earth, three aspects of the elements, UPPER FIRE, AIR AND WATER, were combined WITH EARTH, and Adam was complete IN BODY AND IN SOUL. This is the meaning of, "Blessed is the man to whom Hashem imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile" (Tehilim 32:2). When will Hashem not impute iniquity to him? When there is no guile in his spirit, NAMELY, WHEN HE HAS A SOUL FROM BINAH.

50. אָמַר ר' שִׁמְעוֹן, הָא דְּאָמַר ר' חִזְקִיָּה, דְּכַד בָּרָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְאָדָם, מֵעַפְרָא דְּמַקְדְּשָׁא דִּלְתַתָּא אִתְבְּרֵי, מֵעַפְרָא דְּמַקְדְּשָׁא דִּלְעֵילָּא אִתְיְיהִיב בֵּיהּ נִשְׁמְתָא. כְּמָה דְּכַד אִתְבְּרֵי מֵעַפְרָא דִּלְתַתָּא, אִתְחַבְּרוּ בֵּיהּ תְּלַת סִטְרָא יְסוֹדֵי עָלְמָא. הָכִי נָמֵי כַּד אִתְבְּרֵי מֵעַפְרָא דִּלְעֵילָּא, אִתְחַבְּרוּ בֵּיהּ תְּלַת סִטְרֵי יְסוֹדֵי עָלְמָא, וְאִשְׁתְּלִים אָדָם. וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִּיב, אַשְׁרֵי אָדָם לֹא יַחְשֹׁב יְיָ' לוֹ עָוֹן וְאֵין בְּרוּחוֹ רְמִיָּה. אֵימָתַי לֹא יַחְשֹׁב יְיָ' לוֹ עָוֹן, בִּזְמַן דְּאֵין בְּרוּחוֹ רְמִיָּה.

Abraham Grades Isaac Jacob Moses Patriarchs Zeir Anpin

51. תָּא חֲזֵי, מֹשֶׁה אִשְׁתְּלִים יַתִּיר מֵאֲבָהָן, בְּגִין דְּמַלִּיל עִמֵּיהּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, מִדַּרְגָּא עִלָּאָה יַתִּיר מִכֻּלְּהוּ, וּמֹשֶׁה פְּנִימָאָה דְּבֵי מַלְכָּא עִלָּאָה הֲוָה, וְעַל דָּא כְּתִיב, וָאֵרָא אֶל אַבְרָהָם אֶל יִצְחָק וְאֶל יַעֲקֹב וְגוֹ,' וְהָא אוֹקִימְנָא מִלֵּי.