Vayechi: Chapter 38

"The angel who redeemed"

Synopsis

Rabbi Elazar explains that the title verse indicates Jacob wished to join the high and the low, so that the blessings he bestowed on Malchut, our physical existence, would also be received by the lower spiritual bodies. We learn that the title verse alludes to Tiferet, who receives blessings from the higher grades and confers them on the upper Cherubs, Sandalfon and Metatron. The upper Cherubs spread out their wings over the place of the Ark three times daily and bestow blessings on the lower Cherubs.

The discourse then turns to address the verse, "House and riches are the inheritance of fathers" but a prudent wife is from The Creator." If man turns to the Other Side, he will receive from the Other Side. However, if God appreciates this man for his good deeds, He redeems him from the Other Side and provides him with a prudent wife. We learn that God matches couples according to the deeds of the righteous before they enter the world. A man may be matched with a "prudent wife," when he is born, but if he strays from the path of righteousness, his intended wife will be given to another. If he rectifies his ways by the time he is supposed to marry her, the other man will be rejected and he will have his rightful spouse.

Finally, the discussion reverts back to the subject of the hierarchical conferring of blessings. Rabbi Yehuda explains why the word hayoshvi is spelled with an extra Yud י in the verse, "To You I lift up my eyes." We also learn that the circle of the world is sustained by the central point, called "the house of the Holy of Holies."

Relevance

The celestial spirits that serve as conduits between mortals and the Light of The Creator, are accessible to readers of these mystical verses. Thus, sacred spiritual energy shines brighter in this world, infusing our lives with untold blessings. The good fortune to attract our true soulmate is kindled, as we become more cognizant of the illusionary material trappings that seduce us in this physical existence. This energy also enriches and deepens our marital relationships, enlightening us to the importance of building a marriage on a foundation of spiritual purpose and principles.

Angels Blessing Evil Grades Jacob Nukva Shepherd Unity

395. "The angel who redeemed me from all evil" (Beresheet 48:16). Rabbi Elazar said, After Jacob gave the blessing he meant to bring unity from below upwards BY SAYING "THE ELOHIM," MALCHUT, "BEFORE WHOM MY FATHERS...DID WALK," CHESED AND GVURAH, continuing from above downwards in "The Elohim who has been my shepherd" THAT IS BINAH. HE DREW FROM BINAH UNTO HIS GRADE, TIFERET. Now that he has received, he gave to that place, THE NUKVA, and when the blessings reached it he opened the discussion saying, "The angel who redeemed..." SO THAT FROM HER BLESSINGS WILL BE DRAWN UNTO THE LOWER BEINGS.

395. הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגּוֹאֵל אוֹתִי מִכָּל רָע. ר' אֶלְעָזָר אֲמַר, כֵּיוָן דְּבָרֵיךְ יַעֲקֹב וְאִתְכַּוֵּון מִתַּתָּא לְעֵילָא, כְּדֵין אַמְשֵׁיךְ מֵעֵילָא לְתַתָּא, דִּכְתִיב הָאֱלֹקִים הָרוֹעֶה אוֹתִי, כֵּיוָן דְּאִיהוּ נָטֵיל, יָהֵיב בִּרְכָאן לְהַאי אֲתַר, כֵּיוָן דְּאַמְטֵי בִּרְכָאן לְהַאי אֲתַר, כְּדֵין פְּתַח וַאֲמַר הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגּוֹאֵל וגו.'

Ark Cherubim (Cherubs) Miracle

396. He opened the discussion saying, "For the Cherubs spread out their two wings over the place of the ark" (I Melachim 8:7). The Cherubs stood there by miracle and three times a day spread their wings over the ark below, as it is written that they "spread their wings" and not that their wings were spread, WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT THEIR WINGS WERE ALWAYS SPREAD, BUT "SPREAD THEIR WINGS" MEANS THAT THEY DID SO THREE TIMES A DAY.

396. פְּתַח וַאֲמַר כִּי הַכְּרוּבִים פּוֹרְשֵׂי כְּנָפַיִם אֶל מְקוֹם הָאָרוֹן וגו.' תָּא חֲזֵי, כְּרוּבִים בְּאָת וּבְנִיסָא הֲווֹ קָיְימֵי, תְּלַת זִמְנִין בְּיוֹמָא הֲווֹ פָּרְשֵׂי גַדְפֵיהוֹן, וְסָכְכֵי עַל אֲרוֹנָא לְתַתָּא, דִּכְתִיב פּוֹרְשֵׂי כְנָפַיִם, פְּרוּשֵׂי לָא כְתִיב, אֶלָּא פּוֹרְשֵׂי.

Atzilut Blessing Briyah Cherubim (Cherubs) Holy of Holies Metatron Nukva Sandalfon Worlds

397. Come and see, The Holy One, blessed be He, did below as He did above; MEANING, THE CHERUBS AT THE TABERNACLE ARE LIKE THE CHERUBS ABOVE. The Cherubs above resemble boys and stand underneath that place, THE NUKVA OF ATZILUT, to its right and left. THEY, METATRON AND SANDALFON, ABIDE AT THE HOLY OF HOLIES AT BRIYAH. They are first blessed from the blessings drawn from above, and from there blessings are drawn downward.

397. וְתָּא חֲזֵי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא עָבֵיד לְתַתָּא כְּגַוְונָא דִלְעֵילָא, כְּרוּבִים: דְּיוֹקְנָא דִלְהוֹן כְּחֵיזוּ רַבְיָין, וְקָיְימִין תְּחוֹת הַאי אֲתַר, מִימִינָא וּמִשְׂמָאלָא, וְאִלֵּין אִתְבָּרְכָן בְּקַדְמֵיתָא, מֵהַנְהוּ בִּרְכָאן דְּנָגְדָן מֵעֵילָא, וּמֵהָכָא נַגְדֵי בִּרְכָאן לְתַתָּא.

Angels Blessing Cherubim (Cherubs) Evil Grades Metatron Sandalfon

398. It is therefore written, "The angel who redeemed me (TIFERET, who receives blessings from the higher grades) from all evil.", Once it has received them, it will "bless the lads." This is the secret of the Cherubs, METATRON AND SANDALFON, from whom blessings are conferred by the higher to the lower.

398. וְע"ד כְּתִיב הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגּוֹאֵל אוֹתִי מִכָּל רָע. אוֹתִי: דְּנָטֵיל בִּרְכָאן מִגְּוָונִין דִּלְעֵילָא, וְכֵיוָן דְּאִיהוּ נָטֵיל, יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַנְּעָרִים, דָּא רָזָא דִכְרוּבִים, דְּמִנַּיְיהוּ נָגְדֵי בִּרְכָאן מֵעִילָאֵי לְתַתָּאֵי.

Angels Evil Firmaments

399. "The angel who redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads." Rabbi Chiya opened the discussion saying, "House and riches are the inheritance of fathers" (Mishlei 19:14). HE ASKS, How can they be the inheritance of fathers, as it is the Holy One, blessed be He, who gives a man all he has? HE ANSWERS, The Holy One, blessed be He, gives a man a house and riches, which he sometimes bequeathes to his son, for whom it is the inheritance of fathers. "But a prudent wife is from Hashem" (Ibid.), for when a man merits a wife, he receives her only from the Holy One, blessed be He, who gives her to him only after he is proclaimed throughout the firmament.

399. הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגּוֹאֵל אוֹתִי מִכָּל רָע יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַנְּעָרִים וגו.' ר' חִיָּיא פְּתַח וַאֲמַר, בַּיִת וָהוֹן נַחֲלַת אָבוֹת, וְכִי נַחֲלַת אָבוֹת אִינְהוּ, וְהָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא יָהֵיב כֹּלָּא לְב"נ. אֶלָּא, דְּכֵיוָן דְּאַחְסֵין בֵּיתָא לְבַר נָשׁ וּמָמוֹנָא, לְזִמְנִין דְּיַחֲסֵין כֹּלָּא לִבְרֵיהּ, וִיהֵא אַחְסָנָא דְאָבוֹת. אֲבָל וּמֵיי' אִשָּׁה מַשְׂכָּלֶת, בְּגִין דְּאִתְּתָא, כַּד אַחְסֵין לָהּ ב"נ, מֵעִם קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אַחְסֵין לָהּ, דְּהָא לָא יַחְסֵין לָהּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְב"נ, אֶלָּא כַּד מַכְרִיזִין עֲלֵיהּ בִּרְקִיעָא.

Deeds Righteous

400. For the Holy One, blessed be He, matches couples before they come into the world. Men are given the wives they deserve according to their deeds, and all men's actions are revealed to the Holy One, blessed be He. According to the deeds of the righteous, He matches couples BEFORE ENTERING THE WORLD.

400. דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מְזַוֵּוג זִווּגִין, עַד לָא יֵיתוּן לְעַלְמָא. וְכַד זָכוּ בְּנֵי נָשָׁא לְפוּם עוֹבָדֵיהוֹן, הָכֵי יַהֲבֵי לוֹן אִתְּתָא, וְכֹלָּא אִתְגַּלְּיָין קַמֵּיהּ דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וּלְפוּם עוֹבָדִין דְּזַכָּאִין, הָכֵי מְזַוֵּוג זִוּוּגִין.

Daughter Deeds Marriage

401. Sometimes they are joined; MEANING, IT HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED, BEFORE THEY CAME INTO THE WORLD, THAT THE DAUGHTER OF SO-AND-SO IS DESTINED FOR SO-AND-SO, BUT WHEN HE WAS BORN, man perverted his ways. His spouse was then given to another, until he rectifies his ways. If he does so by the time he is supposed to marry her, the other man is rejected and he comes to takes what is his, WHICH MEANS THAT THE OTHER ONE WHO MARRIED HIS SPOUSE BEFORE HE MADE RIGHT HIS DEEDS IS NOW REJECTED, NAMELY DIES, AND HE RECEIVES HIS SPOUSE FROM HIM. This is the most difficult task for the Holy One, blessed be He, to banish one man because of another. Therefore, it is the Holy One, blessed be He, who gives a wife to man, and by Him couples are formed. Hence, it says "but a prudent wife is from Hashem."

401. וּלְזִמְנִין דְּקָא סְלִיקוּ בִּקְלִיטִין, וְאַסְטֵי הַהוּא ב"נ אָרְחֵיהּ, סָלֵיק זִוּוּגֵיהּ לְאָחֳרָא, עַד דְּיִכְשַׁר עוֹבָדוֹי, וְכַד יִכְשַׁר עוֹבָדוֹי, אוֹ דְּמָטֵי זִמְנֵיהּ, אִתְדָּחֵי גְּבַר מִקַּמֵּי גְבַר, וְאָתֵי הַאי וְנָטֵיל דִּילֵיהּ. וְדָא קָשֵׁי קַמִּי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מִכֹּלָּא לְדַחְיָא בַּר נָשׁ מִקַּמֵּי גַבְרָא אָחֳרָא, וּבְגִין כָּךְ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אִיהוּ יָהֵיב אִתְּתָא לְב"נ, וּמִנֵּיהּ אַתְיָין זִוּוּגִין. וְע"ד וּמֵיי' אִשָּׁה מַשְׂכָּלֶת.

Deeds Evil Other Side

402. Hence, THE TRUTH IS THAT the Holy One, blessed be He, gives a man everything. If you say that HE GIVES ONLY a prudent wife and nothing else, come and see, though the Holy One, blessed be He, prepares but goodness for men, if the man turns from the ways of the Holy One, blessed be He, to the Other Side, he will receive his due from the Other Side to which he cleft, together with accusations and evils. He does not receive them from the Holy One, blessed be He, but from the evil side to which he clung because of his deeds.

402. בְּגִין כָּךְ, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא יָהֵיב כֹּלָּא לְבַר נָשׁ. וְאִי תֵימָא אִשָּׁה מַשְׂכָּלֶת וְלָא אָחֳרָא. תָּא חֲזֵי, אע"ג דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אַזְמִין טָבָאן לְב"נ לְמֵיהַב לֵיהּ, וְהוּא אַסְטֵי אָרְחוֹי מֵעִם קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְגַבֵּי סִטְרָא אָחֳרָא, מֵהַהוּא סִטְרָא אָחֳרָא דְּאִתְדַּבַּק בֵּיהּ, יֵיתֵי לֵיהּ מַאן דְּיֵיתֵי, בְּכָל קִטְרוּגִין, וְכָל בִּישִׁין, וְלָא אַתְיָין לֵיהּ מֵעִם קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, אֶלָּא מֵהַהוּא סִטְרָא בִּישָׁא דְּאִתְדַּבַּק בֵּיהּ, בְּאִינוּן עוֹבָדִין דְּעָבַד.

Death Death and the Afterlife Deeds Other Side Sin Solomon Women

403. Therefore Solomon says of a wife who is not prudent, "And I find more bitter than death the woman" (Kohelet 7:26), for one draws her to himself by the sins and deeds he commits INSTEAD OF FROM THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE. Therefore, when the Holy One, blessed be He, takes pleasure in man because of his good deeds, He provides for him a prudent wife, and redeems him from the Other Side.

403. וְעַל דָּא, אִתְּתָא דְּלָאו אִיהִי מַשְׂכֶּלֶת, קָרָא ע"ד שְׁלֹמֹה, וּמוֹצֵא אֲנִי מַר מִמָּוֶת אֶת הָאִשָּׁה. בְּגִין דְּחוֹבוֹי דְּב"נ, הוּא מָשֵׁיךְ עֲלֵיהּ, בְּאִינוּן עוֹבָדִין דְּעָבַד. וְעַל דָּא כַּד קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אִתְרְעֵי בֵּיהּ בְּבַר נָשׁ, בְּגִין עוֹבָדוֹי דְּכָשְׁרָן, אִיהוּ אַזְמִין לֵיהּ אִנְתּוּ דְּאִיהִי מַשְׂכֶּלֶת, וּפָרֵיק לֵיהּ בְּפוּרְקָן, מִגּוֹ סִטְרָא אָחֳרָא.

Angels Evil Jacob Other Side Righteous

404. Jacob therefore said, "The angel who redeemed me from all evil." "From all evil" means that I was not provided with a wife from the Other Side, and that my children were not defective, but they were all righteous and complete to perfection, since Jacob was redeemed from all evil, THE OTHER SIDE, and did not cleave at all to the Other Side.

404. וְעַל דָּא אֲמַר יַעֲקֹב, הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגּוֹאֵל אוֹתִי מִכָּל רָע. מַאי מִכָּל רָע, דְּלָא אִזְדַּמְּנַת לִי אִתְּתָא, דְּאִיהִי מִגּוֹ סִטְרָא אָחֳרָא, וְלָא אִעָרַע פְּסוּל בְּזַרְעִי, דְּכֻלְּהוּ צַדִּיקֵי וּשְׁלֵימֵי בִּשְׁלִימוּ, בְּגִין דְּאִתְפְּרַק מִכָּל רָע, וְיַעֲקֹב לָא אִתְדַּבַּק בְּהַהוּא סִטְרָא אָחֳרָא כְּלָל.

Angels Blessing Brit (Covenant) Covenant (Brit) Evil Head Jacob Joseph

405. Therefore, "the angel who redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads." Wherefore are they worthy of being blessed? Because Joseph kept the Holy Covenant. Concerning this, Joseph said, "They are my sons, whom the Elohim has given me in this." To wit, he showed him the secret of the Covenant CALLED "THIS," which he kept. Since he observed this, his sons are worthy of being blessed, and he deserves many blessings. Thus Jacob gave EACH one blessing, and to Joseph he gave many. This we derive from the verse, "The blessings of your father are potent above the blessings of my progenitors..." "Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb...shall be on the head of Joseph" (Beresheet 49:25-26).

405. וְעַל דָּא, הַמַּלְאָךְ הַגּוֹאֵל אוֹתִי מִכָּל רָע יְבָרֵךְ אֶת הַנְּעָרִים. מ"ט אִתְחֲזוֹ לְאִתְבָּרְכָא, בְּגִין דְּנָטֵיר יוֹסֵף, אָת קַיָּימָא קַדִּישָׁא, וְעַל דָּא אֲמַר יוֹסֵף בָּנַי הֵם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לִי אֱלֹקִים בָּזֶה, אַחְמֵי לֵיהּ רָזָא דִבְרִית דְּנָטַר לֵיהּ, וּבְגִין דְּנָטַר לֵיהּ אִתְחֲזוֹ לְאִתְבָּרְכָא וְאִתְחֲזֵי אִיהוּ לְבִרְכָאן סַגִּיאִין, בְּגִין דָּא לְכֻלְּהוּ יְהַב בִּרְכָא חַד, וּלְיוֹסֵף בִּרְכָאן סַגִּיאִין, מַשְׁמַע דִּכְתִיב בִּרְכוֹת אָבִיךָ גָּבְרוּ עַל בִּרְכוֹת הוֹרַי וגו,' בִּרְכוֹת שָׁדַיִם וָרָחַם תִּהְיֶיןָ לְרֹאשׁ יוֹסֵף.

Blessing Eyes Freedom Heavens Prayer

406. Rabbi Yehuda opened the discussion saying, "To You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwells (Heb. hayoshvi) in the heavens" (Tehilim 123:1). This verse has already been explained, yet come and see, a man's prayer offered with devotion is to be found above in the sublime deep, BINAH, whence all blessings are drawn FROM THE RIGHT COLUMN and freedom FROM THE LEFT. They all issue FROM ITS CENTRAL COLUMN to support all.

406. ר' יְהוּדָה פְּתַח וַאֲמַר, אֵלֶיךָ נָשָׂאתִי אֶת עֵינַי הַיּוֹשְׁבִי בַּשָּׁמָיִם, הַאי קְרָא אוֹקְמוּהָ, אֲבָל תָּא חֲזֵי, צְלוֹתָא דְּב"נ דְּאִתְכַּוֵּון בָּהּ, אִיהוּ לְעֵילָא לְעוֹמְקָא עִלָּאָה, דְּמִתַּמָּן נָגְדֵי כָּל בִּרְכָאן וְכָל חֵירוּ, וּמִתַּמָּן נָפְקֵי לְקָיְימָא כֹּלָּא.

Heaven Patriarchs Throne Zeir Anpin

407. Therefore, there is an extra Yud IN "HAYOSHVI" INSTEAD OF 'HAYOSHEV' IN HEAVEN. Thus Yud, WHICH IS CHOCHMAH, is never lacking from this place, AS CHOCHMAH AND BINAH ARE JOINED IN A NEVER-ENDING UNION. Therefore 'hayoshvi' is spelled WITH AN EXTRA YUD, for BINAH is attached above to supernal Chochmah CALLED YUD, and attached below by sitting on the throne of the Patriarchs, CHESED, GVURAH, AND TIFERET, the throne called heaven, ZEIR ANPIN WHICH INCLUDES CHESED, GVURAH AND TIFERET, WHICH ARE THE THREE LEGS OF THE HIGH THRONE BINAH. This is why it is written "hayoshvi" in heaven.

407. וְעַל דָּא יַתִּיר יו"ד, בְּגִין דְּלָא פָּסֵיק יוּ"ד, מֵאֲתַר דָּא לְעָלְמִין, וּבְגִין דָּא כְּתִיב, הַיּוֹשְׁבִי בַּשָּׁמָיִם, אָחֵיד לְעֵילָא, בְּרָזָא דְּחָכְמְתָא עִלָּאָה, וְאָחֵיד לְתַתָּא דְּיָתֵיב עַל כָּרְסְיָא דַּאֲבָהָן, יָתֵיב עַל כָּרְסְיָא דְּאִקְרֵי שָׁמָיִם, וּבְגִין כָּךְ הַיּוֹשְׁבִי בַּשָּׁמָיִם כְּתִיב.

Asiyah Blessing Brit (Covenant) Briyah Covenant (Brit) Flow Heaven Hosts Nukva Righteous Worlds Yetzirah Zeir Anpin

408. From this, we understand that when blessings are drawn from above, from the deep, BINAH, they are all received by the place called heaven, ZEIR ANPIN, from which they flow downward until they reach the righteous men, THE SECRET OF RIGHTEOUS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, that are the Covenant of the world, WHICH IS THE NUKVA, from which all the hosts and legions, THE LOWER BEINGS IN BRIYAH, YETZIRAH AND ASIYAH, are blessed as we already explained.

408. וּמֵהָכָא, כַּד בִּרְכָאן נָגְדֵי מֵעֵילָא מֵעוֹמְקָא דָא, כֻּלְּהוּ נָטֵיל לוֹן הַאי אֲתַר דְּאִקְרֵי שָׁמַיִם, וּמֵהַאי נָגְדֵי לְתַתָּא, עַד דְּמָטוֹ לְצַדִּיקַיָּיא קְיָימָא דְעַלְמָא, וּמֵהָכָא מִתְבָּרְכִין כָּל אִינוּן חַיָּילִין, וְכָל אִינוּן מַשִּׁרְיָין לִזְנַיְיהוּ, וְהָא אוֹקְמוּהָ.

Crowns Holy of Holies Lights Point Seventy Seventy-Two

409. Come and behold, the crown of all armies is elevated through the 72 lights. It becomes the circle of the world in seventy places, all of them forming one circle. In it, there is a point in the middle, from which the circle is sustained. It is called the House of the Holy of Holies, a place for the spirit of all Spirits. Here is treasured the innermost secret, hidden among the legions. It is concealed in its innermost place. When it ascends, all THE WORLDS follow, as it is written, "Draw me, we will run after you" (Shir Hashirim 1:3).

409. תָּא חֲזֵי, בְּשַׁבְעִין וּתְרֵין נְהוֹרִין, אִסְתַּלַּק עֲטָרָא דְּכָל מַשִּׁרְיָין, עִגּוּלָא דְעַלְמָא, בְּשַׁבְעִין דּוּכְתֵּי, חַד עִגּוּלָא לְכֻלְּהוּ, בְּגוֹ הַהוּא עִגּוּלָא נְקוּדָה חָדָא דְּקָיְימָא בְּאֶמְצָעִיתָא, מֵהַאי נְקוּדָה, אִתְּזָנַת כָּל הַהוּא עִגּוּלָא, בֵּית קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים, אִיהוּ אֲתַר לְהַהוּא רוּחָא דְּכָל רוּחִין, אִתְטַמַּר בְּגַוֵּיהּ, הַאי טְמִירוּ אִיהוּ בְּגוֹ חֵילָהָא, טְמִירָא אִיהוּ בְּגוֹ לְגוֹ, כַּד סָלְקָא דָא, כֹּלָּא סָלְקִין אֲבַתְרָהּ, הה"ד מָשְׁכֵנִי אַחֲרֶיךָ נָרוּצָה.

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