"And Hashem rained upon Sodom"

250. Next is the verse, "And Hashem rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah..." Rabbi Chiya opened the discussion with the verse, "Behold, the day of Hashem comes, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger..." (Yeshayah 13:9) "Behold, the day of Hashem comes" alludes to the earthly Courthouse, WHICH REFERS TO THE JUDGMENTS THAT ISSUE FROM MALCHUT, DURING THE TIME WHEN SHE IS AT THE STAGE OF ILLUMINATION FROM THE LEFT, BEFORE BEING COMBINED WITH THE CENTRAL COLUMN, WHICH IS CALLED THE DECREE OF JUDGMENT. "Comes" is as explained IN REFERENCE TO THE PHRASE, "WHICH HAS COME TO ME," WHICH MEANS THAT SHE ALWAYS COMES AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY UNION. "Which has come to me" is so because it does not execute Judgment before it enters and receives permission. The same is explained by the verse, "The End of all Flesh has come before Me," WHICH MEANS THAT IT CAME TO ASK FOR PERMISSION.

251. Another explanation of "Behold, the day of Hashem comes" is that it refers to the Saboteur of Below, NAMELY THE ANGEL OF DEATH, when he takes the soul away. This is why THE VERSE CALLS HIM "cruel both with wrath...to lay the land desolate," ALLUDING TO Sodom and Gomorrah, WHICH WERE THROWN OVER AND DESERTED. The phrase, "and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it," REFERS TO those who inhabited that land.

252. After this, it is written, "For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof..." (Yeshayah 13:10) because it was from the heavens that He rained fire down on them and wiped them out of the world. Then, it is written, "I will make men more rare than fine gold..." (Ibid. 12). This is Abraham, whom the Holy One, blessed be He, raised up and cherished more than any other person in the world.

253. Rabbi Yehuda related these verses to the day when the Temple was destroyed. On that day, both the celestial and earthly beings darkened, along with the stars and heavens. Rabbi Elazar explained these verses as follows, The day on which the Holy One, blessed be He, shall raise the Congregation of Yisrael up from the dust, NAMELY AT THE TIME OF REDEMPTION, shall be known on high and down below. As it is written, "But it shall be one day which shall be known to Hashem..." (Zecharyah 14:7). And on that day, the Holy One, blessed be He, shall take revenge on the idol worshippers.

254. So when the Holy One, blessed be He, takes revenge on the worshipers of the planets and constellations, it shall be said, "I will make men more rare than fine gold." This is King Messiah, who shall rise up over all peoples of the world and be so honored that all of humanity will bow before him and obey him. This is as it is written, "They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him...the kings of Tarshish...shall bring presents..." (Tehilim 72:9-10).

255. Come and behold, even though this prophecy - REFERRING TO THE VERSES THAT READ "BEHOLD, THE DAY OF HASHEM..." AND "I WILL MAKE MAN..." - was said specifically about Babylon AS WRITTEN, 'THE BURDEN OF BABYLON' (YESHAYAH 13:1), it is said NEVERTHELESS about everything. It is also written in this same passage, "For Hashem will have mercy on Jacob...And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place..." (Yeshayah 14:1-2). IT SEEMS THAT THE SAGES OF THE ZOHAR HAD A DIFFERENT SECTIONING OF THE BIBLE, BECAUSE IN OUR BOOKS, THESE VERSES APPEAR IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER.

256. The phrase, "Then Hashem rained upon Sodom," refers to the level of the earthly Courthouse, which is granted permission from above. Rabbi Yitzchak said that the Judgment was executed with Mercy, as it is written, "from Hashem out of heaven," FOR THE NAME YUD HEI VAV HEI IMPLIES MERCY. This is so that Judgment will be mixed with Mercy. You might ask: What Mercy is there here? HE REPLIES, As it is written, "And it came to pass, when Elohim destroyed the cities of the plain, that Elohim remembered Abraham..." (Beresheet 19:29). And after this, two whole nations issued from LOT. And he had the honor of being the great ancestor of David and King Solomon.

257. See what is written, "And it came to pass, when they had brought them outside abroad, that he said, ESCAPE FOR YOUR LIFE" (Beresheet 19:17). Come and behold, we have learned that when Judgment hangs over the world, people should not be at the marketplace. This is because when Judgment comes, it does not distinguish between the righteous and the wicked. Therefore, one should not be there. And it has been explained that this is why Noah hid in the ark and did not look upon the world as judgment was executed. And so it is written, "And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning" (Shemot 12:22), THAT IS, until judgment is executed. And this is why it is written, "Escape for your life, look not behind you..."

258. As they were walking, Rabbi Yehuda said to Rabbi Yitzchak, The Judgment that the Holy One, blessed be He, executed at the Great Flood and the Judgment of Sodom were both Judgments of Gehenom, because the sinners in Gehenom are punished by water and fire.

259. Rabbi Yitzchak responded that Sodom was sentenced by the Judgment of Gehenom, as it is written, "Then Hashem rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from Hashem out of heaven." One was punished with the aspect of water; the other with the aspect of fire; and both are the punishments of Gehenom. The sinners in Gehenom are punished with both these aspects of Judgment BECAUSE THERE IS THE 'GEHENOM OF SNOW,' WHICH IS WATER, AND THERE IS THE 'GEHENOM OF FIRE.'

260. He said to him, The sinners are sentenced to twelve months in Gehenom, WHERE THEY ARE CLEANSED, THAT IS PURIFIED. LATER, the Holy One, blessed be He, raises them from Gehenom and makes them sit at its gates watching other sinners enter and receive punishment. And they ask for Mercy for them. And after this, the Holy One, blessed be He, is merciful to them. HE RAISES THEM UP AND AWAY FROM THE GATES OF GEHENOM, bringing them to the place required for them. From that day onward, the body rests in the dust while the soul inherits its appropriate place.

261. Come and behold, we have learned that even the generation of the Great Flood was punished with fire and water only. Cold water came down from above and boiling water from below, FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE EARTH, as fire. So they were punished by the two Judgments, because the Judgment of above is executed WITH TWO KINDS OF JUDGMENT, WATER AND FIRE. And this is why there was brimstone and fire in Sodom - BECAUSE THE BRIMSTONE COMES FROM WATER, AS IS KNOWN.

262. He asks him, Will THE PEOPLE OF SODOM rise IN THE FUTURE for the Day of Judgment? He responded, We have already learned this. Those PEOPLE of Sodom and Gomorrah will not rise FOR JUDGMENT IN THE FUTURE DURING THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD. This is proven by the verse, "And that the whole land there is of brimstone, and salt, and burning...which Hashem overthrew in His anger, and in His wrath" (Devarim 29:22). "Which Hashem overthrew" means in the present world; "in His anger" means in the World to Come; and "in His wrath" means at the time when the Holy One, blessed be He, shall resurrect the dead.

263. He said to him, Come and behold. Just as their land was destroyed forever, so were they destroyed forever. Behold, the Judgment of the Holy One, blessed be He, is Judgment for Judgment, NAMELY, A JUST RETRIBUTION. Just as they did not revive the soul of the poor with food or with drink, so in the same way, the Holy One, blessed be He, does not give their soul back to them in the World to Come.

264. Come and behold, they refrained from giving charity, which is called life. Thus, the Holy One, blessed be He, withheld life from them in this world and in the World to Come. And just as they blocked the pathways and routes for other people, so did the Holy One, blessed be He, block the pathways and routes of mercy from them, so that they could not receive Mercy in this world or in the World to Come.

265. Rabbi Aba then said, All the people of the world will rise AT THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD and be judged. But of THE PEOPLE OF SODOM, it is said, "and some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2). Yet the Holy One, blessed be He, is merciful. Because He punished them in this world and they accepted His punishment, they shall not be punished in the future with all Judgments, BUT ONLY WITH A FEW OF THEM.

266. Rabbi Chiya said that it is written, "And sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow..." AND HE ASKS, What is MEANT BY "when He overthrew the cities in which Lot dwelt," SINCE HE DWELT ONLY IN ONE OF THEM? AND HE REPLIES, Lot did dwell in all of them. As it is written, "And Lot dwellt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom" (Beresheet 13:12). But nobody accepted him in Sodom, except for the King of Sodom, for the sake of Abraham, WHO RETURNED HIS PEOPLE AND THE GOODS THAT HE HAD LOST DURING THE WAR OF THE FOUR KINGS.

267. Sitrei Torah (Concealed Torah). Tosefta (Addendum). Sublime Connections, NAMELY THOSE RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE WHOSE NEFESH, RUACH AND NESHAMAH ARE CONNECTED AND ATTACHED TO THE GREATNESS OF THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, Governors who shatter THE POWERS OF THE OTHER SIDE, the Wise in understanding, look to know. The White Head, NAMELY ARICH ANPIN WHOSE HAIR IS LIKE PURE SHEAF, prepares the Throne, WHICH IS AN ALLUSION TO BINAH, and sets it upon pillars of precious stones and gems - WHICH IS A REFERENCE TO CHESED, GVURAH AND TIFERET OF ZEIR ANPIN AND THE NUKVA, WHICH ARE THE FOUR 'LEGS' OF THE THRONE, WHICH IS BINAH.

268. Among these stones, there is a particular gem. THIS IS A REFERENCE TO THE NUKVA OF ZEIR-ANPIN, which is beautiful and glamorous; it is the place where the smoke and fire gather and glow through seventy aspects. THIS REFERS TO THE DECREE OF JUDGMENT, WHICH IS THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LEFT SIDE IN THE NUKVA, BEFORE IT IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE RIGHT. THEN SHE IS A PLACE OF JUDGMENT ACCORDING TO THE SECRET OF A 'BURNING FIRE AND HOT STEAM OF THE FURNACE.' These seventy aspects glow in all directions, THAT IS, TO ALL 'FOUR WINDS' (DIRECTIONS) OF THE WORLD, WHICH ARE NAMED CHOCHMAH, BINAH, TIFERET, AND MALCHUT.

269. These seventy ASPECTS issue from the three colors, WHICH ARE WHITE, RED, AND GREEN, WHILE THE COLOR OF MALCHUT, WHICH IS BLACK, DOES NOT APPEAR THERE. These sparks ARE INCLUDED within the sparks that sparkle in the four directions of the world. A strong spark lies to the left side, which clings to the heavens, NAMELY ZEIR ANPIN. The Judgments that are in these seventy aspects are modified, and the books are open, AS IF TO SAY THAT EVEN THOUGH THE BOOKS IN WHICH THE JUDGMENTS (OR 'SENTENCES') ARE WRITTEN ARE OPEN AND SEEN BY ALL, THE JUDGMENT IS NEVERTHELESS MODIFIED AND DOES NOT EXECUTE ANY PUNISHMENT.

270. From here the Arrows, Swords, Spears, and the Fire of the Tower go forth. And a strong Fire comes out of the heavens, ZEIR ANPIN clinging to it, NAMELY, TO THE NUKVA. Thus, when the upper Fire, NAMELY THE JUDGMENTS OF ZEIR ANPIN, clings to the lower Fire, NAMELY THE SEVENTY JUDGMENTS OF THE NUKVA, no one can cancel the wrath and Judgment THAT BELONG TO THE JUDGMENTS OF THE NUKVA.

271. ZEIR ANPIN comes down to the world with the eyes glowing like the fiery flames of fire, ACCORDING TO THE SECRET OF THE VERSE, "I WILL GO DOWN NOW, AND SEE..." Woe to he who shall run into Him when He is armed with Swords. THIS REFERS TO THE JUDGMENTS, WHICH ARE CALLED 'SWORDS.' He has a sharp Sword in His hand and has pity on neither the good nor the bad. The verdict of those seventy COLORS comes down by the left hand, with permission granted by the Unison to which that 'Side of the Heavens' is attached.

272. He changes into many kinds of Judgment. Every day He changes into many colors. THIS MEANS THAT THEY RECEIVE A DIFFERENT SHAPE EACH TIME. It happens when offensive speech is exalted and collected cheaply among the rulers of men. All sorts of Judgments appear in the 'Vessel of Wrath' of the Holy One, blessed be He. And THESE JUDGMENTS remain at the top of the world, while human beings, because of their ignorance, are not aware of them.

273. "Brimstone and fire" REFERS TO the waste of water and fire that have been drawn from the heavens, combined together, and released upon Sodom. Woe to the wicked, who do not pay attention for the glory of their Master.

274. Ten Names are engraved by the King's authority. THE TEN NAMES REFER TO THE TEN SFIROT; there are ten SFIROT, AS EXPLAINED IN SEFER YETZIRAH (THE BOOK OF FORMATION); TEN EXACTLY, NOT NINE OR ELEVEN. NEVERTHELESS, THEY ALSO add up to a greater number, WHICH IS A REFERENCE TO THE 72 NAMES. THIS CAN BE EXPLAINED FURTHER. These seventy colors that glow in all directions derive from these Names, THAT IS, FROM THE 72 NAMES. AND THESE SEVENTY COLORS WERE ENGRAVED and formed into the secret of the seventy Names of the angels, which are the secret of the heavens.

275. And they are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Nuriel. Kamatz (a vowel): Kedumiel, Malkiel, Tzadkiel. Patach (a vowel): Pedael, Tumiel, Chasdiel. Tzere (a vowel): Tzuriel, Raziel, Yofiel. Segol (a vowel): Stuteriyah, Gazriel, Vatriel, Lamael. Chirik (a vowel): Chazkiel, Rehatiel, Kadshiel. Sh'va (a vowel): Shemael, Barchiel, Ahiel. Cholam (a vowel): Chaniel, Lahadiel, Machniel. Shuruk (a vowel): Shamshiel, Rehaviel, Kamshiel. Shuruk (a vowel) called melafum. Shemar'el, Rehatiel, Karshiel.

276. Ahaniel, Barkiel, Gadiel, Dumiel, Hadriel, Vadergaziyah, Zahariel, Chaniel, Tahariel, Ya'azriel, Kariel, Lamdiel, Malkiel, Nehariel, Saniyah, Anael, Patchiel, Tzuriel, Kanael, Remiel, Sha'ariel, Tavkiel.

277. Tefuriya, Shachniel, Renael, Kamriyah, Tzuriyah, Psisiyah, Iriel, Samchiel, Neriel, Madoniyah, Lasniyah, Kamsariyah, Yeriel, Tasmasiyah, Chaniel, Zachriel, Vadriel, Hinael, Denabael, Gadiel, Bedael, Adiriron. Adonai is above them all.

278. When they are all joined together as one, in one secret, by the power of the Almighty, NAMELY ZEIR ANPIN, then He is called Vav-Yud Hei Vav Hei, WHICH MEANS THAT all are united as one. THIS REFERS TO ZEIR ANPIN AND THE NUKVA TOGETHER WITH THE SEVENTY ANGELS BELOW HER. The phrase "from Hashem out of heaven" REFERS TO the Holy Name that is engraved with the other seventy Names of the secret of the heavens - WHICH ALLUDE TO ZEIR-ANPIN, WHICH IS THE NAME OF 72 THAT ARE IN THE MOCHIN OF ZEIR-ANPIN, WHILE IN ESSENCE IT INCLUDES SEVENTY. So these are the seventy OF ZEIR ANPIN that control the seventy Judgments OF THE NUKVA THAT GLOW IN ALL DIRECTIONS. They are the secret of Vav-Yud-Vav-Hei-Hei. And these seventy names of holiness, NAMELY THE MOCHIN OF ZEIR ANPIN, ARE THE SECRET OF Yud Hei Vav Hei WITHOUT THE LETTER VAV, CALLED the "heavens."

279. These SEVENTY JUDGMENTS WITHIN THE NUKVA receive from those SEVENTY NAMES OF ZEIR ANPIN. Vav-Yud Hei Vav Hei, WHICH INCLUDES SEVENTY JUDGMENTS, receives from Yud Hei Vav Hei, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE SEVENTY NAMES WITHIN ZEIR ANPIN, the one from the other. So these are dependent on those, WHICH MEANS THAT the lower beings, WHICH ARE THE SEVENTY JUDGMENTS, ARE DEPENDENT on the upper ones, WHICH ARE THE SEVENTY NAMES OF ZEIR ANPIN. They are all connected together AND THEY ALL SHINE SIMULTANEOUSLY. And thus, the Holy One, blessed be He, appears in His glory. AS WE HAVE STATED the heavens have a numerical value of seventy and the secret of Yud Hei Vav Hei WITHOUT THE LETTER VAV is the secret of the 72 names derived from the three verses, "and he went...and he came...and he stretched out," (Shemot 14:19-21) WHICH APPEAR IN THE PORTION OF THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA.

280. Vav-Hei-Vav, Yud-Lamed-Yud, Samech-Yud-Tet, Ayin-Lamed-Mem, Mem-Hei-Shin, Lamed-Lamed-Hei, Aleph-Caf-Aleph, Caf-Hei-Tav, Hei-Zayin-Yud, Aleph-Lamed-Dalet, Lamed-Aleph-Vav, Hei-Hei-Ayin.

First part: Yud-Zayin-Lamed, Mem-Bet-Hei, Hei-Resh-Yud, Hei-Kof-Mem, Lamed-Aleph-Vav, Caf-Lamed-Yud, Lamed-Vav-Vav, Pei-Hei-Lamed, Nun- Lamed-Caf, Yud-Yud-Yud, Mem-Lamed-Hei, Chet-Hei-Vav.

Second part: Nun-Tav-Hei, Hei-Aleph-Aleph, Yud-Resh-Tav, Shin-Aleph -Hei, Resh-Yud-Yud, Aleph-Vav-Mem, Lamed-Caf-Bet, Vav-Shin-Resh, Yud-Chet-Vav, Lamed-Hei-Chet, Caf-Vav-Kof, Mem-Nun-Dalet.

Third part: Aleph-Nun-Yud, Chet-Ayin-Mem, Resh-Hei-Ayin, Yud-Yud- Zayin, Hei-Hei-Hei, Mem-Yud-Caf, Vav-Vav-Lamed, Yud-Lamed-Hei, Samech-Aleph -Lamed, Ayin-Resh-Yud, Ayin-Shin-Lamed, Mem-Yud-Hei.

Fourth part: Vav-Hei-Vav, Dalet-Nun-Yud, Hei-Chet-Shin, Ayin-Mem-Mem, Nun-Nun-Aleph, Nun-Yud-Tav, Mem-Bet-Hei, Pei-Vav-Yud, Nun -Mem-Mem, Yud-Yud-Lamed, Hei-Resh-Chet, Mem-Tzadi-Resh.

Fifth part: Vav-Mem-Bet, Yud-Hei-Hei, Ayin-Nun-Vav, Mem-Chet-Yud, Dalet -Mem-Bet, Mem-Nun-Kof, Aleph-Yud-Ayin, Chet-Bet-Vav, Resh-Aleph -Hei, Yud-Bet-Mem, Hei-Yud-Yud, Mem-Vav-Mem.

The sixth part 'Blessed is the Name of His glorious kingdom Forever and ever.

281. And these are the seventy names that control the seventy lower grades, WHICH ARE the secret of Vav-Yud Hei Vav Hei, TOGETHER WITH THE LETTER VAV. And these are the seventy names, WHICH ARE THE SECRET OF Yud Hei Vav Hei WITHOUT THE LETTER VAV, ACCORDING TO the secret of the "heavens," NAMELY ZEIR ANPIN. There are seven firmaments, WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE SEVEN SFIROT OF ZEIR ANPIN THAT ARE CALLED THE "HEAVENS." EACH INCLUDES TEN, THEREBY adding up to the seventy names of the Holy Name YUD HEI VAV HEI. And this IS THE SECRET OF THE VERSES, "And Hashem (Vav-Yud Hei Vav Hei) rained," - WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE SEVENTY JUDGMENTS OF THE NUKVA, AND "from Hashem out of heaven" - WHICH IS THE SECRET THAT IS CALLED SEVENTY NAMES INCLUDED WITHIN THE HOLY NAME YUD HEI VAV HEI.

282. A very deep secret was passed on to the wise in relation to this name that is called 'the heavens.' From this secret, the sublime mystery that is called man was created, and the number of a person's body parts is 248.

283. The number of letters IN THE 72 NAMES adds up to 216. EACH NAME HAS THREE LETTERS; THREE TIMES 72 EQUALS 216. This Name OF THE 72 NAMES is the secret and most sublime mystery; it is the essence of the Torah. And IT IS INCLUDED in the 22 letters and the ten 'Sayings,' THEIR NUMERICAL VALUE IS 32, WHICH IS ALSO THE SECRET OF THE 32 PATHS OF WISDOM. Therefore, this name is composed of 216 letters and 32 pathways, which total 248 together. And these are the 248 parts of the body.

284. This is the secret OF WHY ZEIR ANPIN IS called 'Man', who rules over the Throne, WHICH IS the secret of the lower seventy, WHICH REFERS TO THE SEVENTY KINDS OF JUDGMENT AND THE SEVENTY ANGELS THAT ISSUE FROM THEM. THESE ARE CALLED THE 'THRONE.' And this is the secret of what is written, "And upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it" (Yechezkel 1:26). THIS IS ZEIR ANPIN, WHO IS CALLED 'MAN.' HE IS ABOVE ON THE THRONE, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE NUKVA AND HER SEVENTY KINDS OF JUDGMENT. And this is the secret of what is written, "Then Hashem rained upon Sodom," WHICH ALLUDES TO THE NUKVA AND HER SEVENTY KINDS OF JUDGMENT, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE THRONE. The phrase, "from Hashem out of heaven," REFERS TO THE SECRET OF ZEIR ANPIN, WHO IS ABOVE UPON THE THRONE. And everything belongs to the same issue and the same secret. This has been passed on to those men who are wise at heart. Happy are they in this world and in the World to Come.

285. As for Sodom, its people were punished because they refrained from giving charity. As it is written, "Neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy" (Yechezkel 16:49). And this is why the Judgment upon them came solely from heaven - because "charity" and "heaven" are one. As it is written, "For your kindness is great above the heavens" (Tehilim 108:5), INDICATING THAT "CHARITY" AND "KINDNESS" ARE BOTH DRAWN FROM THE HEAVENS ABOVE. Because charity depends on the heavens, their Judgment is also drawn down from the heavens, as it is written, "From Hashem out of heaven."

286. The Judgment upon Yisrael comes from that place as well, REFERRING TO THE HEAVENS, as it is written, "For the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the sin of Sodom" (Eichah 4:6), where Jerusalem is called the 'Sister of Sodom.' As it is written, "Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom" (Yechezkel 16:49). And THIS IS WHY their Judgment came upon them from the heavens - the same Judgment as fell on Sodom - because they refused to give charity. The only difference is that one was overthrown, NAMELY SODOM, while the other, JERUSALEM, was destroyed. The second shall be reconstructed, REFERRING TO JERUSALEM, while the other, SODOM, shall not. End of Sitrei Torah.