Vayera: Chapter 7

"And, lo, three men...and they ate"

Synopsis

A discussion arises as to whether Abraham the Patriarch perceived the three angels, Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael as angelic entities or as physical beings. According to the Zohar, Abraham was able to perceive them as angels by virtue of his circumcision, which removed negativity and elevated his consciousness. The lesson being conveyed concerns the importance of a person's consciousness and its ability to influence perception.

[Verses 106-114]: Abraham and Sarah dedicated their lives to help people make the transformation to a more positive and spiritual way of life. Abraham and Sarah's devotion to this objective aroused genuine miracles of nature.

[Verses 115-137]: The sacrifices that occurred inside the ancient temple and the incense that was burned were powerful tools that were used to remove forces of negativity and evil from the entire world. The absence of the physical Temple in our day prevents us from utilizing these instruments. The Zohar, however, explains that the words of the Torah that speak of the sacrifices and incense rouse those same forces of purification into being. Moreover, they transform prosecuting angels into entities that speak only good and favorable words about a person in the Supernal Courts.

Relevance

Two people often perceive a singular image or event differently because their individual consciousness are on two different levels. Both perceptions are indeed correct; however, one perspective is limited if it remains on a lower level of consciousness, and the other is far-reaching if it occupies a higher level. Achieving transcendence over this physical realm by raising our own consciousness is the intent of this portion. We achieve a heightened sense of awareness, perceiving the true spiritual reality during the day-to-day rigors of physical existence.

[Verses 106-114]: A miracle, a wonder of nature, is essentially a mirror reflecting a profound spiritual change within human nature. Because our natural inclination is self-indulgence at the expense of others, the Light of this passage gives us the strength to overpower our natural tendencies and apportion part of our life to the service of others, exemplified by Abraham and Sarah. When a person dedicates his life to sharing with others, the Creator causes great wonders to be revealed in order to help him toward this pursuit.

[Verses 115-137]: It was foreseen that a time would come when many physical tools of spirituality would be lost to the ages. The gift of the Torah, the Zohar, and specifically this passage, replenish the spiritual energy lost in the absence of such tools. Accordingly, we can purify negative influences in our own life and the world at large. In addition, we arouse the power to transform decrees of judgment into words of praise on our behalf.

Abraham Angels Circumcision Wind

93. Come and behold, after Abraham had circumcised himself, he sat down and was in pain. The Holy One, blessed be He, sent him three visible angels to inquire of his well-being. You may wonder how they were visible, for who is able to see angels, as it is written, "Who makes his angels spirits (also, 'winds')" (Tehilim 104:4).

93. תָּא חֲזֵי, בָּתַר דְּאִתְגְּזַר אַבְרָהָם, הֲוָה יָתִיב וְכָאִיב, וְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא שָׁדַר לְגַבֵּיהּ תְּלַת מַלְאָכִין בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא, לְאַקְדָמָא לֵיהּ שְׁלָם. וְאִי תֵימָא, דְּהָא בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא, וְכִי מַאן יָכִיל לְמֶחֱמֵי מַלְאָכִין, וְהָא כְתִיב עוֹשֶׂה מַלְאָכָיו רוּחוֹת וגו'.

Air Earth

94. AND HE REPLIES, He certainly did see them because they came to earth in the image of men. And it should not be hard for you to understand because they are definitely holy spirits. But when they come down to this world, they enclothe themselves with the air and the elements of covering and enveloping, until they appear to people exactly in their image.

94. אֶלָּא וַדַּאי חָמָא לוֹן, דְּנַחֲתֵי לְאַרְעָא, כְּגַוְונָא דִבְנֵי נָשָׁא, וְלָא יִקְשֶׁה לָךְ הַאי, דְּהָא וַדַּאי אִינוּן רוּחִין קַדִּישִׁין, וּבְשַׁעֲתָא דְּנָחֲתֵי לְעָלְמָא, מִתְלַבְּשִׁין בַּאֲוִירֵי וּבִיסוֹדֵי דְּגוֹלְמִין, וְאִתְחֲזוּ לִבְנֵי נָשָׁא מַמָּשׁ, כְּחֵיזוּ דְּיוֹקְנָא דִּלְהוֹן.

Abraham Circumcision

95. Come and behold, Abraham saw them in the image of men. And even though he was in pain because of the circumcision, he ran forth to greet them, so that he would not miss anything and would not behave differently than before his circumcision, WHEN HE ALWAYS ACCEPTED AND WELCOMED NEW GUESTS.

95. וְתָּא חֲזֵי אַבְרָהָם חָמָא לוֹן, כְּחֵיזוּ בְּנֵי נָשָׁא, וְאַף עַל גָּב דַּהֲוָה כָּאִיב מִמִּילָה, נְפַק וּרְהַט אֲבַתְרַיְיהוּ, בְּגִין דְּלָא לְמִגְרַע מַה דַּהֲוָה עֲבֵיד מִקַּדְמַת דְּנָא.

Adonai Angels Form Hebrew Letters Red Shechinah Throne

96. Rabbi Shimon said, He definitely did see them in the form of angels. THIS CAN BE UNDERSTOOD from the words, "And he said...my lords (Heb. adonai)" with the letters Aleph and Dalet. THESE LETTERS, WHICH FORM THE NAME OF THE SHECHINAH, ARE THE FIRST TWO LETTERS OF THE NAME ADONAI. For it was the Shechinah that was approaching, and these angels were Her supports and throne. They are the three colors - WHITE, RED, AND GREEN - that are under THE SHECHINAH.

96. אָמַר רָבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן וַדַּאי כְּחֵיזוּ דְּמַלְאָכִין חָמָא לוֹן, מִמַּה דִּכְתִיב, וַיֹּאמַר אֲדֹנָי בְּאל"ף דל"ת, שְׁכִינְתָּא הֲוָה אַתְיָא, וְאִלֵּין הֲווֹ סְמִיכִין דִּילָהּ, וְכָרְסְיָיא לְגַבָּהּ, בְּגִין דְּאִינוּן גְּוָונִין תְּלַת דִּתְחוֹתָא.

Angels Circumcision Isaac Sarah Thought

97. And he saw THAT THEY WERE ANGELS because, after he was circumcised, he was able to see what he did not see before he was circumcised. At first, he thought they were human beings. Later, he realized that they were angels on a mission FROM THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE. THEY FULFILLED THIS MISSION when they said to him, "Where is Sarah, your wife" (Beresheet 18:9), and informed him about Isaac.

97. וְחָמָא הַשְׁתָּא בְּגִין דְּאִתְגְּזַר, מַה דְּלָא הֲוָה חָמֵי מִקַּדְמַת דְּנָא, עַד לָא אִתְגְּזַר, בְּקַדְמֵיתָא לָא הֲוָה יָדַע, אֶלָּא דְּאִינוּן בְּנֵי נָשָׁא, וּלְבָתַר יָדַע דְּאִינוּן מַלְאָכִין קַדִּישִׁין, וְאָתוֹ בִּשְׁלִיחוּתָא לְגַבֵּיהּ. בְּשַׁעֲתָא דַּאֲמָרוּ לֵיהּ אַיֵּ"ה שָׂרָה אִשְׁתְּךָ, וּבִשְׂרוּ לֵיהּ בְּשׂוֹרַת יִצְחָק.

Dots Faith Female Form Hebrew Letters Male Nukva Shechinah Tents

98. In the word, "Elav ('to him')," WHICH APPEARS IN THE VERSE "AND THEY SAID TO HIM," the letters with vowels are Aleph, Yud, and Vav. And this sign, ayo, alludes to what is above, implying the Holy One, blessed be He. AND THEY ASKED ABOUT HIM, AYO (LIT. 'WHERE IS HE')? And he replies, "Behold, in the tent." THIS MEANS THAT HE WAS ATTACHED TO THE SHECHINAH, BECAUSE here it is written, "in the tent," and there it is written, "a tabernacle (tent) that shall not be taken down..." (Yeshayah 33:20). THUS, IT REFERS TO THE SHECHINAH, JUST AS IN THE LATTER VERSE. Come and behold, Because ayo has vowels already, why is it then written, ayeh (lit. 'where')? AND HE REPLIES, Because the secret of the Faith is the union of the male and female as one. THIS IS WHY THEY ASKED OF THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, "WHERE IS HE (AYO)?" AND THEY ASKED OF THE SHECHINAH, "WHERE IS SHE (AYEH)?" THIS MEANS THAT THEY AROUSED HIM TO FORM A UNION OF THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, WITH HIS SHECHINAH. The verse continues, "And he said, Behold, in the tent," because therein lies the bond of everything - NAMELY THE NUKVA WHO IS CALLED "THE TENT" AND THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE.

98. אֵלָיו: אַתְוָון נְקוּדוֹת אַיּ"וֹ, וְסִימָן אי"ו רֶמֶז לְמַה דִּלְעֵילָא, רֶמֶז לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה בָאֹהֶל, כְּתִיב הָכָא הִנֵּה בָאֹהֶל, וּכְתִיב הָתָם אֹהֶל בַּל יִצְעָן וגו'. תָּא חֲזֵי, כֵּיוָן דְּנָקוּד אי"ו, אַמַּאי כְּתִיב לְבָתַר אַיֵּה. אֶלָּא, בְּגִין דְּחִבּוּרָא דִּדְכַר וְנוּקְבָא כַּחֲדָא, רָזָא דִּמְהֵימְנוּתָא. כְּדֵין אֲמַר, וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה בָאֹהֶל, תַּמָּן הוּא קִשּׁוּרָא דְּכֹלָּא וְתַמָּן אִשְׁתַּכַּח.

Angels Egypt Sarah Tents

99. Of the question, "Where is she?" HE ASKS, Did the celestial angels not know that Sarah was in the tent? If so, why then is it written THAT THEY ASKED ABOUT HER SAYING, "Ayeh ('where?')?" AND HE REPLIES, THE ANGELS have no knowledge of this world, except what is given them to know. Come and behold, "For I will pass through the land of Egypt...I am Hashem" (Shemot 12:12). AND HE ASKS, The Holy One, blessed be He, has so many messengers and angels. WHY DID HE HAVE TO "PASS THROUGH THE LAND OF EGYPT" BY HIMSELF? AND HE REPLIES, Because THE ANGELS do not know how to distinguish between the sperm of a firstborn and that which is not. Only the Holy One, blessed be He, alone knows this.

99. אַיֵּה וגו'. וְכִי לָא הֲווֹ יָדְעֵי מַלְאֲכֵי עִלָּאֵי, דְּשָׂרָה הִנֵּה בָאֹהֶל, אַמַּאי כְּתִיב אַיֵּה. אֶלָּא לָא יָדְעֵי בְּהַאי עָלְמָא, אֶלָּא מַה דְּאִתְמְסַר לְהוֹ לְמִנְדַע. תָּא חֲזֵי, וְעָבַרְתִּי בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם אֲנִי ה'. וְכִי כַּמָּה שְׁלִיחִין וּמַלְאָכִין אִית לֵיהּ לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, אֶלָּא בְּגִין דְּאִינוּן לָא יָדְעֵי בֵּין טִפָּה דְּבוּכְרָא, לְהַהוּא דְּלָא בּוּכְרָא, בַּר קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בִּלְחוֹדוֹי.

Angels Ezekiel Heavens

100. This is similar to the text, "and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men..." (Yechezkel 9:4). Why do THE ANGELS need THIS MARK? Because THE ANGELS know only what they are told. For example, how do they know all that the Holy One, blessed be He, plans on doing in the world? They know because the Holy One, blessed be He, sends announcements throughout the heavens, informing them of what He is about to perform in the world. THE ANGELS HEAR THESE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND KNOW!

100. כְּגַוְונָא דָּא, וְהִתְוֵיתָ תָּו עַל מִצְחוֹת הָאֲנָשִׁים. וַאַמַּאי צְרִיכִין. אֶלָּא, בְּגִין דְּאִינוּן לָא יָדְעֵי, אֶלָא מַה דְּאִתְמְסַר לוֹן לְמִנְדַע. כְּגוֹן כָּל אִינוּן מִלִּין דְּזַמִּין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְאַיְיתָאָה עַל עָלְמָא. וּמ"ט, בְּגִין דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אַעֲבַר כָּרוֹזָא בְּכָלְהוֹ רְקִיעִין, בְּהַהִיא מִלָּה דְּזַמִּין לְאַיְתָאָה עַל עָלְמָא.

Angels Door House Jeremiah Morning

101. In the same way, when the Angel of Destruction roams the world, people should hide at home and not be seen at the marketplace. This will prevent the Angel of Destruction from destroying and hurting them. As it is written, "And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning" (Shemot 12:22), because from them - FROM THE ANGELS - we can and should hide. But there is no need to hide from the Holy One, blessed be He, as it is written, "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Says Hashem" (Yirmeyah 23:24).

101. כְּגַוְונָא דָא, בְּשַׁעֲתָא דִּמְחַבְּלָא אִשְׁתְּכַח בְּעָלְמָא, בָּעֵי בַּר נָשׁ לְאִתְכַּסְיָא בְּבֵיתֵיהּ, וְלָא יִתְחֲזֵי בְּשׁוּקָא, בְּגִין דְּלָא יִתְחַבֵּל, כְּדָּבָר אֲחֵר וְאַתֶּם לֹֹא תֵצְאוּ אִישׁ מִפֶּתַח בֵּיתוֹ עַד בֹּקֶר. מִנַּיְיהוּ דְּיָכִיל לְאִסְתַּתְּרָא, אֵין, אֲבָל מִקַּמֵּי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, לָא בָּעֵי לְאִסְתַּתְּרָא, מַה כְּתִיב אִם יִסָּתֵר אִישׁ בַּמִּסְתָּרִים וַאֲנִי לֹא אֶרְאֶנּוּ נְאֻם ה'.

Abraham Sarah Tents Year

102. "Where is Sarah, your wife?" HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ASKED ABOUT HER. WHEN THEY HEARD SHE WAS IN THE TENT, THEY DID NOT ENTER IT TO INFORM HER. INSTEAD, THEY REMAINED OUTSIDE WHILE THEY INFORMED ABRAHAM. AND HE ANSWERS, They did not want to announce THE GOOD NEWS in front of her. So immediately after he said, "Behold, in the tent," it is then written, "He said, I will return and definitely come back to you at this time next year, and, lo, Sarah your wife shall have a son" (Beresheet 18:10). Come and behold, it was very polite and proper that they said nothing to Abraham before he invited them to eat. This way, it did not seem that he invited them to eat because of the good news they brought him. Therefore, only after the verse stated "and they ate," did they inform him about the good news.

102. אַיֵּה שָׂרָה אִשְׁתֶּךָ. דְּלָא בָעוּ לוֹמַר קַמָּהּ, כֵּיוָן דַּאֲמַר הִנֵּה בָאֹהֶל, מִיָּד וַיֹּאמֶר שׁוֹב אָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ כְּעֵת חַיָּה וְהִנֵּה בֵן לְשָׂרָה אִשְׁתֶּךָ וגו', תָּא חֲזֵי אוֹרַח אַרְעָא, דְּעַד לָא אַזְמִין אַבְרָהָם קַמַּיְיהוּ לְמֵיכַל, לָא אֲמָרוּ לֵיהּ מִדֵּי, בְּגִין דְּלָא יִתְחֲזֵי דִּבְגִין הַהִיא בְּשׂוֹרָה, קָא אַזְמִין לְהוֹ לְמֵיכַל, בָּתַר דִּכְתִיב וַיֹּאכֵלוּ, כְּדֵין אֲמָרוּ לֵיהּ הַהִיא בְּשׂוֹרָה.

Abraham Angels Chassadim Fire Grades Heavens

103. HE ASKS, IT IS WRITTEN, "and they ate," but do celestial angels eat? AND HE REPLIES, For the sake of Abraham's honor, it seemed AS THOUGH THEY ATE. THIS MEANS THAT THEY MADE IT SEEM AS THOUGH THEY WERE EATING. Rabbi Elazar said, They did actually eat, because they are the "fire that consumes fire." And it is not as though THEY WERE EATING. So they ate everything Abraham offered them, because from the side of Abraham they ate on a supernal level. THIS MEANS THAT THE DRAWING DOWN OF CHASSADIM IS THE SECRET OF 'EATING ON A SUPERNAL LEVEL,' AND ABRAHAM IS THE SECRET OF CHESED. THEREFORE, EVERYTHING HE OFFERED THEM CAME FROM HIS OWN ATTRIBUTE, FROM THE ATTRIBUTE OF CHESED. AND THEY ATE, JUST AS THEY EAT ABOVE IN THE HEAVENS.

103. וַיֹּאכֵלוּ, סָלְקָא דַּעְתָּךְ, וְכִי מַלְאֲכֵי עִלָּאֵי אָכְלֵי, אֶלָּא, בְּגִין יְקָרָא דְּאַבְרָהָם, אִתְחֲזֵי הָכֵי. אֲמַר ר' אֶלְעָזָר וַיֹּאכֵלוּ וַדַּאי, בְּגִין דְּאִינוּן אֶשָׁא דְּאָכִיל אֶשָׁא, וְלָא אִתְחֲזֵי, וְכָל מַה דִּיהַב לוֹן אַבְרָהָם אָכְלֵי, בְּגִין דְּמִסִּטְרָא דְּאַבְרָהָם אָכְלֵי לְעֵילָא.

Abraham Angels Seven

104. Come and behold, everything Abraham ate was according to the rites of purity. And because of this, he served it to the angels, who ate. In his home, he observed the rites of purity so strictly that an impure person could not serve at his home unless he (Abraham) immersed him in a ritual bath, IF HE WAS SLIGHTLY IMPURE. Or he made him keep purity properly for seven days at his home, IF HE WAS SEVERELY IMPURE. AFTERWARD, HE IMMERSED HIM.

104. תָּא חֲזֵי, כָּל מַה דְּאָכִיל אַבְרָהָם, בְּטָהֳרָה אִיהוּ קָא אָכִיל, וּבְגִין כָּךְ אַקְרֵיב קַמַּיְיהוּ, וְאָכְלֵי, וּנְטֵיר אַבְרָהָם בְּבֵיתֵיהּ דַּכְיָא וּמְסָאֲבוּתָא, דַּאֲפִילּוּ בַּר נָשׁ דְּאִיהוּ מְסָאַב, לָא הֲוָה מְשַׁמֵּשׁ בְּבֵיתֵיהּ, עַד דַּעֲבֵיד לֵיהּ טְבִילָה, אוֹ עֲבֵיד לֵיהּ לְנַטְרָא שִׁבְעָה יוֹמִין, כִּדְקָא חָזֵי לֵיהּ, בְּבֵיתֵיהּ, וְהָכֵי הוּא וַדַּאי.

Flow Gonorrhea Leprosy Seven Water

105. Come and behold. It is written, "If there be among you any man who is not clean by reason of uncleanliness that chances by night..." (Devarim 23:11) what should he do? The verse continues, "when evening comes on, he shall bathe himself in water..." (Ibid. 12) But if he becomes defiled through any other SEVERE cause, like gonorrhea or leprosy on the impurity of menstrual flow, which include two kinds of defilement, then the ritual immersion FOR CLEANSING HIMSELF FROM THE NOCTURNAL POLLUTION AT EVENING is not sufficient. UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, HE SHOULD KEEP PURITY FOR SEVEN DAYS. THEN HE SHOULD IMMERSE AGAIN. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HE WHO experienced nocturnal pollution before he was defiled with the other kind of corruption and he who was defiled only afterward.

105. תָּא חֲזֵי כְּתִיב אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִהְיֶה טָהוֹר מִקְרֶה לַיְלָה וגו'. מַאי תַּקַנְתֵּיהּ, וְהָיָה לִפְנוֹת עֶרֶב יִרְחַץ בַּמָּיִם. אִעֲרַע בֵּיהּ טוּמְאָה אָחֳרָא, כְּגוֹן זִיבָה, אוֹ סְגִירַת נִדָּה, דַּהֲווֹ תְּרֵי מְסָאֲבוּ, לָא סַגְיָא לֵיהּ בְּהַהִיא טְבִילָה, בֵּין דְּאִעֲרַע בֵּיהּ קֶרִי, קוֹדֶם דְּקַבֵּיל טוּמְאָה אָחֳרָא, בֵּין דְּאִעֲרַע בֵּיהּ לְבָתָר.

Abraham Job Sarah Terah, Abraham's Father Women

106. Abraham and Sarah prepared ritual baths for every person - he for the men and she for the women. And why was Abraham occupied in purifying other people? Because he is pure and is called pure, as it is written, "Who can bring a pure thing out of an impure? Not one," (Iyov 14:4) where "pure" applies to Abraham, who came out of Terah, WHO IS IMPURE.

106. וְאַבְרָהָם וְשָׂרָה הֲווֹ מְתַקְּנֵי טְבִילָה לְכָלְהוֹ, אִיהוּ לְגַבְרֵי וְאִיהִי לְנַשֵּׁי. מ"ט אִעֲסַק אַבְרָהָם לְדַכָּאָה לִבְנֵי נָשָׁא, בְּגִין דְּאִיהוּ טָהוֹר, וְאִקְרֵי טָהוֹר, דִּכְתִיב מִי יִתֵּן טָהוֹר מִטָּמֵא לֹא אֶחָד. טָהוֹר דָּא אַבְרָהָם דִּנְפַק מִתֶּרַח.

Abraham Angels Chassadim Grades Prayer Purification Water Waters

107. Rabbi Shimon said, THIS IS WHY ABRAHAM ENGAGED IN RITUAL IMMERSION - to rectify Abraham's grade. And what is his grade? It is 'waters' - NAMELY CHASSADIM, THAT ARE CALLED 'WATERS.' Because of this, he prepared people to be purified with water. And when he invited the angels, his first words were as it is written, "Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched..." (Beresheet 18:4) - to strengthen himself with that grade which contains water, NAMELY CHESED.

107. רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אֲמַר, בְּגִין לְתַקָּנָא הַהוּא דַּרְגָּא דְּאַבְרָהָם, וּמַאן אִיהוּ מַיִם. בְּגִין כָּך, אַתְקֵין לְדַכָּאָה בְּנֵי עָלְמָא בְּמַיָא. וּבְשַׁעֲתָא דְּאַזְמִין לַמַּלְאָכִין, שֵׁירוּתָא דְּמִלּוֹי, מַה כְּתִיב, יוּקַח נָא מְעַט מַיִם. בְּגִין לְאִתְתַּקְּפָא בְּהַהוּא דַּרְגָּא דְמַיִין שָׁרָאן בָּהּ.

Idolatry Purification Sin Women

108. This is how he purified people from all sins, including those from the Impure Side and idol worshiping. And just as he purified the men, so did she purify the women. Therefore, all those who came to him were completely purified FROM IDOL WORSHIPING AND DEFILEMENT.

108. וּבְגִינֵי כָךְ, הֲוָה מְדַכֵּי לְכָל בְּנֵי נָשָׁא מִכֹּלָּא, מְדַכֵּי לוֹן מִסִּטְרָא דַּע"ז, וּמְדַכֵּי לוֹן מִסִּטְרָא דִּמְסָאֲבָא, וְכַמָּה דְּאִיהוּ מְדַכֵּי לְגוּבְרִין, ה"נ שָׂרָה מְדַכַּאת לְנָשִׁין, וְאִשְׁתַּכָּחוּ כָּלְהוֹ דְּאַתְיָין לְגַבַּיְיהוּ דָּכְיָין מִכֹּלָּא.

Abraham Canaan Idolatry Tree

109. Come and behold, wherever Abraham lived, he planted a tree. But it did not grow properly in all the places; it only grew properly when he lived in Canaan. And by this tree, he knew who was attached to the Holy One, blessed be He, and who worshiped idols.

109. תָּא חֲזֵי, אִילָנָא נָטַע אַבְרָהָם, בְּכָל אֲתַר דְּדִיּוּרֵיהּ תַּמָּן, וְלָא הֲוָה סָלֵיק בְּכָל אֲתַר כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת, בַּר בְּשַׁעֲתָא דְּדִיוּרֵיהּ בְּאַרְעָא דִּכְנָעַן. וּבְהַהוּא אִילָנָא הֲוָה יָדַע מַאן דְּאִתְאַחֵיד בֵּיה בְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וּמַאן דְּאִתְאַחֵיד בַּע"ז.

Abraham Faith Head Idolatry Tree

110. For if a person cleaved to the Holy One, blessed be He, the tree spread out its branches, covered his head, and formed a pleasant shade for him. But if a person was attached to idolatry, the tree raised its branches high. Then Abraham knew THAT HE WORSHIPPED IDOLS. Abraham reprimanded him and did not let him go until he cleaved to faith in the Holy One, blessed be He!

110. מַאן דְּאִתְאַחֵיד בְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, אִילָנָא הֲוָה פָּרֵישׂ עַנְפּוֹי וַחֲפֵי עַל רֵישֵׁיהּ וַעֲבֵיד עֲלֵיהּ צִלָּא יָאֶה, וּמַאן דְּאִתְאַחֵיד בְּסִטְרָא דַּע"ז, הַהוּא אִילָנָא הֲוָה אִסְתַּלַּק, וְעַנְפּוֹי הֲווֹ סְלִיקִין לְעֵילָא. כְּדֵין הֲוָה יָדַע אַבְרָהָם, וְאַזְהִיר לֵיהּ וְלָא אַעֲדֵי מִתַּמָּן, עַד דְּאִתְאַחֵיד בִּמְהֵימְנוּתָא דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא.

Abraham Purification Tree Water

111. In addition, whoever was pure was accepted by the tree. But whoever was impure was not accepted. Abraham then knew IF A PERSON WAS UNCLEAN. If this was the case, he purified him with water.

111. וְהָכֵי מַאן דְּאִיהוּ דַּכְיָא, מְקַבֵּל לֵיהּ אִילָנָא. מַאן דְּאִיהוּ מְסָאַב לָא מְקַבֵּל לֵיהּ. כְּדֵין יָדַע אַבְרָהָם וּמְדַכֵּי לוֹן בְּמַיָא.

Abraham Purification Seven Tree Water

112. And there was a spring of water beneath the tree. If a person WHO WAS SLIGHTLY IMPURE needed an immersion, the water immediately rose and the branches of the tree ascended upward. Abraham thus knew that he was impure and had to be immersed in water immediately. But if a person did not need to be cleansed immediately, the spring dried up. Then Abraham knew that he was still impure and needed to wait for seven days.

112. וּמַעֲיָינָא דְמַיָיא הֲוָה תְּחוֹת הַהוּא אִילָנָא, וּמַאן דִּצְרִיךְ טְבִילָה, מִיָּד מַיִין סָלְקִין לְגַבֵּיהּ, וְאִילָנָא אִסְתַּלְּקִין עַנְפּוֹי, כְּדֵין יָדַע אַבְרָהָם דְּאִיהוּ מְסָאֲבָא, וּבָעֵי טְבִילָה מִיָּד, וְאִם לָאו, מַיָא נְגִיבָן, כְּדֵין יָדַע דְּבָעֵי לְאִסְתָּאֲבָא וּלְאִסְתַּמְרָא שִׁבְעָה יוֹמִין.

Angels Idolatry Tree Tree of Life

113. Come and behold, even when he invited the angels, he told them to rest "yourselves under the tree," (Beresheet 18:4) in order to test them. In this way, he examined every person. And the secret is that he said this for the sake of the Holy One, blessed be He, who is THE SECRET OF the Tree of Life for everyone. This is why he TOLD THEM, "and rest yourselves under the tree," WHICH IS THE HOLY ONE BLESSED BE HE, and not under idol worshiping.

113. תָּא חֲזֵי, דַּאֲפִילּוּ בְּשַׁעֲתָא דְּאַזְמִין לוֹן לַמַּלְאָכִין, אֲמַר לוֹן, וְהִשָּׁעֲנוּ תַּחַת הָעֵץ. בְּגִין לְמֶחֱמֵי וּלְמִבְדַּק בְּהוֹ, וּבְהַהוּא אִילָנָא הֲוָה בָּדִיק לְכָל בְּנֵי עָלְמָא, וְרָזָא בְּגִין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא קָא אֲמַר דְּאִיהוּ אִילָנָא דְחַיֵּי לְכֹלָּא, וּבְגִין כָּךְ, וְהִשָּׁעֲנוּ תַּחַת הָעֵץ, וְלֹא תַּחַת עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.

Abraham Adam Death Death and the Afterlife Evil Faith Hands Tree Tree of Life

114. Come and behold, Adam sinned by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, as it is written, "But from the tree of knowledge of good and evil..." (Beresheet 2:17). But after he sinned, thereby bringing death upon the entire world, it is written, "and now lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever" (Beresheet 3:22). And when Abraham appeared, he ameliorated the world by using another tree, the Tree of Life, to introduce the proper faith to all peoples of the world.

114. וְתָּא חֲזֵי כַּד חָב אָדָם, בְּעֵץ הַדַּעַת טוֹב וָרָע חָב, דִּכְתִיב וּמֵעֵץ הַדַּעַת וגו'. וְאִיהוּ בֵּיהּ חָב, וְגָרַם מוֹתָא לְעָלְמָא. מַה כְּתִיב, וְעַתָּה פֶּן יִשְׁלַח יָדוֹ וְלָקַח גַּם מֵעֵץ הַחַיִּים וגו'. וְכַד אָתָא אַבְרָהָם, בְּאִילָנָא אָחֳרָא אַתְקִין עָלְמָא, דְּהוּא אִילָנָא דְּחַיֵּי, וְאוֹדַע מְהֵימְנוּתָא לְכָל בְּנֵי עָלְמָא.

Abraham Bread Milk Prayer Sarah Soul, The Tents Washing Water

115. Midrash Hane'elam (Homiletical interpretations on the obscure). Rabbi Chiya said in the name of Rav, If we look into this passage, we should do so wisely. If THIS PASSAGE DISCUSSES matters of the soul, AS HE STARTED TO EXPLAIN, then there is no connection between the beginning and the end, nor between the end and the beginning. THIS MEANS THAT IT IS HARD TO EXPLAIN THE END OF THE PASSAGE IN RELATION TO THE SOUL, REFERRING TO THE WORDS, "LET A LITTLE WATER, I PRAY YOU, BE FETCHED..." THEREFORE, THE END IS NOT CONNECTED TO THE BEGINNING, AND VICE VERSA. But if THE PASSAGE DISCUSSES the departure of man from this world, let the whole passage deal with this. So either we explain the whole passage in this way or the other. WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF, "let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet..." AS WELL AS THE MEANING OF, "And I will fetch a morsel of bread... Abraham hastened into the tent, to Sarah...And Abraham ran to the herd... And he took butter, and milk" (Beresheet 18:4-8).

115. (מִדְרָשׁ הַנֶּעֱלָם) אֲמַר רַבִּי חִיָּיא אֲמַר רַב, אִי הֲוֵינָא מִסְתַּכְּלִין בְּפָרָשָׁתָא דָּא, נִסְתַּכֵּל בְּחָכְמָתָא, אִי עִנְיָינָא דְּנִשְׁמָתָא הִיא, לָאו רֵישָׁא סוֹפָא, וְלָאו סוֹפָא רֵישָׁא. וְאִי עִנְיָינָא לִפְטִירַת אִינִישׁ מֵעָלְמָא הִיא, נִסְתּוֹר כָּל פַּרְשָׁתָא, אוֹ נוֹקִים פַּרְשָׁתָא בְּהַאי אוֹ בְּהַאי. מַהוּ יוּקַח נָא מְעַט מַיִם וְרַחֲצוּ רַגְלֵיכֶם וגו'. וְאֶקְחָה פַת לֶחֶם וגו'. וַיְמַהֵר אַבְרָהָם הָאֹהֱלָה אֶל שָׂרָה וגו'. וְאֶל הַבָּקָר רָץ אַבְרָהָם וגו'. וַיִּקַּח חֶמְאָה וְחָלָב וגו'.

Body Sacrifice Soul, The Temple, The Torah Water

116. When Rabbi Dimi arrived he said, The soul could have no use for the body were it not for the sacrifice-offerings implied here THAT APPEAR IN THE VERSES "LET A LITTLE WATER," AND SO ON. Even when the offerings ceased, AS THE TEMPLE WAS DESTROYED, the Torah did not cease to exist. Thus, he can delve into study of the Torah, and it will help him even more than the sacrifices.

116. כַּד אָתָא רַב דִּימֵי, אֲמַר, לֹא מָצְאָה הַנְּשָׁמָה תּוֹעֶלֶת לַגּוּף, אִלְּמָלֵא מַה שֶּׁרָמַז בְּכָאן, רֶמֶז הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת. בָּטְלוּ הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת, לֹא בָּטְלָה הַתּוֹרָה, הַאי דְּלָא אִעֲסַק בַּקָּרְבָּנוֹת, לִיעֲסַק בַּתּוֹרָה, וְיִתְהַנֵּי לֵיהּ יַתִּיר.

Guilt Meal offering Meals Moses Offering Sacrifice Sin Sin-offering Torah Universe

117. Rabbi Yochanan said, When the Holy One, blessed be He, described the sacrificial offerings in detail, Moses said - Master of the Universe, this is all right when the children of Yisrael live in their land, but what shall they do when they are exiled from their land? He replies, Moses, let them study Torah, and I shall forgive them, for Its sake, more than for all other sacrifices in the world, as it is written, "This is the Torah of the burnt offering, of the meal offering..." (Vayikra 7:37) This means that the Torah is instead of the burnt offering, instead of the meal offering, instead of the sin offering, and instead of the guilt offering.

117. דַּאֲמַר רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן, כְּשֶׁפֵּירַשׁ הַקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת, אֲמַר מֹשֶׁה, רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, תֵּינַח בִּזְמַן שֶׁיִּהְיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל אַדְמָתָם, כֵּיוָן שֶׁיִּגְלוּ מֵעַל אַדְמָתָם מַה יַּעֲשׂוּ, אָמַר לוֹ, מֹשֶׁה, יַעַסְקוּ בַּתּוֹרָה וַאֲנִי מוֹחֵל לָהֶם בִּשְׁבִילָהּ, יוֹתֵר מִכָּל הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר זֹאת הַתּוֹרָה לָעוֹלָה לַמִּנְחָה וגו'. כְּלוֹמַר זֹאת הַתּוֹרָה, בִּשְׁבִיל עוֹלָה, בִּשְׁבִיל מִנְחָה, בִּשְׁבִיל חַטָּאת, בִּשְׁבִיל אָשָׁם.

Angels Brit (Covenant) Covenant (Brit) Sin Torah

118. Rabbi Cruspedai said, For whoever utters the phrases of the sacrificial offerings in the synagogues and in academies for the study of Torah, and meditates on them, it is a sealed Covenant that all those angels who mention his sins in order to persecute him can only do him good.

118. אָמַר רָבִּי כְּרוּסְפְּדָאי, הַאי מַאן דְּמַדְכַּר בְּפוּמֵיהּ, בְּבָתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבְבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת, עִנְיָינָא דְּקָרְבָּנַיָא וְתִקְרוּבְתָּא, וִיכַוֵּון בְּהוֹ, בְּרִית כְּרוּתָה הוּא, דְּאִינוּן מַלְאָכַיָא דְּמַדְכְּרִין חוֹבֵיהּ, לְאַבְאָשָׁא לֵיהּ, דְּלָא יָכְלִין לְמֶעְבַּד לֵיהּ, אִלְּמָלֵא טִיבוּ.

Abraham Righteous Soul, The Tents Torah

119. And what proves this to be true? This passage, "And, lo, three men stood by him." What is meant by "stood by him?" It means to judge him and pronounce his sentence. As soon as the soul of the righteous one saw this, it is written, "And Abraham hastened into the tent..." What is meant by "into the tent?" This refers to the academy for the study of Torah. And what does he say? He says, "Make ready quickly three measures..." This refers to offerings, to which the soul alludes, as it is written, "And Abraham ran to the herd..." Then they are pleased and appeased, and cannot do him any harm.

119. וּמַאן יוֹכַח, הַאי פַּרְשָׁתָא יוֹכַח, דְּכֵיוָן דַּאֲמַר וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים נִצָּבִים עָלָיו, מַהוּ עָלָיו, לְעַיֵּין בְּדִינֵיהּ, כֵּיוָן דְּחָמָא נִשְׁמָתָא דְּצַדִּיקַיָא כָּךְ, מַה כְּתִיב, וַיְמַהֵר אַבְרָהָם הָאֹהֱלָה וגו'. מַהוּ הָאֹהֱלָה. בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ. וּמַהוּ אוֹמֵר מַהֲרִי שְׁלֹשׁ סְאִים, עִנְיַן הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת, וְנִשְׁמָתָא מִתְכַּוֶּונֶת בְּהוֹ, הה"ד וְאֶל הַבָּקָר רָץ אַבְרָהָם. וּכְדֵין נַיְיחָא לְהוֹ, וְלָא יָכְלִין לְאַבְאָשָׁא לֵיהּ.

Aaron Congregation Moses Offering Plagues Redemption and Salvation

120. Rabbi Pinchas continued the discussion with the passages, "and, behold, the plague had begun among the people..." (Bemidbar 17:12); "Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer..." (Ibid. 11); "the plague was stayed" (Ibid. 13). WE LEARN THIS THROUGH THE USE OF SIMILAR WORDS. It says here "quickly" IN THE VERSE "AND TAKE IT QUICKLY TO THE CONGREGATION." There it is written, "Make ready quickly three measures." As in the first verse, the word "quickly" here applies to a sacrificial offering as a means of salvation. THIS SUPPORTS THE EXPLANATION OF RABBI CRUSPEDAI.

120. רַבִּי פִּנְחָס פְּתַח קְרָא, דִּכְתִיב וְהִנֵּה הֵחֵל הַנֶּגֶף בָּעָם, וּכְתִיב וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל אַהֲרֹן קַח אֶת הַמַּחְתָּה וגו'. וּכְתִיב וַתֵּעָצַר הַמַּגֵּפָה. כְּתִיב הָכָא מַהֵר, וּכְתִיב הָתָם מַהֲרִי שְׁלֹשׁ סְאִים. מַה לְּהַלָּן קָרְבָּן לְאִשְׁתֵּזָבָא, אַף כָּאן קָרְבָּן לְאִשְׁתֵּזָבָא.

Angels Brit (Covenant) Covenant (Brit) Elijah Heart Moses

121. Rabbi Pinchas then said, once, while I was walking, I met Elijah and said to him - Sir, may you say to me something for the well-being of the people. He said to me, The Holy One, blessed be He, signed a covenant with this provision. If the angels who report the transgressions of man enter his presence while human beings simultaneously recite the sacrificial offerings that Moses commanded, and say them with full intention and with all their hearts, then all THE ANGELS will mention their names for good.

121. אָמַר רָבִּי פִּנְחָס, זִמְנָא חָדָא הֲוֵינָא אָזְלֵי בְאָרְחָא, וַעֲרָעִית בֵּיהּ בְּאֵלִיָּהוּ, אֲמִינָא לֵיהּ, לֵימָא לִי מַר מִלָּה דְּמַעֲלֵי לִבְרִיָּיתָא, אָמַר לוֹ, קְיָים גְּזַר קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וְעָאלוּ קַמֵּיהּ כָּל אִלֵּין מַלְאָכַיָא, דִּמְמַנָּן לְאַדְכָּרָא חוֹבֵי דְּבַּר נָשׁ, דִּי בְּעִדְנָא דְּיִדְכְּרוּן בְּנֵי אֱנָשָׁא קָרְבָּנַיָא דְּמַנֵּי מֹשֶׁה, וְשַׁוֵּי לִבֵּיהּ וּרְעוּתֵיהּ בְּהוֹ, דְּכָלְהוֹ יִדְכְּרוּן לֵיהּ לְטַב.

Brit (Covenant) Covenant (Brit) Earth Elijah Heart Heavens Hosts Incense Plagues Soul, The

122. ELIJAH SAID TO ME, Further, there is a signed covenant stating that when there is a plague among people, He sends forth this announcement among all the hosts of the heavens. If the humans enter the synagogues and yeshivahs on earth and recite with all their heart and soul the paragraph of the incense that Yisrael once performed, the plague will stop.

122. וְעוֹד בְּעִדָּנָא דִּיעֲרַע מוֹתָנָא בִּבְנֵי אֱנָשָׁא, קְיָימָא אִתְגְּזַר, וְכָרוֹזָא אַעֲבַר עַל כָּל חֵילָא דִשְׁמַיָא, דְּאִי יֵיעֲלוּן בְּנוֹהִי בְּאַרְעָא, בְּבָתֵּי כְנֵסִיּוֹת וּבְבָתֵּי מִדְרָשׁוֹת, וְיֵימְרוּן בִּרְעוּת נַפְשָׁא וְלִבָּא, עִנְיָינָא דִקְטוֹרֶת בּוּסְמִין, דַּהֲווֹ לְהוֹ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּיִתְבַּטַּל מוֹתָנָא מִנַּיְיהוּ.

Aaron Altar Angels Congregation Fire Incense Moses Plagues

123. Rabbi Yitzchak said, Come and behold. It is written, "And Moses said to Aaron, take a censer and put fire in it from off the altar, and put on incense." Aaron asks him, "Why?" Moses replies, "For the wrath has gone out from before Hashem..." It then says, "And he ran into the midst of the congregation; and behold, the plague had begun among the people...And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed." (Bemidbar 17:11-13) Hence, the Angel of Destruction lost his dominion and the "plague was stayed." THUS, IT IS STATED EXPRESSLY THAT THE INCENSE STOPPED THE PLAGUE.

123. אָמַר רָבִּי יִצְחָק בּוֹא וּרְאֵה, מַה כְּתִיב, וַיֹּאמֶר מֹשֶׁה אֶל אַהֲרֹן קַח אֶת הַמַּחְתָּה וְתֵן עָלֶיהָ אֵשׁ מֵעַל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וְשִׂים קְטֹרֶת. אָמַר לוֹ אַהֲרֹן לָמָּה. אָמַר כִּי יָצָא הַקֶּצֶף מִלִּפְנֵי ה' וגו'. מַה כְּתִיב וַיָּרָץ אֶל תּוֹךְ הַקָּהָל וְהִנֵּה הֵחֵל הַנֶּגֶף בָּעָם. וּכְתִיב וַיַּעֲמֹד בֵּין הַמֵּתִים וּבֵין הַחַיִּים וַתֵּעָצַר הַמַּגֵּפָה. וְלָא יָכִיל מַלְאָכָא דִּמְחַבְּלָא, לְשַׁלְּטָאָה וְנִתְבַּטְּלָא מוֹתָנָא.

Mercy Plagues Seven

124. Rabbi Acha went to the village of Tarsha, where he stayed at an inn. The people of that village whispered about him, saying, A great man has arrived here; let us go to him. They said to him, Do you not have mercy on us because of the plague? He said to them, What plague? They replied, A plague struck the village seven days ago. And every day that passes, it becomes worse.

124. ר' אַחָא אֲזַל לִכְפַר טַרְשָׁא, אָתָא לְגַבֵּי אוּשְׁפִּיזֵיהּ, לְחִישׁוּ עֲלַיְהוּ כָּל בְּנֵי מָתָא, אֲמָרוּ גַּבְרָא רַבָּא אָתָא הָכָא, נֵזֵּיל לְגַבֵּיהּ, אָתוֹ לְגַבֵּיהּ, אֲמָרוּ לֵיהּ לָא חָס עַל אוֹבָדָנָא, אֲמַר לְהוֹ מַהוּ. אֲמָרוּ לֵיהּ, דְּאִית שִׁבְעָה יוֹמִין, דְּשָׁארֵי מוֹתָנָא בְּמָאתָא, וְכָל יוֹמָא אִתְתַּקַּף וְלָא אִתְבַּטַּל.

Mercy

125. He responded, Let us go to the synagogue and plead for mercy in front of the Holy One, blessed be He. As they were on their way, people came up to them and told them the names of people who had died or were about to die. Rabbi Acha said to them, This is not the time to stand around talking, time presses.

125. אֲמַר לְהוֹ, נֵיזֵיל לְבֵי כְנִישְׁתָּא, וְנִתְבַּע רַחֲמֵי מִן קֳדָם קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. עַד דַּהֲווֹ אָזְלֵי אָתוֹ וַאֲמָרוּ, פְּלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי מִיתוּ, וּפְלוֹנִי וּפְלוֹנִי נָטוּ לָמוּת. אֲמַר לְהוֹ רַבִּי אַחָא, לֵית עִתָּא לְקָיְימָא הָכֵי, דְּשַׁעֲתָא דְחִיקָא.

Corners Incense Moses Offering Soul, The Ten

126. Choose forty men from the worthiest among you and divide them into four groups. I shall be among you. Ten men should go to each of the four corners of the city. There, you shall recite, with the might of your souls, the phrases of the incense offering, which the Holy One, blessed be He, handed over to Moses. And you should also recite the phrases of the sacrificial offerings.

126. אֲבָל אַפְרִישׁוּ מִנְכוֹן אַרְבְּעִין בְּנֵי נָשָׁא, מֵאִינוּן דְּזַכָּאִין יַתִּיר, עֲשָׂרָה עֲשָׂרָה לְאַרְבְּעָה חוּלָקִין, וַאֲנָא עִמְּכוֹן, עֲשָׂרָה לְזִוְויָיתָא דְּמָאתָא, וַעֲשָׂרָה לְזִוְויָיתָא דְּמָאתָא, וְכֵן לְאַרְבַּע זִוְויָיתָא דְּמָאתָא, וַאֲמָרוּ בִּרְעוּת נַפְשְׁכוֹן עִנְיָינָא דִקְטֹרֶת בּוּסְמִין, דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא יְהַב לְמשֶׁה, וְעִנְיָינָא דְּקָרְבָּנָא עִמֵּיהּ.

Aaron Corners Moses Plagues

127. And so they recited those phrases three times in each of the four corners of the city. He then told them, Let us visit those who are about to die. Choose from among you PEOPLE WHO MAY GO to their houses and recite WHAT WE HAVE SAID. When they finish, say these verses, "And Moses said to Aaron, take a censer... And Aaron took... And he stood between the dead..." (Bemidbar 17:11-13) They followed these instructions, and then THE PLAGUE ceased.

127. עִבִדוּ כֵּן תְּלַת זִמְנִין, וְאִעֲבָרוּ בְּכָל מָאתָא, לְאַרְבַּע זִוְויָיתָא, וַהֲווֹ אָמְרִין כֵּן, לְבָתַר אֲמַר לְהוֹ, נֵּיזֵיל לְאִינוּן דְּאוֹשִׁיטוּ לְמֵימַת, אַפְרִישׁוּ מִנַּיְיכוּ לְבָתֵּיהוֹן, וְאִמְרוּ כְדֵין, וְכַד תְּסַיְּימוּ אִמְרוּן אִלֵּין פְּסוּקַיָיא וַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה אֶל אַהֲרֹן קַח אֶת הַמַּחְתָּה וְתֵן עָלֶיהָ אֵשׁ וגו'. וַיִּקַּח אַהֲרֹן וגו'. וַיַּעֲמֹד בֵּין הַמֵּתִים וגו'. וְכֵן עֲבָדוּ וְאִתְבַּטַּל מִנַּיְיהוּ.

Atonement Deeds Heart Heaven Judgment Mata (Angel) Mercy Repentance Torah Voice

128. They heard a voice that said, Secrets, primary secrets have been sweetened above; for the Judgment of heaven does not apply here, because people know how to cancel the Judgment! Rabbi Acha's heart became faint, and he fell asleep. He heard them say to him, As you have done this, go and tell them to repent, because they have sinned before Me! He woke up and made them repent and atone completely for their deeds. And they took it upon themselves never to cease studying Torah. And they changed the name of the village to Mata Machseya ('the village of Mercy'), BECAUSE THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, SHOWED MERCY TOWARDS THE VILLAGE.

128. שָׁמְעוּ הַהוּא קָלָא דַּאֲמַר, סִתְרָא סִתְרָא קַמַּיְיתָא, אוֹחִילוּ לְעֵילָא, דְּהָא דִּינָא דִּשְׁמַיָא לָא אַשְׁרֵי הָכָא, דְּהָא יָדְעֵי לְבַטְּלָא לֵיהּ, חָלַשׁ לִבֵּיהּ דְּרַבִּי אַחָא, אִדְמוּךְ, שְׁמַע דַּאֲמָרֵי לֵיהּ, כַּד עָבַדְתְּ דָּא, עֲבֵיד דָּא, זִיל וְאֵימָא לוֹן דְּיַחְזְרוּן בִּתְשׁוּבָה, דְּחַיָּיבִין אִינוּן קַמָּאי. קָם וְאַחֲזַר לְהוֹ בִּתְשׁוּבָה שְׁלֵימָתָא, וְקַבִּילוּ עֲלַיְיהוּ דְּלָא יִתְבַּטְּלוּן מֵאוֹרַיְיתָא לְעָלַם, וְאַחֲלִיפוּ שְׁמָא דְּקַרְתָּא, וְקָארוֹן לָהּ מָאתָא מַחְסֵיָא.

Blessing Body Judgment Meals Righteous Soul, The Year

129. Rabbi Yehuda said, It is not enough for the righteous to cancel the decree, they must bless them as well. And you should know that it is indeed so! Because the soul says to the body, "Make ready quickly three measures of a fine meal," and other phrases. And so it cancels the sentence of Judgment. And what is then written? And he said, "I will return and definitely come back to you at this time next year." Behold, this is the blessing.

129. אָמַר רָבִּי יְהוּדָה, לֹא דַּי לָהֶם לַצַּדִּיקִים, שֶׁמְבַטְּלִין אֶת הַגְּזֵרָה, אֶלָּא לְאַחַר כֵּן, שֶׁמְבָרְכִין לָהֶם, תֵּדַע לָךְ שֶׁכֵּן הוּא, דְּכֵיוָן שֶׁהַנְּשָׁמָה אוֹמֶרֶת לַגּוּף, מַהֲרִי שְׁלֹשׁ סְאִים וגו'. וְכָל אוֹתוֹ הָעִנְיָן, וּמְבַטֵּל אֶת הַדִּין, מַה כְּתִיב וַיֹּאמֶר שׁוֹב אָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ כְּעֵת חַיָּה. הֲרֵי בְּרָכָה.

Angels Sodom and Amorah (Gomorrah) Wicked Wickedness

130. Now what do the angels do after seeing that this person has taken good advice upon himself? They go to the wicked and examine their cases, in order to judge them, as it is written, "And the men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom" (Beresheet 18:16) - to the place of the wicked, in order to sentence them.

130. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרוֹאִים אוֹתָהּ הַמַּלְאָכִים, שֶׁזֶּה לָקַח עֵצָה לְנַפְשׁוֹ, מַה עוֹשִׂים, הוֹלְכִים אֵצֶל הָרְשָׁעִים, לְעַיֵּין בְּדִינָם, וְלַעֲשׂוֹת בָּהֶם מִשְׁפָּט. הה"ד וַיָּקוּמוּ מִשָּׁם הָאֲנָשִׁים וַיַּשְׁקִיפוּ עַל פְּנֵי סְדוֹם, לִמְקוֹם הָרְשָׁעִים, לַעֲשׂוֹת בָּהֶם מִשְׁפָּט.

Angels Blood Repentance Righteous Sacrifice

131. Rabbi Yehuda continued, This is the way of the righteous. As soon as he realizes that the angels are examining his case, he immediately repents, prays, and offers his fat and blood as a sacrifice before his Maker until the prosecutors ? have gone!

131. דַּאֲמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה כָּךְ דַּרְכּוֹ שֶׁל צַדִּיק, כֵּיוָן שֶׁרוֹאֶה שֶׁמְעַיְינִין בְּדִינוֹ, אֵינוֹ מִתְאַחֵר לָשׁוּב וּלְהִתְפַּלֵל וּלְהַקְרִיב חֶלְבּוֹ וְדָמוֹ לִפְנֵי צוּרוֹ, עַד שֶׁמִּסְתַּלְּקִין בַּעֲלֵי הַדִּין מִמֶּנּוּ.

Abraham Atonement Body Eyes Prosecution Sarah Sin Soul, The Tents

132. After saying, "And he lifted up his eyes and looked and, lo, three men stood by him..." - what does it say about the soul? "And Abraham hastened into the tent, to Sarah." He went in a rush, without any delay, as the soul hastens to the body to bring it back to the right path and search for anything that may atone for its sins, until the prosecutors depart from it.

132. דְּכֵיוָן שֶׁאָמַר וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים נִצָּבִים עָלָיו, מַה כְּתִיב בַּנְּשָׁמָה, וַיְמַהֵר אַבְרָהָם הָאֹהֱלָה אֶל שָׂרָה. בְּחִפָּזוֹן וּבִמְהִירוּת, בְּלֹא שׁוּם הַעְכָּבָה, מִיָּד מְמַהֶרֶת הַנְּשָׁמָה אֵצֶל הַגּוּף, לְהַחֲזִירוֹ לְמוּטָב, וּלְבַקֵּשׁ בַּמֶּה שֶׁיִּתְכַּפֵּר לוֹ, עַד שֶׁמִּסְתַּלְּקִין מִמֶּנּוּ בַּעֲלֵי הַדִּין.

Abraham Body Earth Eliezer Resurrection Sarah Soul, The Women Year

133. Rabbi Eliezer asks, Why does it say, "Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in days, and the manner of women ceased to be with Sarah" (Beresheet 18:11)? Because the soul preserved its stature and the body remained on earth for all those years, "advanced in days." It is after many years and days that it ceases to journey to and fro like other men and it is announced that the body shall be resurrected.

133. ר' אֱלִיעֶזֶר אוֹמֵר, מ"ד וְאַבְרָהָם וְשָׂרָה זְקֵנִים בָּאִים בַּיָּמִים חָדַל לִהְיוֹת לְשָׂרָה אֹרַח כַּנָּשִׁים. אֶלָּא, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהַנְּשָׁמָה עוֹמֶדֶת בְּמַעֲלָתָהּ, וְהַגּוּף נִשְׁאָר בָּאָרֶץ מִכַּמָּה שָׁנִים, בָּאִים בַּיָּמִים. שָׁנִים וְיָמִים הַרְבֵּה, וְחָדַל לָצֵאת וְלָבֹא וְלַעֲבוֹר אֹרַח כִּשְׁאָר כָּל אָדָם, אִתְבַּשַּׂר לְהַחֲיוֹת הַגּוּף.

Dust Year

134. What does it say? "After I am grown old shall I have pleasure" (Ibid. 12). After being wasted in the dust for many years until this day, "shall I have pleasure" and be renewed. "...My lord being old also..." means that it has been many years since you left me, and you have not visited me since.

134. מַהוּ אוֹמֵר, אַחֲרֵי בְלוֹתִי הָיְתָה לִי עֶדְנָה, אַחֲרֵי בְלוֹתִי בֶּעָפָר מֵהַיּוֹם כַּמָּה שָׁנִים, הָיְתָה לִי עֶדְנָה וְחִדּוּשׁ, וַאֲדוֹנִי זָקֵן, שֶׁהַיּוֹם כַּמָּה שָׁנִים, שֶׁיָּצָאת מִמֶּנִּי, וְלֹא הִפְקִידַנִי.

Resurrection Sarah Year

135. And the Holy One, blessed be He, said, "Is anything too hard for Hashem? At the time appointed..." (Ibid. 14). What is meant by "the time appointed?" This time is known to me for the resurrection of the dead. "...And Sarah shall have a son," that is, it shall be revived as a three year old.

135. וְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אֲמַר, הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵה' דָּבָר לַמּוֹעֵד. מַהוּ לַמּוֹעֵד. אוֹתוֹ הַיָּדוּעַ אֶצְלִי לְהַחֲיוֹת הַמֵּתִים. וּלְשָׂרָה בֵן. מְלַמֵּד שֶׁיִּתְחַדֵּשׁ כְּבֶן שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים.

Angels Body Dust Earth Flesh Resurrection Righteous Soil Soul, The Worm

136. Rabbi Yehuda, the son of Rabbi Simon, said, Because the soul is replenished by the splendor of above, the Holy One, blessed be He, tells the angel Dumah - Go and inform the body of such and such, that I shall resurrect it in the future, at the appointed time, when I shall resurrect the righteous. And it replies, "After I am grown old shall I have pleasure?" After I have waxed in the dust and have dwelt in the soil and worms have eaten my flesh, and I am a clot of earth, shall I be resurrected?

136. אֲמַר רַבִּי יְהוּדָה בְּרַבִּי סִימוֹן, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהַנְּשָׁמָה נִיזוֹנֵית מִזִּיוָהּ שֶׁל מַעְלָה, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אוֹמֵר לְאוֹתוֹ הַמַּלְאָךְ הַנִּקְרָא דומ"ה, לֵךְ וּבַשֵּׂר לְגוּף פְּלוֹנִי, שֶׁאֲנִי עָתִיד לְהַחֲיוֹתוֹ, לַמּוֹעֵד שֶׁאֲנִי אֲחַיֶּה אֶת הַצַּדִּיקִים לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא. וְהוּא מֵשִׁיב, אַחֲרֵי בְלוֹתִי הָיְתָה לִי עֶדְנָה. אַחֲרֵי בְלוֹתִי בֶּעָפָר, וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בָּאֲדָמָה, וְאָכַל בְּשָׂרִי רִמָּה, וְגוּשׁ עָפָר, תִּהְיֶה לִי חִדּוּשׁ.

Abraham Angels Body Resurrection Soul, The

137. The Holy One, blessed be He, says to the soul, as it is written, "And Hashem said to Abraham...Is anything too hard for Hashem? At the time appointed..." (Beresheet 18:13-14) which is known to Me, I will resurrect the dead. I will return to you that same body which is sacred, renewed as before, because you are like the holy angels. And that day shall be merry before Me and I shall rejoice in them, as it is written, "May the glory of Hashem endure forever, let Hashem rejoice in his works..." (Tehilim 104:31). End of Midrash Hane'elam.

137. קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אוֹמֵר לַנְּשָׁמָה, הה"ד וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל אַבְרָהָם וגו'. הֲיִפָּלֵא מֵה' דָּבָר לַמּוֹעֵד הַיָּדוּעַ אֶצְלִי, לְהַחֲיוֹת אֶת הַמֵּתִים, אָשׁוּב אֵלֶיךָ אוֹתוֹ הַגּוּף שֶׁהוּא קָדוֹשׁ, מְחוּדָשׁ כְּבָרִאשׁוֹנָה, לִהְיוֹתְכֶם מַלְאָכִים קְדוֹשִׁים. וְאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם עָתִיד לְפָנַי לִשְׂמֹחַ בָּהֶם, הה"ד יְהִי כְבוֹד ה' לְעוֹלָם יִשְׂמַח ה' בְּמַעֲשָׂיו. (ע"כ מדה"נ)

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