Vayeshev: Chapter 25

"Create in me a clean heart, Elohim ..."

Synopsis

Rabbi Yehuda begins a discussion of the steadfast spirit of Messiah, which King David invoked to preserve himself from the spirit of confusion, whose task is leading people astray. Rabbi Yosi and Rabbi Elazar then discuss in some detail Ahab's crime against Navot, along with the verse, "the lying spirit in the mouth of the prophets." This spirit was not that of Navot, as has been presumed, but rather, the lying spirit which continually ascends and descends to distract people from life's true goal. King David, because he knew full well the rewards of the righteous, often made supplication in order that he might be guarded from defilement by powerful Accusers of this world.

Relevance

Far worse than lying to others is the act of lying to ourselves. It is in our nature to believe our own false tales and then attempt to promote these distortions in the world. Self-deception is the greatest of all deceptions, because our intentions might very well be good. When sunlight shines through the window pain, the dust floating in the air is suddenly revealed. Spiritual Light has the same effect on our negative qualities, which so often remain hidden. Purposefully perusing these passages removes prevarication, so that the true purpose of our existence - identifying and eliminating negative aspects of our character - shines brightly in our lives. It is of equivalent effect to David's supplications, summoning the Light to guard us from the ever-present dangers of self-deception, and allowing us to grow in righteousness and wisdom.

Heart

273. Rabbi Yehuda opened the discussion with the verse, "Create in me a clean heart, Elohim, and renew a steadfast spirit within me" (Tehilim 51:12). This verse has already been expounded upon, yet the "clean heart" has the same meaning as in the verses, "Give therefore Your servant an understanding heart" (I Melachim 3:9), and "but he that is of a merry heart has a continual feast" (Mishlei 15:15). For that reason, his heart is assuredly clean.

273. רִבִּי יְהוּדָה פְּתַח, לֵב טָהוֹר בְּרָא לִי אֱלֹקִים וְרוּחַ נָכוֹן חַדֵּשׁ בְּקִרְבִּי, הַאי קְרָא אוֹקְמוּהָ, אֲבָל לֵב טָהוֹר, כד"א, וְנָתַתָּ לְעַבְדְּךָ לֵב שׁוֹמֵעַ וגו,' וּכְתִיב וְטוֹב לֵב מִשְׁתֶּה תָּמִיד, וּבְגִין כָּךְ לֵב טָהוֹר וַדַּאי.

David Ezekiel Messiah, The Waters

274. " ...And renew a steadfast spirit within me." This is surely the steadfast spirit mentioned in the verse, "And a spirit from Elohim moved over the surface of the waters" (Beresheet 1:2). It has been said that this is the spirit of Messiah, ABOUT WHICH IT IS WRITTEN, "A new spirit will I put within you" (Yechezkel 36:26). David therefore asked, "and renew a steadfast spirit" - THE SPIRIT OF MESSIAH - "within me."

274. וְרוּחַ נָכוֹן חַדֵּשׁ בְּקִרְבִּי, דָּא הוּא רוּחַ נָכוֹן וַדַּאי כד"א, וְרוּחַ אֱלֹקִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם, וְאִתְעָרוּ, זֶה רוּחוֹ שֶׁל מָשִׁיחַ, וְאִתְעָרוּ, וְרוּחַ חֲדָשָׁה אֶתֵּן בְּקִרְבְּכֶם, וְצַלֵּי דָוִד, הַהוּא רוּחַ נָכוֹן, חַדֵּשׁ בְּקִרְבִּי.

Astrology Chayah David Heart Light Mochin Moon Nukva Other Side Zeir Anpin

275. For on the Other Side, there is a defiled heart and a spirit of confusion that provokes humans to transgress. This is the Defiled Spirit, called "the spirit of confusion," as it is written, "Hashem has mingled a spirit of confusion in the midst of her" (Yeshayah 19:14). Therefore David requested, "Renew a steadfast spirit within me." HE ASKS, What does "renew" imply? HE ANSWERS, It refers to the renewal of the moon - THAT IS, THE RENEWAL OF THE UNION BETWEEN THE NUKVA AND ZEIR ANPIN. Because at the time that the moon is renewed, it is proven that David, King of Yisrael - SYMBOLIC OF THE NUKVA - is considered alive and well, HAVING ATTAINED MOCHIN OF THE LIGHT OF CHAYAH. Therefore, he asked to be renewed, IMPLYING THE RENEWAL OF THE UNION WITH ZEIR ANPIN.

275. בְּגִין דְּאִית מִסִּטְרָא אָחֳרָא, לֵב טָמֵא, וְרוּחַ עִוְעִים, דְּאַסְטֵי לִבְנֵי עַלְמָא, וְדָא הוּא רוּחַ טֻמְאָה, דְּאִקְרֵי רוּחַ עִוְעִים, כד"א, ה' מָסַךְ בְּקִרְבָּהּ רוּחַ עִוְעִים, וְעַל דָּא וְרוּחַ נָכוֹן חַדֵּשׁ בְּקִרְבִּי. מַאי חָדָשׁ. דָּא חִדּוּשָׁא דְּסִיהֲרָא, בְּשַׁעְתָּא דְּאִתְחַדַּשׁ סִיהֲרָא, דָּוִד מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי וְקַיָּם וּבְגִין כָּךְ חָדָשׁ.

Navot Prophets Soul, The

276. As they were walking together, Rabbi Yosi asks Rabbi Elazar about the verse, "And there came forth a spirit, and stood before Hashem, and said, 'I will persuade him.' And Hashem said to him, 'With what?' And he said, 'I will go out, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' And He said, 'You shall persuade him, and prevail also: go out, and do so'" (I Melachim 22:21-22). We have learned that this was the spirit of Navot the Yizraeli. HE ASKS, Could it be that the souls, after ascending and staying above, return to this world? It is astonishing that he said, "I will go out and I will be a lying spirit..."

276. רִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, וְרִבִּי יוֹסֵי הֲווֹ אָזְלֵי בְאָרְחָא, אֲמַר רִבִּי יוֹסֵי לְר' אֶלְעָזָר, הַאי דִכְתִיב, וַיֵּצֵא הָרוּחַ וַיַּעֲמֹד לִפְנֵי ה' וַיֹּאמֶר אָנֹכִי אֲפַתֶּנּוּ וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֵלָיו בַּמָּה וַיֹּאמֶר אֵצֵא וְהָיִיתִי רוּחַ שֶׁקֶר בְּפִי כָּל נְבִיאָיו וַיֹּאמֶר תְּפַתֶּה וְגַם תּוּכָל צֵא וַעֲשֵׂה כֵן. וְתָנִינָן, דַּהֲוָה רוּחַ נָבוֹת הַיִּזְרְעֵאלִי, וְכִי נִשְׁמָתִין, כֵּיוָן דְּסָלְקִין וְקָיְימִין לְעֵילָא, אִינוּן יָכְלִין לַאֲתָבָא בְּהַאי עַלְמָא, וּמִלָּה תְּמִיהָה, דַּאֲמַר אֵצֵא וְהָיִיתִי רוּחַ שֶׁקֶר בְּפִי וגו.'

Gold Navot Punishment Samuel Vineyard Vineyards

277. Also, why was Ahab punished for what he did? It was a law decreed by Samuel to Yisrael, as it is written, "And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your best olive yards" (I Shmuel 8:14). If Ahab took the vineyard from Navot, he was within his rights. Moreover, Ahab offered him a vineyard or gold in exchange, but he refused. WHY, THEREFORE, WAS HE PUNISHED?

277. וְתוּ מַ"ט אִתְעֲנַשׁ עֲלֵיהּ אַחְאָב, דְּהָא דִינָא דְאוֹרַיְיתָא, דְּשַׁוֵּי שְׁמוּאֵל, קַמַּיְיהוּ דְיִשְׂרָאֵל, הָכֵי הוּא. דִּכְתִיב, אֶת שְׂדוֹתֵיכֶם וְכַרְמֵיכֶם וְזֵיתֵיכֶם הַטּוֹבִים יִקָּח, וְאִי אַחְאָב נָטַל הַהוּא כֶּרֶם בְּנָבוֹת, דִּינָא הֲוָה. וְתוּ דַּהֲוָה יָהֵיב לֵיהּ כַּרְמָא אָחֳרָא, אוֹ דַּהֲבָא, וְלָא בָעָא.

Navot Righteous

278. Rabbi Elazar replied, This is well asked. Come and behold, we have to look at the assumption that this was Navot's spirit. Could his spirit have risen and stood in the presence of the Holy One, blessed be He, and asked to lie, as it is written, "And there came a spirit ...'I WILL GO OUT, AND I WILL BE A LYING SPIRIT'" (I Melachim 22:22). If he were righteous, how could he have asked to lie in that world, which is the World of Truth? A righteous man will not ask to lie in this world, let alone in that world. And if he were not righteous, how could he have stood in the presence of the Holy One, blessed be He?

278. אָמַר לוֹ יָאוֹת שְׁאַלְתְּ, תָּא חֲזֵי, הַאי רוּחַ דְּקָאֲמָרוּ דְאִיהוּ רוּחַ דְּנָבוֹת, הָכָא אִית לְאִסְתַּכָּלָא, וְכִי רוּחָא דְנָבוֹת, יָכֵיל לְסַלְּקָא וּלְקַיְּימָא קַמֵּיהּ דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, לְמִתְבַּע שִׁקְרָא, דִּכְתִיב וַיֵּצֵא הָרוּחַ. וְאִי צַדִּיקָא הוּא, אֵיךְ יִבָּעֵי שִׁקְרָא בְּהַהוּא עַלְמָא, דְּאִיהוּ עַלְמָא דִקְשׁוֹט, וּמַה בְּהַאי עַלְמָא, לָא בָעֵי זַכָּאָה שִׁקְרָא, בְּהַהוּא עַלְמָא לָא כ"ש. וְאִי לָאו זַכָּאָה אִיהוּ, הֵיךְ יָכֵיל לְקָיְימָא קַמִּי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא.

Holy Name Navot Righteous Satan, The

279. But surely Navot was not righteous enough to stand before the Holy One, blessed be He. It is another spirit that rules over the world, the spirit that always ascends to stand before the Holy One, blessed be He - NAMELY, THE SATAN. He is the one who leads men astray by lying, FOR HE LIES BY THE HOLY NAME. He is wont to lie and constantly resorts to lies. Therefore he said, "I will go out, and I will be a lying spirit." The Holy One, blessed be He, replied, "Go out, and do so." Get you hence, for it has been explained that "He that tells lies shall not remain in my sight" (Tehilim 101:7). He is therefore assuredly a Lying Spirit.

279. אֶלָּא וַדַּאי נָבוֹת לָאו זַכָּאָה הֲוָה כ"כ, לְקָיְימָא קַמֵּי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, אֶלָּא רוּחָא אָחֳרָא הֲוָה, דְּשָׁלְטָא בְּעַלְמָא, דְּדָא הוּא רוּחָא דְּקָיְימָא תָּדִיר, וְסָלְקָא קַמֵּי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וְדָא הוּא דְאַסְטֵי לִבְנֵי עַלְמָא בְּשִׁקְרָא, וּמַאן דְּאִיהוּ רָגִיל בְּשִׁקְרָא, אִשְׁתַּדַּל תָּדִיר בְּשִׁקְרָא, וְעַל דָּא אֲמַר אֵצֵא וְהָיִיתִי רוּחַ שֶׁקֶר וגו,' וְע"ד קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אָמַר לוֹ צֵא, וַעֲשֵׂה כֵן, פּוֹק מֵהָכָא, כְּמָה דְאוֹקְמוּהָ דִּכְתִיב, דּוֹבֵר שְׁקָרִים לֹא יִכּוֹן לְנֶגֶד עֵינָי. וּבְגִין דָּא אִיהוּ רוּחַ שֶׁקֶר וַדַּאי.

Navot Punishment Vineyard

280. Further, WE HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY HE WAS PUNISHED. IT WAS BECAUSE he killed Navot. If he already took his vineyard, why kill him? It was because he killed him without cause that he was punished. He first killed unjustly and then took his vineyard. Thus, it is written, "Have you killed, and also taken possession?" (I Melachim 21:19). Therefore he was punished. Come and behold, there are innumerable people in the world, whom the Lying Spirit has led astray. He has dominion over the world, using several devices and actions, as we have already explained.

280. וְתוּ. עַל מַה דְּקָטַל לֵיהּ לְנָבוֹת, וְנָטַל כַּרְמָא דִילֵיהּ, קָטוֹלָא אַמַּאי קָטֵיל לֵיהּ. אֶלָּא עַל דְּקָטֵיל לֵיהּ בְּלָא דִינָא אִתְעַנַּשׁ. קָטַל לֵיהּ בְּלָא דִינָא, וּנְסֵיב כַּרְמָא דִילֵיהּ. וּבְגִין כָּך כְּתִיב, הֲרָצַחְתָּ וְגַם יָרַשְׁתָּ, וְע"ד אִתְעַנַּשׁ. וְתָא חֲזֵי, כַּמָּה אִינוּן בְּנֵי נָשָׁא בְּעַלְמָא, דְאַסְטֵי לוֹן הַאי רוּחַ שִׁקְרָא בְּשִׁקְרָא, וְשַׁלִּיט אִיהוּ בְּעַלְמָא, בְּכַמָּה סִטְרִין, וּבְכַמָּה עוֹבָדִין וְהָא אוֹקִימְנָא מִלֵּי.

David Grades Heart

281. King David therefore wished to be guarded from THE LYING SPIRIT and to be removed from impurity, as it is written, "Create in me a clean heart, Elohim, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." This is the steadfast spirit; the other is the Lying Spirit. Thus there are two grades, the one holy, THE STEADFAST SPIRIT, and the other impure, THE LYING SPIRIT.

281. וְע"ד, דָּוִד מַלְכָּא בָּעָא לְאִסְתַּמְרָא מִנֵּיהּ, ובָעָא לַאֲפָקָא מִגּוֹ מְסָאֲבוּ, דִּכְתִיב לֵב טָהוֹר בְּרָא לִי אֱלֹקִים וְרוּחַ נָכוֹן חַדֵּשׁ בְּקִרְבִּי, דָּא הוּא רוּחַ נָכוֹן, וְאָחֳרָא אִיהוּ רוּחַ שֶׁקֶר, וְע"ד תְּרֵין דַּרְגִּין אִינוּן, חַד קַדִּישָׁא, וְחַד מְסָאֲבָא.

Camp Court Nukva Voice Zeir Anpin

282. He opened with the verse, "And Hashem utters His voice before His army: for His camp is very great: for he is mighty who executes His word" (Yoel 2:11). This verse has already been explained, yet wherever "and Hashem (Vav-Yud Hei Vav Hei)" is mentioned, IT ALLUDES TO ZEIR ANPIN and His court of Justice, THE NUKVA - HE "utters His voice." This is the voice referred to in the verses, "The voice of words" (Devarim 4:12), and "I am not a man of words" (Shemot 4:10), because the man of words is, "the man of Elohim" (Devarim 33:1); " before His army," refers to Yisrael.

282. פְּתַח וַאֲמַר, וַה' נָתַן קוֹלוֹ לִפְנֵי חֵילוֹ כִּי רַב מְאֹד מַחֲנֵהוּ וְכִי עָצוּם עוֹשֵׂה דְבָרוֹ וגו,' הַאי קְרָא אוֹקְמוּהָ. אֲבָל וַה,' בְּכָל אֲתַר הוּא וּבֵי דִינֵיהּ. נָתַן קוֹלוֹ דָּא הוּא קָלָא, דִּכְתִיב, קוֹל דְּבָרִים, וּכְתִיב הָתָם, לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים, מַאן אִישׁ דְּבָרִים. כד"א אִישׁ הָאֱלֹקִים. לִפְנֵי חֵילוֹ. אִלֵּין אִינוּן יִשְׂרָאֵל.

Camp Job Voice

283. " ...For His camp is very great ..." is similar to the verse, "Is there any number to His armies?" (Iyov 25: 3). For there are countless chieftains and messengers to the Holy One, blessed be He, all ready to bring accusations against Yisrael. The Holy One, blessed be He, therefore came before Yisrael, AS WAS STATED ABOVE "AND HASHEM UTTERS HIS VOICE BEFORE HIS ARMY," to guard them against the accusations.

283. כִּי רַב מַחֲנֵהוּ: כד"א הֲיֵשׁ מִסְפָּר לִגְדוּדָיו, דְּכַמָּה מְמַנָּן וּשְׁלִיחָן אִית לֵיהּ לְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וְכֻלְּהוּ קָיְימֵי לְאַסְטָאָה עֲלַיְיהוּ דְיִשְׂרָאֵל. וְעַל דָּא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אִזְדַּמַּן קַמַּיְיהוּ דְיִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּגִין לְנַטְרָא לְהוֹ, וְלָא יָכִילוּ לְקַטְרְגָא לְהוֹ.

Iron Righteous Soul, The Stone Torah

284. " ...For he is mighty who executes His word." HE ASKS, Who is mighty? HE REPLIES, It is the righteous who is occupied with the Torah day and night. Another explanation is that "mighty" refers to the Accuser who is always before the Holy One, blessed be He, strong as iron, strong as a stone. He "executes His word." After receiving permission above FROM THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, he takes away the soul below.

284. כִּי עָצוּם עוֹשֵׂה דְבָרוֹ, מַאן עָצוּם, דָּא הוּא זַכָּאָה, הַהוּא דְּאִשְׁתַּדַּל בְּאוֹרַיְיתָא קַדִּישָׁא, יְמָמָא וְלֵילֵי. דָּבָר אֲחֵר, כִּי עָצוּם, דָּא הוּא מְקַטְרְגָא, דְּאִשְׁתַּכַּח קַמֵּי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וְאִיהוּ תַּקִּיפָא כְּפַרְזְלָא. תַּקִּיפָא כְּטִינָרָא. עוֹשֵׂה דְבָרוֹ: דְּנָטֵיל רְשׁוּת מִלְּעֵילָא וְנָטֵיל נִשְׁמָתָא מִתַּתָּא.

Amen Love Merit Righteous World to Come, The

285. "For the day of Hashem is great and very terrible; and who can abide it" (Yoel 2:11). He is ruler over all, high and mighty, and everything is subject to His dominion. Happy are the righteous, to whom the Holy One, blessed be He, desires always to give merit in the World to Come and to enable them to participate in the joy in the Holy One, blessed be He, of the righteous in the future to come. It is written, "But let all those that put their trust in You rejoice, Let them ever shout for joy, because You do defend them: and let those who love Your Name be joyful in You" (Tehilim 5:12).

285. כִּי גָדוֹל יוֹם ה' וְנוֹרָא מְאֹד וּמִי יְכִילֶנּוּ, דְּאִיהוּ שַׁלִּיט עַל כֹּלָּא, וְעִלָּאָה וְתַקִּיפָא עַל כֻּלְּהוּ, וְכֻלְּהוּ תְּחוֹת שָׁלְטָנֵיהּ. זַכָּאִין אִינוּן צַדִּיקַיָּיא דְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אִתְרְעֵי בְּהוֹ תָּדִיר, לְזַכָּאָה לוֹן לְעַלְמָא דְאָתֵי, וּלְמֶחֱדֵי לְהוֹ בְּחֵידוּ דְצַדִּיקַיָיא, דִּזְמִינִין לְמֶחֱדֵי בֵּיהּ בְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, דִּכְתִיב, וְיִשְׂמְחוּ כָל חוֹסֵי בָךְ לְעוֹלָם יְרַנֵּנוּ וְתָסֵךְ עָלֵימוֹ וְיַעְלְצוּ בְךָ אוֹהֲבֵי שְׁמֶךָ.

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