367. Rabbi Chiya opened the discussion saying, "To the chief Musician on the morning doe, A psalm of David" (Tehilim 22:1). Who is the morning doe? It is the Congregation of Yisrael called "a loving hind and a pleasant roe" (Mishlei 5:19). HE ASKS, Is MALCHUT a doe in the morning, not during the whole day? HE ANSWERS, The explanation is that the doe is from the place called a loving hind and a pleasant roe. She comes from the place called morning, as in the verse: "His going forth is sure as the morning" (Hoshea 6:3), FROM CHESED. King David said this of the Congregation of Yisrael, as understood from the words "on the morning doe," WHICH IS MALCHUT WHEN CLOTHED IN CHESED.
368. Come and see: When night falls, the gates of the upper and lower beings are found closed, and all the far ones, NAMELY THE EXTERNAL FORCES, rise to walk and roam the world, to go about the bodies of men and around their homes and beds. They see the image of the Holy King THAT PROTECTS THEM, and they are afraid OF HARMING THEM, since PEOPLE strengthen themselves in their beds with the words of the Holy Name AND PROTECT THEMSELVES. People's souls ascend, each as it deserves, as has been already explained. Happy is the portion of the righteous whose souls ascend while they sleep and are not needlessly detained in an undesireable area.
369. At midnight, a herald sounds a proclamation and the gates are opened. A wind from the north side stirs, THE ILLUMINATION OF CHOCHMAH OF THE LEFT COLUMN, strums on David's harp, MALCHUT, which plays by itself and praises the King, ZEIR ANPIN. The Holy One, blessed be He, delights Himself with the righteous in the Garden of Eden.
370. Happy is the portion of he who wakes up from sleep at that time and labors in the Torah. He is called the friend of the Holy One, blessed be He, and the Congregation of Yisrael. Moreover, they are called His brethren and companions, as written, "For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within you" (Tehilim 122:8). They are called companions to the supernal hosts and angels, as written, "The companions hearken for your voice" (Shir Hashirim 8:13).
371. When day comes, a herald sounds a proclamation, the gates of the south side are opened and the stars and constellations awaken. The gates of mercy open and the King sits to receive the praises OF THE FRIENDS WHO ROSE AT NIGHT. The Congregation of Yisrael takes then the words OF PRAISE and rises TO THE KING, ZEIR ANPIN. All the friends WHO ROSE AT NIGHT cleave to the wings OF MALCHUT, and their words OF PRAISE come to rest in the lap of the King. The King then commands to record all these words.
372. In the book are recorded all the members of His household WHO RISE AT NIGHT, and a thread of grace is drawn on them DURING THE DAY. By this thread of grace, man is crowned with the King's crown, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE FIRST THREE SFIROT, and is feared by the upper and lower beings. He passes through all the King's gates and none dares stop him. Even when the prosecutors judge the world, they do not sentence him, because he is marked with the King's imprint, and it is known that he is of the King's palace. He is therefore not judged. Happy is the portion of the righteous who study the Torah, especially when the Holy One, blessed be He, is desirous of words of the Torah, AT MIDNIGHT.
373. Come and see: The secret meaning of this is that the Congregation of Yisrael does not stand before the King, ZEIR ANPIN, unless it is with the Torah. As long as all of Yisrael in the land of Yisrael are occupied with the Torah, the Congregation of Yisrael dwells among them. When they lie idle of the words of the Torah, the Congregation of Yisrael cannot be with them even for an instant. Hence, when the Congregation of Yisrael awakens towards the King with the Torah OF THE LOWER BEINGS, its (her) power strengthens, and the Holy King is happy to receive her.
374. When the Congregation of Yisrael comes before the King without the Torah, she grows weak. Woe to those who weaken the higher power. Therefore, happy are those who do study the Torah, especially when it behooves them to participate with the Congregation of Yisrael, NAMELY AT MIDNIGHT. The Holy One, blessed be He, then declares about them, "and said to me, You are My servant, Yisrael, in whom I will be glorified" (Yeshayah 49:3).