Vayishlach: Chapter 11

"...and built him a house"

Synopsis

Rabbi Chiya leads a discussion on God's creation of the House of the World. This highly metaphorical discourse describes the process of creation. From the midst of the House, we are told, a tree, visible only by day, reaches up into heaven and the House is watered by this tree. When night falls and the doors of the House are closed, a flame erupts out of the darkness. While a myriad on either side chant praises and hymns, a herald ascends to make proclamations. Then Zeir Anpin [The dimension of Light in the Upper World] enters and the House is lit by six lights of Mercy, from which flow the rivers that water all the animals of the field. God builds and perfects this House as long as the energy of prayer ascends from below in proper form. The discussion then turns to God's nightly protection of "the city" from the Other Side, and His guarding of the Sanctuary from the primordial serpent. Rabbi Elazar then concludes the discussion by explaining the complete perfection of Jacob both above and below.

Relevance

Using the language of metaphor, the Zohar draws upon the mystical power of the Hebrew letters to connect us to the primordial forces of Creation, which sustain and protect the world. Through this passage, we draw the energy of creation into our lives, for renewal, healing, and protection.

Booth Darkness Face House Hundred Jacob Nukva Solomon Sukkot Zeir Anpin

131. "And Jacob journeyed to Sukkot, and built him a house, and made booths (Heb. Sukkot) for his cattle; therefore the name of the place is called Sukot" (Beresheet 33:17). Rabbi Chiya opened the discussion with the verse, "A Ma'alot poem for Solomon. Unless Hashem builds the house ...unless Hashem keeps the city ..." (Tehilim 127:1). Come and behold, when the Holy One, blessed be He, ZEIR ANPIN, desired to create the world, MEANING TO BUILD THE FACE OF THE NUKVA, CALLED 'WORK,' He released a knot from the rough spark. It flashed in the darkness, remained up high, and then descended below. That darkness shone in a hundred ways in the thinnest paths and broadest WAYS, which became the House of the World.

131. וְיַעֲקֹב נָסַע סֻכֹּתָה וַיִּבֶן לוֹ בָּיִת וּלְמִקְנֵהוּ עָשָׂה סֻכֹּת עַל כֵּן קָרָא שֵׁם הַמָּקוֹם סֻכּוֹת. רִבִּי חִיָּיא פְּתַח וַאֲמַר שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת לִשְׁלֹמֹה אִם ה' לֹא יִבְנֶה בַּיִת וגו,' אִם ה' לֹא יִשְׁמָר עִיר וגו.' תָּא חֲזֵי בְּשַׁעְתָּא דְסָלֵיק בִּרְעוּתָא דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, לְמִבְרֵי עַלְמָא, אַפֵּיק מִבּוּצִינָא דְקַרְדִינוּתָא, חַד קִטּוּרָא, וְאִתְלְהֵיט מִגּוֹ חֲשׁוֹכָא, וְאִשְׁתָּאַר בִּסְלִיקוּ. וְנָחֲתָא לְתַתָּא, הַהִיא חֲשֵׁכָה, לָהֵיט בְּמֵאָה שְׁבִילִין, אוֹרְחִין דְּקִיקִין, רַבְרְבָן, וְאִתְעֲבֵיד בֵּיתָא דְעַלְמָא.

Birds Cloud Door Fruit Heaven House Mountains Nest Nukva Tree Zeir Anpin

132. That house is the center of everything, WHICH MEANS IT IS IN THE CENTRAL COLUMN OF ALL ROADS AND PATHS. THE NUKVA has many doors and hallways around the high and holy places, where the birds of the sky nest, each according to its species. In the center, there is a huge tree, WHICH IS ZEIR ANPIN THAT POURS PLENTY UPON THE HOUSE. It has many branches and fruits for everyone. The tree reaches to the clouds of heaven and is hidden behind three mountains. Underneath these three mountains it comes out, rises upwards, and descends.

132. הַאי בֵּיתָא, אִיהוּ גוֹ אֶמְצָעִיתָא דְכֹלָּא, כַּמָּה פִּתְחִין וְאִדְרִין לֵיהּ, סְחוֹר סְחוֹר דּוּכְתִּין עִלָּאִין קַדִּישִׁין, תַּמָּן מְקַנְנֵי צִפֳּרֵי שְׁמַיָא, כָּל חַד וְחַד לִזְנֵיהּ, בְּגַוֵּויהּ נָפֵיק חַד אִילָנָא רַבְרְבָא וְתַקִּיף, עָפְיֵיהּ וְאִנְבֵּיהּ סַגֵּי, מְזוֹנָא לְכֹלָּא בֵּיהּ, הַהוּא אִילָנָא סָלֵיק לַעֲנָנֵי שְׁמַיָא, וְאִתְטַמַּר בֵּין תְּלַת טוּרִין מִתְּחוֹת אִילֵּין תְּלַת טוּרִין, נָפֵיק, סָלֵיק לְעֵילָא, נָחֵית לְתַתָּא.

Chassadim House Lights Nukva Tree Zeir Anpin

133. This house, THE NUKVA, RECEIVED TWO TYPES OF LIGHTS FROM ZEIR ANPIN, (1) It is watered by him, NAMELY THE ILLUMINATION OF CHOCHMAH, REFERRED TO AS WATERING. (2) ZEIR ANPIN stores within THE HOUSE many unidentified supernal treasures THAT WERE LIGHTS OF CHASSADIM. By this, the house is constructed and built. The tree, ZEIR ANPIN, is visible during the day and hidden at night, while the house, THE NUKVA, rules by night and is hidden by day.

133. הַאי בֵּיתָא אִתְשַׁקְיָיא מִנֵּיהּ, וְגָנֵיז בְּגַוֵּויהּ כַּמָּה גִּנְזִין עִלָּאִין דְּלָא אִתְיְדָעוּ, בְּדָא אִתְבְּנֵי הַאי בֵּיתָא, וְאִשְׁתַּכְלַל. הַהוּא אִילָנָא אִתְגַּלְּיָיא בִּימָמָא, וְאִתְכַּסְּיָא בְּלֵילְיָא, וְהַאי בֵּיתָא שָׁלְטָא בְּלֵילְיָא, וְאִתְכַּסְּיָא בִּימָמָא.

Air Birds Chassadim Darkness Door Light Lights Nukva Righteous Testimony

134. When darkness falls, THE NUKVA is in power AND she is bound to it; SHE RULES BECAUSE SHE LACKS CHASSADIM, AND SHINES WITH CHOCHMAH. All her doors are closed on all sides, WHICH MEANS THAT ALL THE LIGHTS ARE FROZEN AND THERE IS NO OPENING THROUGH WHICH ANY LIGHT CAN BE REVEALED. Many spirits OF RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE soar in the air, desirous to know, NAMELY, RECEIVE CHOCHMAH, and enter THE NUKVA. They come among the birds to receive testimony, and then roam and see whatever they can see.

134. בְּשַׁעְתָּא דְּעָאל חֲשׁוֹכָא וְאִתְקַטֵּיר בֵּיהּ שָׁלְטָא, וְכָל פִּתְחִין סְתִימִין מִכָּל סִטְרִין, כְּדֵין כַּמָּה רוּחִין פָּרְחִין בַּאֲוִירָא, תְּאֵיבִין לְמִנְדַע וּלְמֵיעַל בֵּיהּ, וְעָאלִין בֵּין אִינוּן צִפּוֹרִין, וְנָטְלִין סָהֲדוּתָא, וְשָׁטְיָין, וְחָמָאן מַה דְּחָמָאן.

Darkness Door Flame Klipot (Shells – Negativity) Nukva Rocks Shells (Klipot)

135. THE CLOSING OF ALL OPENINGS CONTINUES until the darkness is stirred, to which THE NUKVA is bound, and one flame is produced, which strikes open the doors and cleaves rocks with heavy hammers (THE KLIPOT). The flame moves up and down, and strikes the world. Sounds are heard above and below.

135. עַד דְּאִתְעַר הַהוּא חֲשׁוֹכָא דְּאִתְקַטֵּיר בֵּיהּ, וְאַפֵּיק חַד שַׁלְהוֹבָא. וּבָטַשׁ בְּכָל פַּטִּישִׁין תַּקִּיפִין, וּפְתַח פִּתְחִין, וּבָקַע טִנָּרִין, סַלְקָא וְנָחֲתָא הַהוּא שַׁלְהוֹבָא, וּבָטַשׁ בְּעַלְמָא, וְאִתְעַר קָלִין לְעֵילָא וְתַתָּא.

Air Altar Chassadim Directions Door Light Myriads North Pillar Pillar of Cloud South Voice

136. A crier then ascends, attaches himself to the air, and proclaims. The air comes from the pillar of cloud of the inner altar, and, when it emerges, it spreads out in all directions, with thousands on its left side and myriads on its right. Then the crier stands firm and proclaims in a strong voice. Many chant songs and render homage. Two doors are open, one on the south FOR THE LIGHT OF CHASSADIM and the other on the north FOR THE LIGHT OF CHOCHMAH.

136. כְּדֵין חַד כָּרוֹזָא סָלֵיק וְאִתְקַטֵּיר בַּאֲוִירָא, וְקָרֵי, הַהוּא אֲוִירָא נָפְקָא מִגּוֹ עַמּוּדָא דַּעֲנָנָא דְּמַדְבְּחָא פְּנִימָאָה, וְכַד נַפְקָא, אִתְפַּשַּׁט בְּאַרְבַּע סִטְרֵי עָלְמָא. אֶלֶף אַלְפִין קָיְימִין מִסִּטְרָא דְאִיהוּ שְׂמָאלָא, וְרִבּוֹא רִבְוָון קָיְימִין מִסִּטְרָא דְאִיהוּ יָמִינָא, וְכָרוֹזָא קָאֵים בְּקִיּוּמֵיהּ. קָרֵא בְחָיִל וְאַכְרֵיז, כְּדֵין כַּמָּה אִינוּן דִּמְתַקְּנֵי שִׁירָתָא, וּפָלְחִין פּוּלְחָנָא, וּתְרֵין פִּתְחִין פְּתִיחוּ, חַד לִסְטַר דָּרוֹמָא, וְחַד לִסְטַר צָפוֹן.

Animals Astrology Beasts Chassadim Directions Field Flow House Job Lights Morning Nukva Rivers Stars Water Zeir Anpin

137. This house, THE NUKVA, ascends and attaches itself TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES OF ZEIR ANPIN, while hymns are sung and praises offered on high. Then ZEIR ANPIN silently enters and the house is lit up by six lights OF CHASSIDIM THAT ARE CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD, which spread splendor in every direction (CHASSADIM IS INCLUDED IN CHOCHMAH). Rivers flow from it, THE SECRET OF THE ILLUMINATION OF CHOCHMAH INCLUDED IN CHASSADIM, to water the animals of the field, as it is written, "They give drink to every wild beast: the wild donkeys quench their thirst" (Tehilim 104:11). They sing until the day rises. When daylight breaks, the stars, signs, and their followers all begin to sing praises and chants, as it is written, "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Elohim shouted for joy" (Iyov 38:7).

137. סָלְקָא הַאי בֵיתָא, וְאִתְיְהִיבַת וְאִתְקַטְּרַת בֵּין תְּרֵין סִטְרִין, וְשִׁירִין מְזַמְּרָן, וְתוּשְׁבְּחָן סָלְקִין. כְּדֵין עָאל מַאן דְּעָאל בִּלְחִישָׁא, וּבֵיתָא מִתְלַהֲטָא בְּשִׁית נְהוֹרִין, נָהֲרִין זִיוָא לְכָל סְטַר, וְנַהֲרִין דְּבוּסְמָא נָפְקִין, וְאִתְשַׁקְיָין כָּל חֵיוַת בְּרָא, כְּדָבָר אֲחֵר יַשְׁקוּ כָּל חַיְתוֹ שָׂדָי יִשְׁבְּרוּ פְרָאִים צְמָאָם וגו.' וְזָמְרִין עַד דְּסָלְקָא צַפְרָא, וְכַד סָלְקָא צַפְרָא, כְּדֵין כֹּכְבַיָא וּמַזָּלֵי שְׁמַיָא וְחֵילֵיהוֹן, כֻּלְּהוֹן מְשַׁבְּחָן וְאָמְרֵי שִׁירָתָא, כד"א בְּרָן יַחַד כֹּכְבֵי בֹקֶר וַיָּרִיעוּ כָּל בְּנֵי אֱלֹהִים.

House Zeir Anpin

138. Come and behold, IT IS WRITTEN, "If Hashem will not build the house, they who build it labor in vain (Tehilim 127:1). Hashem is the Supernal King, ZEIR ANPIN, who is constantly building and perfecting the house. When does He bestow plenty on it? When worship is raised with proper attention, from below.

138. תָּא חֲזֵי, אִם ה' לֹא יִבְנֶה בַיִת שָׁוְא עָמְלוּ בוֹנָיו בּוֹ. אִם ה' לֹא יִשְׁמָר עִיר שָׁוְא שָׁקַד שׁוֹמֵר. אִם ה' וגו,' דָּא מַלְכָּא עִלָּאָה דְּאִיהוּ בּוֹנֶה לְהַאי בֵּיתָא תָּדִיר, וְאַתְקֵין לֵיהּ, אֵימָתַי, כַּד סָלְקִין רְעוּתִין פּוּלְחָנִין מִתַּתָּא כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת.

Circumcision Door Earth Face Gates Other Side Sanctuary

139. "If Hashem will not keeps the city." When does this happen? This occurs at nightfall, when armed parties FROM THE OTHER SIDE hover and roam the world; when the gates are closed and guarded on all sides. The doors remain shut lest an uncircumcised and unclean person approaches THE SANCTUARY, as it is written, "For henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean" (Yeshayah 52:1). For in the future, the Holy One, blessed be He, will remove them from the face of the earth.

139. אִם ה' לֹא יִשְׁמָר עִיר, אֵימָתַי, בְּשַׁעְתָּא דְּאִתְחַשְׁכָא לֵילְיָא, וְסִטְרִין מְזַיְינִין שָׁרָאן וְשָׁטָאן בְּעַלְמָא, וּפִתְחִין סְתִימִין, וְאִתְנְטֵיר מִכָּל סִטְרִין, דְּלָא יִקְרַב בֵּיהּ עָרֵל וּמְסָאֲבָא, כד"א לֹא יוֹסִיף יָבֹא בָךְ עוֹד עָרֵל וְטָמֵא, דְּזַמִּין קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְאַעֲבָרָא לוֹן מֵעַלְמָא.

Adam Circumcision Death Death and the Afterlife House Nukva Serpent Watchman

140. HE ASKS, Who are the uncircumcised, and who are the unclean? HE ANSWERS, They are all one, the same one who seduced Adam and his wife. Adam and his wife followed him, THE PRIMORDIAL SERPENT, and brought death to the whole world. He defiles the house, THE NUKVA, until the Holy One, blessed be He, shall remove him from the world, THE NUKVA. Therefore "unless Hashem keeps the city" ASSUREDLY "THE WATCHMAN STAYS AWAKE IN VAIN."

140. מַאן עָרֵל וּמַאן טָמֵא. אֶלָא כֹּלָּא חַד, עָרֵל וְטָמֵא, דָּא הוּא דְּאִתְפַּתָּא בֵּיהּ וְאָזֵיל אֲבַתְרֵיהּ אָדָם וְאִנְתְּתֵיהּ, וְגָרִימוּ מוֹתָא לְכָל עַלְמָא. וְאִיהוּ דִּמְסָאֵיב הַאי בֵּיתָא, עַד הַהוּא זִמְנָא, דְּיַעֲבַר לֵיהּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מֵעַלְמָא, בְּג"כ אִם ה' לֹא יִשְׁמָר עִיר שָׁוְא וַדַּאי.

Esau Faith Jacob Nukva Sukkot Women

141. "And Jacob journeyed to Sukkot." He journeyed TO BINAH, to receive the portion of the faith, THE NUKVA. As it is written, "So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir," and "And Jacob journeyed to Sukot." Each traveled to his own side, Esau to the side of Seir, which is a foreign woman, a strange El; Jacob to Sukkot, the supernal faith, WHICH IS BINAH.

141. תָּא חֲזֵי וְיַעֲקֹב נָסַע סֻכֹּתָה, אִתְנְטֵיל לְקִבְלָא חוּלָקֵיהּ דִּמְהֵימְנוּתָא. מַה כְּתִיב לְעֵילָא, וַיָּשָׁב בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא עֵשָׂו לְדַרְכּוֹ שֵׂעִירָה, וּכְתִיב וְיַעֲקֹב נָסַע סֻכֹּתָה. אֶלָּא כָּל חַד אִתְפְּרַשׁ לְסִטְרָא דִילֵיהּ, עֵשָׂו לְסִטְרָא דְשֵׂעִיר, מַאן שֵׂעִיר, דָּא הִיא אִשָּׁה זָרָה אֵל נֵכָר. וְיַעֲקֹב נָסַע סֻכֹּתָה, דָּא מְהֵימְנוּתָא עִלָּאָה.

Booth House Jacob Nukva Sukkot

142. "And built him a house," has a similar meaning to the verse, "house of Jacob" (Yeshayah 2:5), WHICH REFERS TO THE NUKVA. According to Rabbi Elazar, this is because he composed the evening service, THE NUKVA, as was befitting to Her, and he "made booths for his cattle," namely, other booths (Heb. sukkot) to keep them; this is his own portion.

142. וַיִּבֶן לוֹ בָיִת, כְּדָבָר אֲחֵר בֵּית יַעֲקֹב. אָמַר רָבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, דְּאַתְקֵין תְּפִלַּת עַרְבִית כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת. וּלְמִקְנֵהוּ עָשָׂה סֻכֹּת, שְׁאָר סֻכֹּת לְנַטְרָא לוֹן, וְדָא הוּא חוּלָקֵיהּ.

Abraham Chariot Chassadim Earth Faith Heaven Isaac Jacob Nukva Twelve Twelve Tribes of Israel Zeir Anpin

143. "And Jacob came to Shalem (lit. 'whole')," because he was then whole in every respect, BOTH IN CHOCHMAH AND CHASSADIM, as has been explained. It is written, "In Shalem also is his tabernacle (Heb. sukko)" (Tehilim 76:3). This verse has been explained. It pertains to the mystery OF ATTAINING PERFECTION THROUGH THE CENTRAL COLUMN OF ZEIR ANPIN, CALLED 'JACOB' AND TO "SUKKO," WHICH IS THE NUKVA. When he was whole, Faith joined him WHICH IS THE NUKVA, and when he was adorned in the place worthy of him, MEANING THE CENTRAL COLUMN, the tabernacle, WHICH IS THE NUKVA, was adorned with him, AND THEN, "IN SHALEM ASLO IS HIS TABERANACLE" APPLIED TO HER AS WELL because he was perfected by the fathers and his sons. He was then considered whole, perfected above and below, whole in heaven and whole on earth. HE EXPLAINS, He is whole above IN ZEIR ANPIN, for he comprises the fathers, BEING the glory of Yisrael, ENCOMPASSING ABRAHAM AND ISAAC (BEING CHESED AND GVURAH) and below IN THE NUKVA through his Holy Sons, THE TWELVE TRIBES WHO ARE THE CHARIOT OF THE NUKVA. THUS, he is perfected in heaven, IN ZEIR ANPIN, FOR WHICH REASON IT SAYS, "AND JACOB CAME TO SHALEM." And he was perfected on earth, IN THE NUKVA, OF WHICH IT IS now SAID, "In Shalem also is his tabernacle."

143. וּכְדֵין וַיָּבֹא יַעֲקֹב שָׁלֵם. שָׁלֵם מִכֹּלָּא, וְאוֹקְמוּהָ. וּכְתִיב וַיְהִי בְשָׁלֵם סֻכּוֹ וגו,' וְאוֹקְמוּהָ, וְכֹלָּא רָזָא חָדָא, כְּדֵין אִתְחַבֵּר עִמֵּיהּ מְהֵימְנוּתָא, כַּד הֲוָה שְׁלִים, כַּד אִתְעֲטַר בְּדוּכְתֵּיהּ דְּאִתְחֲזֵי לֵיהּ. וּכְדֵין הַאי סֻכָּה, אִתְעַטְּרַת בַּהֲדֵיהּ, דַּהֲוָה שְׁלִים מֵאֲבָהָן, דַּהֲוָה שְׁלִים מִבְּנוֹי, וְדָא הוּא שָׁלֵם, שָׁלֵם לְעֵילָא, שָׁלֵם לְתַתָּא, שָׁלֵם בִּשְׁמַיָא, שָׁלֵם בְּאַרְעָא. שָׁלֵם לְעֵילָא: דְּאִיהוּ כְּלָלָא דַּאֲבָהָן, תִּפְאֶרֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. שָׁלֵם לְתַתָּא: בִּבְנוֹי קַדִּישִׁין. שְׁלִים בִּשְׁמַיָא, שְׁלִים בְּאַרְעָא, וּכְדֵין וַיְהִי בְשָׁלֵם סֻכּוֹ, וְאוֹקְמוּהָ.

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