Vayishlach: Chapter 22

"Who is this coming out of the wilderness?"

Synopsis

Smoke that rises from the fat dropping into the fire while Rabbi Yosi cooks, leads to a discussion and interpretation of the title quotation. Rabbi Yosi explains that when the children of Yisrael offered sacrifices, smoke rising straight up meant that the candle that had been lit was indeed worthy of being lit. However, once the Temple was destroyed, joy was replaced by rage in both the Upper and Lower Worlds, and the children of Yisrael went into exile under the dominion of other gods. As they traveled through the desert, the Shechinah went before them in a cloud of smoke. The Shechinah was attached to all three columns - that is, to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph, the latter two being of one essence. The reason for the exile, we are told, is "you would not serve The Creator, your Elohim with joyfulness." Thus, the children of Yisrael shall suffer until God rises up to redeem them among the nations.

Relevance

In a spiritual context, the notion of offering sacrifices for the purpose of "lighting the candle worthy of being lit," refers not to the sacrificial slaughter of animals, but to the sacrifice of ego in order to ignite the Light of the soul. The many sacrifices described in Scripture pertain to the various negative traits dwelling within the consciousness of man. Removing these traits is the basis of all spiritual work. Enlightened with this spiritual perspective, these verses help us sacrifice negative characteristics, allowing the Light of our souls to shine ever more brightly.

Altar Exile Fire Offering Pillar Smoke

222. On a visit to Rabbi Yosi, Rabbi Chizkiyah saw a piece of meat drop FROM HIS POT into the fire. As a result of the dripping of the fat, smoke rose up. He said to him: Had the pillars of smoke from the offering risen from the altar like this smoke, there would have been no wrath upon the world and Yisrael would not have gone into exile from their land.

222. רִבִּי חִזְקִיָּה אַשְׁכְּחֵיהּ יוֹמָא חַד לְרַבִּי יוֹסֵי, דַּהֲוָה מִסְטְמֵיט סַפְסִינָא גוֹ קִטְרֵי דְנוּרָא, וַהֲוָה סָלֵיק קִטּוֹרָא דִּתְנָנָא לְעֵילָא. אָמַר לוֹ, אֵלּוּ קִטּוֹרָא דִּתְנָנָא דְקָרְבָּנָא, דַּהֲוָה סָלֵיק עַל גַּבֵּי מַדְבְּחָא, הֲוָה סָלֵיק תָּדִיר כִּי הַאי גַוְונָא, לָא שַׁרְיָא רוֹגְזָא בְּעַלְמָא, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל לָא אִתְגְּלֵי מֵעַל אַרְעָא.

Bride Cloud Jeremiah Light Love Myrrh Pillar Pillar of Fire Shechinah Smoke

223. Rabbi Yosi answers by quoting the verse, "Who is this coming out of the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?" (Shir Hashirim 3:6) WHAT IS THE MEANING OF, "Who is this coming out?" HE REPLIES, Come and behold. When Yisrael were walking in the desert, the Shechinah went before them. They followed, as it is written, "And Hashem went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; that they might go..." (Shemot 13:21). Therefore, it is written, "Thus says Hashem; I remember in your favor, the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, when you did go after me in the wilderness" (Yirmeyah 2:2). THUS, THE SHECHINAH WENT BEFORE THEM, AND THEY FOLLOWED. THIS MEANS THAT THEY RECEIVED FROM HER BACK, AS WILL BE MENTIONED SHORTLY.

223. פְּתַח ר' יוֹסֵי וַאֲמַר, מִי זֹאת עֹלָה מִן הַמִּדְבָּר כְּתִימְרוֹת עָשָׁן מְקֻטֶּרֶת מֹר וּלְבוֹנָה מִכֹּל אַבְקַת רוֹכֵל. מִי זֹאת עוֹלָה. תָּא חֲזֵי, בְּזִמְנָא דַהֲווֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל אָזְלֵי בְּמַדְבְּרָא, שְׁכִינְתָּא אָזְלָא קַמַּיְיהוּ, וְאִינְהוּ הֲווֹ אָזְלֵי אֲבַתְרָהּ, דִּכְתִיב וַה' הוֹלֵךְ לִפְנֵיהֶם יוֹמָם בְּעַמּוּד עָנָן לַנְחוֹתָם הַדֶּרֶךְ וְלַיְלָה בְּעַמּוּד אֵשׁ לְהָאִיר לָהֶם וגו.' וּבְגִין כָּךְ כְּתִיב, כֹּה אָמַר ה' זָכַרְתִּי לָךְ חֶסֶד נְעוּרַיִךְ אַהֲבַת כְּלוּלוֹתַיִךְ לֶכְתֵּךְ אַחֲרַי בַּמִּדְבָּר וגו.'

Cloud Shechinah Smoke

224. The Shechinah advanced with all the clouds of glory about Her. When the Shechinah would go, so would the children of Yisrael, as it is written, "And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Yisrael journeyed" (Bemidbar 9:17). When She ascended, the cloud rose high, and all the people of the world saw and asked, "Who is this coming out of the wilderness like columns of smoke?"

224. וּשְׁכִינְתָּא הֲוַת אָזְלָא, וְכֻלְּהוּ עֲנָנֵי יְקָר בַּהֲדָהּ. וְכַד הֲוָה שְׁכִינְתָּא נָטְלָה, הֲווֹ נָטְלִין, כְּמָה דִכְתִיב וּבְהֵעָלוֹת הֶעָנָן מֵעַל הָאֹהֶל וְאַחֲרֵי כֵן יִסְּעוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וגו.' וְכַד אִיהִי סָלְקָא, הַהוּא עֲנָנָא סָלְקָא עַד לְעֵילָא, וְכָל בְּנֵי עַלְמָא חָמָאן, וְשָׁאֲלֵי וְאָמְרֵי, מִי זֹאת עוֹלָה מִן הַמִּדְבָּר כְּתִימְרוֹת עָשָׁן.

Abraham Cloud Fire Isaac Light Shechinah Smoke

225. The cloud in which the Shechinah was seen was made of smoke. Why? Because the light kindled by Abraham and Isaac, his son, clung to Her and never left Her. Whenever the fire seized Her, smoke would rise up.

225. הַהוּא עֲנָנָא דִּשְׁכִינְתָּא אִתְחַזְיָא עָשָׁן, מ"ט אִיהִי עָשָׁן, בְּגִין דְּנוּרָא דְּאַדְלֵיק אַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק בְּרֵיהּ, הֲוָה אָחִיד בָּהּ, וְלָא אַעֲדֵי מִינָהּ, וְכַד אִתְאַחְדַת הַהוּא נוּרָא בְּגַוָּוהּ, הֲוָה סָלֵיק תְּנָנָא.

Abraham Cloud Fragrance Hands Isaac Jacob Myrrh

226. Moreover, She was "perfumed with myrrh and frankincense." By "perfumed," it is meant that She was attached to the other two sides, MITIGATING AND ENVELOPING ONE ANOTHER, Abraham's cloud on the right and Isaac's cloud on the left. The "powders of the merchant" refers to Jacob. THIS MEANS SHE WAS CONNECTED TO THE THREE COLUMNS, "MYRRH" IS THE RIGHT COLUMN, ABRAHAM; "FRANKINCENSE" IS THE LEFT COLUMN, ISAAC; AND "ALL THE POWDERS OF THE MERCHANT" IS THE CENTRAL COLUMN THAT CONNECTS BOTH, THIS IS WHY IT IS CALLED A MERCHANT WHO HOLDS BOTH TYPES OF FRAGRANCE IN HIS HANDS.

226. וְעִם כָּל דָּא, מְקֻטֶּרֶת מֹר וּלְבוֹנָה, מַאי מְקֻטֶּרֶת, מִתְקַטְרָא בִּתְרֵין סִטְרִין אָחֳרָנִין, עֲנָנָא דְאַבְרָהָם לִימִינָא, עֲנָנָא דְיִצְחָק לִשְׂמָאלָא, מִכֹּל אַבְקַת רוֹכֵל, דָּא יַעֲקֹב.

Ark Brit (Covenant) Coffin Covenant (Brit) Incense Joseph Precepts Righteous Torah

227. Another explanation is that the "powders of the merchant" refers to Joseph the Righteous, for his coffin (lit. 'ark'), YESOD, traveled by Her. He was called a merchant (Heb. rochel; also: 'talebearer') because he slandered his brothers (Heb. rechilut) before his father. According to another explanation, he was thus called because, just as a merchant possesses all kinds of bundles of incense and perfumed herb powders, so Joseph maintained the Torah. This is so, since all the precepts of the Torah are connected to keeping the Holy Covenant, WHICH HE DID.

227. דָּבָר אַחֵר, מִכֹּל אַבְקַת רוֹכֵל דָּא יוֹסֵף הַצַּדִּיק, בְּגִין דַּאֲרוֹנָא דְיוֹסֵף, הֲוָה אָזֵיל לְגַבֵּיהּ, אַמַּאי רוֹכֵל, בְּגִין דַּהֲוָה רָכֵיל לַאֲחוֹי לְגַבֵּיהּ דַּאֲבוֹי. דָּבָר אַחֵר אַמַּאי רוֹכֵל, אֶלָּא מַה חֶנְוָנִי דָא, קְטִירֵי דְּקוּסְטְרֵי, וְאַבְקֵי דְפוּלְמֵי, כֻּלְּהוּ בִּידֵיהּ, הָכֵי נָמֵי יוֹסֵף, אִיהוּ קִיּוּמָא דְאוֹרַיְיתָא, בְּגִין דְּאִיהוּ קַיַּים לָהּ, בְּגִין דְּכָל פִּקּודֵי אוֹרַיְיתָא, מִתְקַשְּׁרָן בִּנְטִירוּ דִּבְרִית קַדִּישָׁא.

Abraham Face Flow Isaac Jacob Joseph Rivers

228. Another explanation connects the powders with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, who had one and the same image. This is the meaning of the verse, "These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph" (Beresheet 37:2). Thus, the words, "with all powders of the merchant" refer to the source from which the river is drawn and flows, YESOD, WHICH IS JOSEPH. Everything is watered from it and the faces of all are illuminated.

228. וְעַל דָּא, שְׁכִינְתָא מִתְקַטְּרָא, בְּאַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב וְיוֹסֵף, כַּחֲדָא אִינוּן, וּדְיוֹקְנָא חָדָא לְהוֹ, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב, אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדוֹת יַעֲקֹב יוֹסֵף. וּבְגִין כָּךְ, מִכֹּל אַבְקַת רוֹכֵל, בְּגִין דְּמֵאֲתַר דְּנַהֲרָא דְּנָגֵיד וְנָפֵיק, אִשְׁתַּקְיָיא כֹּלָּא, וּנְהִירוּ כָּל אַנְפִּין.

Altar Candles Face Sacrifice Smoke

229. Come and behold, when Yisrael dwelt in their land and offered sacrifices, they approached nearer to the Holy One, blessed be He. When the sacrifice was offered and the smoke rose straight, they knew that the smoke from the altar lit the candle worthy of being lit; all faces shone and the candles were burning.

229. וְתָּא חֲזֵי, כַּד הֲווֹ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּאַרְעָא, וַהֲווֹ מַקְרִיבִין קָרְבָּנִין, כֻּלְּהוּ הֲווֹ מִתְקָרְבִין לְגַבֵּי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת, וְכַד קָרְבָּנָא אִתְעֲבֵיד, וּתְנָנָא סָלֵיק בְּאֹרַח מֵישַׁר, כְּדֵי הֲווֹ יָדְעֵי, דִּתְנָנָא דְּמַדְבְּחָא אַדְלֵיק בּוֹצִינָא, דְּאִתְחַזְּיָא לְאַדְלָקָא, וְכָל אַנְפִּין נְהִירִין וּבוֹצִינִין דָּלְקִין.

Exile Temple, The

230. Since the Temple was destroyed, not a day passes without wrath and anger, as it is written, "and an El who had indignation every day" (Tehilim 7:12). Joy was banished above and below, and Yisrael went into exile under the dominion of other Elomin. Then, the verse is fulfilled, as it is written, "Aand there you shall serve other Elohim" (Devarim 28:64).

230. וּמִיּוֹמָא, דְּאִתְחָרֵיב בֵּי מַקְדְּשָׁא, לֵית לָךְ יוֹמָא וְיוֹמָא, דְּלֵית בֵּיהּ זְעִימוּ וְרוֹגְזָא, כְּדָבָר אֲחֵר וְאֵל זוֹעֵם בְּכָל יוֹם, וְאִתְפָּרַשׁ חֶדְוָה מֵעֵילָא וּמִתַּתָּא, וְיִשְׂרָאֵל אָזְלִין בְּגָלוּתָא, וְאִינוּן בִּרְשׁוּ דְּטַעֲוָון אָחֳרָנִין, וּכְדֵין אִתְקַיַּים קְרָא דִּכְתִיב, וְעָבַדְתָּ שָׁם אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים.

Heart

231. HE ASKS, Why DID YISRAEL DESERVE all this? HE ANSWERS, As it is written, "Because you would not serve Hashem your Elohim with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things" (Ibid. 47-48). HE ASKS, What is the meaning of "the abundance of all things?" HE ANSWERS, Here, there is "the abundance of all things," and there, "want of all things."

231. וְכָל דָּא לָמָּה, בְּגִין דִּכְתִיב, תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר לֹא עָבַדְתָּ אֶת יי' אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְטוּב לֵבָב מֵרוֹב כֹּל, מַאי מֵרוֹב כֹּל. הָכָא מֵרוֹב כֹּל, וְהָתָם בְּחֹסֶר כֹּל.

Compassion Heaven

232. So it shall be until the Holy One, blessed be He, arouses Himself and redeems us from among the nations, as it is written, "that then Hashem your Elohim will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, amongst whom Hashem your Elohim had scattered you. If your outcasts be at the utmost parts of heaven, from there will Hashem your Elohim gather you..." (Devarim 30:3-4).

232. עַד דְּיִתְעַר קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא וְיִפְרוֹק לוֹן מִבֵּינֵי עַמְמַיָא, כְּמָא דְאַתְּ אָמֵר, וְשָׁב יי' אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֶת שְׁבוּתְךָ וְרִחַמְךָ וְשָׁב וְקִבֶּצְךָ מִכָּל הָעַמִּים אֲשֶׁר הֶפִיצְךָ יי' אֱלֹהֶיךָ שָׁמָּה. וּכְתִיב אִם יִהְיֶה נִדַּחֲךָ בִּקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִם מִשָּׁם יְקַבֶּצְךָ וגו.'

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