Vayishlach: Chapter 4

"And Jacob was left alone"

Synopsis

Rabbi Chiya leads a discussion on the evil spirits that gain influence as a result of the diminution of the moon. These spirits assail people when they are sleeping - since this is a time when the soul leaves the body - and cause people to defile themselves. Thus, we learn, it is incumbent on man to purify himself and follow the paths of the Torah.

The rabbis also warn us not to travel a lonely road by ourselves or to go out at night when there are no people about, especially without the light of the moon. At these times, evil spirits - those with whom Bilaam was associated - are at large.

Relevance

Discord and turmoil in our lives can be traced to negative influences and evil forces that dwell in our midst. Our negative behavior creates openings for destructive entities, but the Light of this passage seals these openings shut. Moreover, the spiritual energy purifies our soul, raises our consciousness, and inspires us to eliminate self-destructive impulses that create the cracks and crevices through which dark forces enter our lives.

Astrology Creation Demons Dwellings Evil Jacob Light Lights Moon Plagues Wind

75. "And Jacob was left alone" (Beresheet 32:25). Rabbi Chiya opened the discussion with the verse, "No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling" (Tehilim 91:10). Come and behold, when the Holy One, blessed be He, created the world, He performed in each day the work appropriate for that day, as has been explained. It has been said that on the fourth day He created the lights, but the moon was created lacking, because it is a light that diminishes itself. For that reason, the word "lights" is spelled without the letter Vav, which leaves room for the spirits, demons, storm winds, devils, and all the Spirits of Defilement to exercise sway.

75. וַיִּוָּתֵר יַעֲקֹב לְבַדּוֹ וגו.' רִבִּי חִיָיא פְּתַח וַאֲמַר לֹא תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה וְנֶגַע לֹא יִקְרַב בְּאָהֳלֶךָ, תָּא חֲזֵי, כַּד בָּרָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא עַלְמָא, עֲבַד בְּכָל יוֹמָא וְיוֹמָא עֲבִידְתֵּיהּ דְּאִתְחֲזֵי לֵיהּ, וְהָא אוֹקְמוהָ. וְאִתְּמָר, בְּיוֹמָא רְבִיעָאָה עֲבַד נְהוֹרִין, וּכְדֵין אִתְבְּרֵי סִיהֲרָא חָסֵר, נְהוֹרָא דְּאַזְעֵירַת גַּרְמָהּ, וּבְגִין דְּאִיהִי מְאֹרֹת חָסֵר וא"ו, אִתְיְהֵיב דּוּכְתָּא, לְשַׁלְּטָאָה כָּל רוּחִין וְשֵׁדִין, וְעִלְעוּלִין וּמַזִּיקִין וְכָל רוּחֵי מְסָאֲבֵי.

Evil Evil Inclination Lilit Serpent

76. They all come to hover about the world and seduce MEN. They occupy deserted places, infertile fields NOT FIT FOR SOWING, and wasted deserts. They are all from the Side of Defilement. We have learned that the Spirit of Defilement comes from the corrupt serpent, WHICH IS LILIT. It is a very spirit of uncleanness that is appointed in the world to seduce people to it to him. Thus, the Evil Inclination gains mastery over the world.

76. כֻּלְּהוּ סָלְקִין וְשָׁאטִין בְּעַלְמָא לְאַסְטָאָה, וְאִתְמַנּוּן בְּדוּכְתֵּי דְּאִתְחֲרִיבוּ, וּבְחַקְלִין תַּקִּיפִין, וּבְמַדְבְּרִין חֲרֵיבִין. וְכֻלְּהוּ מִסִּטְרֵי רוּחַ מְסָאֲבָא. וְהָא אִתְּמָר, דְּהָא רוּחַ מְסָאֲבָא דְאַתְיָא מִנָּחָשׁ עֲקִימָאָה, אִיהוּ רוּחַ מְסָאֲבָא מַמָּשׁ. וְאִיהוּ אִתְמַנָּא בְּעַלְמָא, לְאַסְטָאָה בַּר נָשׁ לְגַבֵּיהּ, וְעַל דָּא יֵצֶר הָרָע שַׁלִּיט בְּעַלְמָא.

Adam Death Death and the Afterlife Sorcery Witchcraft

77. It is appointed over people and dwells among them. It uses witchcraft and stealth to turn them from the ways of the Holy One, blessed be He, just as it seduced Adam and brought death to the world. So does it seduce men and cause them to be defiled.

77. וְאִיהוּ אִתְמַנֵּי לְגַבַּיְיהוּ דִבְנֵי נָשָׁא, וְאִשְׁתַּכַּח עִמְּהוֹן, וּבַעֲקִימוּ וּבְתִסְקוֹפִין אָתֵי לְגַבַּיְיהוּ, לְאַסְטָאָה לוֹן, מֵאָרְחוֹי דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, כְּמָה דְאַסְטֵי לְאָדָם קַדְמָאָה, וְגָרֵים מוֹתָא לְכָל עַלְמָא, הָכֵי נָמֵי אַסְטֵי לְהוֹ לִבְנֵי נָשָׁא, וְגָרֵים לוֹן לְאִסְתָּאֲבָא.

World to Come, The

78. Whoever wishes to be defiled draws upon himself that Spirit of Defilement and cleaves to it. Numerous SPIRITS OF DEFILEMENT await to defile him and make him unclean. They corrupt him in this world and in the World to Come, as has already been explained.

78. וּמַאן דְּאָתֵי לְאִסְתָּאֲבָא, אִיהוּ מָשִׁיךְ עֲלֵיהּ הַהוּא רוּחַ מְסָאֲבָא, וְאִתְדַּבֵּיק בַּהֲדֵיהּ, וְכַמָּה אִינוּן דִּזְמִינִין לְסָאֲבָא לֵיהּ, וּמְסָאֲבִין לֵיהּ, וְאִיהוּ מְסָאָב וְסָאֳבִין לֵיהּ בְּהַאי עַלְמָא, וּבְהַהוּא עַלְמָא. וְהָא אִתְּמָר.

Demons Dwellings Evil Lilit Plagues Purification

79. When a man strives to be purified, however, the Spirit of Defilement is subdued and loses its sway over him. Then, it is written, "No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Rabbi Yosi said, "No evil shall befall you," refers to Lilit and, "nor shall any plague come near your dwelling," refers to the other harmful demons. This has already been explained.

79. וּבְשַׁעֲתָא דְּאָתֵי בַּר נָשׁ לְאִתְדַּכָאָה, הַהוּא רוּחַ מְסָאֲבָא אִתְכַּפְיָיא קַמֵּיהּ, וְלָא יָכֵיל לְשַׁלְטָאָה עֲלוֹי, וּכְדֵין כְּתִיב, לֹא תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה וְנֶגַע לֹא יִקְרַב בְּאָהֳלֶךָ. אֲמַר ר' יוֹסֵי, לֹא תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶיךָ רָעָה, דָּא לִילִית, וְנֶגַע לֹא יִקְרַב בְאָהֳלֶךָ, אִלֵּין שְׁאָר מַזִּיקִין, וְהָא אוֹקְמוּהָ וְאִתְּמָר.

Astrology Creation Evil Moon Plagues Samael Serpent

80. Rabbi Elazar said, Man has been warned not to venture out alone at night, especially when the moon was created lacking, AND DOES NOT FULLY SHINE. It has been explained that the Spirit of Defilement, an evil spirit, governs at that time. HE ASKS, Who is this evil spirit? HE ANSWERS, It is the evil serpent, and "the plague" is the rider of the serpent, SAMAEL. THUS, evil and plague are as one.

80. רִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אֲמַר, הָא אֲמָרָן, דְּלָא יִפּוֹק בַּר נָשׁ יְחִידָאָה בְּלֵילְיָא, וְכָל שֶׁכֵּן, בְּזִמְנָא דְסִיהֲרָא אִתְבְּרִיאַת, וַהֲוָה חֲסֵרָה, וְאוֹקְמוּהָ. דְּהָא כְּדֵין, רוּחָא מְסָאֲבָא שָׁלְטָא, וְדָא הוּא רוּחַ רָעָה, מַאן רָעָה, דָּא חִוְיָא בִישָׁא. וְנֶגַע, דָּא הוּא מַאן דְּרָכֵיב עַל חִוְיָא. רָעָה, וְנֶגַע, כַּחֲדָא אִינוּן.

Adam Plagues Year

81. And yet we have learned that plague also refers to the plagues of those born to Adam. For all those years when Adam did not approach his wife, spirits of Defilement would come, conceive from him, and bear him offspring called the 'plagues of the sons of men.'

81. וְאַף עַל גָּב דְּתָנִינָן, דְּנֶגַע אִלֵּין נִגְעֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם, דִּנְפָקוּ מֵאָדָם, דְּהָא כָּל אִינוּן שְׁנִין, דְּלָא קָרֵיב אָדָם עִם אִתְּתֵיהּ, רוּחֵי מְסָאֲבֵי הֲווֹ קָא אַתְיָין, וּמִתְחַמְמָן מִנֵּיהּ, וְאוֹלִידָן מִנֵּיהּ, וְהַנֵּי אִקְרוּן נִגְעֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם.

Body Demons Dreams Female Hair Head

82. We learned that when man dreams, he has no control over his body; the body is silent, and the Spirit of Defilement comes to rest on him. Sometimes, impure female spirits come and draw him to them. Then they conceive from him and bear spirits and demons, who often look like men but without hair on their heads.

82. וְהָא אִתְּמָר, דְּכַד בַּר נָשׁ בְּחֶלְמֵיהּ, וְלָא שַׁלִּיט בְּגוּפֵיהּ, וְגוּפָא אִשְׁתַּכַּךְ, רוּחַ מְסָאֲבָא אַתְיָיא וְשַׁרְיָא עֲלֵיהּ, וְאִית זִמְנִין, דְּרוּחֵי נוּקְבִין מְסָאֲבִין, אַתְיָין וְקָרְבָן בַּהֲדֵיהּ, וּמָשְׁכִין לֵיהּ בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ, וּמִתְחַמְמָן מִנֵּיהּ, וְאוֹלִידוּ לְבָתַר רוּחִין וּמַזִּיקִין, וּלְזִמְנִין אִתְחַזְיָין כְּחֵיזוּ בְּנֵי נָשָׁא, בַּר דְּלֵית לוֹן שַׂעֲרֵי בְּרֵישָׁא.

Body Death Death and the Afterlife Eyes Hands Morning Soul, The Torah

83. A man should protect himself from them with all his might. He should walk the paths of the Torah to avoid being defiled by them. For there is no one who sleeps in his bed at night who does not taste death. His soul leaves him, and when the body is left without the sacred soul, the Spirit of Defilement comes and hovers about him, and he becomes unclean. Thus, a man should not pass his hands over his eyes in the morning, because the Spirit of Defilement dwells on them.

83. וּבְכֹלָּא אִית לֵיהּ לְבַּר נָשׁ לְאִסְתַּמְּרָא מִקַּמַּיְיהוּ, בְּגִין דִּיהַךְ בְּאָרְחֵי דְאוֹרַיְיתָא, וְלָא יִסְתָּאַב בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ, דְּהָא לֵית לָךְ מַאן דְּנָאִים בְּלֵילְיָא בְּעַרְסֵיהּ דְּלָא טָעִים טַעְמָא דְמוֹתָא, וְנָפְקַת נִשְׁמָתֵיהּ מִנֵּיהּ, וְכֵיוָן דְּאִשְׁתָּאַר גּוּפָא בְּלָא נִשְׁמָתָא קַדִּישָׁא, רוּחַ מְסָאֲבָא זַמִּין וְשַׁרְיָא עֲלֵיהּ וְאִסְתָּאַב, וְהָא אוֹקִימְנָא מִלָּה, דְּלֵית לֵיהּ לְבַר נָשׁ, לְאַעֲבָרָא יְדוֹי עַל עֵינוֹי בְּצַפְרָא, בְּגִין דְּהָא רוּחָא מְסָאֲבָא שַׁרְיָא עֲלַיְיהוּ וכו,' וְהָא אִתְּמָר.

Jacob

84. Come and behold, though he was beloved by the Holy One, blessed be He, NEVERTHELESS since he, Jacob, was alone, another spirit came to join him.

84. תָּא חֲזֵי, דְּהָא יַעֲקֹב, אַף עַל גַּב דְּאִתְרְחֵים קַמֵּיהּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, בְּגִין דְּאִשְׁתָּאַר בִּלְחוֹדוֹי, רוּחָא אָחֳרָא הֲוָה זַמִין לְאִזְדַּוְּוגָא בַּהֲדֵיהּ.

Adder Balaam Serpent Wicked Wickedness

85. Rabbi Shimon said, Come and behold. It is written about the wickedBilaam, "And he went shefi ('to a steep place')" (Bemidbar 23:3). What does shefi mean? It means 'alone,' as in the verse, "an adder (Heb. shefifon) in the path" (Beresheet 49:17). THAT IS, Bilaam walks alone as does a snake that lurks in byways and paths. What is the purpose of this? To draw upon himself the Spirit of Defilement, for he who walks alone at certain times, even in town, in certain places, draws upon himself the Defiled Spirit.

85. רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן אֲמַר, תָּא חֲזֵי, מַה כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ בְּהַהוּא רָשָׁע דְּבִלְעָם, וַיֵּלֶךְ שֶׁפִי, מַהוּ שֶׁפִי, יְחִידָאי. כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמֵר שְׁפִיפוֹן עֲלֵי אֹרַח, כְּהַאי חִוְיָא דְּאָזֵיל יְחִידָאי, וְכָמִין עֲלֵי אָרְחִין וּשְׁבִילִין, הָכֵי נָמֵי בִּלְעָם, הֲוָה אָזֵיל יְחִידָאי, מַאי טַעְמָא, בְּגִין לְאַמְשָׁכָא עֲלֵיהּ רוּחָא מְסָאֲבָא, דְּכָל מַאן דְּאָזֵיל יְחִידָאי בִּזְמַנִּין יְדִיעָן, אֲפִילּוּ בְּמָתָא, בְּאַתְרִין יְדִיעָן, מָשֵׁיךְ עֲלֵיהּ רוּחָא מְסָאֲבָא.

Balaam Body Serpent Tree Wicked Wickedness

86. Thus, a man should walk by himself on the road and in the city only when other people are about. And a man should not walk alone at night, because no other people are present. For the same reason, " ...his body shall not remain all night upon the tree." The spiritless corpse should not be left during the night. This is why the wicked Bilaam was walking along like a snake.

86. בְּג"כ, בְּכָל זִמְנָא, לָא יְהַךְ בַּר נָשׁ יְחִידָאי בְּאָרְחָא וּבְמָתָא, אֶלָּא בַּאֲתַר דִּבְנֵי נָשָׁא אָזְלִין וְתָבִין וּמִשְׁתַּכְּחִין תַּמָּן, וְעַל דָּא לָא יְהַךְ בַּר נָשׁ יְחִידָאי בְּלֵילְיָא, הוֹאִיל וּבְנֵי נָשָׁא לָא מִשְׁתַּכְּחֵי, וְהַיְינוּ טַעְמָא, דְּלָא תָלִין נִבְלָתוֹ עַל הָעֵץ, דְּלָא לְקַיְימָא גּוּפָא מִיתָא בְּלָא רוּחָא, עַל אַרְעָא בְּלֵילְיָא. בְּגִין כָּךְ הַהוּא רָשָׁע דְּבִלְעָם, הֲוָה אָזֵיל יְחִידָאי, כְּהַאי נָחָשׁ, כְּמָה דְאוֹקְמוּהָ.

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