Vayera: Chapter 24

Amon and Moab

Synopsis

The original Serpent in the Garden of Eden ate fruits from the tree, which is also interpreted as drinking wine. Through this action, two negative energy forces came into existence - [do not pronounce] malcon, and peor. The Zohar expounds upon these two negative forces and how they manifest into our world to influence man. The two children born from an incestuous relationship between Lot and his two daughters were the physical manifestation of these two forces. King David, who is a descendant of these offspring, used this tremendous negativity as a tool to take control over the two negative forces. According to the laws of spirituality, in order to attain genuine control over any situation or force, one must have some connection to it. It was destined that King David be seeded with this negativity because he was ingrained with the spiritual strength necessary to take control over it. The moment man seizes control over any negative aspect of his nature, for example, the trait of jealousy, he immediately influences and minimizes the force of jealousy in the entire world. The envy that lurks within in the hearts of all men is rooted in one source. This principle holds true for all negative qualities.

Relevance

Mankind's natural instinct is to treat multiple symptoms, as opposed to curing the one underlying and unseen cause. All of our negative traits are rooted in one source. We gain control over our own negativity and reactive impulses and their source and origin by virtue of this passage. Moreover, we connect ourselves to any negativity that we came into contact with at prior times in our life and take control over and diminish the root of these forces as well.

Gold Lot Tree

329. Sitrei Torah (Concealed Torah). "And Lot went up out of Tzoar..." Because of the desire of the King, a bit of refuse, which bears an engraved image, is separated from the right side and clings to the refuse of the gold that comes from the left side. And it resides within the 'unholiness,' which was shaped into the image of the tree.

329. (סִתְרֵי תּוֹרָה) וַיַּעַל לוֹט מִצּוֹעַר וגו', מִגּוֹ הוּרְמְנוּתָא דְמַלְכָּא, אִתְפָּרְשָׁא מִסִּטְרָא דְּיָמִינָא, חַד הִתּוּכָא דִּקְטוֹרָא דְּגוּלְפָא, מִתְדַּבְּקָא בְּגוֹ הִתּוּכָּא דְדַהֲבָא, מִסִּטְרָא דִּשְׂמָאלָא, בְּגוֹ מְסָאֲבוּ, דִּיּוּרֵיהּ. וְאִתְעֲבֵיד קְטוֹרָא חָדָא דְּאִילָנָא.

Abraham Grades Holiness (Kedushah) Isaac Judgment Kedushah (Holiness)

330. When Isaac, WHO IS THE LEFT COLUMN OF HOLINESS, wanted to rise up in the world, by the might of the harsh Judgment, he overcame the grades OF THE LEFT AND severed them from their sustenance. THIS IS HOW THE RIGHT COLUMN, CALLED Abraham, became strong. He therefore separated that figure from the Unholiness.

330. כַּד בָּעָא יִצְחָק לְאִתְעָרָא בְּעָלְמָא, בְּתוּקְפֵּיהּ דְּדִינָא קַשְׁיָא, אִתְתַּקַּף, וּפָרֵישׁ דַּרְגִּין מִקִּיּוּמַיְיהוּ, וְאִתְתַּקַּף אַבְרָהָם, וּפָרֵישׁ הַהוּא דִּקְטוֹרָא חָדָא דְּאִילָנָא, מִגּוֹ הַהוּא מְסָאֲבוּ.

Fruit Grades Peor Serpent Tree Wine

331. The primordial Serpent penetrated the fruits of that Tree, this being the wine that it drank. And it begot two grades that are interrelated and surround the side of Unholiness. One is called Milcom, and the other Peor.

331. הַהוּא נָחָשׁ קַדְמָאָה, עָאל בְּאִנְבֵּיהּ דְּהַהוּא אִילָנָא, וְאִיהוּ חַמְרָא דְּשָׁתָא, וְאוֹלִיד תְּרֵין דַּרְגִּין, קְטוּרִין דָּא בְּדָא. וְאִינוּן דַּרְגִּין דְּסָחֲרָן בִּסְטַר מְסָאֲבוּ, חַד אִקְרֵי מִלְכּוֹ"ם, וְחַד אִקְרֵי פְּעוֹ"ר.

Deeds Nukva Peor Seas

332. One is a hidden advice. The other is an open advice. AND HE EXPLAINED THAT Peor is revealed, and all its actions, ITS DEEDS, are performed in the open. Milcom, in contrast, is hidden, and all its actions, ITS DEEDS, are secretive. These kinds of Unholy elements were separated and went forth, surrounding the Great Sea, WHICH IS THE NUKVA, and each and every aspect of impurity turns towards its place.

332. דָּא עֵיטָא דְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא, וְדָא עֵיטָא דְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא. פְּעוֹר דְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא אִיהוּ, וְכָל עוֹבָדוֹי בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא, מִלְכּוֹ"ם דְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא אִיהוּ, וְכָל עוֹבָדוֹי בְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא. מֵאִלֵּין תְּרֵין אִתְפַּרְשָׁן זִינִין סַגִּיאִין לִזְנַיְיהוּ, וְסָחֲרָן יַמָּא רַבָּא, וּלְכָל אִלֵּין סִטְרֵי מְסָאֲבוּ, וְכָל חַד וְחַד שָׁף לְדוּכְתֵּיהּ.

Abraham Gold Judgment Lot Sodom and Amorah (Gomorrah) Soul, The

333. In the same manner, WHAT OCCURS IN THE UPPER WORLDS HAPPENS WITH THE SOULS down below. Lot, WHO IS THE REFUSE OF THE RIGHT, separated himself from Abraham and dwelt among the people of Sodom, WHO ARE THE REFUSE OF THE GOLD THAT COMES FROM THE LEFT. AND HE ACHIEVED COMPLETION FROM THEM, AS IS EXPLAINED IN THE UPPER WORLDS. When the Judgment was aroused and they were overthrown, THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, remembered Abraham, and saved LOT. Thus, Lot was separated from THE UNHOLINESS OF SODOM AND RETURNED TO THE HOLY SIDE.

333. כְּגַוְונָא דָא אִיהוּ לְתַתָּא, לוֹט אִתְפְּרַשׁ מֵאַבְרָהָם, וְשַׁוֵּי דִּיּוּרֵיהּ בְּאַנְשֵׁי סְדוֹם, כַּד אִתְעַר דִּינָא בְּהוֹ, אִדְכַּר לְאַבְרָהָם, וּשְׁלַח לֵיהּ מִתַּמָּן, וְאִתְפְּרֵישׁ מִנַּיְיהוּ.

Amon Grades Idolatry Moab Peor Serpent Wine

334. His daughters made him drink wine, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE PRIMORDIAL SERPENT, and they bore him two nations. One was named Amon, which is hidden, and the other Moab, which is revealed. The grade of Amon is THE IDOL Milcom, the adviser of concealment. The grade of Moab is Peor, which is completely revealed.

334. יַיִן אַשְׁקִיאוּ לֵיהּ בְּנָתֵיהּ, וְאוֹלִידוּ בְּהוֹ תְּרֵין אוּמִין, חַד אִקְרֵי עַמּוֹן, וְחַד אִקְרֵי מוֹאָב, חַד בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא, וְחַד בְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא. עַמּוֹן דַּרְגָּא דִילֵיהּ מִלְכּוֹ"ם, עֵיטָא דְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא, מוֹאָב דַּרְגָּא דִילֵיהּ פְּעוֹ"ר, כֹּלָּא בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא.

Daughter Grades Moab Peor

335. His daughters behaved similarly. One said, "Ben-Ami (lit. 'son of my people') I have a son from my nation," but she did not name the father. This is why he is related to the concealed aspect. The other daughter said, "Moab he came from my father (Me'av). I have borne a son from my father." Thus, this son's grade is Peor, the unconcealed aspect.

335. כְּגַוְונָא דָא בְּנָתֵיהּ, דָּא אַמְרַת בֶּן עַמִּי, בְּרָא אִית לִי מֵעַמִּי, וְלָא אַמְרַת מִמַּאן הוּא, בְּגִין כָּךְ, אִיהוּ הֲוָה בְּאִתְכַּסְּיָא. דָּא אָמְרַת מוֹאָב, מֵאָב הוּא דְנָא, מֵאַבָּא אוֹלִידַת לֵיהּ, דַּרְגָּא דִּילֵיהּ פְּעוֹ"ר מִלָּה בְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא.

Amon Crowns David Grades Moab Ruth Samuel Testimony

336. King David was attached to both AMON AND MOAB, because Rut issued from Moab and King David from her. And David was enthroned by the crown of Amon, which was a testimony to the seed of David. As it is written, "And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony" (II Melachim 11:12). This crown came from Milcom, which is the grade of the children of Amon, as it is written, "And he took their king's (Heb. malcam) crown" (II Shmuel 12:30).

336. וּבִתְרֵין אִלֵּין, אָחִיד דָּוִד מַלְכָּא לְבָתַר, מִן מוֹאָב אָתַת רוּת, וּנְפַק מִנָּהּ דָּוִד מַלְכָּא. מִן עַמּוֹן אִתְעַטַּר דָּוִד מַלְכָּא, בְּהַאי עִטְּרָא, דְּאִיהִי סַהֲדוּתָא לְזַרְעָא דְּדָוִד, דִּכְתִיב וַיִּתֵּן עָלָיו אֶת הַנֵּזֶר וְאֶת הָעֵדוּת. וְהַאי הֲוַת מִן מִלְכֹּם, דַּרְגָּא דִּבְנֵי עַמּוֹן, דִּכְתִיב וַיִּקַּח אֶת עֲטֶרֶת מַלְכָּם.

Amon Crowns David Gold Grades Head Samuel Stone Testimony

337. Milcom is the grade of the children of Amon. As it is written, "And it was set on David's head" (II Shmuel 12:30). And from then on, it became an everlasting testimony for his sons after him. Through it, it became evident who are of the sons of David and worthy of kingship. IF HE WAS ABLE TO BEAR THE CROWN UPON HIS HEAD, then they said that he is certainly from the seed of David. Even on the day he was born, he was already able to bear the weight of the crown upon his head, though it was heavy with gold and a precious stone. Others, WHO WERE NOT FROM DAVID'S SEED, could not bear it. Therefore, it is written about Yoash, "And he put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony."

337. מִלְכֹּם, דַּרְגָּא דִּבְנֵי עַמּוֹן הוּא, דִּכְתִיב וַתְּהִי עַל רֹאשׁ דָּוִד, וּמִתַּמָּן הֲוָה סַהֲדוּתָא לִבְנוֹי לְעָלְמִין, וּבָהּ אִשְׁתְּמוֹדָע מַאן דְּאִיהוּ מִן בְּנוֹי דְדָוִד דְּאִתְחֲזֵי לְמַלְכָּא וַדַּאי, דְּאָמְרִין מִן דָּוִד הוּא. דַאֲפִילּוּ אִתְיְלֵיד בְּהַהוּא יוֹמָא, יָכִיל הֲוָה לְמִסְבַּל הַהִיא עִטְּרָא עַל רֵישֵׁיהּ, דַּהֲוַת מִשְׁקַל כִּכַּר זָהָב, וְאֶבֶן יְקָרָה הֲוַת. וּבַּר נָשׁ אָחֳרָא לָא יָכִיל לְמִסְבְּלָא. וְדָא הוּא דִּכְתִיב בְּיוֹאָשׁ וַיִּתֵּן עָלָיו אֶת הַנֵּזֶר וְאֶת הָעֵדוּת.

David Grades Kingdom

338. King David was attached to both of these grades. They are the might of his kingdom. Through them, he was able to overcome all other nations. If he had not been included within their aspects, he would not have been able to overcome them. So all the grades of all the other nations of the world were included within David, so that he could overcome them.

338. וּבִתְרֵין דַּרְגִּין אִתְאֲחֵיד דָּוִד מַלְכָּא, וְאִינוּן תּוֹקְפָא דְּמַלְכוּתֵיהּ, לְאִתְתַּקְּפָא עַל שְׁאָר עַמִּין, דְּאִי לָא אִתְכְּלֵיל בְּסִטְרָא דִלְהוֹן, לָא יָכֵיל לְאִתְתַּקְּפָא עֲלַיְיהוּ, כָּל דַּרְגִּין דִּשְׁאָר עַמִּין כְּלִילָן בֵּיהּ בְּדָוִד, לְאִתְגַּבְּרָא וּלְאִתְתַּקְּפָא עֲלַיְיהוּ.

Body Evil Evil Inclination Firstborn Lot Mountains Nefesh (Soul) Soul (Nefesh)

339. "And Lot went up out of Tzoar, and dwelt in the mountain." It is written, "The leech hath two daughters, crying, Give, give..." (Mishlei 30:15). These are the two daughters of the Evil Inclination who arouse the Evil Inclination to rule the body. One is the Nefesh that constantly grows within the body; the other is the Nefesh that lusts after evil desires of this world. The latter is the firstborn, while the former, THE FIRST ONE, is the younger.

339. וַיַּעַל לוֹט מִצּוֹעַר וַיֵּשֶׁב בָּהָר. כְּתִיב לַעֲלוּקָה שְׁתֵּי בָנוֹת הַב הַב. אִלֵּין שְׁתֵּי בָנוֹת דְּיֵצֶר הָרָע, דְּאִינוּן מִתְעָרִין לֵיהּ, לְשָׁלָטָא בְּגוּפָא. חָדָא אִיהִי נֶפֶשׁ, דְּאִתְרְבִיאַת תָּדִיר בְּגוּפָא. וְחָדָא אִיהִי נֶפֶשׁ, דִּכְסִיפַת בְּתֵיאוֹבְתִּין בִּישִׁין, וּבְכָל כִּסּוּפִין בִּישִׁין דְּהַאי עָלְמָא. דָּא אִיהִי בְּכִירָ"ה וְדָא אִיהִי צְעִירָ"ה.

Death Death and the Afterlife Evil Evil Inclination Liver Soul, The

340. The Evil Inclination always clings to both of these SOULS in order to seduce human beings and make them trust it, SO THAT IT MAY lead them to the place WHERE THEY ARE SHOT BY the 'Arrows of Death' and torn into shreds, as it is written, "Till a dart strike through his liver..." (Mishlei 7:23).

340. ויצה"ר לָא אִתְחַבַּר תָּדִיר, אֶלָּא בִּתְרֵין אִלֵּין, בְּגִין לְפַתָּאָה לִבְנֵי נָשָׁא וּבְגִין דִּיהֵמְנוּן לֵיהּ לְאוֹבָדָא לְהוֹ, לַאֲתַר גִּירִין דְּמוֹתָא, וְיִפְלְחוּן לֵיהּ. כד"א עַד יְפַלַח חֵץ כְּבֵדוֹ.

Death Death and the Afterlife Evil Evil Inclination Faith Mountains

341. AND THIS IS SIMILAR to those thieving bandits in the mountains who hide in a frightening spot to which most people refrain from traveling. How do they bring people to that place? They choose from among them the one who has the sharpest tongue, one who knows how to tempt people. This one leaves them and travels on the main path TO THE PLACE through which all people pass. As soon as he arrives there and meets them, NAMELY, THE INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD, he joins them. HE PULLS THEM INTO HIS NET AND BRINGS THEM TO THAT EVIL SPOT WHERE THE OTHER BANDITS WAIT TO ROB AND MURDER THEM. THIS IS HOW THE EVIL INCLINATION WORKS. IT SEDUCES HUMAN BEINGS AND PERSUADES THEM TO HAVE FAITH IN IT, WHILE IT BRINGS THEM TO THE PLACE OF THE "ARROWS OF DEATH." End of Sitrei Torah.

341. לְלִסְטִים דִּמְקַפְּחֵי בְּטוּרָיָא, וּטְמִירוּ גַּרְמַיְיהוּ בַּאֲתַר דָּחֵיל דְּטוּרַיָא, וְיָדְעִין דְּהָא בְּנֵי נָשָׁא אִתְטַמְרָן גַּרְמַיְיהוּ, לְמֵיהַךְ בְּאִינוּן דּוּכְתֵּי, מָה עָבְדֵי, בְּרִירוּ מִנַּיְיהוּ הַהוּא דַּחֲדִידָא בְּלִישְׁנֵיהּ מִכֹּלָּא, הַהוּא דְּיָדַע לִמְפַתֵּי בְּנֵי נָשָׁא, וְיִפּוֹק מִבֵּינַיְיהוּ, וִיתֵיב בְּאוֹרַח מֵישָׁר, דְּכָל בְּנֵי עָלְמָא עָבְרִין תַּמָּן, כֵּיוָן דְּמָטָא לְגַבַּיְיהוּ, שָׁרֵי לְאִתְחַבְּרָא תַּמָּן. (עַד כָּאן סִתְרֵי תּוֹרָה).

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