Chukat: Chapter 7

"Round and round goes the wind"

Synopsis

Rabbi Shimon says that in the title verse it means the wind is the Holy Spirit that circles in two directions to adhere to the body. He refers to the three Patriarchs who are the holy Chariot and says that David is the spirit that was attached to them so that they are a perfectly complete holy Chariot. Rabbi Shimon concludes by saying that all of King Solomon's words are recited in the innermost recesses of the holy chamber because they conceal a much deeper wisdom than people realize.

Hands North South Wind

45. "...Goes toward the south, and veers to the north..." (Kohelet 1:6). This is what is written: "from His right hand went a fiery law for them" (Devarim 33:2); "His right hand," is south, CHESED; "a fiery law," is north, GVURAH - and one is included in the other. THEREFORE, IT IS WRITTEN: "GOES TOWARD THE SOUTH, AND VEERS TO THE NORTH."

45. הוֹלֵךְ אֶל דָּרוֹם וְסוֹבֵב אֶל צָפוֹן, הַיְינוּ דִּכְתִּיב, מִימִינוֹ אֵשׁ דָּת לָמוֹ. יְמִינוֹ, זֶה דָּרוֹם. אֵשׁ דָּת, דָּא צָפוֹן. וְדָא כָּלִיל בְּדָא.

Astrology Body Directions Israel Moon North South Sun Wind Zeir Anpin

46. "Round and round goes the wind" (Kohelet 1:6). This verse is difficult. It should have said, 'Round and round goes the sun.' What is, "goes the wind?'' HE REPLIES: Who is that wind (also: 'spirit')? It is under the sun and is called the 'Holy Spirit,' MEANING MALCHUT. And that spirit, MALCHUT, follows and circles in those two directions, SOUTH AND NORTH, WHICH ARE THE RIGHT COLUMN AND THE LEFT COLUMN, to adhere to the body, THAT IS ZEIR ANPIN CALLED 'SUN.' Therefore, "the wind," is spelled out WITH THE HEI OF THE DEFINITE ARTICLE, TO INDICATE that which is obvious, which is the portion of Yisrael, MEANING MALCHUT, WHICH IS THE PART OF ZEIR ANPIN CALLED 'YISRAEL.' SIMILARLY, THE CHILDREN OF YISRAEL BELOW COUNT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MOON CYCLE, WHICH IS THEIR LOT, ONLY IT IS TOGETHER WITH ZEIR ANPIN.

46. סוֹבֵב סוֹבֵב הוֹלֵךְ הָרוּחַ, הַאי קְרָא קַשְׁיָא, סוֹבֵב סוֹבֵב הוֹלֵךְ הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ מִבָּעֵי לֵיהּ, מַאי הוֹלֵךְ הָרוּחַ. מַאן רוּחָא דָּא, דָּא הוּא תַּחַת הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, דְּאִקְרֵי רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ. וְדָא רוּחַ הוֹלֵךְ וְסוֹבֵב לְאִלֵּין תְּרֵין סִטְרִין לְאִתְחַבְּרָא בְּגוּפָא. וע"ד כְּתִיב הָרוּחַ, הַהוּא דְּאִשְׁתְּמוֹדַע. חוּלָקָא דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל.

Chariot Corners David Head Patriarchs Stone Wind

47. "And on its circuits the wind returns" (Ibid.). HE INQUIRES: What are "its circuits?'' HE REPLIES: These refer to the Patriarchs, who are the holy Chariot. They are three and David is the spirit, that fourth who was attached to them so that they are a perfectly complete holy Chariot. ABOUT DAVID WHO ROSE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE HIGHER CHARIOT, it is written: "the stone which the builders rejected has become the head stone of the corner" (Tehilim 118:22).

47. וְעַל סְבִיבוֹתָיו שָׁב הָרוּחַ, מַאן סְבִיבוֹתָיו. אִלֵּין אֲבָהָן, דְּאִינּוּן רְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא, וְאִינּוּן תְּלַת, וְדָוִד דָּא הוּא רוּחָא רְבִיעָאָה, דְּאִתְחֲבָּר בְּהוּ הָא אִינּוּן רְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא שְׁלֵימָתָא, וְעַל דָּא כְּתִיב, אֶבֶן מָאֲסוּ הַבּוֹנִים הָיְתָה לְרֹאשׁ פִּנָּה.

Chambers Praise Solomon Wisdom

48. Because all of King Solomon's words are concealed in wisdom, all ARE RECITED in the innermost recesses of the holy chamber. People do not pay attention to observe them and they simply see his words as the same as the sayings of any other person. And if this is so, what is the praise to King Solomon with his wisdom over any other person? Assuredly, every word and saying of Solomon, the King, is concealed in wisdom.

48. בְּגִין דְּכָל מִלּוֹי דִּשְׁלֹמֹה מַלְכָּא סְתִימִין כֻּלְּהוּ בְּחָכְמְתָא, וְכֻלְּהוּ לְגוֹ בְּגוֹ דְּהֵיכָלָא קַדִּישָׁא, וּבְנֵי נָשָׁא לָא מִסְתַּכְּלֵי בְּהוּ, וְחָמָאן מִלּוֹי כְּמִלִּין דב"נ אַחֲרָא. אִי הָכִי, מַה שְׁבָחָא הוּא לִשְׁלֹמֹה מַלְכָּא בְּחָכְמָתֵיהּ, מִשְּׁאַר בְּנֵי נָשָׁא. אֶלָּא וַדַּאי כָּל מִלָּה וּמִלָּה דִּשְׁלֹמֹה מַלְכָּא סָתִים בֶּחָכְמְתָא.

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