Lech Lecha: Chapter 21

"And Hashem said to Abraham after Lot was separated from him"

Synopsis

Progressing from the previous section, the Zohar reveals how Abraham the Patriarch prepared and readied himself to receive the Light of the Creator after disconnecting himself from the negative influences of his nephew Lot.

Relevance

This portion illustrates the importance of preparing ourselves, both spiritually and physically, for the Light of Creator to rest upon us. This preparation process is referred to as "building one's Vessel." Without a Vessel, the Light of the Creator cannot be revealed. This important Kabbalistic principle is clarified by an analogy: The sun requires a physical object, a vessel to reflect, and thus, reveal its light. In like manner, the Light of the Creator requires a Vessel in order to illuminate our physical world. These sacred verses assist us in the building of our own Vessel so that spiritual Light can illuminate the dark areas of our life.

Abram Earth Heaven Jeremiah Jonah Lot

180. "And Hashem said to Abraham, after Lot was separated from him..." (Beresheet 13:14). Rabbi Aba opened the discussion by saying, "And Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Hashem" (Yonah 1:3). Woe to those who hide from the presence of the Holy One, blessed be He, of whom it is written: "I fill the heaven and earth, says Hashem" (Yirmeyah 23:24). AND HE WONDERS, why did Jonah want to flee from the presence OF THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE?

180. וַה' אָמַר אֶל אַבְרָם אַחֲרֵי הִפָּרֶד לוֹט מֵעִמּוֹ וגו'. ר' אַבָּא פָּתַח וַיָּקָם יוֹנָה לִבְרוֹחַ תַּרְשִׁישָׁה מִלִּפְנֵי ה' וגו', וַוי לְמַאן דְּאִסְתַּתַּר מִקַּמֵּי קֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, דִּכְתִיב בֵּיהּ הֲלֹא אֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת הָאָרֶץ אֲנִי מָלֵא נְאֻם ה'. וְהוּא אָתֵי לְמֶעֱרַק מִקַּמֵּיהּ.

Congregation Doves Heart Jerusalem Rock Shechinah

181. AND HE REPLIES, In the verse, "My dove (Heb. yonati), who are in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff" (Shir Hashirim 2:14), "my dove" refers to the Congregation of Yisrael, NAMELY THE SHECHINAH; "in the clefts of the rock" means Jerusalem, that is, the highest place in the world. Just as the rock is stronger and more eminent than everything, so is Jerusalem stronger and more eminent than all. The words, "in the secret places of the cliff" refer to the place that is called the place of the holy of holies, which is the heart of the entire world.

181. אֶלָּא, כְּתִיב יוֹנָתִי בְּחַגְוֵי הַסֶּלַע בְּסֵתֶר הַמַּדְרֵגָה. יוֹנָתִי: דָּא כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. בְּחַגְוֵי הַסֶּלַע: דָּא יְרוּשְׁלֵם, דְּאִיהִי סָלְקָא עַל כָּל עָלְמָא. מַה סֶּלַע, אִיהִי עִלָּאָה וְתַקִּיפָא עַל כֻּלָּא, אוֹף יְרוּשְׁלֵם אִיהִי עִלָּאָה וְתַקִּיפָא עַל כֹּלָּא. בְּסֵתֶר הַמַּדְרֵגָה: דָּא אֲתַר דְּאִקְרֵי בֵּית קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים, לִבָּא דְּכָל עָלְמָא.

Congregation Exile House Peace Shechinah Vine

182. It is written, "in the secret places of the cliff" OF THE HOLY OF HOLIES because the Shechinah used to hide Herself there, as does a modest wife, who does not show herself out of her house. Just as it is written, "Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of your house" (Tehilim 128:3), so the Congregation of Yisrael does not dwell out of its own place, WHICH IS the "secret places of the cliff," except at times of exile. And since it is in exile, then the other nations of the world enjoy greater prosperity and peace THAN YISRAEL.

182. וּבְגִין כָּךְ כְּתִיב בְּסֵתֶר הַמַּדְרֵגָה, בְּגִין דְּתַמָּן הֲוַת שְׁכִינְתָּא מִסְתַּתְּרָא, כְּאִתְּתָא דְּאִיהִי צְנוּעָה לְבַעֲלָהּ, וְלָא נָפְקָא מִבֵּיתָא לְבַר. כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אֲמַר, אֶשְׁתְּךָ כְּגֶפֶן פּוֹרִיָה בְּיַרְכְּתֵי בֵיתֶךָ וגו'. כָּךְ כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לָא שָׁרְיָיא לְבַר מֵאַתְרָהָא, בִּסְתִירוּ דְּדַרְגָּא, אֶלָּא בְּזִמְנָא דְגָלוּתָא, דְּאִיהוּ בְּגוֹ גָּלוּתָא, וּבְגִין דְּאִיהִי בְּגָלוּתָא, שְׁאָר עַמִּין אִית לוֹן טִיבוּ וְשַׁלְוָה יַתִּיר.

Air Female Waters (Mayin Nukvin) Holy Land Mayin Nukvin (Female Waters) Nukva Throne Waters

183. Come and behold, when the nation of Yisrael dwells in the Holy Land, everything is in its place, and the throne, WHICH IS THE NUKVA, is firmly established over them. They worshipped Hashem, WHICH MEANS THAT THEY ELEVATED MAYIN NUKVIN (FEMALE WATERS), and transcended the layers of air of the world. Their service ascended on high to its place TO THE MALE AND THE FEMALE, CAUSING THEM TO MATE WITH EACH OTHER. Because Yisrael alone is suited for the service, other nations were kept afar from the land. They did not rule as they do now. The other nations were nourished only from the residue. IN OTHER WORDS, THE ABUNDANCE THAT YISRAEL DREW DOWN BY THEIR SERVICE WAS ENOUGH TO ALSO NOURISH THE OTHER NATIONS OF THE WORLD. BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE ABUNDANCE WENT TO YISRAEL; THE OTHER NATIONS OF THE WORLD RECEIVED ONLY A RESIDUE OF THIS ABUNDANCE. THIS IS WHY DOMINION WAS GIVEN TO YISRAEL.

183. תָּא חֲזֵי, בְּזִמְנָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל שַׂרְיָין עַל אַרְעָא קַדִּישָׁא, כֹּלָּא הֲוָה מִתְתַּקַּן כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת, וְכָרְסְיָיא שְׁלִים עֲלַיְיהוּ, וְעַבְדֵּי פּוּלְחָנָא, וּבָקַע אֲוִירִין דְּעָלְמָא, וְסָלִיק הַהוּא פּוּלְחָנָא לְעֵילָא לְאַתְרֵיהּ, בְּגִין דְּאַרְעָא לָא אִתְתַּקְנַת לְפוּלְחָנָא, אֶלָּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בִּלְחוֹדַיְיהוּ. וּבְגִין כָּךְ, שְׁאָר עַמִין עעכו"ם, הֲווֹ מִתְרַחֲקֵי, דְּלָא הֲווֹ שָׁלְטִין בָּהּ כִּדְהַשְׁתָּא, בְּגִין דְּלָא אִתְזְנוּ אֶלָּא מִתַּמְצִית.

Shechinah Temple, The

184. You may say, 'But we can see that many foreign kings ruled, even when the Temple was still in the world.' Come and behold, During the first Temple, Yisrael had not yet defiled the land. As a result, the other nations did not yet rule completely. Rather, they were nourished from the residue. And because their dominion was nourished by this residue, their rule was not very powerful. But as Yisrael sinned and defiled the land, it was as if they drove the Shechinah from her place to another place. Then, the other nations took control and were allowed to rule.

184. וְאִי תֵימָא, הָא חָמֵינָן כַּמָּה מַלְכִין הֲווֹ, דְּשַׁלִּיטִין בְּזִמְנָא דְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ קַיָּים עַל עָלְמָא. תָּא חֲזֵי, בְּבַיִת רִאשׁוֹן, עַד לָא סְאִיבוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אַרְעָא, לָא הֲווֹ שָׁלְטִין שְׁאָר עַמִין עעכו"ם, אֶלָּא, אִתְזְנוּ מִתַּמְצִית, וּבָהּ הֲווֹ שָׁלְטִין, וְלָאו כָּל כָּךְ. כֵּיוָן דְּחָבוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְסָאִיבוּ אַרְעָא, כְּדֵין כִּבְיָכוֹל, דָּחוֹ לָהּ לִשְׁכִינְתָּא מֵאַתְרָהּ, וְאִתְקָרְבַת לְדוּכְתָּא אָחֳרָא, וּכְדֵין שָׁלְטִין שְׁאָר עַמִין, וְאִתְיְיהֵיב לוֹן רְשׁוּ לְשַׁלְטָאָה.

Deities Grades Incense Prophets Shechinah

185. Come and behold, no other Governor rules over the land of Yisrael but the Holy One, blessed be He, alone. Therefore, when Yisrael sinned and burned incense to other deities in the land, it is as if the Shechinah was driven from her place. Because the incense attracted other deities, these deities became associates with Yisrael and dominion was handed over to them. Because the incense makes connections, THEY DREW THEIR POWER FROM THE SHECHINAH AND ATTAINED THEIR DOMINION THROUGH HER. Then the other nations ruled, the prophets were no more, and all the supernal grades ceased to govern the land.

185. תָּא חֲזֵי, אַרְעָא דְיִשְׂרָאֵל, לָא שַׁלִּיט עֲלָהּ מְמַנָּא אָחֳרָא, בַּר קֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בִּלְחוֹדוֹי. וּבְשַׁעֲתָא דְּחָאבוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, וַהֲווֹ מְקַטְרִין לְטַעֲוָון אָחֳרָנִין, בְּגוֹ אַרְעָא, כִּבְיָכוֹל אִדַּחְיָיא שְׁכִינְתָא מֵאַתְרָהּ, וּמָשְׁכֵי וּמְקַטְרֵי לְאִתְקַשְׁרָא טַעֲוָון אָחֳרָן גּוֹ שְׁכִינְתָּא, וּכְדֵין אִתְיְיהֵיב לוֹן שָׁלְטָנוּתָא, בְּגִין דִּקְטֹרֶת קִטְרָא הוּא לְאִתְקַטָּרָא. וּכְדֵין, שָׁלְטוּ שְׁאָר עַמִּין, וּבָטְלוּ נְבִיאִים, וְכָל אִינוּן דַּרְגִּין עִלָּאִין לָא שָׁלְטוּ בְּאַרְעָא.

Exile Shechinah Temple, The

186. And the dominion was not taken away from the other nations, because they drew THE ABUNDANCE OF the Shechinah to themselves. Therefore, during the second Temple, the dominion of the other nations was not withdrawn from them. Even more so at the time of exile, when the Shechinah resided among other nations where other Governors had control. Thus, they all draw their power from the Shechinah, whom they attract.

186. וְלָא אַעֲדִיוּ שָׁלְטָנוּתָא דִּשְׁאָר עַמִּין, בְּגִין דְּאִינוּן מָשְׁכוּ לִשְׁכִינְתָּא לְגַבַּיְיהוּ. וְעַל דָא בְּבֵית שֵׁנִי, הָא שׁוּלְטָנוּתָא מִשְׁאָר עַמִין, לָא אַעֲדִיוּ, וְכ"ש בְּגָלוּתָא, דִּשְׁכִינְתָּא בִּשְׁאָר עַמִּין, אֲתַר דִּשְׁאָר מְמַנָּן שָׁלְטִין, וּבְגִין כָּךְ כָּלְהוֹ יַנְקִין מִן שְׁכִינְתָּא, דְּאִתְקְרִיבַת גַּבַּיְהוּ.

Holy Land Jonah Land of Yisrael Prophecy Prophets Shechinah Temple, The

187. Accordingly, when Yisrael dwelt in the land and performed the services for the Holy One, blessed be He, the Shechinah was hidden modestly among them and did not leave Her home nor appear in public. Because of this, all the prophets that existed during that time, NAMELY THE TIME WHEN THE TEMPLE STOOD, did not receive their prophecy from outside of Her place, OUTSIDE OF THE LAND OF YISRAEL, as we have stated. Because of this, Jonah fled from the Holy Land. He did not want the prophecy revealed to him, so that he would not be obliged to complete the mission of the Holy One, blessed be He.

187. וְעַל דָּא, בְּזִמְנָא דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, הֲווֹ שָׁרָאן עַל אַרְעָא, וּפָלְחֵי פּוּלְחָנָא דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, שְׁכִינְתָּא הֲוַת צְנוּעָה בֵּינַיְיהוּ, וְלָא נָפְקַת מִגּוֹ בֵּיתָא לְבַר בְּאִתְגַּלְיָיא. וּבְגִין כָּךְ, כָּל אִינוּן נְבִיאִים דַּהֲווֹ בְּהַהוּא זִמְנָא, לָא נָטְלוּ נְבוּאָה אֶלָּא בְּאַתְרָהּ כִּדְקָאֲמָרָן. וּבְגִין כָּךְ, יוֹנָה הֲוָה עָרַק לְבַר מֵאַרְעָא קַדִּישָׁא, דְּלָא יִתְגְּלֵי עֲלֵיהּ נְבוּאָה, וְלָא יְהַךְ בִּשְׁלִיחוּתָא דְּקֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא.

Babylon Ezekiel Prophecy Shechinah Temple, The

188. You might say, 'But the Shechinah revealed Herself to Ezekiel in Babylon, which is outside of the land of Yisrael!' However, as we have explained, these words, "the word came (Heb. hayoh hayah)" (Yechezkel 1:3), refer to an event that never happened before or since the construction of the Temple. That prophecy was for that time only, TO BRING CONSOLATION TO YISRAEL.

188. וְאִי תֵימָא, הָא חָמִינָן דְּאִתְגַּלְּיָיא שְׁכִינְתָּא בְּבָבֶל, דְּאִיהוּ לְבַר. הָא אוֹקִימְנָא, דִּכְתִיב הָיֹה הָיָה, דַּהֲוָה, מַה דְּלָא הֲוָה מִן קַדְמַת דְּנָא, מִיּוֹמָא דְאִתְבְּנֵי בֵּי מַקְדְּשָׁא, וְהַהִיא נְבוּאָה לְשַׁעֲתָא הֲוַת.

Creation Eden Rivers Shechinah Streams Temple, The Water

189. And as it is written, "by the river Kevar," WHICH MEANS the river had already (Heb. kevar) been there since the creation of the world, and the Shechinah had always appeared there, EVEN BEFORE THE TEMPLE WAS CONSTRUCTED. As it is written, "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and branched to four streams" (Beresheet 2:10). The river Kevar is one of these four STREAMS.

189. וּכְתִיב, עַל נְהַר כְּבָר. נָהָר דִּכְבָר הֲוָה, מִיּוֹמָא דְאִתְבְּרֵי עָלְמָא, וּשְׁכִינְתָּא אִתְגַּלְּיָיא תָּדִיר עֲלֵיהּ, דִּכְתִיב וְנָהָר יוֹצֵא מֵעֵדֶן לְהַשְׁקוֹת אֶת הַגָּן וּמִשָּׁם יִפָּרֶד וגו'. וְדָא אִיהוּ חַד מִינַיְיהוּ.

Destruction Holy Land Jonah Shechinah Temple, The

190. So the Shechinah was revealed there temporarily because of Yisrael's need to be consoled for the misery CAUSED BY THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE. However, at other times, the Shechinah did not appear OUTSIDE THE LAND OF YISRAEL. Therefore, Jonah fled, so that the Shechinah would not rest upon or appear before him. He left the Holy Land and fled. This is why it is written, "from the presence of Hashem," and "that the men knew that he fled from the presence of Hashem" (Yonah 1:10).

190. וְתַמָּן אִתְגַּלְּיָיא שְׁכִינְתָּא, לְפוּם שַׁעֲתָא דְּאִצְטְרִיכוּ לָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל, לְפוּם צַעֲרַיְיהוּ. אֲבָל בְּזִמְנָא אָחֳרָא לָא אִתְגַּלְּיָיא, וּבְגִין כָּךְ יוֹנָה, בְּגִין דְּלָא תִשְׁרֵי עֲלוֹי שְׁכִינְתָּא, וְלָא תִתְגְּלֵי עֲלֵיהּ, אֲזַל מֵאַרְעָא קַדִּישָׁא, וַעֲרַק. הה"ד מִלִּפְנֵי ה'. וּכְתִיב כִּי יָדְעוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים כִּי מִלִּפְנֵי ה' הוּא בּוֹרֵחַ.

Abraham Abram Evil Lot Shechinah

191. Come and behold; just as the Shechinah does not reveal Herself in an inappropriate place, so She does not reveal herself to anyone who is unworthy of Her. So from the time that Lot planned on returning to his evil ways, the Holy Spirit departed from Abraham. And when Lot separated from him, the Holy Spirit came back to rest in its place - NAMELY UPON ABRAHAM. This is why it is written, "And Hashem said to Abraham, after Lot was separated from him..."

191. תָּא חֲזֵי כַּמָּה דִּשְׁכִינְתָּא לָא אִתְגַּלְּיָא, אֶלָּא בְּאַתְרָא דְּאִתְחֲזֵי לָהּ, אוֹף הָכֵי לָא אִתְחֲזֵי וְלָא אִתְגַּלְּיָא, אֶלָּא בְּבַר נָשׁ דְּאִתְחֲזֵי לָהּ. דְּהָא מִן יוֹמָא דְּסָלֵיק עַל רְעוּתֵיהּ דְּלוֹט, לְאִתְהַפְּכָא בְּסֻרְחָנֵיהּ, אִסְתַּלְקַת רוּחָא קַדִּישָׁא מֵאַבְרָהָם. וְכַד אִסְתַּלַּק לוֹט מִנֵּיהּ, מִיָּד שָׁרָא רוּחַ קוּדְשָׁא בְּדוּכְתֵּיהּ. הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב, וַה' אָמַר אֶל אַבְרָם אַחֲרֵי הִפָּרֶד לוֹט מֵעִמּוֹ וגו'.

Abraham Evil Eyes Fear Heaven Lot

192. Come and behold, Abraham saw that Lot returned to his evil habits and was afraid. He said, 'Could it be, heaven forbid, that because I associate with him, I have lost the holy portion that the Holy One, blessed be He, adorned me with!' But as soon as Lot left him, the Holy One, blessed be He, said to him, "Now lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are."

192. תָּא חֲזֵי, כֵּיוָן דְּחָמָא אַבְרָהָם, דְּלוֹט הֲוָה תָּב לְסֻרְחָנֵיהּ, הֲוָה דָּחִיל אַבְרָהָם, אֲמַר דִּילְמָא ח"ו, בְּגִין חַבְרוּתָא דְדָא, אֲבִידְנָא בְּגִינֵיהּ חוּלָקָא קַדִּישָׁא, דְּאַעֲטַר לִי קֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. כֵּיוָן דְּאִתְפְּרַשׁ מִנֵּיהּ, אָמַר לוֹ שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ וּרְאֵה מִן הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה שָׁם.

Chayah Directions Faith Grades Nefesh (Soul) Negev Neshamah (Soul) Ruach (Soul) Soul (Nefesh) Soul (Neshamah) Soul (Ruach)

193. AND HE ASKS, What is the meaning of the words, "from the place where you are?" AND HE ANSWERS, They mean from the place to which you have cleaved from the beginning and in which you were adorned by the complete Faith. "Northward, southward, eastward, and westward" are the directions of his first journeys, as it is written, "And he went on his journeys." THIS IS THE SECRET OF NEFESH, RUACH, NESHAMAH, AND CHAYAH. THUS, NORTHWARD IS THE SECRET OF BINAH AND NESHAMAH; SOUTHWARD IS THE SECRET OF CHOCHMAH AND CHAYAH; EASTWARD IS THE SECRET OF TIFERET AND RUACH; WESTWARD IS THE SECRET OF MALCHUT AND NEFESH. And it is written, "going on still toward the Negev;" these are the supernal grades with which he was adorned with the Complete Faith, as at first.

193. מַאי מִן הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה שָׁם. דְּאִתְדַּבְּקַת בֵּיהּ בְּקַדְמֵיתָא, וְאִתְעַטְּרַת בְּהֵימְנוּתָא שְׁלֵימָתָא. צָפוֹנָה, וָנֶגְבָּה, וָקֵדְמָה, וְיָמָה. אִלֵּין אִינוּן מַסָּעָיו, דַּהֲווֹ בְּקַדְמֵיתָא, דִּכְתִיב וַיֵּלֶךְ לְמַסָּעָיו. וּכְתִיב הָלוֹךְ וְנָסוֹעַ הַנֶּגְבָּה. אִלֵּין דַּרְגִּין עִלָּאִין, דְּאִתְעַטַּר בִּמְהֵימְנוּתָא שְׁלֵימָתָא בְּקַדְמֵיתָא.

Grades Nefesh (Soul) Nukva Soul (Nefesh)

194. And then he received the good news that they would not depart from him or from his children forever. As it is written, "For all the land which you see, TO YOU WILL I GIVE IT, AND TO YOUR SEED FOREVER" (Beresheet 13:15). AND HE ASKS, What is the meaning of "which you see?" AND HE REPLIES, This is the first grade that appeared to him, WHICH IS THE GRADE OF NEFESH. As it is written, "to Hashem, who appeared to him." As a result, it is written, "which you see,"because this first grade, WHICH IS THE NUKVA, includes other grades, and all of the grades appear in it. This is why IT IS WRITTEN, "For all the land which you see ..."

194. וּכְדֵין אִתְבַּשַּׂר, דְּלָא יַעֲדֵי מִנֵּיהּ וּמִן בְּנוֹי לְעָלְמִין, דִּכְתִיב כִּי אֶת כָּל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה רוֹאֶה. מַאי אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה רוֹאֶה. דָּא דַּרְגָּא קַדְמָאָה דְּאִתְגַּלְּיָא לֵיהּ, כְּד"א לַה' הַנִּרְאֶה אֵלָיו. וּבְגִין כָּךְ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה רוֹאֶה, בְּגִין דְּדַרְגָא דָּא קַדְמָאָה, אִתְכְּלֵיל מִכָּלְהוֹ דַּרְגִּין, וְכָלְהוֹ אִתְחֲזוּן בֵּיהּ, וּבְגִין כָּךְ, כִּי אֶת כָּל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה רוֹאֶה וגו'.

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