Vayechi: Chapter 43

Three watches

Synopsis

Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Chizkiyah, and Rabbi Yosi enter a cave to rest for the night. They divide the night into three watches and begin discussing the verse, "I will sing the mercies of The Creator forever." We learn that Abraham is aligned completely with the attribute of Chesed. Therefore, God tested him so that he would be included in judgment, thus perfecting him. Another explanation reveals that this verse indicates God's kindness and truth to all creatures. We then learn that God revealed the secret of Faith to Abraham. Abraham in turn recognized that the world, the secret of Malchut, was created by judgment, but could not have endured without Chesed, mercy.

The discussion next turns to the verse, "In the beginning." We learn that this phrase includes the Female Principle and Chochmah as one. The first building of the world, the Female Principle, derived its existence from Chesed. On the second day it was included in Gvurah, thereby perfecting Zeir Anpin. After discussing the verse, "I have made a Covenant with My chosen," the rabbis speak of the verse, "I have sworn to David My servant." We're told that this oath is the secret of Faith and indicates that the Female Principle and Yesod will be separated only during the time of exile. During this joyless time, God finds pleasure only when Yisrael below study the Torah and sanctify the Holy Name.

Rabbi Yosi then opens a discussion of the verse, "Whereupon are its foundations fastened?" This question concerns the foundation upon which the seven pillars of the world rest. That is, if the universe rests on the seven pillars of the world, upon what do the seven pillars rest? There follows a discourse on "the foundation stone," the central point of the world found in Jerusalem, and we learn about the three watches of the night, during which the angels sing and chant praises to God.

Relevance

A delicate balance of judgment and mercy is attained within our souls, giving us the ability to share and love others in a pure and spiritual manner. Judgment, sweetened with the appropriate measure of mercy, is akin to a devoted parent reprimanding their child out of love and concern for the child's welfare. Because the universe reflects all of our behavioral actions towards others back at us, it is vital that we extend mercy and judgment in proper measure so that life treats us kindly in return.