Vayechi: Chapter 64

"Out of the eater came forth food"

Synopsis

The rabbis explain the title verse to the young son of Rav Hamnuna Saba (the elder). Their interpretation reveals that Yesod consumes the abundance from the Sfirot of Zeir Anpin. Through the strength of the Strict Judgment of Zeir Anpin, the Upper Worlds, signifying the Written Law, Malchut, our physical world, receives an abundance of illumination from the left. The Oral Law, called "honey," is this illumination of the left within Malchut. The righteous, we're told, provide "food" for the world, without which Malchut would be unable to endure. After delivering the young boy to his mother, the companions relate their experiences to Rabbi Shimon. A discussion of the verse, "Gird your sword upon your thigh," ensues. One interpretation provided reveals that this alludes to the vengeance of the Holy Covenant that the avenging sword wreaks on he who impairs the imprinted sign of the Holy Covenant. He who desires to protect the Holy Covenant should prepare and arm himself against the Evil Inclination by drawing this sword upon his thigh before it. Another explanation instructs us that before setting out on a journey, one should prepare oneself through prayers and supplication, and gird oneself with righteousness.

Relevance

Here, judgments that are hanging over us are sweetened with supernal "honey." The Light and the blessings of the righteous blanket us with protection and help generate sustenance. We are inspired to seek the path of the Torah and, in turn, we gain the strength to triumph over our Evil Inclinations. Finally, this passage provides us with protection for all of our journeys by igniting sparks of righteousness within our soul.