"And Joseph could not restrain himself"

Synopsis

We receive an introduction to the types of men who descended from Adam, and how each type can bring merit and benefit to the others - just as the beneficiary or "carrier" of charity gains merit in the same degree as the giver. This powerful analogy leads to further discussion of the relationship between "Charity Carrier" and the analogous Sfirot that exist above our physical realm. To assist our understanding of its inherent mystery, unity is explored as it exists within a theme of mating - specifically the mating of the Holy One with Yisrael. In the illumination following this supreme Union, all can be blessed.

Relevance

When a man and woman join together in sexual union within the spiritual confines of marriage, their connection creates a stirring above, the Lower World embraces the Upper World and Divine Light fills all. But the man and woman must be pure of thought and joined by love. Their union must be accompanied by a consciousness to share pleasure for the purpose of creating Light for each other and the world.

Adam Creation Joseph Poor

62. וְלֹא יָכוֹל יוֹסֵף לְהִתְאַפֵּק לְכָל הַנִּצָּבִים עָלָיו וגו,' רִבִּי חִיָּיא פְּתַח וַאֲמַר, פִּזַּר נָתַן לָאֶבְיוֹנִים צִדְקָתוֹ עוֹמֶדֶת לָעַד קַרְנוֹ תָּרוּם בְּכָבוֹד. תָּא חֲזֵי, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בָּרָא עַלְמָא, וְאַשְׁלֵיט עֲלֵיהּ לָאָדָם, דִּיהֵא מַלְכָּא עַל כֹּלָּא.

Merit Nukva Poor Repentance Righteous Sin Tree Tree of Life Wicked Wickedness

63. From man, four types of men branched out - some righteous and some wicked, some stupid and some wise. Of these, some were rich and some poor. They can bring merit and benefit to each other. The righteous can benefit the wicked BY CAUSING THEM TO REPENT THEIR SINS; the wise can benefit the foolish BY TEACHING THEM SENSE; the rich can benefit the poor BY SUPPORTING THEM IN THEIR NEED. Through these actions, man merits life everlasting and attaches himself to the Tree of Life. THEREFORE, THE SCRIPTURE READS, "HE HAS DISTRIBUTED FREELY, HE HAS GIVEN TO THE POOR." Moreover, this charity he dispenses stands forever, NAMELY, THE NUKVA ESTABLISHED BY IT IS CALLED 'EVER,' as it is written, "and his righteousness (charity) endures forever."

63. וְהַאי בַּר נָשׁ, מִתְפָּרְשָׁן מִנֵּיהּ בְּעַלְמָא, כַּמָּה זִינִין, מִנְּהוֹן צַדִּיקַיָּא, וּמִנְּהוֹן רַשִּׁיעַיָא, מִנְּהוֹן טִפְּשִׁין, וּמִנְּהוֹן חַכִּימִין, וְכֻלְּהוּ אִתְקָיְימוּ בְּעַלְמָא, עֲתִירִין וּמִסְכֵּנִין. וְכֻלְּהוּ בְּגִין לְמִזְכֵּי אִלֵּין בְּאִלֵּין, לְמִזְכֵּי צַדִּיקַיָא עִם רַשִּׁיעַיָא, לְמִזְכֵּי חַכִּימִין עִם טִפְּשִׁין, לְמִזְכֵּי עֲתִירִין עִם מִסְכֵּנִין דְּהָא בְּגִין כָּךְ, זָכֵי בַּר נָשׁ לְחַיֵּי עָלְמָא, וְאִתְקַשַּׁר בְּאִילָנָא דְחַיֵּי. וְלָא עוֹד, אֶלָּא דְּהָא צְדָקָה דְּאִיהוּ עָבֵיד, קָאֵים לְעָלְמִין, דִּכְתִיב וְצִדְקָתוֹ עוֹמֶדֶת לָעַד.

Chassadim Creation Eden Food Nukva Pillar Poor Righteous Rivers Streams Universe Water

64. "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor." Rabbi Elazar said, When the Holy One, blessed be He, created the universe, He established it upon one pillar named righteous, NAMELY, YESOD. The righteous is the support of the world; THAT IS, HE SUPPORTS THE NUKVA CALLED 'WORLD.' It is he who gives water, NAMELY, THE ILLUMINATION OF CHOCHMAH, and food, THE ILLUMINATION OF CHASSADIM, to all, as it is written, "And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and branched into four streams" (Beresheet 2:10). THIS IS YESOD NAMED 'RIVER.'

64. פִּזַּר נָתַן לָאֶבְיוֹנִים. רִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אֲמַר, כַּד בָּרָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא עַלְמָא, קָאֵים לֵיהּ עַל סַמְכָא חַד, וְצַדִּיק שְׁמֵיהּ, וְהַאי צַדִּיק אִיהוּ קִיּוּמָא דְעַלְמָא, וְדָא אִיהוּ דְאַשְׁקֵי, וְזָן לְכֹלָּא. דִּכְתִיב וְנָהָר יוֹצֵא מֵעֵדֶן לְהַשְׁקוֹת אֶת הַגָּן וּמִשָּׁם יִפָּרֶד וְהָיָה לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁים.

Chassadim Congregation Directions Eyes Food Holiness (Kedushah) Idolatry Kedushah (Holiness) Kingdom Nukva Other Side Peace Poor Righteous Rivers Seasons Universe Water Wicked Wickedness

65. In the verse, "and from thence it was parted," what is the meaning of the word 'parted?' HE ANSWERS, It is the food and drink from that river that the garden receives, WHICH IS THE NUKVA. Then drink is further distributed into the four directions of the universe, SO THAT ALL INHABITANTS OF THE WORLD RECEIVE WATER FROM HER AND NONE REMAINS THIRSTY. How many wait for food and drink from there, as it is written, "The eyes of all wait upon You; and You give them their food in due season" (Tehilim 145:15). Thus, the verse, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor," alludes to the Righteous, YESOD, WHICH DISTRIBUTES AND GIVES ALL OF CHOCHMAH AND CHASSADIM, AND SUPPORTS ALL THE POOR OF THE WORLD. The verse, "and his charity endures for ever," refers to the Congregation of Yisrael, THE NUKVA CALLED 'CHARITY,' which, because SHE RECEIVES EVERYTHING FROM YESOD, stands united in the secret of peace. THUS, SHE STANDS FOREVER. "The wicked man shall see it, and be vexed," (Tehilim 112:10) alludes to the kingdom of the idolatrous, MALCHUT OF THE OTHER SIDE, WHICH THEN ENVIES THE MALCHUT OF HOLINESS.

65. וּמִשָּׁם יִפָּרֶד, מַהוּ יִפָּרֶד. אֶלָּא, הַהוּא מְזוֹנָא וּמַשְׁקַיָא דְּהַהוּא נָהָר, נָטֵיל גִּנְתָא כֹּלָּא, וּלְבָתַר אִתְבַּדַּר הַהוּא מַשְׁקַיָא, לְד' סִטְרִין דְּעַלְמָא, וְכַמָּה אִינוּן דִּמְצַפָּאן לְאִתְשַׁקְיָיא וּלְאִתְּזְנָא מִתַּמָּן, כְּד"א עֵינֵי כֹל אֵלֶיךָ יְשַׂבֵּרוּ וְאַתָּה נוֹתֵן לָהֶם אֶת אָכְלָם בְּעִתּוֹ. וּבְג"כ פִּזַּר נָתַן לָאֶבְיוֹנִים, דָּא צַדִּיק. צִדְקָתוֹ עוֹמֶדֶת לָעַד, דָּא כנ"י. דִּבְגִין כָּךְ, אִיהִי קָיְימָא בְּרָזָא דִשְׁלָם, בְּקִיּוּמָא שְׁלִים רָשָׁע יִרְאֶה וְכָעַס, דָּא מַלְכוּת עכו"ם.

Chariot Heaven Kingdom Nukva Poor Righteous Shadow Shechinah Temple, The Zeir Anpin

66. Come and behold, The kingdom of heaven, THE NUKVA OF ZEIR ANPIN, is the Temple. It shelters all the poor under the shadow of the Shechinah; the righteous. YESOD OF ZEIR ANPIN is called 'charity collector,' because he bestows sustenance upon everybody, NAMELY, THE POOR UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE SHECHINAH. Therefore the charity collectors receive as much a reward as those who gave them donations, BEING A CHARIOT TO YESOD OF ZEIR ANPIN CALLED 'CHARITY COLLECTOR,' WHICH INCLUDES ALL THE SFIROT ABOVE IT.

66. תָּא חֲזֵי, מַלְכוּת שָׁמַיִם, אִיהִי בֵּי מַקְדְּשָׁא, לְקָיְימָא כָּל מִסְכְּנֵי, בְּגוֹ צִלָּא דְּשֵׁרוּתָא דִשְׁכִינְתָּא, וְצַדִּיק דָּא אִיהוּ אִקְרֵי גַּבָּאי צְדָקָה, לְמֵיחַן וּלְמֵיזַן לְכֹלָּא, דִּכְתִיב פִּזַּר נָתַן לָאֶבְיוֹנִים, בְּגִין כָּךְ, גַּבָּאֵי צְדָקָה, נָטְלֵי אַגְרָא, לָקֳבֵיל כֻּלְּהוּ דְּיַהֲבֵי צְדָקָה.

Chariot Congregation Food Idolatry Joseph Nukva

67. Come and behold, "Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all them that stood by him," who waited to receive food and drink from him. YESOD, CALLED 'JOSEPH,' COULD NOT RESTRAIN ITSELF FROM SHOWERING ABUNDANCE UPON THEM. IN THE VERSE, "And no man stood with him, while Joseph made himself known to his brethren," the words "with him" allude to the Congregation of Yisrael, WHICH IS THE NUKVA, WITH WHOM NO ONE STOOD; "WHILE..." REFERS TO THE TIME OF MATING, AS MATING IS CALLED 'KNOWLEDGE;' "his brethren" are the other Chariots and Legions, of whom it is written, "For my brethren and companions' sakes" (Tehilim 122:8), BECAUSE HE MATED WITH THE NUKVA SO HE COULD GIVE THEM ABUNDANCE. WE LEARN FROM THE VERSE THAT "WHILE JOSEPH MADE HIMSELF KNOWN" - WHEN JOSEPH UNITED WITH THE SHECHINAH - HE DID IT FOR HIS BROTHERS' SAKES, SINCE "TO" MEANS "FOR THE SAKE OF." Another explanation of "And no man stood with him" concerns the time when the Holy One, blessed be He, approached the Congregation of Yisrael to mate with her. The verse, "while Joseph made himself known to his brethren," refers to the time when the Holy One, blessed be He, joined Yisrael, THAT IS, WHEN THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, WAS UNITED WITH YISRAEL, "NO MAN STOOD" OF THE OTHER NATIONS "WITH HIM," WHEN HE MATED WITH THE NUKVA. For they alone received THE ILLUMINATION OF UNION, without connection to the other idolatrous nations. Hence it is written, "On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly" (Bemidbar 29:35), for at that time the Holy One, blessed be He, is united with Yisrael alone, of whom it is written, "for my brethren and companions' sakes..."

67. תָּא חֲזֵי, וְלֹא יָכוֹל יוֹסֵף לְהִתְאַפֵּק לְכָל הַנִּצָּבִים, אִלֵּין אִינוּן, כָּל דְּקָיְימֵי, לְאִתְּזָנָא וּלְאִתְשַׁקְיָיא מִנֵּיהּ. וְלֹא עָמַד אִישׁ אִתּוֹ בְּהִתְוַדַּע יוֹסֵף אֶל אֶחָיו. אִתּוֹ: דָּא כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. אֶחָיו: אִלֵּין שְׁאָר רְתִיכִין חֲיָילִין, דִּכְתִיב בְּהוֹ לְמַעַן אֲחַי וְרֵעָי. ד"א וְלֹא עָמַד אִישׁ אִתּוֹ, בְּזִמְנָא דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אָתֵי לְאִזְדַּוְּוגָא בִּכנ"י. בְּהִתְוַדַּע יוֹסֵף אֶל אֶחָיו, בְּזִמְנָא דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא הֲוָה מִתְחַבֵּר בְּהוֹ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, בְּגִין דְּאִינוּן נָטְלֵי בִּלְחוֹדַיְיהוּ, וְלָא חִבּוּרָא דְּעַמִּין עעכו"ם בַּהֲדַיְיהוּ, בְּגִין כָּךְ בַּיּוֹם הַשְּׁמִינִי עֲצֶרֶת תִּהְיֶה לָכֶם, דְּהָא בְּזִמְנָא דָא, אִיהוּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בִּלְחוֹדוֹי, בְּחִבּוּרָא חָדָא עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל, דִּכְתִיב בְּהוֹ אֲחַי וְרֵעָי כְּמָה דְאוֹקְמוּהָ.

Congregation Dust Idolatry Redemption and Salvation

68. רִבִּי יֵיסָא פְּתַח קְרָא, בְּזִמְנָא דְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא יוֹקִים לָהּ לִכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעַפְרָא, וְיִבָּעֵי לְאִנָּקְמָא נִקְמָתָא מֵעַמְּמַיָא עעכו"ם, כְּדֵין כְּתִיב וּמֵעַמִים אֵין אִישׁ אִתִּי, וּכְתִיב הָכָא, וְלֹא עָמַד אִישׁ אִתּוֹ בְּהִתְוַדַּע יוֹסֵף אֶל אֶחָיו, כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמֵר וַיְנַטְּלֵם וַיְנַשְּׁאֵם כָּל יְמֵי עוֹלָם.

Blessing Congregation Eyes Heaven Joseph Mountains Nukva Patriarchs Singing Zeir Anpin

69. "Then Joseph could not restrain himself" (Beresheet 45:1). Rabbi Chizkiyah quoted, "A song of ascents. To you I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heaven" (Tehilim 123:1). This verse has already been explained, yet come and behold, It is written here, "To You I lift up my eyes;" and elsewhere, "I will lift up my eyes to the mountains" (Tehilim 121:1). WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? The one is above and the other below. HE EXPLAINED, "I will lift up my eyes to the mountains" above, down TO ZEIR ANPIN, to draw blessings from the Supernal Mountains above ON THE NUKVA, AS IN THE SECRET OF 'THE MOUNTAINS ARE NONE OTHER THAN THE PATRIARCHS,' WHO ARE CHESED, GVURAH AND TIFERET OF ZEIR ANPIN, from whom blessings are drawn upon the Congregation of Yisrael. "To You I lift up my eyes," FROM DOWN BELOW IN THE NUKVA, is to yearn and wait for the blessings that come down FROM ZEIR ANPIN TO THE NUKVA.

69. וְלֹא יָכוֹל יוֹסֵף לְהִתְאַפֵּק, רִבִּי חִזְקִיָּה פְּתַח וַאֲמַר, שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת אֵלֶיךָ נָשָׂאתִי אֶת עֵינַי הַיּוֹשְׁבִי בַּשָּׁמָיִם, הַאי קְרָא אוֹקְמוּהָ וְאִתְּמָר, אֲבָל תָּא חֲזֵי, אֵלֶיךָ נָשָׂאתִי אֶת עֵינַי, וּכְתִיב אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי אֶל הֶהָרִים. אֶלָּא, דָּא לְעֵילָא, וְדָא לְתַתָּא. אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי אֶל הֶהָרִים, דָּא לְעֵילָא, בְּגִין לְאַמְשָׁכָא בִּרְכָאן מֵעֵילָא לְתַתָּא, מֵאִלֵּין הָרִים עִלָּאִין, לְאַמְשָׁכָא מִנַּיְיהוּ בִּרְכָאן לִכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, דְּאִתְבָּרְכָא מִנַּיְיהוּ. אֵלֶיךָ נָשָׂאתִי אֶת עֵינַי, לְמִצְפֵּי וּלְחַכָּאָה לְאִנּוּן בִּרְכָאן דְּנָחֲתוּ מִתַּמָּן לְתַתָּא.

Congregation Fifty Gates Heaven Heavens Jubilee Lights Nukva Righteous Strength Zeir Anpin

70. "You who dwells in the heavens." HE ASKS, IF IT REFERS TO THE NUKVA, WHY DOES IT SAY "IN THE HEAVENS," WHICH ARE ZEIR ANPIN? HE REPLIES, Because all the strength, power, and support OF THE NUKVA is in heaven, SHE RECEIVES THEM FROM ZEIR ANPIN CALLED 'HEAVEN.' For when the Jubilee, BINAH, opens the springs of all the gates - THE ABUNDANCE OF THE FIFTY GATES OF BINAH - they are all in heaven, ZEIR ANPIN. And when heaven receives all the lights from the Jubilee, it nourishes and feeds the Congregation of Yisrael, THE NUKVA, through a certain righteous One, YESOD.

70. הַיּוֹשְׁבִי בַּשָּׁמָיִם, דְּכָל תּוֹקְפָהָא, וְחֵילָאָה, וְקִיּוּמָהָא, אִיהוּ בַּשָּׁמַיִם, בְּגִין דְּכַד יוֹבֵלָא, אַפְתַּח מַבּוּעֵי דְּכָל אִינוּן תַּרְעִין, כֻּלְּהוּ קָיְימֵי בַּשָּׁמַיִם, וְכֵיוָן דְּשָׁמַיִם נָטֵיל כָּל אִינוּן נְהוֹרִין דְּנָפְקֵי מִיּוֹבֵלָא, כְּדֵין אִיהוּ זָן וְאַשְׁקֵי לָהּ לִכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, עַל יְדָא דְצַדִּיק חַד.

Beasts Food Nukva

71. Because YESOD is aroused toward Her, many stand on all sides to drink and be blessed from there, TO RECEIVE FROM THE ILLUMINATION OF THE UNION, as it is written, "The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from El" (Tehilim 104:21). She then ascends TO MATE in utmost secrecy, as is proper, and receives from Her husband delicacies that She deserves. And all those on all sides WHO WAIT TO RECEIVE FROM HER remain alone, AND DO NOT RISE WITH THE NUKVA, as it is written, "And no man stood with him," and, "and he cried, 'Cause every man to go out from me.'" Only after She receives delicacies from Her husband, NAMELY, AFTER MATING, is everybody given food and drink, as it is written, "they gave drink to every wild beast: the wild donkeys quench their thirst" (Ibid. 11).

71. וְכֵיוָן דְּדָא אִתְעַר לְגַבָּהּ, כַּמָּה אִינוּן דְּקָיְימָן בְּכָל סִטְרִין, לְאִתְשַׁקְאָה וּלְאִתְבָּרְכָא מִתַּמָּן, כְּד"א הַכְּפִירִים שׁוֹאֲגִים לַטֶּרֶף וּלְבַקֵּשׁ מֵאֵל אָכְלָם. וּכְדֵין, אִיהִי סָלְקָא בְּרָזָא דְרָזִין כִּדְקָא חָזֵי, וּמְקַבְּלָא עִדּוּנִין מִבַעֲלָהּ כִּדְקָא יָאוֹת, וְכֻלְּהוּ דְּקָיְימִין בְּכָל סִטְרִין עָמְדֵי בִּלְחוֹדַיְיהוּ, כְּד"א וְלֹא עָמַד אִישׁ אִתּוֹ, דִּכְתִיב וַיִּקְרָא הוֹצִיאוּ כָּל אִישׁ מֵעָלַי, וּלְבָתַר דְּאִיהִי מְקַבְּלָא עִדּוּנִין מִבַּעֲלָהּ, כֻּלְּהוּ אִתְשַׁקְיָין לְבָתַר, וְאִתְּזָנוּ, כְּד"א יַשְׁקוּ כָּל חַיְתוֹ שָׂדָי יִשְׁבְּרוּ פְרָאִים צְמָאָם.