TUESDAY PRAYER: BINAH-MAIN READING OF THE WEEK – THE ZOHAR BOOK
READING: SUNSET MONDAY
Main Reading for PRAYER OF MANY, today with ENGLISH ZOHAR READING, page 159-161.
ARVUT OF : Robin Anderson
THE LETTER SAMECH
- The letter Samech appeared before the Creator and said: “Creator of the
world, it would be good to create the world with my properties, for within
me is Smicha (support) for the fallen, as it is written: ‘The Creator supports
(Somech) all who fall.’” The Creator replied: “That is why you are needed in
your place; do not move from it. If you move from your place, contained in
the word Somech, those who fall will lose your support, for they rely on you
(your properties).” Having heard this, the letter Samech departed.
The letter Samech stands for Sefira Tifferet in ZA, i.e., Bina in the body of
ZA. Since Sefirot Keter-Hochma-Bina (KHB) were transformed into Hesed-Gevura-
Tifferet (HGT) in ZA, they were emptied of the Light of Hochma, and were left
with only the Light of Hassadim, thus changing their name from KHB to HGT.
As we know, Bina consists of two parts: the Upper Part, called GAR: Gimel
(three) Rishonot (first ones)—the first three Sefirot KHB, and the lower part, called
ZAT: Zayin (seven) Tachtonot (lower ones)—the seven lower Sefirot from Hesed to
Malchut. The Upper Part of Bina is called Aba ve Ima (AVI). Being filled with the
Light of Mercy, Aba ve Ima exist in a state of perfection—without any desire to
receive, but only to bestow.
AVI are designated by Samech (numerical value – 60), for they include the
first three Sefirot KHB and three Sefirot of ZA, which, in view of the absence of
Ohr Hochma in ZA, are not called KHB, but rather HGT. Therefore AVI consist
of six Sefirot, each consisting of ten, totaling 60 = Samech.
ZAT of Bina receive the Light from Above and pass it on to ZA. This part
of Bina has the property of ZA, rather than of Bina, as it needs to receive exactly
what ZA needs, and then pass it to him. Since, unlike Bina, who does not wish
to receive anything, ZAT of Bina need to receive Ohr Hochma for ZA, they feels
a lack for it, and thus separate from Bina and an independently existing object-
Partzuf forms out of her lower part.
This Partzuf is called YESHSUT, and it is designated by the letter Mem
(numerical value – 40), for it consists of four Sefirot—Tifferet-Netzah-Hod-Yesod
of Partzuf AVI. Owing to its shape (properties), the block-letter Mem is called
Mem Stumah (closed).
However, this separation of AVI into two parts occurs only when they have
no Light of Hochma, but only the Light of Hassadim. Consequently, the Upper
Part of Bina remains in its perfection, whereas the lower part feels a flaw in its
state by not receiving Ohr Hochma. And since spiritual objects are separated by
the differences in their properties, the sensation of imperfection separates the
lower part of Bina from the Upper.
However, if those below improve their “intentions” (called “actions” in
the spiritual), and ask ZA for help in correcting their actions, overcoming the
egoism of impure desires, and acquiring spiritually pure, altruistic desires, ZA
then turns to the superior YESHSUT, which turns to AVI. AVI then send their
request even higher, receive the Light of Hochma and pass it to YESHSUT.
Finally, YESHSUT and AVI unite into one Partzuf, for having received Ohr
Hochma, YESHSUT becomes as perfect as AVI are perfect being filled with Ohr
Hassadim. YESHSUT passes the Light of Hochma down to ZA, who then passes
it to Malchut. The Light that Malchut receives from ZA is referred to as 100
blessings, for Samech = 60 joins with Mem = 40.
However, when man sins in his intentions (desires, actions), he does not
turn to Malchut with a request for help, causing the Light of Hochma to disappear
from ZA, and ZA returns from Gadlut (big state) back to Katnut (small state).
(When ZA contains the Light of Hochma, he is called “big”; and when he is filled
with only the Light of Hassadim, he is called “small”). And the united Partzuf
Bina is once more divided into AVI and YESHSUT.
In this small state (Katnut), ZA and Malchut are in danger of impure forces
(Klipot) clinging to them. To make certain this does not happen, for then they
may fall from the world of Atzilut below the Parsa into the worlds BYA, AVI send
them the property of Samech (the Light of Mercy). And although it is only the
Light of Hassadim without the Light of Wisdom (Light of Hochma), it provides
ZA and Malchut with the sensation of perfection in acts of bestowal, and thus
impure forces can no longer cling to them, for the sole intention of the impure
forces is to receive the Light of Wisdom from a pure Partzuf.
And this is why the Light that fills ZA in Katnut is called Samech, which
testifies to its action: Samech “supports” ZA and Malchut so that they wouldn’t
fall from the world of Atzilut below the Parsa.
That is why the letter Samech thought that if the world were created with
its properties, it would be able to reach the goal of creation and merge with
the Creator. Its Light could shine in ZA and Malchut even in their small state,
and the Klipa (impure force) would not attempt to snatch the Light from them.
On the contrary, the impure, egoistic forces would flee from its Light. Samech
believed that if the world were to be created with its properties, it would be able
to protect all creatures, even when their actions were corrupted, for even in such
a state, the impure force would not be able to harm them.
But the Creator said to Samech that precisely because its role is to support
those who fall and to protect the lower ones in times of their spiritual descent,
it must stay in its place and not move from it. For if the world were created by
it, its power would always prevail over all, ridding ZA and Malchut of the chance
to grow out of their small state.
And if ZA and Malchut don’t stimulate the lower ones (people) to raise
MAN—request for help in achieving Gadlut, the Upper Light will not be able
to descend to bring the creatures to the end of correction and redemption.
Therefore, the letter Samech must support the lower ones until they merit more.
But when they do merit, they will be able to receive the great Light called “100
blessings” into their entire Partzuf. So the Creator refused to create the world
with the letter Samech.
“Because the lower ones need Samech only in their Katnut, in the absence
of the Light of Wisdom (Ohr Hochma), ZON need you and you can help them.
However, they need you only in their Katnut. But you do not help to bring them
to perfection, and so you cannot be the basis of the world.”