📕 TUESDAY PRAYER: TIFERET-MAIN READING OF THE WEEK – THE ZOHAR BOOK
READING: SUNSET MONDAY
Main Reading for PRAYER OF MANY, today with ENGLISH ZOHAR READING, page 251
ARVUT OF : Robin Anderson
“Threw it into a pit”—the root of the desire to receive for one’s own sake
is in the eyes, as Rashi said: “The eye sees, and the heart burns with desire”
(The weekly portion Shlach). This will to receive for oneself is called an “empty,
waterless pit” (Beresheet, 37:24). The Upper Light does not fill it. Although it is
empty, it is unworthy of being a vessel for the Light, as it is written: “He and I
cannot dwell in the same abode” (Talmud, Suta, 5).
Thus, the lion was thrown into a pit, for it was struck before the eyes of
the impure egoistic force, called an “empty, waterless pit.” And these pits now
emerge from their hideouts and reveal their power, and in place of a lion appears
a barking dog.
ZA-MA = 45 is called Adam = Aleph + Dalet + Mem = 1 + 4 + 40 = 45, when
he receives the Light from Bina. The property of Bina is bestowal. Hence, it is
written: “Man is your name” (Talmud, Yevamot, 61), referring only to those who
attain the property of bestowal, but not to the others, of whom it is said: “Even
their mercy is only for their profit” (Talmud, Bava Batra, 10:2), and who are
therefore called Baladan (Bal-Adan).
- On a day of snow, on the day misfortunes descend from the Supernal
Court Above, it is written, “Her household shall not fear snow,” that is, the
Supernal Court, called “snow.” For her household is clothed twofold, and can
thereby endure a strong fire. So the book says.
Strictness, judgment (Din) or restriction imposed on the use of egoism in the
male part is called “snow” that stems from the Supernal Court. These restrictions
are very powerful, but are mitigated below the Chazeh, where Malchut receives
them. Nukva describes these restrictions in the following way: “Surround me
with roses,” (Shir HaShirim, 2) referring to two fires: the Upper—Bina, and the
lower, her own—Malchut.
After Malchut acquires these two fires, she weakens the strictness of the cold
snow with her fire. Hence, it is written in Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) that
her household shall not fear snow (the Supernal Court), i.e., the restrictions
imposed on the male part, for her household is clothed twofold. In other words,
on the contrary, the snow helps her withstand the heat of her fire. And only
now that the screen and Zivug are gone, and the two fires are no more, the
restrictions of the snow return. - What is written next? “And he struck an Egyptian.” This refers to a secret:
every time Israel sinned, the Creator would conceal Himself and restrict them
from receiving all the goodness and all the Light that He shone upon them.
“He struck an Egyptian.” “He” refers to Moshe, the Light that shines upon
Israel. For in Egypt he was born, grew up, and attained the Supernal Light.