READING: BETWEEN AFTER MIDNINGHT AND DAWN WEDNESDAY

Baal HaSulam. Shamati, 129. The Shechina in the Dust

LESSON MATERIAL

129. The Shechina in the Dust

I heard

“You are fond of suffering. Then he said, ‘neither they nor their reward,’ about this beauty, which wears off in the dust.” Suffering is primarily in a place that is above reason. And the measure of the suffering depends on the extent to which it contradicts the reason. This is called “faith above reason,” and this work gives contentment to the Creator. It follows that the reward is that by this work there is contentment to one’s Maker.

However, in between, before one can prevail and justify His guidance, the Shechina [Divinity] is in the dust. This means that the work by way of faith, called the Shechina, is in exile, canceled in the dust. And he said about that, “Neither they nor their reward.” This means that he cannot stand the period in between. And this is the meaning of his reply to him, “I am crying for this and for that.”