QUOTES FROM JEWISH MYSTICISM

Tziyon Bimishpat 5735

YESHAYHU

Yeshayahu Hanavie (Jeremiah the prophet) is all about redemption.

Even the seemingly negative parts there is also.

REDEMPTION/S

There are two types of redemptions – there is happiness and then there is negative that becomes positive (and as we know, the latter is far greater.)

PERSONAL REDEMPTION – TWO SOUL PARTS

The verse states “Zion will be redeemed through justice, and her captives through charity” – this refers to two levels – one lower than the other – for the first refers to a free person who yet needs redemption, while the latter refers to a captive – this refers to an individual – for we all have two parts to our soul – the essence of the soul and its inner heart, do not descend into the person (at least manifestly) though the feet of the soul, a person’s ability to conceive of ideas, think, feel (mainly physical emotions) does – now as the essence is merely concealed, but never captive, hence it only needs redemption, while the latter part which descends into stupid foolish desires through charity (is saved.)

REVEALING DIVINE SOUL

Now Tziyon, which refers to the Jewish people, when revealed (in other words, goes from the latent heart to the actual) firstly effects the entire person – In other words, one becomes filled with their Divine soul (passion for goodness and God) as such, it effects their thoughts, speech, and actions.

NEW (TORAH)

This is also the way to, as the Torah teaches us, that we must always consider it fresh and new, which seemingly is beyond a person’s normal capacity (for once something is experienced it can never be as new as new) however if one is operating with their inner soul, it always is so.

REVEALING DIVINE SOUL

When a person operates from their inner soul, then they become as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yoichai (said on himself) “only a sign(post)” in other words, they are merely reflecting heaven.

REVEALING DIVINE SOUL

Now through the three pillars of Torah, Avodah (prayer) and Mitzvos (Maasim Toivim) the Jewish people manifest the exalted state of Tziyon, their essential soul.

REVEALING DIVINE SOUL

Namely that the Torah is studied not through one’s own consciousness, but as it says, “the words I place in your mouth,” like the shechina, which speaks through a person.

REVEALING DIVINE SOUL

The mitvos are done not with one’s own ego, rather as their soul.

REVEALING DIVINE SOUL

And their prayer is done to build heaven and earth, as it states in the Zohar, that proper prayer mimics God (for God through speech creates heaven and earth, and we through our prayers; (obviously spiritual.)

LOWERING OUR DIVINE SOUL

Now just as if a person God-forbid falls – then their head also crashes (in fact, the head can be even more damaged ) similarly, when the feet of the soul (in the body) lower themselves (into the mire of pornography, lusts etc.) this drags their Divine side into this filthy cesspool.

REDEEMING THE DIVINE SOUL

Now the way we redeem the Divine soul is through the study of Torah (as our sages teach, “if this sick one – the yetzer hara causes you to descend, drag him to the study of Torah” – as its light refines.)

REDEEMING SELF

And the way we redeem the feet, is through the giving of charity.

PERSONAL REDEMPTION

Now when we do redeem the feet, this is even greater than the Divine soul was before – imagine the joy a king (president) would have if his only son was captured and forced to live in filth and do hard labor – and then when he returns, both he and the king are so infinitely joyous.

TORAH

Now Torah as it states, “my words are like fire” and fire cannot become impure, as the Torah always remains sacred, though it can descend and be concealed (within those, like misnagdim who fundamentally are arrogant – concealing the Divine.)

MITZVOS

However Mitzvos that already are physical matter, hence when say we use Teffilin, we extract the Divine sparks (returning them to their holy source.)

TORAH AND MITZVOS

Now these two levels of Tziyon / Torah and Mitzvos / Vishaveha, exist in the three prime beings of time, space and souls.

SOULD

In regards to souls, this is both in every individual Jewish soul and in the collective (Jewish people.)

For we obviously serve God both through Torah study and doing Mitzvos.

TORAH/CHARITY

So too, generally the Jewish people are divided into those whose prime focus is on Torah study and those whose prime focus is on the all encompassing Mitzvah of charity.

TZADDIK

The identity of a Tzaddik is that he is the representative (shliach) of God and we know that a representative is literally the source.

BAAL TESHUVA – LIFE MISSION – CHARITY

The Baal Teshuva (the average person) our task is to elevate the fallen sparks, refining the physical into spiritual – which is done mainly through the mitzvah of charity.

SUMMER / WINTER

Similarly within space, we have these two dimensions, for we have the holy land of Israel, and the land of the gentiles, that the air is not pure, which necessitated the Jews going there and performing there Torah and Mitzvos, similarly, in time, we have the summer months when the name of God shines, hence it’s easier then the winter cold months.

FAST DAYS – TESHUVAH – BAAL TESHUVAH – MOSHIACH/TESHUVA

Similarly, we have positive days and then fast days which we need to do Teshuvah – Teshuva is the ultimate – as it is what causes Moshiach – it is also what places the Baal Teshuvah higher than a tzaddik – in fact the whole greatness of Moshiach is that he gets all to Teshuva.

TORAH / CHARITY

In general, though we mentioned that there are those whose focus is on Torah study and those whose focus on charity obviously both must have both qualities (only the focus is more emphasized.)

THOUGH / SPEECH /ACTION

The idea of Torah, Avodah (prayer) and Gemilas Chassadim (kindness) corresponds to Machshavah (thought) Dibur (speech) and Maaseh (action.)

THOUGHT / SPEECH / ACTION (IN MITZVAHS)

In every Mitzvah there is the thought (intent) speech (like the brocho) and the action (the doing.)

PRAYER

In order for the Torah and the good deeds we do to elevate (into heaven) this is through the channel of Prayer. (I take this to mean that passion for good is what causes it to be elevated.)

TORAH /CHARITY / PRAYER

The Medrash says whoever delves into the study of Torah, charity, and prays with a minyan, is as if he has redeemed me – and as when Moshiach comes, God himself will be redeemed (for untill then he joins in our sorrow) one literally does.

REBBES / MOSHIACH

The Rebbes paved, opened the way for us to do what is necessary in the realms of Torah, Avoda and Gemilas Chassadim (Torah study, prayer and good deeds) and as they opened the path, we have a duty to tread it – to bring Moshiach.