tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20261743041354972512024-02-20T21:18:49.859-03:00Nahar DinurKosher Kabbalah from Rabbi Avraham ChachamovitsRabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-36919178716240035782017-01-20T12:34:00.000-02:002017-01-20T12:34:45.110-02:00SHEMOT 5777<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">שמות א,ח) ויקם מלך-חדש על-מצרים)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">בגמטריא אתב"ש = 451</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"דונלד טראמפ"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">בגמטריא אלב"ם = 451</span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: lime; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"דונלד טראמפ" בגמטריא = 424 = "משיח בן דוד"</span></div>
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Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-50752374781182248902013-11-04T18:19:00.000-02:002013-11-04T18:24:37.239-02:00FAITH & SCIENCE - PART 1<!-- This version of the embed code is no longer supported. Learn more: https://vimeo.com/help/faq/embedding --> <object width="400" height="375"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=78555792&force_embed=1&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=33fffc&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=78555792&force_embed=1&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=33fffc&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="500" height="375"></embed></object>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-40191264396772249362013-09-03T19:51:00.000-03:002013-09-03T20:02:29.433-03:005774 is a time for Yehudim to move...<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">B"SD</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p><br />
<h2 style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: lime; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 29px; line-height: 33px;">ושמתי מקום לעמי לישראל ונטעתיו ושכן תחתיו ולא ירגז עוד ולא-יסיפו בני-עולה לענותו </span></span><span style="color: lime; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 29px; line-height: 33px;">כאשר בראשונה</span></h2>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h2>
<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27px;">I have found that this <i>pasuk</i> (<i>Shmuel</i> II 7:10) has the same exact <i>gematria</i> as 5774!</span></span></h2>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">It says: "Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime".</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>L'shanah Tovah Tikaseiv V'seichaseim</i>,</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rabbi <i>Avraham Chachamovits</i></div>
</div>
Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-87883483995450249552012-08-19T16:17:00.003-03:002012-10-23T13:34:19.384-02:005773 Warning<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">B"SD</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">החשבים</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">להשכיח</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">את</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">-</span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">עמי</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">שמי</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">בחלומתם</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">אשר</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">יספרו</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">איש</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">לרעהו</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">כאשר</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">שכחו</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">אבותם</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">את</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">-</span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">שמי</span><span style="color: lime; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;">בבעל</span><span style="font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<u1:p></u1:p>
<br />
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">I have found that this pasuk (<i>Yirmiyahu </i>23:27)
has the same exact <i>gematria </i>as 5773!</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It
says: "Who think to make My people forget My Name by their dreams
which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for
<i>Ba'al</i>".</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u1:p></u1:p>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Heaven is warning the Jewish Nation to
return to simple and direct contact with <i>YKVK</i>. To abandon its
divisive ways and do<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>teshuvah</i>.
We all need<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>achdut </i>(<i>"</i>union") with<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>kedusha </i>(<i>"</i>holiness"). As
if the general <i>chilonin<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and<i> </i>the
reform and conservative heretical growth wasn't sufficient to stain the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Bnei Israel</i>, we have<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Erev Rav</i> (true presence,
as the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Ari"zal</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>said it would happen and thus)
"mentalities" ever more influencing the orthodox/<i>chareidim
community<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and
"leaders". A plague of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>shitot<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>(separatism in groups) brings
anguish to Heaven and delays<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Mashiach</i>.
If<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Mashiach<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>were to reveal himself now, there
would be almost no one to greet him! Because for some, he must be<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Satmar</i>, other want a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Chabad Mashiach</i>, others yet
want a very<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Litvish
"pshat-like" Mashiach</i>. Yet, most Orthodox/<i>Chareidim<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>are not even doing real<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>tikkun hamidot</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and as such, studying<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sod to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>hasten his arrival (as explained
in the holy<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Zohar<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and the sages, of blessed memory)<i>.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Ari”zal<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>explains in the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>daf alef</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sha’ar
HaMitzvot</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>that if a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>yehudi<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>does not study<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sod</i>, he will have to suffer<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>gilgul<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>to complete the missing parts of
his studies, of their<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>tikkun</i>.
There is so much written on this. The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>GR’A</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>says that a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>yehudi<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>that does not study<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sod</i> does not even understand
the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Pshat</i>. I am not
speaking to the philosophical<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sod<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>studies of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Chabad<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>etc., the so called<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Kabbalah Iyyunit<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>etc. All of the sudden, an increasing number of <i>Chabad</i> rabbis think there are <i>mekubalim </i>(<i>kabbalists</i>). Anyone offers a <i>Kabbalah</i> "course". <i>Alevai </i>this was true! M</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ystical knowledge is not about reading from books and regurgitating its contents. It is so much more, from new <i>Torah </i>insights and living spiritual experiences, contacts with higher domains etc. I will not explain this here, however it must be said that everything I teach and write is focused on teaching holiness and righteousness and to get my students and readers back in touch with G-d, personally and directly. I have no time or room for nonsense. I am not interested is distracting my readers with "mystical mumbo-jumbo" (maybe it is good and interesting - even entertaining - for the aspiring and beginner <i>ba'al teshuva</i> who does not know any better), make-believe stories about Rabbis and other unrealistic, misguiding lessons. The problem is that mysticism creates these types of illusions of grandeur. Life is not about being fake. Life is not about fantasy. Life is not about make-believe. Life is about being real. Life is about harsh realities. <u>Life is about hard work and strenuous effort:</u> </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Lefum tza'arah agra</i> ("according to the effort will be the reward"). </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This, more than anything else, sums up the the message of the entire genre of classical mystical literature. Moreover, the non-Jews are making a tremendous mess with their infantile fantasies of so called <i>Kabbalah</i>. The blind leading the blind, it is uncanny. Their arrogant <i>tumah </i>("impurity")<span class="apple-converted-space"> is<i> </i></span>mixed
with half-truths forming totally incoherent systems with the authentic <i>Torah</i>-<i>Kabbalah</i>. They may call it whatever they wish, but it is never, ever anything remotely related to with the holy <i>Kabbalah</i>. Misguided fools, they
know nothing at all and never will if they don’t work very hard on their "path of righteous
gentiles" (the <i>Sheva Mitzvot</i>). It is all just a big ego trip, a self-delusional thing, with horrible effects on
reality here on up on High. They are so incredibly arrogant and dense. In fact, most do
not accept any correction from those who can correct them. It is insane,
totally. This is caused by the Jews who disdain true<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Chochmat HaEmet</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(<i>Kabbalah</i>), by our sins (the <i>Ari"zal</i> spoke of that on the formation of cults). So
many of our<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>frum</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>brothers are only focused on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>pshat<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>poskim</i>, on ritual, and
political rivalry that they are incapable of connecting<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Torah<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>with reality. Some have asked me:
“Is it just you who thinks there is a correlation between<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Torah<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and science or is there anybody
else?”. There are other questions like this one I hear all the time. All they
see is the body, not the soul of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Torah</i>,
the true<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sod</i>. I am
speaking of a path of purity and righteousness leading to the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>kabbalat hasagat ruach hakodesh<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>("to receive holy
inspiration"). I am speaking of plain<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Rak
Torah</i>, not<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>shitot</i>. The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Ba’al Shem Tov</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>explained clearly (<i>Sefer Ba’al Shem
Tov</i>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>parashat Shemot</i>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>alef</i>) that religious rite done
by rote, if devoid of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>kavanah</i>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>bittul<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>devekut</i>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><u>all goes to the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>klipah</i></u>. It is a tragedy how
secular values have penetrated<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>chareidim<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>mindset, and the less observant
are even much more contaminated it is hard to even begin speaking of this. So much<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>gashmiyut<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>is sickening. Also, there is such
lack of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>derech eretz<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and of basic understanding of
emotions, subtle and sensitive things. This is because there is no<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sod</i>/Feminine side being
developed, which can only come through<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sod-</i>thinking.
When close to many<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>chareidim</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>I feel I have step into a
"parallel reality", in many cases, psychologically retarded. They
just don’t understand subtle spiritual thinking, "lateral-thinking",
"deep thinking", connections and </span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">connections</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">connections</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and them more </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">connections to reality</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, most at least. Name it whatever you desire, words do
not matter. Now, there are good and wonderful people of course. Some are so
special and sweet, elevated. Still, there is so much religious talk today with
so very little actually being said. It seems that everyone has something to
say, each one louder than the next, each one trying to prove himself the
intellectual superior over the other guy. Yet, with all the talk, nothing of
true value gets said and even worse, nothing at all of any real significance
ever gets done. Talk is cheap and cheap talk is ever cheaper. I am speaking of
the supreme need for righteous actions only and the understanding of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>YKVK</i>'s message pouring down
from<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>shamayim<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>all the time and directly into the
heart of all who desire His closeness. You must learn to hear your heart and
become a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>kli d'kedusha</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>("a holy recipient") to His
words.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Teshuvah</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>brings this power, for it is His voice
speaking. To hear His voice one must really develop his character traits and
the intuitive/psychic strength (</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the
right-brain activity part of the mind</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">), fulfilling <i>Torah<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>mitzvot<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>with great joy, always. The
academic, cold “learning” is not enough even with great<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Torah<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>religious observance. One cannot
be a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>talmid chacham</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>without<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sod</i>, because<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Chochmat HaEmet<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Sod</i>. Such true <i>chacham<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>is a master of spiritual realities
or at least a sincere student of it. All the religious babble has
degenerated into being entertainment. "The<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>chachamim</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>are<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>chachamim<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>in name only (says the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Ari"zal</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Yeshayahu<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>29). We don't even need to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Ari"zal</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>telling us, just pay attention and
feel things with your heart. Learn urgently to be intuitive, not merely
rational, for that is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Torat
HaAtzilut,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Torah of Mashiach</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to be revealed soon<i>,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>as it is written: "A new<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Torah</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>will come forth from Me" (<i>Yeshayahu</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>51:4). And it is written: "And I
will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit inside you; and I will
take the stony heart from their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh"
(<i>Yechezkiel<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>11:19). This
can be a reality now, but you must crave intensely to rescue the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Shechinah</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>with all of your deeds. It is a time
of <i>pidyon shvuyim<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>("redemption
of captives"). The holy <i>Sefer HaBrit</i> (<i>Rabi Pinchas Eliyahu</i> of <i>Vilna</i> <i>a"h</i>) brings this as the way to hastening the <i>Geulah</i> ("Redemption"). Now, back to the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>pshat</i> "mindset".
Learning<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Torah<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>has become some perverted
form of intellectual pride in one being able to memorize and appear
smarter than another. This is not what religion is supposed to be about.
We are not supposed to be impressing others with our words. My computer is
smarter than any of these<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>pshutim<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>minds, for it has thousand of
pages of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Torah<span class="apple-converted-space"> "</span></i>memorized" and it can recall it in
a flash. The prophet’s warning, which I found relating to the upcoming year of
5773 could not be more perfectly accurate and in total sync with the times.
Everyone - Jew and Righteous Gentiles - must be completely careful not to
exchange<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>YKVK<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>for a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Ba’al</i>, an idolatry: be it
money, power, lust, gluttony,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>lashon
hara, sinat chinam</i>, <i>bittul Torah</i>, frivolous
behaviors, <i>ga'avah</i> ("pride"), lesser<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>tziniyut,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>lesser<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>kashrut</i></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, secular thinking and focus,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">kullot<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">upon</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US"> </span></i></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">kullot</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, or whatever idol you have become linked up to,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">chaz v’shalom</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. This is the wrong direction: "A person who observes the <i>mitzvot </i>with all their stringencies is confronted by tests all the time; it is a constant battle for him, and it is easy for him to practice stirring up his good inclination in order to overcome the bad one. Having so many opportunities to be tested every hour of the day, his ascendancy is assured and his improvement secured" (<i>Chazon Ish</i>, <i>Emunah V'Bitachon</i>, <i>Torat HaMiddot</i>, <i>Tet</i>). The time now is most urgent, because as the revelation
of the true<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Mashiach<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">does in fact approach, Heaven is guiding the world ever more rapidly and intensely towards the purging of evil as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Zechariah<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">13:2 promises. There will be no place for “half”
orthodox life-styles, half-truths, half-commitments to a <i>halachic </i>life.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Mashiach</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">will
come to rule by the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Mishpat</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, the Law. The time of “more or less” religious
practices so shamelessly common, or the leaning on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">minhagim</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to
avoid stricter levels of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">halacha </i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">or any and all form of rebellion against </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">YKVK</i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">'s laws</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, this will end soon,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">amen</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. So much
more to say, but still, this is just a short message to speak about matters deeply set in my heart. Heed to
the message and take advantage of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">teshuvah</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Evolution is a real possibility.
Reevaluate your current<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">frumkait<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">("religious standards"). I know you are very
"comfortable". However soon, you won't be able to and you won't be prepared.
There is a powerful storm coming, as never seen it before. It will destroy all
idols and all those linked to them. It is real time to prepare for what is coming,
as only those who remember how to call<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">YKVK</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">'s Name will be part of the "Remnant
Community" (</span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Micah HaNavi</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5:6,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Haftarah</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Balak</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">).</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Rosh
Chodesh Elul</i> 5772</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rabbi
<i>Avraham Chachamovits</i></span></div>
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Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-17346161890213345702012-04-01T22:42:00.000-03:002012-04-01T22:42:37.244-03:00Pessach 5772: "Miracles"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.box.com/s/607ef53b76feebafe98f" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rtCePspf3oIzzymUJsotIxa3GXROstwK-6R-AmLwcW1qJYLqtVQvL3VaE9frgjEbCmfB2XTsII1LaiHnq7-X9CLb0zsrH0N5OzAFwwZdpIPS6VU5hNB7NB4nVD1pFf-ExB3A3HeZa2M/s400/Miracles.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="MIRACLES" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">- Click on image to read e-Book -</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-23396877357012424962011-09-26T15:46:00.000-03:002014-02-02T22:32:30.710-02:00Video-shiur "5772 Prophetic Forces"<object classid='clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000' id='seyretpl' name='seyretpl' width='400' height='350' > <param name='allowscriptaccess' value='always' /> <param name='wmode' value='transparent' /> <param name='allowfullscreen' value='true' /> <param name='movie' value='http://koshertube.com/videos/components/com_seyret/localplayer/player.swf' /> <param name='flashvars' value='width=400&height=350&enablejs=true&file=http://koshertube.com/videos/seyretfiles/cache/pro/localfile/323cd943dfef326b255a5db2fdbf46d0.xml?random=xg6r0&image=http://koshertube.com/videos/seyretfiles/uploads/thumbnails/user_7610/user_7610_t81teg3jbmrfya_4.jpg&autostart=false&logo=http://koshertube.com/videos/components/com_seyret/localplayer/logo.png&skin=http://koshertube.com/videos/bright.swf&repeat=false&fullscreen=true&plugins=gapro-1&gapro.accountid=UA-6191813' /> <embed id='seyretp' name='seyretp' src='http://koshertube.com/videos/components/com_seyret/localplayer/player.swf' flashvars='width=400&height=350&enablejs=true&file=http://koshertube.com/videos/seyretfiles/cache/pro/localfile/323cd943dfef326b255a5db2fdbf46d0.xml?random=xg6r0&image=http://koshertube.com/videos/seyretfiles/uploads/thumbnails/user_7610/user_7610_t81teg3jbmrfya_4.jpg&autostart=false&logo=http://koshertube.com/videos/components/com_seyret/localplayer/logo.png&skin=http://koshertube.com/videos/bright.swf&repeat=false&fullscreen=true&plugins=gapro-1&gapro.accountid=UA-6191813' width=400 height=350 allowfullscreen='true' allowscriptaccess='always' wmode='transparent' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' /></object><br />
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<a href="http://koshertube.com/videos/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectlink&Itemid=1&id=8512"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: cyan; font-size: large;">5772 Prophetic Forces</span></a></div>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-58478381658696538002011-09-25T20:49:00.000-03:002011-09-25T23:34:34.210-03:00Teshuva is a prophetic force<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In continuation of the <i>shiur </i>on “5772 Prophetic Forces”, I want to emphasize the concept of prophecy in our times revealed in the <i>kol demama daka</i> (“silent voice”) as the force of activating <i>teshuva</i>, to wit, all righteous thoughts and feelings a person may have and act upon in order to "align" himself to G-d through <i>Torah</i>. It is important to understand that <i>nevuah </i>is underlined by <i>devekut</i>, and <i>devekut</i> spurs from the pre-condition of righteousness, as it is written: “The L-rd requite to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness” (<i>Shmuel</i> I 26:23). Hence, we can understand that uncompromising statement made by <i>Eliyahu HaNavi</i>: “Be it man or woman, Jew or Gentile... all can receive <i>ruach hakodesh</i>, all in accordance to the individual’s proper deeds” (<i>Tana D’vei Eliyahu</i>, <i>Eliya Raba</i> 9). Thus, any righteous counsel from the heart is the stronghold of a prophetic force, which gains strength with righteous action as it raises <i>mayin nukvim</i> (“female waters”) – the “arousal from below” – eliciting ever higher degrees of Divine inspiration, the responsive <i>mayin durchin </i>(“masculine waters”). We can conclude that spirtual ascent means the transformation of self-reception consciousness into other-reception consciousness, where this so called "other", is G-d Himself. Once the person sucessfully grows in the inverting of his <i>ratzon</i> to receive into the <i>ratzon</i> to give, he grows as a channel of G-d. The channeling per se is <i>nevuah</i> in whatever level the person can remain in <i>devekut</i>. And this is done through the constant process of seeking righteousness in absolute every aspect of your being, or simply, doing <i>teshuva</i>.</span></div>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-85835241641686393912011-09-20T21:23:00.000-03:002011-09-25T10:24:54.526-03:005772 and the spirit of prophecy<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">5772 is a year of prophecy for the <i>Bnei Israel</i>.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Note that 5772 = 481 x 12. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><i>Gematria </i>481 is found in <i>Bamidbar</i> 12:6, on the word אתודע (<i>etvadah</i>, "I will make Myself known"). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And the <i>pasuk </i>continues: "to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream" (בחלום אדבר-בו, <i>ba-chalom adaberbo</i>). </span></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The multiplication factor (of 12) indicates "dimensions" or in the language of <i>Kabbalah</i>, the <i>Yud Beit G'vulei Alachson</i> (see <i>Sefer Yetzirah</i> 5:2). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So, "I will make myself known", is <i>Hashem</i>'s promise to reveal a <i>madreiga </i>of <i>nevuah </i>(or at least different levels of <i>hasagat ruach hakodesh</i>) in the 12 general dimensional boundaries, which also correspond <i>al pi sod</i> to the 12 tribes of <i>Israel </i>(3 tribes in each are of the boundary, also called a "camp").</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The <i>Gemara </i>(<i>Chagigah </i>12b)<i> </i>says (based on <i>Devarim</i> 32:8) that there are 12 pillars upon which the universe stands. The <i>Gemara</i> also calls them the "arms of the universe" (thus, relating it to <i>Devarim </i>33:26-27). Thus, if a person wishes to experience G-d, he must begin at the lower level and work his way upward, so to speak. He therefore begins </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">(through <i>hitbodedut</i>/meditation)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> with the "twelve diagonal boundaries", which are the "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">arms of the universe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">", to wit, all of physical reality. Only after this can he reach other higher levels. Finally, however, he must attain a conception of G-d as being totally "divorced from space and time" (a very deep concept pertaining to the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Ein Sof </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">explained well in the <i>Sefer Otzrot Hayim</i>, <i>Sha'ar HaAgulim</i>, <i>Derush Adam Kadmon</i>). N</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">ote that there are 12 <i>tzerufim</i> to the <i>Shem Havaya, </i>and this has additional implications (for another opportunity, G-d willing). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">It seems to me that, since each and every jewish <i>neshama</i> has a <i>shoresh in</i> one of the 12 tribes of <i>Israel</i>, to all <i>yehudim</i> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">this year could afford </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">the unusual opportunity to the experience of a קול דממה דקה, <i>kol demama daka</i> ("silent voice") as we find in the <i>Tanach</i> (<i>Melachim</i> I 19:12), which <i>Hashem </i>chose to reveal His Presence to <i>Eliyahu HaNavi</i>.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Although hidden since the <i>churban Bayit Sheni </i>("destruction of the Second Temple)<i>,</i> a level of the spirit of <i>nevuah</i> will be more readily available for the <i>B'neI Israel</i>, but that means <i>yehudim</i> need to learn to receive this holy "silent voice". This is not to say that common Jews today are on the level of the <i>b'nei nevi'im</i> from <i>Talmudic </i>times or earlier. True, there is a constant descent of the generations, where each generation is less great than the one before, and because of our transgressions we no longer have great prophets. Even <i>ruach hakodesh</i> has ceased, we have no prophet and no visionary. Even the phenomenon of <i>b'nei nevi'im</i>, which is the essence of the life force and <i>kedushah </i>of<i> Klal Yisrael</i>, has fallen drastically. Yet, this we can say: even if the essence and the life force in <i>Israel </i>are now minimal, they are still prophetic forces.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Now, hearing or seeing the "silent voice"</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> entails a true quieting of the mind and an increase in the real experience of <i>devekut</i>. For as it is written: <i>Shiviti Hashem l'negdi tamid</i>, "I have set the L-rd always before me" (<i>Tehillim </i>16:8). However, the verse continues: "because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved". Thus in recognizing that <i>Hashem</i> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">is always in front of you, there is a requirement of equanimity in order to perceive His Presence. This is deeper the meaning of the angelic prayer: "<i>Kadosh</i>, <i>Kadosh</i>, <i>Kadosh</i>, <i>Hashem Tzivaot</i>, <i>melo kol ha-aretz kevodo</i>" (<i>Yeshayahu</i> 6:3).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> This means, G-d is everywhere, truly <i>kol ha-aretz</i>. He is in everything, for He vitalizes all. All of Creation has His Holy Name "stamped" in it, for He is the Only Being, so all is He. Now, one must strongly desire to see beyond the veil - the <i>klipah</i> of reality - into the truths, that is, the spiritual underlying of all. This capacity is actually within the reach of anyone who fears Him. Truly, you should be able to see </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">יהוה</span></b><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">at any moment and place you wish, for He is always there, always. If you cannot see </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">יהוה</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> then you are blind by the lack of <i>emunah</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> and the vanities of your <i>guf</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> And so it is written: "Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; behold, your G-d will come with vengeance, with a Divine recompense; He will come and save you. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped" (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Yeshayahu</i> 35:4-5</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">).</span><br />
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</div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;">May it be so in this new year, <i>amen</i> <i>selah</i>.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Rabbi Avraham</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><i><br />
</i></span></div></div>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-38016628046011368632011-09-20T13:28:00.000-03:002011-09-20T13:39:59.293-03:00Audio message for Rosh Hashana<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Rav Avraham Chachamovit's Rosh Hashana 5772 message:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><object height="18" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F23764041&auto_play=false&player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=ff7700"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed wmode="transparent" allowscriptaccess="always" height="18" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F23764041&auto_play=false&player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=ff7700" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Shiur</i> on the<i> Haftarah</i> of <i>Nitzavim-Vayelech</i> 5771.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i>K’tiva V’Chatima Tovah, L’Shana Tovah U’Metukah</i></b><br />
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</div>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-87756903520236141942011-05-04T08:30:00.000-03:002011-05-04T08:39:45.951-03:00Living with Mashiach<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Isaiah </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">chapter 40:1 begins with the well known Hebrew words </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nachamu Nachamu Ami</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (“Comfort, comfort my people!”). The duplicated word <i>Nachamu </i>has <i>gematria </i>104, which times 2 equals </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yitzchak</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (<i>gematria </i>208). Now, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yitzchak</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> personifies the attribute of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gevurah</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (“Severity/Discipline”). As such, the true and complete comfort implies in the embracing of discipline/</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gevurah</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> to serve G-d. This means the moving away from leniencies which have dominated the observant community and the moving towards a life of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chidurim</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, so as not to live a life close to the boundaries of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Halacha</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> but truly in its center and spirit. This is the reality of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mashiach</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, for he will come to rule by the <i>mishpat</i>/law, as a king. The law will be in accordance of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beit Shammai</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, the archetype of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">chidurim</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. King <i>Mashiach</i> will reign not by democracy. He will impose the <i>mishpat </i>by force. Now, those who already want to live messianic lives must be trying their best to be already living the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Halacha</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> in accordance to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beit Shammai </i>or at the very least, avoiding the (so abused) <i>kulah</i>/leniency mentality</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Then, they will be ready and G-d wiling become part of the "remnant community of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Israel</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">" (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Micah </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5:2) who will live the new order to come, may it be readily in our days </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">amen</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span></div><br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First day of <i>Rosh Chodesh Iyar</i> 5771</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-85631646896282472942011-03-22T12:55:00.000-03:002011-03-22T13:02:13.689-03:00PURIM 5771<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span">It is written: <i>Vatilbash Esther malchut, "Esther</i> put on her royal dress<i>"</i> </span><span class="Apple-style-span">(<i>Megillat Esther </i>5:1</span><span class="Apple-style-span">).This is a concept of her crowning, for the royal garments of <i>Malchut </i>represent the light of <i>Keter</i>, as it is know "the end is wedged in the beginning" (</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Sefer Yetzira</i> 1:7</span><span class="Apple-style-span">). So, <i>Malchut</i>, the lowest level (this world) is connected with <i>Keter</i>/crown, the most lofty level of <i>kedusha </i>("holiness"). With this great light she crowns everything, for as it is written: “<i>Esther </i>elevates everything to <i>emunoh</i>/faith” (</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><i>Tikkunei Zohar</i> §21</span><span class="Apple-style-span">). To crown something is to raise that something to its most essential and significant level. This means, <i>Esther </i>represents the power to influence our emotions and drives towards <i>kedusha</i>, for that is the only true source of reality.<i> Malka Esther</i> is/corresponds to the <i>Shechinah</i>, the "Queen" that vitalizes all of the universe. Connecting to Purim is a deep connection to the <i>Shechinah</i>. May this chibur grow and vitalize your neshama towards da’at eliyon. These are the efforst every single Jew needs to make in order to hasten the comming of the only <i>Mashiach Tzidkeinu</i>,<i> amem v’amem</i>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><b>Rabbi Avraham</b></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-54271918775014964342010-09-05T09:23:00.001-03:002010-09-05T09:30:01.121-03:00New year's revelations<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; ">B"H</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My Dear friend, <i>Rabbi Fivish Dalfin</i> calls me Bulldozer <i>Rebbe</i>. He says not only I "bulldoze" over my own <i>yetzer hara</i>, but truly, over the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>yetzer hara</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> of others. That is my style!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I end the year of 5770 with the following idea for the new year:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span dir="rtl"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">תְּ</span>הֵא <span style="color:#ff0000;">שְׁ</span>נַת <span style="color:#ff0000;">עֵ</span>זֶר <span style="color:#ff0000;">אֱ</span>לֹקִי</span></span><span dir="ltr"> </span></div> <div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">("May it be a year of Divine aid")</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is '771. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">May we all merit receiving this "Divine aid", <i>maamosh</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div> <div> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FFFF;">Bulldozer Rebbe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-7226444870298437412010-08-10T12:50:00.000-03:002010-08-16T15:42:48.268-03:00Elul thinking...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">B"SD</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I would like to offer three</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">thoughts on </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chodesh Elul</span></i></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> to help understand the magnitude of this special month:</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. Helping others do Teshuvah</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div> <div class="hebrew" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ואשר לא צדה והאלהים </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">א</span></span></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">נה </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ל</span></span></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ידו </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ו</span></span></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">שמתי </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ל</span></span></u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ך מקום אשר ינוס שמה </span></span></div></div> <div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></div> <div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">pasuk </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shemot </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">21:13) speaks of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Arei Miklat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (as we can see the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">reishit tavot</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">:</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Ina L’iado Visamti Lich</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">). As such, we derive that </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Elul </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is special for it is established to forgive unintentional </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">averot </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">during the year. Moreover, following each </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">averah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, the person must seek "a city of refuge", that is, a proper (spiritual) struture to allow the full contemplation of his transgressions' consequences, the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">chesbon nefesh</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> followed by </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">teshuvah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. Asking Hashem for help</span></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">yetzer hara</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> tells us that our sin is a small thing. It does not allow us to contemplate its implications, including the wedge that sin drives between ourselves and our Heavenly Father, and the darkness that envelops all of the spiritual worlds as its consequence. A person who is oblivious to the reality of the horror of sin dwells in utter confusion. The holy <i>sefarim</i> speak of a state worse than </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Gehinom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Some people wander through life, oblivious to the requirements of law. They sin without any awareness of its seriousness. They also can for decades without experiencing any Divine retribution! Hashem leaves them in their state of confusion. When they die, they are treated similarly. Even </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Gehinom </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is inappropriate for them. They continue to wander without judgment or accounting in the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Olam HaTohu</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, truly an existence of astonishing chaos. To a certain extent, the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Olam HaTohu</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> spills over into our world, experienced by people still alive. They glide in and out of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Yamim Nora'im</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, oblivious to their sanctity and meaning, as if unsure in which world they reside.</span></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. Serving Hashem with love</span></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Elul </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">is a time to ask </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hashem </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">for things you need, for since </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ani Ledodi V'Dodi Li is Elul</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, this a time when the love relationship between G-d and the Jewish people is heightened. And it is vital to raise </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">mayin nukvin</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> during this period. This means a real need to intensify the desire of the "groom" for the "bride". So, asking for a gift for the groom is like saying: "show me your desire and I will be yours for life". Perhaps that is why once the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Lubavitcher Rebbe </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">related that there is a Polish jewish costume where the groom and bride receive small pieces of papers from the guests with requests, who perhaps could not attend the ceremony, so the couple under the tremendous </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">kedusha </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">of the celestial gates of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">chupah </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">could ask </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hashem </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">for these gifts (requests). The </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Rebbe</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, it is told, was against this costume, for it could "affect" their humility (as the requests could indeed be answered). Yet, the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Rebbe </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">said the guest themselves could ask for what they need during this period, that is, the wedding ceremony (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Rebbe </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">on </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">parashat Shoftim </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">5713, 2 </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Elul </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">in the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Cabalat Panim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">R' Mordechai Dubinsky</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'s wedding). Right now, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Bnei Israel</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is in very close relationship with </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hashem</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, and each and every yid, the "individual guests" witnessing this great love between </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hashem </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">and the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Bnei Israel</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, can ask for gifts that pour out from this intense love.<br /><br /></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Chodesh Tov</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">!</span></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Rabbi Avraham</span></i></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 102); "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-48724272175758751502009-05-11T10:26:00.000-03:002010-03-03T15:02:07.560-03:00The Torah teaches that Israel is not under the "mazalot", the astrological influences. What exacly are these influences?<p style="text-align: justify" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Know this well. “The </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> influence in the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">nefesh </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">[which is the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">yetzer hara</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> itself] is truly noteworthy, for the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> are under the dominion of the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">malachim</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> [angels], ‘which are as souls to the stars’ [</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">R</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">’ </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Yitzchak Abarbanel z</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">”</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">l</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> on </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Devarim</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> 18:24</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">], which operate directly under the Divine guidance. As the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> control the ‘fundamental elements’ [i.e, earth, water, air, and fire] and the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">nefesh</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> is imbued of these elements, the power of control exerted by the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">is truly formidable and natural, to wit, instinctive… </span></span><o:p><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">And for each attribute of the </span></span><span style="font-style: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">nefesh </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">there is as much a good aspect and an evil one; and as the </span><span style="font-style: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">nefesh</span></span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> resides in the blood, and it fills the whole of the body, each organ of the body is differently irrigated by this blood, and in accordance of its physical and spiritual characteristics, receiving this </span><span style="font-style: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">nefesh </span></span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">influence as well” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">R</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">’ </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">A</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">vraham</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> Chachamovits</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">, “A Bondade para </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Avraham</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">”, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Bereshit</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">).</span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">This control the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> exert over the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">nefesh</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> cannot ever be underestimated! Regarding this it is written that, “In the center of the Firmament there is a bright path. This is the ‘firmament’s serpent’ [called </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Shvil HaChalav</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">, the ‘Milky Way’], which controls 12 </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">. </span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">There are an infinite number of stars on that path, and they are grouped together in condensations of small stars, which are so dense they seem having their own form, as infinite mountains. Each one of these stars is connected to an angel. The groups of angels connected to each one of the 12 constellations have the task to ‘coarse’ the souls born under that constellations, pre-conditioning them to certain behaviors and transgressions in accordance to the nature of each constellation” (</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Based on the </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> I:125a-b, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Chaiye Sarah</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">).</span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> This means that, the person’s natural characteristics, a product of his body and soul, are impelled to be manifested – through the soul’s </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">levushim</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> [garments], to wit, thought, speech, and action – in accordance to the measure and strength of influence from the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">This occurs in the same manner that, for example, the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> influence the development of harvests, impelling the earth to reveal its natural and necessary power for the plants to grow, while the plants themselves receive the blessing for this exact growth, as it is written: “Even a blade of grass here below possesses a [spiritual component which is the] </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazal</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> above which controls and touches it, and in an imperative way commands it: ‘Grow!’” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Bereshit Rabah</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> 10:6; cf. </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> I:251a, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Pekude</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">; </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Rambam</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Moreh</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Nevuchim</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> II:10; </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Tanya</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Iggeret HaKodesh</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> §20, end;</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> Tanya</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Iggeret</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">HaKodesh</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> §8</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">).</span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> That means, “</span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Hashem</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> offers the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">kedusha</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> for each blade of grass, so that each one may have a ‘spiritual component’ – a </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">kedusha</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> which is offered to the physical world to reside in that particular blade of grass” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">R</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">’ </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Shmuel Halevi</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> of </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Köeln</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">z</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">”</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">l</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Machatzit HaShekel</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> [on the subject of the </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Bereshit Rabah</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> 10:6] commentary on the </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Maguen Avraham</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">R</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">’ </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Avraham Abele</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">z</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">”</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">l</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">. Cf. the </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Ari</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">”</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">zal</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Likkutei Torah</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Devarim</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> 8:3</span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">)</span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">which allows it to express its natural tendencies. Therefore, it is necessary to understand that the </span><span style="font-style: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot </span></span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">are an important channel connecting </span><span style="font-style: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">kedusha </span></span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">and the physical level of Creation. This channel favors the Divine Providence to descent towards the world. In fact, G-d’s providence operates through the angels who work through the stars and planets.</span></span></span></span></span></span></o:p></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">N</span></span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">ow, once the tendencies of each man are manifested in accordance to the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> influences and his </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">yetzer hara</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">, he will need to choose with his </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">sechel</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> if his life’s path will be traversed with a pompous and affected walk of one who ignores G-d and lives only to serve </span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">these natural influences and debased desires, or contrary to that, he will seek to align himself humbly to the laws of </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Torah</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">, so as to walk in a straight and dignified manner, worthy of a being with a holy soul. </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">And as our Sages explain, “Who is strong? He who subjugates him yetzer hara” (</span></span><i><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Pirkei Avot</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> 4:1</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">). And how to subjugate it? Remembering that, “The</span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> yetzer hara </span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">can be compared to an iron rod over the flames of a strong fire. While it is over the fire, the object can be molded into any form the person desires. Such is the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">yetzer hara</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> which can be subjugated through the words of </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Torah</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">, which are as a fire” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Avot d</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">’</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Rebi Natan</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> 16:4</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">), for as it is written, “The L-rd your G-d é a consuming fire” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Devarim</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> 4:24</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">), and “G-d and His </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Torah</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> are one” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> II:85b, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Yitro</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">).</span></span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> <br /></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify" class="MsoNormal"></p> <p style="text-align: justify" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Therefore, we see that one’s decisions have great impact on his physical and spiritual, for “know that exactly corresponding to the impulses of man here are the influences which he attracts to himself from above. If his impulse is towards the side of </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">kedusha</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">, he attracts to himself the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">kedusha</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> from above and in this manner, he sanctifies himself. However, if his tendency is towards the side of impurity, then he brings a impure spirit down to himself, and becomes thus polluted and blemished” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> I:125b, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Chaiye Sarah</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">).</span></span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify" class="MsoNormal"></p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: normal" class="CorpoSequencia"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Thus, choosing is a vital activity, for in the first case, man is subjugated and becomes enslaved by the cold stars and planets, and his destiny is thus set. While in the second, he establishes a direct contact with </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Hashem</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> in accordance to the spiritual law: “You shall be perfect with the L-rd your G-d” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Devarim</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> 18:13</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">); thus being subjugated only by the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Ribono Shel Olam</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> and remaining completely ignorant his future, which after all, will depend on his actions here and on the Divine mercy! Now we understand the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Talmudic</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> dictum, </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Ein Mazal L</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">’</span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Israel</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Shabat</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span"> 156a</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">) to be interpreted by the holy </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Ba’al Shem Tov</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> as </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Ayin Mazal L</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">’</span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Israel</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">, to wit, contrary to the non-Jew and his connection with destiny, the Jewish connection is direct and unique with the level of </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Ayin</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">, the ‘Divine Nothing’, allowing for a complete transcendence of the lower level of the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">. As explained by </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">HaRav</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Yitzchak</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Ginsburgh</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span dir="rtl" lang="HE"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">שליט"א</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">, “The </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Ari’zal</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> reveals in the </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Etz Chayim</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> that the non-Jewish astrology only reaches up to the 12 constellations or signs of astrology, but there are many other levels above that one. The highest level is the 12 permutations of the Name of G-d </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Havayah</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">. Only the Jewish People is connected to this level. In being connected to this level, they have the power to recreate, for the name </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Havayah</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> signifies ‘creation continues’”.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Hence, “</span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Israel</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">’s own destiny is an eternal and indefinable state of </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Ayin</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">. Only its connection to the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Ayin Sof</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> exists, with this abstract Origen, and from this Origen only this people [which does not accept the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">mazalot</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">] depends and persists” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Ibid</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">. “A Bondade para </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">Avraham</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: small" class="Apple-style-span">”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">). As G-d cannot be defined, the destiny of the Jew cannot be defined. And this is the greatest gift for this people having accepted the </span></span><i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span">Torah</span></span></i><span style="font-size: medium" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'" class="Apple-style-span"> – its true freedom.</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-57948131239521027422009-04-24T13:07:00.000-03:002009-04-27T16:10:19.655-03:00ETZ L'SHLIACH - Rabbi Avraham Chachamovits's new book in English<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm3HEs9GFEPb0YgYnsIcfqQPNpqicqfk5-uAr-kszwNGnuzSeV_7mEg33dP9lDsSgCmpD6KzYQbTpLZDdC_uL-WlCBeE28lArvERyH0t_9NRLrCJuOMxJ73Lqm7imnWkIl_XNXF-2B4w/s1600-h/etz-capa-ENGLISH.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUm3HEs9GFEPb0YgYnsIcfqQPNpqicqfk5-uAr-kszwNGnuzSeV_7mEg33dP9lDsSgCmpD6KzYQbTpLZDdC_uL-WlCBeE28lArvERyH0t_9NRLrCJuOMxJ73Lqm7imnWkIl_XNXF-2B4w/s320/etz-capa-ENGLISH.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328290356947129442" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Today, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Rosh Chodesh Iyar,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yarzheit </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Rabbi Chayim Vital zt"l</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, the greatest <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">talmid </span>of the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ari"zal</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> our holy teacher, and my spiritual guide.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Exactly today, my first English book was unveiled in the Unites States, at the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">site<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="www.seforimcenter.com">www.seforimcenter.com</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, under </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">books. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I am truly, very pleased with this, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">baruch Hashem</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-74741191228350477282009-04-21T11:52:00.000-03:002009-04-21T12:59:30.736-03:00It is forbidden for a Jew to work on Shabbat. What is the esoteric reason for this prohibition?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><div style="text-align: justify; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It is important to understand that working on </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabbat</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> implies on a “decree of death” (</span></span></span><i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shemot</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 31:15</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">), </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">chaz v’shalom</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. The </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sod</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> or mystical aspect of this subject is extraordinary, and I shall reveal only a small degree while hiding much more, merely summarizing in a simple form, all based on the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> of the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ari”zal</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (</span></span></span><i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sefer HaLikutim</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span></span><i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Parashat Behar</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span></span><i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">et</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. </span></span></span><i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">al</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). Although it is not ideal to reveal such things to such unprepared recipients, here follows my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kavanah</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, may the Heavens witness this, to help those that still have any doubts regarding the prohibitions of work on </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabbat</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, so they may quickly do </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">teshuvah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> and receive the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kabbalat ol</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. As the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Talmud </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">says, “the person should do </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">teshuvah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> one day before his death, e since we do not know when is this day, it is vital do be always doing </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">teshuvah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">” (</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">alluding to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabbat</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 153a</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">).</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; width: auto; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><p class="Resposta"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">During the regular weekdays, there are spiritual forces that descend to our world’s level of reality in order to allow that </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">tikkunim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (“rectifications”) be made into effect through the permitted works to a Jew. In a more specific manner, every permitted work done during the week serves, in a way or another, to raise </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">netzuzin</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">kedoshim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (“Divine sparks”) fallen in the physical level when the order of reality was not our current order of rectification, the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Olam HaTikkun</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, but rather, the preceding order of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Olam HaTohu</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (“World of Chaos”). The order of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Olam HaTohu</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> was broken apart, so to speak, through a deep and fundamental process of the Divine plan for the revelation and </span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ultimate evolution of Creation, particularly man, as it is taught by the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Ari”zal</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">These spiritual forces that are the vehicle, through which all of these spark-elevations occur, return to their spiritual degree and level on </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. On </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, all is new, signifying that there is no need for spiritually elevate anything that has fallen from the destroyed primordial world of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Tohu</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Hence, there is no need for </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">tikkunim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> on </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. All is in order, truly perfect on </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Not even the work of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">boreh</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (“separation of food”) is allowed, for separating that which is not good in the food from the good part in it of itself implies in a removal of a negative element from a positive one, and that does not exist on </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> when after all, everything is in the category of the desired and rectified. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now, when the Jew performs a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">melachah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (“forbidden work”) on </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">chaz v’shalom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, he elicits these spiritual forces that normally should operate only on weekdays to descend to the physical world in order to make into effect the appropriate spark-elevations.</span></o:p></span></p><p class="Resposta"></p><p class="Resposta"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">However, as nothing can be elevated on </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, these forces become as ‘forces in vain’, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">chaz v’shalom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Through this, the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">klipot</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, the negative forces that block the revelation of Divinity in the material world, can steal these spiritual powers, this holy light, and make use of them for its own negative uses, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">chaz v’shalom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Moreover, the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">klipot </span>are called the “power of death”, and when the Jew profanes the Shabbat through some forbidden work, he receives the celestial decree of punishment through death, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">chaz v’shalom</span>, since, worse than not using these forces for the elevation of fallen sparks, is the fact that they may fall under the domain and “clutches” of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">klipot</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. This has the effect of literally nourish the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">klipot</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">sitra achra</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, the person then becoming a “partner of evil”, may </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hashem</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> have mercy on his soul. This nourishment has the additional effect of blocking the benefiting purpose of the</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Or Ayin Sof</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, thus causing a diminution of spiritual </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">shefa</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (“flux of blessings”) to the world at large. This has the further effect of causing severe decrees (in the form of afflictions) to befall the person (and those close to him) who performed the transgression, the community, and the whole world, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">chaz v’shalom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p></span></div></span></span>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-25059125385387814702009-03-30T09:45:00.000-03:002010-10-18T16:45:21.990-02:00What is the spiritual origin of diseases in man?<p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Why are the Jews called </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yehudim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> in Hebrew? As it is written in reference to the matriarch </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Leah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> when she went to name her son </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yehudah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, “This time I ‘thank’ </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bereshit</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 29:35</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). The name </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yehudah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> as well as the word <i>Yehudi</i>, both have their origin in the word </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hoda’ah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, which means ‘recognition’, thus ‘thanksgiving’ as well. This is an essential characteristic of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">bittul</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (the process by which a person’s sense of his independent existence is subsumed within and elevated to an awareness of a greater, more inclusive existence, the existence of G-d), to wit, the recognition and sincere thanksgiving that </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is Who truly and only exists, and the world and all of us are nothing and nill before Him. Hence, the word </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yehudim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is applied to the Jews for it summarizes this essential quality of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">bittul </span>before G-d (a quality that must be emulated by the Nations). The Jews are literally the nation of those who recognize and admit the greater reality of unicity and omnipresence of G-d, while keenly aware of its own particular reality of “dust and ashes” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bereshit</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 18:27</span>).</span></span></span></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">N</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ow, while there is such singular and intrinsic attribute in the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">B’nei Israel</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (called </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hod </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">in </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">), and its cosmological potential that needs to be revealed throughout the nations of the world, there is also a possibility of alienation from the attribute. In its physical expression, literally in the material life of man, the manifested phenomenon of this alienation or separation is the disease. Alienation from G-d reflects a “blemished” (i.e., corrupted) state of the attribute of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hod</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. This is so in the manner in which this attribute corresponds to the spiritual structure of the soul (which is in fact configured by various others attributes and powers, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hod </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">being only one of them). </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The fact that the attribute of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hod</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is corrupted – characterized by the insensibility to the spiritual realities – results in ‘spiritual confusion’, a true chaos that can progressively spread through the individual’s normative consciousness and physiology. This implies in the person’s inability to distinguish “friend from foe”, or the ‘I’ e the ‘not I’, so to speak. Moreover, this confusion leads to spiritual blindness resulting even in the insensibility towards other people, to wit, in the inability to perceive and recognize the truth in the words of others, failing thus to thanks then for their acts of kindness. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Therefore, the blemish in the attribute of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hod</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> brings the person to a state of alienation both with (the benevolent) others and with G-d. In the human physiology this is expressed in the immunological system’s mistakes, that is, in its confusion of “invaders from allies” resulting in the generation of various types of health problems. As such, failing to perceive that all we </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">have comes form G-d – as undeserved and unexpected gifts – implicates in the possibility of this m</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">isalignment to manifest as a disease, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">chaz v'shalom</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. After all, the disease is the actual physical expression of the spiritual unbalance in its ‘final stage’! This is paramount to understanding the spiritual causes of diseases, for it means that, by the time the problem has become physical, it is already in its final level (and not initial) – and if a disease has a spiritual cause, its cure must come spiritually as well in the form of a ‘realignment’. And the most important manner to maintain the person’s </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hod</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> aligned, his immune system healthy, is to strengthen his </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">bittul</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> in order to have a true </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kabbalat ol</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, meaning that, nothing is more powerful in the whole universe than the acceptance of the Divine Ordinance. For the Nations, it is imperative to fulfill the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shevah Mitzvot Shel B’nei Noach</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, which bring a great light to the world and to each one who is bound by these Divine Ordinances. Now, for the Jews, 'all' </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mizvot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> are vital, and noteworhty, the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mitzvah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (of the fulfillment of) </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabbat</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> even brings the promise of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">refuah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (cure)! In fact, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">explains that, due to the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">chet ha-egel</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> ("the sin of the golden calf"), “The extraordinary spiritual state that </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Moshe</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> had attained when he ascended Mt. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sinai</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> was reduced a thousand degrees” (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">the</span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ari</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">”</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">zal</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sha</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ar Maamarei Rashbi</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">daf</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 212</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). Essentially, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Moshe </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">had become “diseased” from the sin of his people, even though he obviously did not participate in this most blatant act of opposition to G-d. However, in the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabbat</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, these ‘spiritual lights’ were restored for him, and he was truly and completely cured! </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And as it is written, “The </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">gematria</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Vayikra El Moshe</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> [</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Vayikra</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 1:1</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is equal to 693, together with the number of letters [which total 10], it is equal to the word </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabbat</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> plus the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kolel</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> [702+1 = 703]. This </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">is a hint that the lights were restored for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Moshe </span>on </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabbat</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">R</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">’ </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ya</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">’</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">acov Abuchatzera zt</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">”</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">l</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Pituchei Chotam al HaTor</span></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ah</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Vayi</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">k</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ra</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">).</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Finally, it is necessary to understand that in view of all that occurs in the person’s life, he should truly assume an existential attitude exactly as taught by the matriarch </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Leah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">: to recognize and affirm on all that comes to him that, ‘This time I will thank </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’. Know this lesson well.</span></span></span></p>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-30463893013725501202009-03-22T15:26:00.000-03:002009-03-22T15:32:25.578-03:00Are there a spiritual causes for extreme events in the world, such as natural catastrophes?<p class="Pergunta" style="text-align: justify;margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; "><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US;font-weight: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Now for a new series of posts, which I would like to call</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Raza d’Mehemnuta</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (“The Secret of Faith”). May it help bring each one of you ‘from strength to strength’ in your </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">avodat Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">selah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="Pergunta" style="text-align: justify;margin-left: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm; "><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashgachah Pratit</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> acts constantly in the world. The decrees of G-d balance men’s transgressions </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">midah keneged midah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. Note that the devastation which led almost 8.500 from being forcefully removed from </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Gaza</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, in </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Eretz Israel</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (which is holy land and thus, it is not to be “returned” to anyone), reflect Heaven’s punitive decree multiplied 100 times, as it shall be explained, over those who supported this secular movement of dilution and removal of Jewish right to settle in this area of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Israel</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, to wit, the United States of America. This occurred in the (recent) deluge - estimated of having affected 850,000 people – called </span></span></span><span lang="HE" dir="RTL" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">קטרינה</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(</span>Katrina</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). Now, this word has </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">gematria</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> of 374. There are two </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">pasukim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> in the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Torah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> that share this same exact number:</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Raa gemalucha</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, “They did to you evil” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bereshit</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 50:17</span>), and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yam bayabasha</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, “ground through the midst of the sea” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Shemot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 14:16</span>). While the first </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">pasuk</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> seems to indicate the spiritual cause for the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Katrina</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (i.e., in relation to those who supported this terrible movement in </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Israel</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">), the second </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">pasuk</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> describes the actual physical manifestation of the deluge. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ribono Shel Olam</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">!</span></span></span><br /></p>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-88114614064878755802009-03-08T16:40:00.000-03:002009-04-27T16:11:07.762-03:00Why is it that on Parashat Miketz it is written that “Yosef haTzaddik had two sons ‘before’ the famine” (Bereshit 41:50)?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Now, for the last post on the subject of</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Sod HaZivug</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (the “Secret of Sex”). Truly, these posts began with the actual beginning of this Blog (please see the first post). I endeavor to continue posting my many writings on other subjects as well, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">y”h</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. For things of this world which can easily lead to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">the various problems I have mentIoned </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">throughout</span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> this Blog’</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">s first section - truly the deceptions of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">sitra achra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> - I would like to suggest the excellent article “A Cry From The Heart” by </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">HaRav HaMekubal Daniel Frish z”l</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (on the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="www.breslev.co.il">www.breslev.co.il</a></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">web site).</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span lang="EN-US" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">According to the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sefer Yetzirah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mishna</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 1:5</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">), the space continuum consists of three dimensions and the continuum of time, of two directions (past and future). As such, the Universe is constituted by four dimensions. Moreover, the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sefer Yetzirah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> explains that there is a fifth dimension, to wit, the moral dimension (spiritual, or soul), which possesses two directions: good and evil. This moral dimension underlines all other dimensions from the space-time continuum. The spiritual trajectory towards good or evil depends on the actions that man impresses upon the dimensions of the Universe, which reverberate in all of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">olamot</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (spiritual worlds and this one, physical). For instance, we see this occurring in the procreative act. As it is known, “if the person sanctifies himself [and has the appropriate </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">kavanot</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">], he will bring a holy garment for the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">neshama</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> of his child [which will be conceived through the act], and in this way, he will enable him to ser </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hashem</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> promptly. Regardless of the greatness that this soul may attain, it is nevertheless important that the father [and the mother] be sanctified during the act. But the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">neshama</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> itself, apart from its ‘garments’ [i.e., the power of thought, speech, and action which clothe the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">neshama</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> in its particular spiritual root and degree, which is solely decided by </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hashem</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">], is not affected by the sanctification [and </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">kavanot</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">] from the parents; in fact it happens at times that, the soul of a person infinitely elevated comes down and becomes the child of an ignorant and lowly person” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tanya</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Likkutei Amarim</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> §2</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">).<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">However, the ‘spiritual replies’ to the actions of man on the physical level are also bound (and thus dependent) by time and its cycles, which albeit intimately connected to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">the physical continuum, do transcend it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is the spiritual law of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Sof ma’aseh, b’machshava tehilah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (“last to be created, first to be conceived”, alluding to the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">B’nei Israel</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) which establishes the precedence of time over space, regardless of its dimensional connection. Hence, certain positive actions, even when appropriate but fulfilled on ‘inappropriate times’ can be without any <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">effect or worse yet, with the contrary effect, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">chaz v’shalom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For example, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Kabbalah Ma’asit</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> teaches that </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">kameyot (kosher amulets)</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> for different purposes (</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">E.g., ‘protection for pregnancy’, see </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ta</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">amei</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ha</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Minhagim</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">; </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Toldot Adam</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">; </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">R</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’ </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Menashe Ben Israel</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Nishmat Chayim</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 3:25; </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Midrash Talpiyot</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 1, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Efod</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> s.v. </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">V</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">HaEven</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">; </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Deguel Machane Efraim</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Vayicra</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">et</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">al</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) need necessarily be written not only by someone with extraordinary knowledge and purity, but in precise times, that is, on specific months, days, and even hours of the day! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The writing of the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">kameyot</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, which disrespects the correct times, loses its positive value, which comes from its alignment with the intermediary angelical forces that govern the five dimensions, thus rendering it incomplete (i.e., without the influence on the angelical entity) and even dangerous (i.e., by calling the attention of negative entities, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">chaz v’shalom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">).</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">And this is exactly how it was for </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yosef</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. He knew the secrets of the illumination from </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kedusha</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (holiness) called the time of “seasons, for days and years” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Bereshit</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 1:14</span>) of plenitude. But he also knew well the secrets “illumination” from </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">tumah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (impurity), called the time of time of ‘seasons, for days and years’ of famine. For to know the secrets of </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kedusha </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">is to know the secrets of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">tumah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. And what is this secret of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">tumah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">? </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“The secret of not procreating [when the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">sitra achra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is ‘illuminated’, to wit] on the ‘seasons, for days and years’ of famine… When the time of famine rigns, it behooves man to sexually restrict and not to allow that the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">sitra achra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> be ‘multiplied’ [through the strange souls that in this time of famine descent to the children to be] in the world, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">chaz v’shalom</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> I:204a, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Miketz</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In fact, the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ramak</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">R’ Moshe Cordovero zt</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">”</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">l</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) explains that, “The husband’s marital union with his wife should occur only when the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Shechinah </span>is in Its place, which means, between the ‘two arms’ [</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Chesed</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> and </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Gevurah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]. Now, when the Community is in danger [of famine] and the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Shechinah </span>is not between the two arms, these unions are prohibited” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sefer Tomer Devorah</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Perek Tet</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, citing the </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tikunei Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> from </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">parashat Bereshit</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tikun</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 69</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). It is for this reason that </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yosef HaTzaddik</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> made sure to procreate ‘before’ this bitter time, thus avoiding any admixture in his acts – through the use of the holy and creative power of his </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">brit kodesh</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> - with the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">sitra achra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. In this manner, he truly prevented the increase of the domain of profanity that would have benefited otherwise, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">chaz v’shalom</span>, from the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">kedusha</span>.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div> <p class="Resposta"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">On a final note of this Blog’s section, it is equally not a proper time to have marital unions on a night preceding a fast. Through the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Siyata D’Shemaiya</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> this end-post is here on</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Erev Ta’anit Esther</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">baruch Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Tzom Kal</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">!</span></span></o:p></span></p>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-35223276117222776382009-03-08T11:28:00.000-03:002009-03-08T11:32:13.397-03:00What is the problem of having marital union on nights other than Shabbat (and special dates)?<p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It is important to understand that the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">halachot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> in general, and the ones guiding the couple’s sexuality in particular, are even more stringent and deep when treated with the benefit of the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">hiddurim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (the various <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">embellishments</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. The ‘ideal’ moment for the couple with a true Jewish soul to be united is on the night of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabbat</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, for on this time, “the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">neshamot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> are distributed for the initiated on the mystical Wisdom [i.e., the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">B’nei Torah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]… On this night, a holy and sublime </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ruach</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> descends to those who are ‘sanctified’ [in order to fulfill the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mitzvah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> of procreation, saying the prayers before the act, ‘both’ ritually washing their hands and giving </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">tzedaka</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]… Thus, for these men of wisdom, the appropriate time for this ‘holy function’ is when this exalted </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ruach</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is diffused amongst them… And it is in this manner [and in this time] that the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">tzaddikim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> ‘transmit’ their holy souls for the new conception” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> II:204b, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Vayak</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">’</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">hel</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Al pi halacha</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, “all nights are appropriate, in particular if the act occurs at midnight [when the Hole One, blessed be He, rejoices with the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">tzaddikim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> in the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Gan Eden</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]… However, [it is important to know that] on the other nights, ‘another’ type of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ruach</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> hovers” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ibid</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Zohar</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). This means that, “the joy of fulfilling this mitzvah is complete on the nights of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabbat</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, when the person does not need to worry if there are any admixtures from the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">sitra achra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> in the conception” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ibid</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Zohar</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). On the other nights (save on those prescribed by the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">halacha</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) it is possible that instead of simple joy for the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mitzvah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, there is also “the deliberate desire and awakening for the simple pleasure to give in to lust, to wit, without the real ‘need‘ to fulfill this holy act. This means that he is only following the advice and force of his </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">yetzer hara</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kitzur Shulchan Aruch</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hilchot Tsiniut</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">), which is vitalized, after all, by the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">sitra achra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-75977749434265197682009-03-06T13:09:00.000-03:002010-12-29T13:25:32.664-02:00Why does the Torah teach us that it is ideal to have marital union at night? Is this true for all nights?<p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Since I have mentioned on the previous post that the appropriate night to have marital union is the night of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shabat</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, I decided to expand on the subject with two additional posts.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span lang="EN-US" style=" "></span></span></span></span></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span lang="EN-US" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> asks: “In what are human beings distinguished from the horse and the mule? By sanctification and self-perfection. Hence the marital intercourse of human beings should be at fixed times, that they may concentrate their thoughts [of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Torah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">] on cleaving to the Holy One, blessed be He” (</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zohar</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> III:49b, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Tazria</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) with the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kavanah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">V’yehi noam Hashem Elokeinu aleinu u’ma’aseh yodeinu konenah aleinu, um’aaseh yadseinu koneneihu</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, “May the pleasantness of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> our G-d be upon us, and may the work of our hands prosper” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Tehillim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 90:17</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). And what is the time of the day that they may have marital union? Our Sages answer that, “It is the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">derech eretz</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> [proper conduct] that intercourse should be at night” (</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Talmud</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ketubot</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> 56a</span>)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. </span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">And regarding the frequency, it is known that ‘man of faith’</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> have marit</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">al union with their wives “all Fridays, on the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> nights” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ibid</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 62b; </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Orach Chayim</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 280:1</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">–</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">certainly a great </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">mitzvah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Note that<span lang="EN-US" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, although the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">halachah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> permits relations occuring on the other nights, ours Sages insist in the rigour of fulfilling this mitzvah only on the holy nights of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ee</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">R</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’ </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Eliyahu</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> de </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Vidas zt</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">”</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">l</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reshit Chochmah</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sha</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ar HaKedusha</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> §16</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) and on the night of the woman’s immersion on the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">mikveh</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> etc., unless this frequency is not sufficient in order to avoid </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">machshavot zarot</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> and equally strange behaviors (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">see </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kitvei Ari</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">”</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">zal</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><p class="Resposta"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Now</span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, why is it so important to fulfill this</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">mitzvah</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">on the nights of</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">? In fact, there are great mysteries regarding the origin of</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">zivugim</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(holy unions) on</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, the time when the Hole One unites with the</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shechinah</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. These celestial unions cause blessings to descent from above in order to nourish the days of the week. Indeed, they are put into effect both on the spiritual and physical domains.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Kabbalah</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">explains that, on</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> each and every </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat </span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">night "<span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">occur</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">zivugim</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">which are initiated [and awakened] by the</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">malachim <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">(angels)</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">. Through these</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">zivugim</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">, spiritual answers of</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">beneficence from the levels above them are elicited… Therefore, we are allowed to engage in conjugal relations on that particular night” (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">the</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ari</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">”</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">zal</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">,</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sha</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ar HaPesukim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">,</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pinchas</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> T</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">he reason these </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">zivugim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> are awakened by </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">malachim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> is the manner </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hashem</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> has established the Divine plan through which His blessings are channeled and thus brought to all of Creation - including the more inferior degrees (i.e., our physical world). Marital unions on the night of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shabbat</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> emulate the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">zivugim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (occurring on the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Partzufim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">) that are awakened by the angels. Hence, the vital importance of fulfilling this </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">mitzvah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> in the exact manner described - to bring great blessings to the couple and the world at large. However, even though it is still <i>Shabbat</i>, the daytime (of <i>Shabbat</i>) is not permitted for marital unions, for during the day, “we need to awaken the celestial <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">zivugim </span>which elicit a flux of <i>neshamot</i> [to the world]” (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">ibid</span>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ari"zal</span></span>). This means that, at night, our marital unions have the power to emulate the celestial <i>zivugim</i>, which are already occurring, but we cannot initiate them. We can channel the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">shefa</span> (of blessings) through this emulation of the <i>malachim</i> while it occurs on <i>Shabbat</i> at night. During the period of <i>Shabbat</i> day, we are the ones that need to awake the <i>zivugim</i> through our <i>avodat</i> <i>Hashem</i> (e.g., in our study of <i>Torah</i>, holy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">seudah</span>, etc.) - for presumably in this period of the day, the angels do not do any awakening! On the other side, when we put into effect these unions, we cannot channel them, for in order to do so we would need to stop the (described) holy activities to then engage in marital unions (which when emulate the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">zivugim </span>of the angels, can truly channel down the <i>shefa</i>). This would leave us without anything to channel, to wit, no blessing would result from the conjugal act. This is obviously contrary to the described <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">kavanah</span> and this <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">mitzvah’</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="">s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; ">purpose of procreation, as we would be left out of blessings, <i>chaz v’shalom</i>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p></p></span><p></p>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-46046719507722340272009-03-04T14:08:00.000-03:002009-03-06T10:29:06.981-03:00How can the actions and kavanot during marital union influence the child being conceived?<p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Talmud </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">explains (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">see </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Nedarim</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 20a-b</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) that, ‘different actions’ during the marital intercourse determine important physical and spiritual aspects from the soul that will, G-d willing, descent for the child’s body. The </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Tanna</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Rabi</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yohanan ben Dahabai</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> - who mystically explains having received knowledge on these subjects through the agency of angels – says in this tractate that, in accordance of “certain” sexual acts, children may be born “dumb, deaf, or blind”! Moreover, there are also effects caused strictly through the ‘time’ when the union </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">occurs. Thus, </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> affirms that: “Truly, there is that which is a ‘proper time’ for marital intercourse… and no other time is appropriate for this junction to be performed with all joy without any ‘extraneous admixture’ [i.e., the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">chitzonim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">] save that night [<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">i.e., </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Shabbat.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> See Talmud, Ketubot 62b</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">] - when the souls are distributed to the wise, the righteous, and the pious” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> II:204b, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Vaya</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’</span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">khel</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). </span></span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We see then that actions and distinct times in the fulfillment of the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mitzvah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (of marital union) can afect the soul that is to come. Moreover, through </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kavanot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, the parents may spiritually elevate themselves to infinite heights and greatly impact this soul!</span></span></o:p></span></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Regarding the subject that the ‘the parents may spiritually elevate themselves etc.’, as it is known, the ‘sexual energy’ (the physical form of the spiritual energy) is an extremely pure energy and must be care for and not wasted due to its fundamental role. As it has been explained, it allows - in accordance to the degree of purity it is used - great ascensions or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">great falls, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">chaz v’shalom</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. As it is written: </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Vehineh sulam mutsav artsah verosho magia hashamaymah vehineh mal</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">achei Elokim olim veyoredim bo</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, “Behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold the angels of G-d ascending and descending on it” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Bereshit</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 28:12</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). </span></span><o:p><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">On this </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">pasuk</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> explains (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">see </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zohar</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> I:149b, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Vayetze</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) that, “The ladder signifies the spiritual attribute of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yesod</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> [connected to sexual subjects]. To </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ya’acov</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">avinu</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, it was shown that this attribute exists on earth – it literally belongs to ‘mundane subjects’, however, the ‘top of it reached to heaven’ – to wit, when the person heeds to the Divine will and raises this attribute to its origin, then he truly reaches heaven… and ‘this is alluded in the </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">secret of the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">pasuk</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">,</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> Mi ya</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">aleh lanu hashamaymah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, Who shall go up for us to heaven [</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Devarim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 30:12</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. The initial letters, the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Reshei Tevot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> of this, spell out the word </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">milah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> [</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">circumcision</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">], and the final letters, the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sofei Tevot,</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> spell out </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Havaya</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’ [</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Tikkunei Zohar</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 2a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">] – this means that the person can ascend on high if he purifies this attribute</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">” </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">the </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Slonnimer Rebe zt”l</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Netivot Shalom</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">).</span><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span lang="EN-US" style=""></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></o:p></span></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Regarding the subject of ‘greatly impact this soul’, beyond of has been already considered, it is important to comprehend something of the</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kavanot</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">during the sexual union. It is very important that these unions be fulfilled in complete joy and happiness. Every</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mitzvah</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">must be done with great joy, but this one, even more so. It is also important that the married couple, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“both should have the same</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kavanah</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">” (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zohar</span></span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">III:81a,</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kedoshim</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">; see</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ibid</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. 83b for the contrary</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">): to bring down to this level a noble soul, with</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">yirat shamayim</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">(fear of Heaven), a soul that will illuminate the world, to wit, a</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">tzaddik</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. Hence, it is good to bring to mind a tzaddik on the moment of procreation (</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">see</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ramban</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">,</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Iggeret HaKodesh</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">;</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">R</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Eliyahu</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">de</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Vidas zt</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">”</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">l</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">,</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Reshit Chochmah</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">,</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sha</span></span></span></i></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">ar HaKedusha</span></span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">§16</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Furthermore, “</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">it is necessary to know that, a child born from the predominant desire from the husband [to have a child, as have been described], receives an ‘extra’ vitality from the father, for this desire means the father's wish ‘to connect to the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Etz Chayim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> I:209a, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Vayigash</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">)</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> in the secret of “She is </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">a </span></span></span><i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Etz Chayim</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">to those who lay hold on her; and happy is every one who holds her fast” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Mishlei</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 3:18</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It is also known that, “‘If the woman emits her semen first she bears a male child; if the man emits his semen first she bears a female child’ [</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Talmud</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Nidah</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 31a</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]… Now, he who emits seed last is the one who prevails [i.e., </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">something of his </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">strength</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]… so the man [who wishes to have a male child] becomes cold, so as to not become heated [during the act], and in this manner the woman is heated [giving seed] </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">before. Afterwards, he is the last to emit seed [thus ensuring that child’s vitality, as </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">explained</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]. However, many who have followed this did not succed, for all is [</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">baruch Hashem</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, and thus,] in the Divine will” (</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">R’ Yehudah Fatiyah zt”l</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Minchat Yehudah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Parashat Shmuel</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> I, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Siman Beit</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ayin Tet</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, pg. 118</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). In any case, the person must sanctify himself at the time of marital relations, for all comes from merit. And let him pray throughout the first 40 days of conception: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Yehi ra’avah mi’maarei alma shenizke lebanim yierim ushlemim va’chareidim lidvar Hashem venire’eh bachem kedushat tanaim ve’amoraim amem</span>, “May it be the will of the Master of the Universe that we merit G-d fearing and flawless sons who tremble at the word of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Hashem</span>. And may we observe in them the sanctity of the Sages of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Mishnah </span>and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Talmud</span>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Amen</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">” </span>(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">R’ Tzvi Hirsch Kaidenover zt”l</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kav HaYashar</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Perek Yud Zayin</span></span>).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></o:p></span></p><o:p></o:p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-61203499860374391582009-03-04T09:15:00.000-03:002009-03-05T14:08:05.941-03:00In practice, how to effect tikkunim through a sanctified sexual act?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">For instance, as it is written regarding the verse, “Behold, the kings were assembled, they came on together” (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tehilim </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">48:5</span>), “No sin in the world is expiated until the kings, to wit, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Ze’ir Anpin</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Nukva </span>are united… for with the ‘illumination of this union’, all of the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Partzufim </span>shine and all sins are expiated” (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Zohar </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I:206b, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Vayigash</span></span>). So it is above, and so it is below. This means that, through the sanctified sexual union, the sins (which are after all, ‘separations’ from G-d) are expiated, subjugating evil and making it incapable to act, as it will be explainned with the help of Heaven.</span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US">There is an important secret in this <i>Zohar - </i>which explains the reason for possible attonement through the sexual union<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> - </span>and is called <i>Tikkuna d</i>’<i>Karbana</i> (rectification through an offering): an animal sacrifice to G-d, “[to be] accepted to make atonement for him” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Vayikra</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 1:4</span></span>). Moreover, says the <i>Zohar</i> that, “when an offering is brought, ‘everyone receives their provisions’ [i.e., the whole world receives blessings], each one in accordance to his own merit, and then all is united as one… When they, in both worlds [the supernal world, <i>Ze’ir Anpin</i>, and the lower world, <i>Nukva</i>,] ‘were assembled’ [i.e., man and his wife] and were connected [in the sexual act], they ‘came on together’ [<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">also in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Aramaic</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, they ‘passed upon’, in the sense of forgiving as in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Micah HaNavi</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 7:18</span>] – they expiated sins and caused a celestial illumination, so all <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Partzufim </span>shine and all sins are atoned for” (<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ibid</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Zohar</span></i>). Now, o<o:p>n another level this means that, “‘If any man of you brings an offering [<i>yakriv</i>] to the L-rd’ – in order for him to come closer to G-d – truly, ‘any man of you’, meaning that he needs to bring an offering of ‘himself’. He needs to sacrifice his ‘personal animal’, which is the desire for evil <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">called the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">nefesh habahamit</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">” (</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">the </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Alter Rebbe</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Likkutei Torah</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Vayikra</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">). T</span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">hat which was offered as a sacrifice on the altar in the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Beit HaMikdash</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> was ‘fat and blood’ from the animal. And the corresponding sacrifice for a man who needs ‘to bring an offering of himself’ is a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">ta’anit</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> (fast), in order to atone for his transgressions – “the fat and blood from his body are ‘burned’, and in this way, they are considered as a pleasing offering to G-d” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Talmud</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Berachot</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 17a; </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Zohar</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> II:20b, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Shemot</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">; </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Reshit Chochmah</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> [</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Kitsur<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">]</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sha</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">’</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ar HaKedusha</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> §9; </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Tanya</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Iggeret Hateshuva</span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> §2</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">). In a similar manner, during the sexual act (with the <i>kavanah</i> of fulfilling the <i>mitzvah</i> of procreation), the power, body movements, and necessary fluids to ensure the fulfillment of the <i>mitzvah</i> also burn ‘fat and blood’ from the bodies, and are truly an aspect of the offering to G-d. However, this alone is not enough to complete the actual offering; albeit important, this is still <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">makkif </span>(external). It is necessary to act in the manner that ‘he needs to bring his personal animal’, that is, something <i>pnimiut</i> (deeper, from inside), truly rupturing and breaking with the ‘desire for evil’ which is rooted in the <i>nefesh habahamit</i>, to wit, the desire for self-gratification. So the <i>Gemara</i> explains how to attain this level of completeness: the person needs to imagine with all his strenght that, during the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">mitzvah</span> of uniting with his wife, he is moved ‘externally’ (literally) by a <i>shin-dalet</i> (demon), and not by his own physical appetites (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">see </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Talmud</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Nedarim</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> 20b</span></span>). Now the kings can be united above and below <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">y"h</span>.</span></span></o:p></span></p><p></p></span>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-52036580328684253382009-03-03T13:33:00.000-03:002009-03-03T14:48:37.782-03:00How does the (kosher) sexual act help rectify the world (Tikkun HaOlam)?<p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In the next few posts I shall deal </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">y”h</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> with issues of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kavanot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (mystical intentions) as related to the subject of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sod HaZivug</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (Secret of Sex). This will then conclude the posts starting on the “End of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Shovavim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 5769”.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It is important to understand the basic spiritual law that, ‘actions establish connection </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">between the spiritual and the physical domains’. This is very pertinent insofar as (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kosher) </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">sexual acts are concerned. First, due to the act’s intrinsic ‘creative force’; next to it’s active spiritual component, and finally, in the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Torah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’s great emphasis on sexual purity as a true path to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kedusha</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. When properly united in the sexual act – in accordance to the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">halachot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, and thus using the physical energies correctly for they are the physical form of the ‘spiritual energies’ – the married couple realizes its potential for great spiritual connection and ascension. Through the couple’s holy union with the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kavanah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (intention) of connecting to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">dvekut</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) in a manner of ‘altruistically returning joy to Him’ in their fulfillment of the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mitzvah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> of union and procreation, then an answer of ‘light above’ in the celestial levels is truly elicited. In </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, this is a metaphor for subject of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ohr Hozer</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (Returning Light) – something of great importance in the celestial dynamics of the diffusion of the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Ohr Ayin Sof</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’s light) throughout the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Olamot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (worlds), in particular as it relates to the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Malchut</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> of </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Olam HaAsiyah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (our physical universe). </span></span><span lang="EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Basically, the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">sefirot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> lights are diffused from above to below, and return from below to above. All of this “spiritual system” of illumination converges onto our physical world. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The (positive) cycle of illumination depends on the actions and intentions of man. Without the union of the appropriate actions (the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mitzvot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">) with correct intentions (the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">kavanot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">), the “reverberation” of spiritual energy, the part of this cycle that emanates from the Creation towards the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is damaged and hindered </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">chaz v'shalom</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. As the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Tikkun HaOlam</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> actually depends on this “spiritual process”, it is then essential for man to ‘correct his behaviors and intentions’ in order to do his part in returning light to G-d, as this causes </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">tikkunim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> to occur, elevating thus the physical and spiritual </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">olamot</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. In this manner, a “partnership” is established between G-d and man, helping with the purpose of Creation: to sanctify and reveal </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’s glory in the inferior world, where He is naturally negated. Truly, without these desires for the “returning spiritual light” and the spiritual ascensions of the world, humanity is destined to moral degeneration and an unilluminated existence.</span></span></p>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2026174304135497251.post-64917297165987381312009-03-02T08:53:00.001-03:002009-03-02T12:35:14.609-03:00Why in some Siddurim after the marital duties, it is written that we should throw a little bit of water on the floor, next to the bed?<p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In continuation with related material to S</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">od HaZivug</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kabbalah</span></span></span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> brings that, “When one has eaten and is satisfied in a </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">seudah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, it is necessary to give the scraps and the dregs to the </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">sitra achra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, and any particles left upon the hands after a meal must be washed away [with the water called </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mayin achronim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">] so that the ‘other side’ may receive its due. Therefore the washing of the hands after a meal is an imperative duty </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">[</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">in order to avoid the ‘tribulations’ of the</span></span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> sitra achra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. See </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kaf HaChayim Sofer</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 181:8</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">] and the water must be poured away into an appropriate place” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> II:154b, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Terumah</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">; </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Talmud</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Chulin</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style:italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> 105a-b</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">).</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Now, the negative spiritual element that seeks to ruin man through constantly seducing him sexually to procreate (from the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">zera levatalah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, as already explained) its progeny of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">shedim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, and “who lives in the depth of the great abyss of the ocean… is a certain hot fiery female spirit named </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Lilit y’s</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">“ (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> III:19a, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Vayikra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">). If man hears the </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Torah</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">’s pronouncement, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Kedoshim tihiyu</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, Be holy!, and treat the sexual act with his wife with awe of G-d, this most destructive of spirits does not have authorization to come close and injure, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">chaz v’shalom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, this man and his loved ones - for it is hindered by three </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">malachim</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. However, if the man is in fact seduced to stray off the praiseworthy path of the L-ord, “then, as a fool, he comes close to her [</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Lilit y’s</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">]. She dresses with jewelry like an abominable prostitute, hugs and kisses him, and serves him wine filled with dregs and the remains of the Serpent’s venom. And when she sees him desiring her and moving away from the path of truth, she removes all of her adornments she worn for him… She then leaves him sleeping and goes up High in order to denounce and accuse him, so as to receive permission to destroy him. The fool then awakens, thinking he will have her again with all of his pleasurable fancies, but he sees her without her sweet vestments, for now she has become a powerful oppressor dressed in a hot and fiery garment, causing this fool great terror to the whole of his body and soul. This oppressor has terrible eyes, and a sharp sword with drops of venom dripping from it… She kills the fool and throws him in </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Gehinom</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">” (</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> I:148a-b, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sitrei Torah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">).</span></o:p></span></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"></span></p><p class="Resposta" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language:EN-US"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As such, it is vital to know that </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Lilit y”s</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is always on the look out wishing to damage the world, seducing the ego of men with the illusion of our material existence. In fact, even when man unites with his wife in holiness to procreate, it is necessary to know the “medicine” to ward off this <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">shed </span>from any opportunity to bring harm, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">chaz v’shalom</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. In a low tone and “with the heart devout to </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hashem</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, should the mane pronounce [in Aramaic]: </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Atifa be’kitefa izdamnat, sha’arei sha’arei, lah tiol ve’lah tinpok, la didan ve’lah be’advan. Tuv tuv, iamah it’reguisha, galgaloi lin karan, be’chulakah kadisha achidnah bikdusha de’malka it’atafna</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. ‘He who is covered by a sheet [to wit, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Lilit y’s</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">, who is always covered and wailing, for the name </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Lilit y’s</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> is derived from crying, in Hebrew, </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">yelalah</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">] is here. Go far away from me, go far away from me. Ye shall not enter nor leave. This is not yours, nor does it belong to your portion. Return, return, the waters revolt, its waves expect you back. I connect to the holy portion. I am covered with the holiness of the King’. The man should cover his and his wife’s head for a short period, and then they should unite. After the act, it is necessary to spill a bit of water around the bed. This is the best protection” (</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Zohar</span></span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> III:19a, </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Vayikra</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">), since it is as much her barrier and her portion! It is her </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">mayin achronim</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. In this way, man ensures that she will only take the drops of water, but not the “drops of life” (i.e., the vital and creative force of semen).</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p>Rabbi Avraham Chachamovitshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02378891430544456179noreply@blogger.com0