Why is it that on Parashat Miketz it is written that “Yosef haTzaddik had two sons ‘before’ the famine” (Bereshit 41:50)?

Now, for the last post on the subject of Sod HaZivug (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, y”h. For things of this world which can easily lead to the various problems I have mentIoned throughout this Blog’s first section - truly the deceptions of the sitra achra - I would like to suggest the excellent article “A Cry From The Heart” by HaRav HaMekubal Daniel Frish z”l (on the www.breslev.co.il web site).

According to the Sefer Yetzirah (Mishna 1:5), 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 Sefer Yetzirah 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 olamot (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 kavanot], he will bring a holy garment for the neshama of his child [which will be conceived through the act], and in this way, he will enable him to ser Hashem 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 neshama itself, apart from its ‘garments’ [i.e., the power of thought, speech, and action which clothe the neshama in its particular spiritual root and degree, which is solely decided by Hashem], is not affected by the sanctification [and kavanot] 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” (Tanya, Likkutei Amarim §2). 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 the physical continuum, do transcend it. This is the spiritual law of Sof ma’aseh, b’machshava tehilah (“last to be created, first to be conceived”, alluding to the B’nei Israel) 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 effect or worse yet, with the contrary effect, chaz v’shalom. For example, Kabbalah Ma’asit teaches that kameyot (kosher amulets) for different purposes (E.g., ‘protection for pregnancy’, see Ta’amei Ha’Minhagim; Toldot Adam; R’ Menashe Ben Israel, Nishmat Chayim 3:25; Midrash Talpiyot 1, Efod s.v. V’HaEven; Deguel Machane Efraim, Vayicra, et. al.) 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! The writing of the kameyot, 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, chaz v’shalom).

And this is exactly how it was for Yosef. He knew the secrets of the illumination from kedusha (holiness) called the time of “seasons, for days and years” (Bereshit 1:14) of plenitude. But he also knew well the secrets “illumination” from tumah (impurity), called the time of time of ‘seasons, for days and years’ of famine. For to know the secrets of kedusha is to know the secrets of tumah. And what is this secret of tumah? “The secret of not procreating [when the sitra achra 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 sitra achra be ‘multiplied’ [through the strange souls that in this time of famine descent to the children to be] in the world, chaz v’shalom” (Zohar I:204a, Miketz). In fact, the Ramak (R’ Moshe Cordovero zt”l) explains that, “The husband’s marital union with his wife should occur only when the Shechinah is in Its place, which means, between the ‘two arms’ [Chesed and Gevurah]. Now, when the Community is in danger [of famine] and the Shechinah is not between the two arms, these unions are prohibited” (Sefer Tomer Devorah, Perek Tet, citing the Tikunei Zohar from parashat Bereshit, Tikun 69). It is for this reason that Yosef HaTzaddik 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 brit kodesh - with the sitra achra. In this manner, he truly prevented the increase of the domain of profanity that would have benefited otherwise, chaz v’shalom, from the kedusha.

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 Siyata D’Shemaiya this end-post is here on Erev Ta’anit Esther, baruch Hashem. Tzom Kal!

How can the actions and kavanot during marital union influence the child being conceived?

The Talmud explains (see Nedarim 20a-b) 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 Tanna, Rabi Yohanan ben Dahabai - 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 occurs. Thus, Kabbalah 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 chitzonim] save that night [i.e., Shabbat. See Talmud, Ketubot 62b] - when the souls are distributed to the wise, the righteous, and the pious” (Zohar II:204b, Vaya’khel). We see then that actions and distinct times in the fulfillment of the mitzvah (of marital union) can afect the soul that is to come. Moreover, through kavanot, the parents may spiritually elevate themselves to infinite heights and greatly impact this soul!

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 great falls, chaz v’shalom. As it is written: Vehineh sulam mutsav artsah verosho magia hashamaymah vehineh mal’achei Elokim olim veyoredim bo, “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” (Bereshit 28:12). On this pasuk, Kabbalah explains (see Zohar I:149b, Vayetze) that, “The ladder signifies the spiritual attribute of Yesod [connected to sexual subjects]. To Ya’acov avinu, 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 secret of the pasuk, Mi ya’aleh lanu hashamaymah, Who shall go up for us to heaven [Devarim 30:12]. The initial letters, the Reshei Tevot of this, spell out the word milah [circumcision], and the final letters, the Sofei Tevot, spell out Havaya’ [Tikkunei Zohar 2a] – this means that the person can ascend on high if he purifies this attribute” (the Slonnimer Rebe zt”l, Netivot Shalom).

Regarding the subject of ‘greatly impact this soul’, beyond of has been already considered, it is important to comprehend something of the kavanot during the sexual union. It is very important that these unions be fulfilled in complete joy and happiness. Every mitzvah must be done with great joy, but this one, even more so. It is also important that the married couple, “both should have the same kavanah” (Zohar III:81a, Kedoshim; see ibid. 83b for the contrary): to bring down to this level a noble soul, with yirat shamayim (fear of Heaven), a soul that will illuminate the world, to wit, a tzaddik. Hence, it is good to bring to mind a tzaddik on the moment of procreation (see Ramban, Iggeret HaKodesh; R’ Eliyahu de Vidas zt”l, Reshit Chochmah, Sha’ar HaKedusha §16). Furthermore, “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 Etz Chayim’” (Zohar I:209a, Vayigash) in the secret of “She is a Etz Chayim to those who lay hold on her; and happy is every one who holds her fast” (Mishlei 3:18). 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’ [Talmud, Nidah 31a]… Now, he who emits seed last is the one who prevails [i.e., something of his strength]… 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] before. Afterwards, he is the last to emit seed [thus ensuring that child’s vitality, as explained]. However, many who have followed this did not succed, for all is [baruch Hashem, and thus,] in the Divine will” (R’ Yehudah Fatiyah zt”l, Minchat Yehudah, Parashat Shmuel I, Siman Beit, Ayin Tet, pg. 118). 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: Yehi ra’avah mi’maarei alma shenizke lebanim yierim ushlemim va’chareidim lidvar Hashem venire’eh bachem kedushat tanaim ve’amoraim amem, “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 Hashem. And may we observe in them the sanctity of the Sages of the Mishnah and Talmud. Amen” (R’ Tzvi Hirsch Kaidenover zt”l, Kav HaYashar, Perek Yud Zayin).

How does the (kosher) sexual act help rectify the world (Tikkun HaOlam)?

In the next few posts I shall deal y”h with issues of Kavanot (mystical intentions) as related to the subject of Sod HaZivug (Secret of Sex). This will then conclude the posts starting on the “End of Shovavim 5769”.

It is important to understand the basic spiritual law that, ‘actions establish connection between the spiritual and the physical domains’. This is very pertinent insofar as (kosher) sexual acts are concerned. First, due to the act’s intrinsic ‘creative force’; next to it’s active spiritual component, and finally, in the Torah’s great emphasis on sexual purity as a true path to kedusha. When properly united in the sexual act – in accordance to the halachot, 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 kavanah (intention) of connecting to Hashem (dvekut) in a manner of ‘altruistically returning joy to Him’ in their fulfillment of the mitzvah of union and procreation, then an answer of ‘light above’ in the celestial levels is truly elicited. In Kabbalah, this is a metaphor for subject of Ohr Hozer (Returning Light) – something of great importance in the celestial dynamics of the diffusion of the Ohr Ayin Sof (Hashem’s light) throughout the Olamot (worlds), in particular as it relates to the Malchut of Olam HaAsiyah (our physical universe). Basically, the sefirot 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. The (positive) cycle of illumination depends on the actions and intentions of man. Without the union of the appropriate actions (the mitzvot) with correct intentions (the kavanot), the “reverberation” of spiritual energy, the part of this cycle that emanates from the Creation towards the Hashem is damaged and hindered chaz v'shalom. As the Tikkun HaOlam 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 tikkunim to occur, elevating thus the physical and spiritual olamot. In this manner, a “partnership” is established between G-d and man, helping with the purpose of Creation: to sanctify and reveal Hashem’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.