Tikunim Chadashim - Biur (Commentary)

BIUR — EXPLANATION OF A PASSAGE FROM THE IDRA

From a Private Letter of Our Master the Ramchal of Blessed Memory

I. Preamble — The Novum of the Ramchal’s Idra; The Question about Tikun One

And now I shall record for him a small matter from the Idra — and from it he will see that all that is said in it is a novum [chiddush] — that which is not revealed in the words of Rashbi of blessed memory — even though it is possible that it is alluded to in his words in a concealed manner. The words of the Idra are as follows:

[Tikun One]: “these are the three El-s that stand there — and it has been stated — in which three worlds are rooted...” Note: in his saying “and it has been stated” — one sees that he is alluding to what appears in the Idra of Rashbi — and therefore he does not elaborate here. And he did not state the division of the “three worlds” as Rashbi stated them — only what he himself is explaining — namely: what is the connection of these three here? For even though Rashbi of blessed memory says they are the mystery of Bela-Yovav-Chusham which were sweetened — yet it still remains to be understood: why should they be here? And if it is to subdue the Sitra Achra — as it appears from the words of the Ari of blessed memory — surely there are already thousands of Tikunim for this. Furthermore: why should this be the first Tikun?

II. The Ramchal’s Answer — The Beard Is the Mystery of Governance [Sod Ha-Hanhagah]

However — the secret of the matter is: the Beard [dikna] is specifically the mystery of governance [sod ha-hanhagah]. This is mentioned also in the Idra — the distinction that exists between the hairs of the head and the hairs of the beard — for each has its own separate function. And the secret of governance begins in the three heads {em} which are the mystery of ChGaT [Chesed-Gevurah-Tiferes] of Atik. For the Tiferes is in the membrane of the air [keroma de-avira] between the Keter and the Chochma — and their secret is ChaDeR [the Chamber — the hidden Mystery]. And all this is the matter of the bestower [ha-mashpia]. Afterward there is the root of the receiver [sha’resh ha-mekabel] — and it is in the head of the Lamed-Aleph [El — the primordial dimension]. And corresponding to this: in each head there are three Havayahs and one that encompasses them. And this matter spreads afterward to Abba-Imma and Da’as — and from there to ChaBaD [Chochma-Binah-Da’as] of Ze’eir Anpin — with their spreading in ChGaT-NHY [Chesed-Gevurah-Tiferes, Netzach-Hod-Yesod]. Afterward goes forth the receiver rooted in the encompassing Havayah {em} and this is Malchus. And this is the true order of governance.

And the beard — for this reason — is thirteen Tikunim — in the mystery of three Havayahs and one that encompasses them — and this is the mystery of governance truly. However — all twelve are the mystery of the bestower — and they are the three Havayahs — and therefore they are all encompassed in Mazal Notzer [the Tikun of “keeping kindness”]. Afterward there is Mazal Venakeh [the Tikun of “and He will cleanse”] — which is the mystery of the receiver — going forth from the encompassing Havayah. And thus the totality of the beard is in two Mazalos. Yet each Tikun has its own distinct function in governance — as is stated explicitly in the Idra.

III. The Primeval Kings — The First Preparation of All Governance; All Is Rooted in Tikun One

However — it must be said: the matter of the Primeval Kings [Malachei Kedem] was the first preparation given to all governance — and through their breaking — the first form was exchanged for another. And afterward — various combinations were composed from these kings — until everything went forth from them — the Sefirot in governance — the angels — the souls — even material things among the created beings. For from them alone is everything composed. And the root of the Primeval Kings is the three: Bela {em} Yovav {em} Chusham — in which the others are encompassed.

And all of this is gathered in one gathering in Tikun One — which is the first action in governance. And it is the totality of all existence — root and branch — encompassed in these three Aleph-Lamed [El]. And they divide according to the order in which they divide. However — since the Sitra Achra also follows the order of existence — in the mystery of “G‑d made one corresponding to the other” [Koheles 7:14] — therefore everything is rooted there — and the Sitra Achra is subjugated after the root — for the root itself causes it to be subjugated under the holiness {em} in the mystery of the order of creation. However — the order of the three worlds that the Ari of blessed memory speaks of — they are in the mystery of the gradation of the root of the shell [klipah] — and through them it is subjugated.

IV. The Ramchal’s Closing Words

...Behold — I have shown to His Honor a tiny drop from the path of the Idra — and so he will see that in all the other Tikunim as well — it explains their function according to the order of governance [seder ha-hanhagah].

* * *

This concludes the complete translation of the Tikunim Chadashim of Rebbe Moshe Chayyim Luzzatto — the Ramchal — of blessed memory — comprising seventy Tikunim of the holy Idra, and the Ramchal’s own explanation of its novel Kabbalistic method. The work spans the full arc of the Ramchal’s prophetic teaching: from the mystery of governance embedded in the Beard of Atik Kadisha — through the seventy Tikunim corresponding to the seventy princes of the nations — the Tikunim of Ze’eir Anpin — the Tikunim of the Shechina — to the grand wedding festival and the shining of all Israel in the light of the Zohar. May this translation be a merit for the neshamah of the Ramchal and for the hastening of the complete redemption, speedily in our days.

Na Nach Nachma Nachman MeUman