תּוֹרָה רסה

The reason for the breaking of an earthenware vessel at the time of the betrothal — for the souls of the couple are one above — and below no one knows of their unity until the betrothal. For then their bond is revealed. But this revelation that is revealed at the time of the engagement [t'naim] is in the aspect of ""and the living creatures run and return"" [Ezekiel 1:14]. For the bond is revealed — and immediately hidden again. For she is still forbidden to him until the wedding canopy. And behold it is written: ""and the living creatures run and return like the appearance of a flash"" [ibid.] — explained as: ""like the light that comes forth from the earthenware shards"" — namely the spark that goes forth at the moment of breaking the earthenware — which is only for an instant. Therefore at the time of the betrothal — when the light of their unity is revealed in the aspect of running and returning — an earthenware vessel is broken. This alludes to the secret of: ""and the living creatures run and return like the appearance of a flash"" as above.