Tikunim Chadashim - Tikun 38

"And for all the mighty hand and for all the great awe which Moshe did before the eyes of all Israel." [Devarim 34:12]

I. Entry Into the Land — Mighty Hand Against Many Accusers

"The mighty hand" — this is the entry into the Land and its conquest. For how many rose to accuse them. Therefore the Mighty Hand was truly needed to stand against them. "The great awe" — at the time it was divided among the tribes — and all stood in their places according to the supernal orders. Then it is said of them: "for what great nation is there..." [Devarim 4:7] — standing and joining to those holy supernal levels. And all the sides from without fear them.

II. Elijah Speaks — Crowns, Letters, Vowels, Cantillation Marks

Then Elijah the faithful Prophet came and opened, saying: Rebbe Rebbe — how supernal are the mysteries of the Torah. For in every letter of the Torah there are many mysteries. And even in every crown and crown — as it is said of them: "on every crown and crown — mounds upon mounds of Halachos" [Eruvin 21b]. These crowns [tagin] — like the crowns of Yudim and Vavim. And it is said of them: "deep calls to deep at the voice of Your channels" [Tehillim 42:8] — for these crowns are the channels — from which the letters are filled from the supernal Imma. The mystery: all the letters emerge from Binah — yet they do not separate from Her — rather all are bound to Her. In what? — Through these crowns. And there are letters that have three crowns — and there are those that have one. And there are those that have none at all. Why? — For all the letters are bound to their source. There are those on which Imma is revealed — the source — in the secret of the three Patriarchs — and these are the three crowns. There are those on which it is revealed in the secret of the middle pillar — and this is one crown. And there are those bound to Her — but She is not revealed upon them at all. And these channels — each one has a supernal deep above — from which that channel is filled. At the time that channel is awakened — the deep is awakened toward it to fill it. Therefore: "deep calls to deep at the voice of Your channels." And these are the water-troughs [shekasos] — where Yaakov placed his rods — all in a supernal mystery.

Come and see — Yaakov was a shepherd. What is "flock"? — Israel are the flock — as it is written: "and you My flock, the flock of My pasture, are men" [Yechezkel 34:31]. But at the time they are complete — they are Adam [person]. And now through the secret of the flock — Yaakov brought them out from among the flocks of Lavan. The mystery: "and G-d has taken away the livestock of your father" [Bereishis 31:9] — literally delivered and redeemed them. And at the time they would go to join at those water-troughs — he placed his rods — and this is the middle pillar. And through them — striped white portions — from the side of the right. And through this mystery he drew the arousal from what he drew. And those [elements] mixed among those flocks — cleaved to those rods — to emerge from within them to cleave to the holy side.

Come and see — through these crowns hang mounds upon mounds of Halachos. For all that should come into the letters — comes through those crowns truly. And the crowns are fine. Afterward below — the letters spread out and are filled as is fitting. And these crowns are: "black as a raven" [Shir HaShirim 5:11] — black — dark from the side of judgment — to establish all within its boundary.

III. Cantillation Marks, Vowels, Crowns, Letters — Four Dimensions

Furthermore: cantillation marks, vowels, crowns, letters — in them stand many supernal mysteries for the Masters of Wisdom. Cantillation marks — of which it is said: "and the palate can taste for itself" [Iyov 12:11] — from the side of Chochma — from which all is found. And from the outside it is written: "is there any taste in the white of an egg?" [ibid. 6:6] — for G-d made one corresponding to the other. But from the side of holiness it is written: "his palate is most sweet" [Shir HaShirim 5:16]. But from the Sitra Achra: "can something tasteless be eaten without salt — is there any taste in the white of an egg?"

Come and see — here is a supernal mystery. For all words emerge from the supernal mouth. The mystery: "by the word of Hashem the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of His mouth" [Tehillim 33:6] — the breath of His mouth literally — this is the breath [hevel] of the mouth. And the mystery: the kisses of the mouth — through them the levels cleave to one another. Afterward the word descends below to emerge into the world as is fitting. But from the Sitra Achra: "and the kisses of an enemy are profuse" [Mishlei 27:6]. The mystery: "all workers of iniquity shall be scattered" [Tehillim 92:10] — for they do not cleave at all.

Vowels: "can something tasteless be eaten without salt?" — these are the vowels. What is salt? — Aleph-Hey-Chet-Ayin [the guttural letters] — there is salt — of which it is written: "and you shall not let the salt of the covenant of your G-d be lacking from your offering" [Vayikra 2:13] — this is the salt of Yovel that must always be awakened in the offering. "Is there any taste in the white of an egg?" — these are Gimel-Yud-Kuf [the palatal letters] — cantillation marks truly — for they are not established and do not stand in a Tikun. Furthermore — cantillation marks are in Chochma — and they stand in melody from the side of Binah.

Vowels: through them: "for G-d is Judge — He lowers one and raises another" [Tehillim 75:8]. For the vowels direct the letters from the side of Binah who stands within — and She appears as movements above and below and in the middle. Therefore: "He lowers" — with Chirik [below]. And "He raises" — with Cholam [above]. For the vowels — even though they divide into their levels — yet many supernal mysteries are found in them — and in them hangs the secret of faith — Imma who directs Her children. And they act only as they receive from Her. She appears as a point above — in Cholam — and through it She binds all the supernal levels to the King. In the middle — in Shuruk — and encompasses all the mysteries of the world. Below — in Chirik — and binds all the lower ones. All is known from the side of Imma. And there are those that open to spread in length — this is Patach from the side of Chochma. And there are those that join with Chochma in one bond — this is Kamatz [Yud-Vav = 16].

Crowns: this is Imma who stands as a crown on the head of the King. Therefore both are needed — for the vowels to direct the letters — and the crowns to bind them to Her not to separate. Through them: "as an eagle stirs up its nest, hovering over its young" [Devarim 32:11] — and in all She shows the point — Imma who stands within Her children. "And the Chayos ran and returned" [Yechezkel 1:14]. Ran — in haste — with a Dagesh [hard] — from the side of Gevurah. Returned — to settle in their place — with Rafe [soft] — from the side of Chesed.

IV. Entry Into the Land — The Jordan Split; The Vowels as Rounded Stones

And at the time Israel entered the Land — they entered through the power of the vowels — from the side of Binah. And this is "the mighty hand." And the Jordan split before them. Why? — To subdue those Canaanites who had ruled and strengthened through it until that time. Once its waters split — they who had strengthened through it were broken. And if you ask — how did it split? — Before the Ark it split. For the Jordan is the Tzaddik — and the Ark is its Master. And at the time the supernal lights rule — those who stand beneath them are not seen and do not strengthen — rather they bow before them. Therefore — before the Ark the Jordan split. From there they took those stones from beneath the soles of the Kohanim's feet. And these are the vowels that stand within the letters — to show that through this power Israel strengthened to rule. For the vowels are rounded stones [avanim agilim] — and this is Yud — and through them they were strengthened when they spread to direct the letters as they willed. And all with the shofar that was with them from the side of Imma. And Rachav said: "and you shall give me a sign of truth" [Yehoshua 2:12] — to show their dominion. And this is the Vav — through which the vowels above and below and in the middle are bound together in one bond. And this is truly the portion of Israel. Fortunate is their portion.

V. Metatron Speaks — The Supernal Host; Seven Palaces; Twenty-Four Watches

Then the great Prince Metatron came and opened, saying: Rebbe Rebbe — "Hashem tears down the house of the proud and establishes the boundary of the widow" [Mishlei 15:25]. Here supernal mysteries are known to the Masters of Wisdom — in the mystery of: "G-d made one corresponding to the other" [Koheles 7:14]. Here hangs the mystery of the arrangement of the supernal angels — how they are arranged according to the supernal mysteries. Come and see — there are seven palaces — and in them stand many angels guarding their posts — some within and some without. The mystery: Kohanim and Levi'im — all is seen in the mystery of the Temple — the arrangement of the levels as is fitting. The mystery: twenty-four watches for the Kohanim and Levi'im — all in a supernal mystery. For in many orders the supernal hosts are arranged — each one according to the mysteries needed. There is an arrangement of angels according to their levels. And there is an arrangement according to the service that is fitting.

The first arrangement — this is the arrangement by levels. Ten groups corresponding to the ten supernal levels. Three of them at the Throne [Beriah]. Six in Yetzirah. And the last group in Asiyah. And they divide in many directions. Over all of them there are heads — a head for each group. And the heads stand within the palaces. And many others appropriate to them guard within and receive from within. Others stand without — guarding from without and receiving from without. And so all receive from one another in a complete manner. And each group divides into many other mysteries — known to the Masters of Wisdom in a straight path.

The second arrangement — this is the arrangement of service. All the hosts divide into four — and are encompassed from below to above — all in four banners. And their heads stand over them from within and from without. And here stand the twenty-four watches mentioned. The mystery of the four banners — these are the four camps of the Shechina. And on them hangs the arrangement of service — for they correspond to the four letters of Adonai — from which they emerge — and to which they are bound to ascend above. And come and see — twenty-four combinations — six for each letter. Therefore the hosts divide under the four mentioned — six for each one. And each one is strengthened in its own. And that head stands over all — until all is bound in the supernal bond to join above.

Come and see — the arrangement of the camps is arranged thus truly. At the time the hour arrives for the service before the Shechina as is fitting — a herald goes out through all the firmaments and says: "prepare, faithful servants, for the service of your Master!" Immediately all ascend in melody with joy — until the melody reaches above — and the melody is heard above in the sweetness of joy. What melody? — The melody of the Shechina who sings toward the King. Then joy is awakened before the King and His Shechina — and emerges below through those letters of Adonai. And they divide — each one to its banner. The mystery: "he is a sign in his host" — this ot [sign] is a river flowing in many supernal letter-combinations — the totality of all the hosts standing under that banner. Then all are bound within those combinations — each one in its proper place. Until all is bound and ascends above to establish a Tikun — a complete Tikun. Then from there all receive and settle in their places as is fitting. On this mystery it is written: "kings of hosts flee, flee — the one who dwells at home divides the spoil" [Tehillim 68:13] — these are the heads of the hosts. "Flee flee" — here are four — these are the four banners mentioned. Then: "and the one who dwells at home divides the spoil" — this is the Shechina made into a house for the King. And then She gives them food and all their needs.

Come and see — corresponding to this in the Sitra Achra — exactly such an arrangement exists. And like this house — there is an impure house there. This is the house of which it is said: "Hashem tears down the house of the proud." But come and see — it is written: "G-d separated between the light and the darkness" [Bereishis 1:4] — for the Holy One wants these sides to be always separated. Therefore He left a place for the Sitra Achra to stand in it — so they would not accuse and confuse the holy side. Therefore that house was given to them — so that they be separated from the holy. But in the time to come: "Hashem tears down the house of the proud" — because these sides are too arrogant — which is not fitting. Therefore it is necessary to uproot this house from the world. But come and see — at the time this house is taken from them — they go like starving dogs and turn their faces toward the holy. Therefore the Holy One must stand against them with great strength.

Come and see — the mystery of Gog the wicked: for at the time this house will be destroyed — those levels will be scattered here and there — unable to stand. Until from among them will gather those who will gather — and will seek to turn their faces toward the holy. At that time it is written: "and I will be for it — says Hashem — a wall of fire all around" [Zechariah 2:9]. Therefore: "Hashem tears down the house of the proud." Then at that time: "and He establishes the boundary of the widow" — this is the boundary of which: "G-d separated between the light and the darkness."

Come and see — similarly when Israel entered the Land — it is written: "and Jericho was shut up and barricaded" [Yehoshua 6:1] — for there all the impure sides were strengthened — and this was broken first. And first the Jordan split — for the other sides below were strengthened. And when the supernal levels were awakened against them — those below had no dominion — and all the other sides broke. Similarly: "sun, stand still in Givon..." [ibid. 10:12]. When Jericho was broken — it is said: "cursed be the man..." [ibid. 6:26] — so as not to give the Sitra Achra a place to rule again. But come and see — at first all were strengthened there. When this [power] was taken from them — they turned their faces toward them. The mystery of the thirty-one kings. Therefore the Mighty Hand was needed to strengthen to stand against them to save Israel. Fortunate is their portion.

VI. The Faithful Shepherd Speaks — The Radiance of the Firmament

Then the Faithful Shepherd came and opened, saying: Rebbe Rebbe — "and the wise shall shine as the radiance of the firmament..." — this is the radiance that shines with its lights to every side. And it is the radiance that emerges from the firmament — of which it is said: "and the likeness over the heads of the living creatures — a firmament" [Yechezkel 1:22] — for from it all the Chayos are filled with blessings and lights. And when they are filled — it is said of them: "gleaming like the color of burnished copper" [ibid. 1:7]. And these sparks emerge like stars — as it is said: "and those who turn many to righteousness — like the stars." And these stars — many angels stand to receive them and to bring forth their actions in the world. Of these it is written: "Look now toward the heavens...so shall your seed be" [Bereishis 15:5] — like those very stars that emerge from the supernal Chayos. Koh [thus] — from the side of the Shechina Who takes them and brings forth words for their actions. But other stars — of them it is said: "and all the host of heaven shall rot away...and all their hosts shall wither" [Yeshayahu 34:4] — these are the nations below. Therefore: "sun stand still in Givon..." — to take this power. And these sun and moon of which it is written: "the moon shall be confounded..." [ibid. 24:23]. And this is the Mighty Hand given to them truly. For from then onward the power of the Sitra Achra was broken and holiness rules in the world.

VII. Avraham Speaks — Ten Nations; The Tzaraas; Hashem Reigns Forever

Then Avraham the pious elder arose and opened, saying: Rebbe Rebbe — truly the Mighty Hand — at the time Israel entered the Land — how many other impure sides prepared to accuse them. Therefore the Mighty Hand was needed. The mystery: "terror and dread shall fall upon them..." [Shemos 15:16]. What is the mystery? — Come and see — ten nations correspond to the ten Sefirot. And seven were given into their hands — these are the seven lower ones. Three had not yet been delivered into their hands — these are the first three. The totality of all is called Canaan — corresponding to Tiferes — the totality of all. Therefore the Land is called Eretz Yisrael and Eretz Canaan — this corresponding to that. And at the time those nations stood in the Land — they clung to Her and caused Her darkness. But come and see — here is a supernal mystery. Even though they stood in Her — She was not defiled by them. For the Land is defiled only by the sins of Israel. But these — their defilement was pushed and went outside. Like now in exile — how many nations dwell in Her — yet through their deeds She is not defiled — but their defilement is pushed outside and stands there.

Come and see — at the time the Holy One wished to remove those impure ones from the holy Land — the Mighty Hand was awakened in strength. And then all the darkness which darkened the levels above — because of the darkness of the Land — all was pushed from before Her and fell upon their heads to perish through it. And all their defilement likewise was gathered and fell upon their heads. And this is the tzir'ah [hornet] of which it is said: "and also the hornet..." [Devarim 7:20]. The mystery: "terror and dread shall fall upon them" — "shall fall" literally — for it was pushed from above and fell upon their heads and they perished through it. "And the hornet did not cross the Jordan" [Sotah 36a] — for the defilement stands outside — and from there it took them and destroyed them.

And if you ask — what is tzir'ah? — This is 365 — of which it is said: "My Name with Yud-Hei [Hashem] — 365." And this is the left — the mystery of the negative commandments — through which those impure forces strengthened — and through which they were destroyed. Through what? — Through "the greatness of Your arm." The mystery: the Name Yud-Kuf was enlarged in its levels and became Shalheves Yah [Flame of Hashem] [Shir HaShirim 8:6]. Through it: "a flame shall devour the wicked" [Tehillim 106:18]. Then: "they were still as a stone." What is "stone"? — Like a stone — like that known stone — this is Lilit — a stone of stumbling — for then she was broken and could no longer stand — and they, like her, were broken and destroyed. And all this — "until Your people passes through, Hashem — until this people You have acquired passes through." And this is "the mighty hand."

"The great awe" — "Hashem shall reign forever and ever." When? — At the time they rested in the Land — as it is written: "You will bring them and plant them on the mountain of Your inheritance." For at first: "for you have not yet come to the rest and the inheritance" [Devarim 12:9] — when they were conquering the Land — for accusation was found against them. Therefore "the mighty hand." Once the Temple was established and Israel stood in their places — then "the great awe" — for at that time it is written: "and the nations shall fear the Name of Hashem" [Tehillim 102:16]. The mystery: "Hashem shall reign forever and ever" — for the Shechina was strengthened in the King — and Her fear fell upon all the nations of the world. Fortunate is the portion of Israel.

VIII. The Faithful Shepherd Speaks Again — All Souls Return to Their Source

Then the Faithful Shepherd arose and said: Rebbe Rebbe — truly now it is necessary for all the souls who ascend to join with their sources — and all Israel who ascend to join with their source as is fitting — to settle there. This is: "and you shall return every man to his possession and every man to his family" [Vayikra 25:10]. For Israel — through their sins — the Land was taken from them and given to strangers. And they too — having gone out from it — it is said: "one who lives outside the Land is as one who has no G-d" [Ksubos 110b]. For then the Holy One is distant from them and they stand within impure sides. But now all will ascend to join with the Shechina — in the holy Land truly — which is their possession — and then they will return to join with Her — and from there to join with their sources. The mystery: "every man to his family you shall return." And it is said of them: "all who see them will acknowledge them — that they are the seed that Hashem has blessed" [Yeshayahu 61:9].

In exile it is said: "woe to the King who has exiled His children — and woe to the children who have been exiled from their father's table" [Brachos 3a]. What is "woe"? — Come and see: two holy Names are the totality of all — Havayah and Ehyeh — one within and one without. And in all: Havayah and Ehyeh are the source of all Names. At the time sin causes — the two Vav-Yud of Havayah ascend — to where? — To the supernal Aleph. And this is a supernal mystery. Come and see — the Ancient Holy One [Atik Kadisha] is the root of all levels — all levels emerge from it. And as He moves them from within — so they act. And at the time they ascend to not act — where do they ascend? — To the supernal source from which they emerged — and this is Aleph. All is Aleph-Vav-Yud [Avi — my father].

And at times the Aleph-Yud [of Ehyeh] and the Vav-Yud [of Havayah] ascend — all is oy [woe]. These are the three letters that ascended. And what remains — ה׳ה ה׳ה — of which it is said: "Wail — hah! — for the day" [Yechezkel 30:2]. And at times the Yud of Ehyeh and the Yud of Havayah ascend — and what remains is אה׳ה הו׳ה — as in: "disaster upon disaster" [ibid. 7:26]. But here: oy truly — this is the Vav that ascends first — then the Yud. The mystery: "and I will not come into the city" [Hoshea 11:9] — "I will not come into the heavenly Jerusalem until I come..." [Taanis 5a]. Why? — For "woe to the King who has exiled His children" — for the children cause the joining of KuSh — they are the mayin nukvin [feminine waters] of the Shechina. Since these are not present — the joining is not found. Therefore: "woe to the King who has exiled His children" — for there is no king without a people — no king without a kingdom — and no kingdom without a people. Corresponding to this: "woe to the children who have been exiled from their father's table..." — for since they stand outside the Shechina who is the table — the Holy One is distant from them. But in the time to come: "Hashem builds Jerusalem..." [Tehillim 147:2]. Through what does He build? — The mystery: "and all your children" [Yeshayahu 54:13] — read not "your children" but "your builders" [Shabbos 114a] — for Israel are literally the building of the Shechina. Therefore: "Hashem builds Jerusalem" — first. Then: "He gathers the dispersed of Israel" — to return them to their place.

Furthermore — "one who lives outside the Land is as one who has no G-d" — this is the holy Name — the garment of the soul [cf. Zohar II:96a]. For through it the Sitra Achra has no power to sell her — "he shall have no power over her to sell her to a foreign people — for he has dealt deceitfully with her" [Shemos 21:8]. For because of it — the Sitra Achra cannot approach Her. But one who is outside the Land — the Sitra Achra rules over his soul — like one who has no G-d. In the time to come: "for He has clothed me with garments of salvation" [Yeshayahu 61:10]. And because of the sin of the [Golden] Calf: "the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments from Mount Horev" [Shemos 33:6] — and this is the garment mentioned. And in the time to come: "He has clothed me with garments of salvation" — this garment mentioned. "As a bridegroom covers himself with priestly glory" — for at the time sin causes — it is written: "and they knew that they were naked" [Bereishis 3:7] — above and below. But in the time of the redemption: "He has clothed me with garments of salvation" — below. "As a bridegroom covers himself with priestly glory" — above. Then: "all who see them shall acknowledge them — that they are the seed that Hashem has blessed" — seed that draws the flow of blessings from the supernal holy King truly. "All who see them shall acknowledge them" — in the supernal light that illuminates upon them from within the supernal Yichud. "And the wise shall shine as the radiance of the firmament" truly. Fortunate is the portion of Israel in this world and in the World to Come.

IX. Elijah Speaks — To Moshe: The Ray of Light on His Face

Then Elijah the faithful Prophet arose and opened, saying: Faithful Shepherd — you are the one of whom it is written: "for the skin of his face shone when he spoke with Him" [Shemos 34:29] — this is the radiance that illuminates upon you from the supernal Yichud. And it is the remnant of the ink that remained on the quill that passed over your face [Tanchuma Tisa]. For at the time those words of the Torah were being written in the supernal book — of which it is written: "and a book of remembrance was written before Him" [Malachi 3:16] — the Tzaddik was the quill — writing with ink that emerges from Chochma. And what remained from that writing was given to you — for you are the one who surrendered his soul to death many times for the sake of Israel. And therefore through you the holy Yichud is always unified. And at the time Israel sinned with the [Golden] Calf — you said before the King: "and if not — erase me please..." [Shemos 32:32] — and this is the Mighty Hand.