LikutayMoharanVolume1:Torah46
ClappingofPalmsinPrayer
[Inthelanguageofourmaster,RabbiNachmanofBreslov,ofblessedmemory]
Strikingpalmtopalmatthetimeofprayer,thisistheaspectofgivingthebed[positioning]betweennorth[attributeofjudgment]andsouth[attributeofwisdom][Brachos5b].Forbedistheaspectofmating[spiritualorphysicalunion]andtheaspectofprayer[ZoharTikkunim10;seeTikkun58].Northandsouthareaspectsofhands[rightandleftattributes].ThisiswhatAbbaBinyaminprayed[Brachos5b]:“Thathisprayerbeclosetohisbed,”thattherebenoseparationbetweentheprayerandthemating.
Also, through striking palm to palm, the dinim (judgments [divine strictures]) are sweetened. For there are three Havayas [permutations of the Divine Name Y-H-V-H], the aspect of three hands: the great hand [divine power], the strong hand [divine strength], the high hand [exalted power]. The right hand [attribute of chessed (kindness)] is the great hand. The left hand [attribute of gevurah (strength)] is the strong hand. At the time of striking [clapping] that they are connected together, this is the aspect of the high hand. The speeches [words] that come out, they come out from the throat, which has a numerical equivalence equal to three times Elokim [G-d’s Name, judgment, numerical value 86]. They are sweetened through the three Havayas.
This is the explanation of: “Mysoulinmypalmcontinually,etc.,andYourTorahIhavenotforgotten.” [Psalms 119:109] “My soul,” this is the aspect of speech, as it is written: “Mysoulwentoutwhenhespoke.” [Song of Songs 5:6] Also, the aspect of prayer, as it is written: “Hetearshissoulinhisanger.” [Job 18:4] [Brachos 5b, brought regarding prayer]. “In my palm continually,” that is, when he strikes palm to palm at the time of prayer, through this, “and Your Torah I have not forgotten.” The initial letters of this phrase [וְתוֹרָתְךָ לֹא שָׁכַחְתִּי] form ShaLeV (calm/peace [numerical value 336]), which has a numerical equivalence equal to three Havayas [3 x 26 = 78] and three Elokims [3 x 86 = 258], signifying the sweetening of the dinim.
Also, the main forgetfulness [memory lapse] is from brains of smallness [constricted state of consciousness], from the aspect of Elokim [G-d’s Name, judgment]. When he sweetens the Elokim in his palms, through this, “and Your Torah I have not forgotten.”
This is the explanation of: “ForhedesiredMe,andIwilldeliverhim.” [Psalms 91:14] “For he desired Me,” numerical equivalence 42 [Zohar Tikkunim Introduction 7b], that is, three times hand [numerical value 14, 3 x 14 = 42], revealing the desire in the heart through the hands. This is the aspect of striking of hands, through which “and I will deliver him,” the aspect of sweetening the dinim.
Also, through striking palm to palm, dispute is nullified. For all disputes are drawn from the aspect of Korach against Aharon, which are the aspect of left and right [Zohar Beraishis 17a]. Through striking palm to palm, the left is included in the right, and the right in the left, and they become unity. “Hislightningslituptheworld;theearthsaw.” [Psalms 97:4] “World,” this is the aspect of striking of hands, for the right is 72 [numerical value of chessed], and the left is 216 [numerical value of gevurah]. Through their inclusion in each other, it becomes two times 216, numerical equivalence of “world” [432]. Also, 72, which is the right, contains three times 72, numerical equivalence 216, the aspect of High Priest, ordinary priest, and deputy priest. Through the world being seen—that is, striking of hands—“Hislightningslitup,” the dispute, called lightning, is rectified, as it is written: “AndHisarrowwentoutlikelightning.” [Zechariah 9:14] Arrow means dispute [Genesis 49:24]: “Andtheownersofarrowshatedhim,” and its Targum: “Owners of disputes.” This is the explanation of: “Allthepeoples,strikepalm,” [Psalms 47:2] meaning connection, for two times 72 and 216 is the numerical equivalence of “strike” [432].
Before I copied this Torah from his holy writing, I wrote some of this matter myself as I heard it, and some things are explained there a bit more. Therefore, I copied it as well, and both are good together.
The matter of striking palm to palm at the time of prayer, it is written in *Pri Etz Chaim* [Gate of Repeating the Amidah, Chapter 7, end]: “Iwasatpeace,andHeshookme.” [Job 16:12] ShaLeV (calm/peace), numerical equivalence three Havayas and three Elokims. The initial letters of “AndHewillplacepeaceforyou” [Numbers 6:26] are ShaLeV (calm/peace), that is, three times Havaya sweetens three Elokims. For there are three hands: the great hand, the strong hand, the high hand. They are: the right hand is the great hand, the left hand is the strong hand, and through the embracing of the hands, the high hand is made. Therefore, when he strikes palm to palm and connects the hands in prayer, the dinim are sweetened. For hand is the aspect of Havaya, the letter yud is the letters, and vav-dalet is the letters. Through three hands, which are three Havayas, the three Elokims, which are the dinim coming from the throat, numerical equivalence three Elokims, are sweetened.
It is a segula (remedy [spiritual practice]) for memory, as it is written: “Mysoulinmypalmcontinually.” “My soul,” the aspect of prayer [Song of Songs 5:6]: “Mysoulwentoutwhenhespoke.” “In my palm continually,” when he strikes palm to palm at the time of prayer, through this, “and Your Torah I have not forgotten.” For forgetfulness is from brains of smallness, the aspect of Elokim. When he sweetens the dinim as mentioned above, he is in brains of greatness [expanded state of consciousness], and he has no forgetfulness. And Your Torah I have not forgotten, the initial letters ShaLeV (calm/peace), that is, through sweetening three Elokims with three Havayas as mentioned above, he has no forgetfulness. This is precisely at the time of prayer, for then he knows if he is in brains of smallness or brains of greatness, for speech is the revelation [expression] of the brains, as it is written: “FromHismouthknowledgeandunderstanding.” [Proverbs 2:6]