Incredibly Deep Secrets of Shavuot-The Crowns of Blessings

​We are already past half of Sephirat HaOmer and so it’s important to prepare for Shavuot! As most people already know, Shavuot is the festival of receiving the Torah. It’s one of the easiest to prepare for, but one of the most demanding to fulfill from a Kabbalistic standpoint.

​Rabbenu Bachya who was also a great Kabbalist made the distinction between the Festivals based on the verse from the Torah: כִּי קָרוֹב אֵלֶיךָ הַדָּבָר מְאֹד בְּפִיךָ וּבִלְבָבְךָ לַעֲשֹׂתוֹ, which translate as “Because the matter is very close to you in your mouth (this is Pesach) and in your heart (this is Shavuot) to do it (this is Sukkot)”. This is because the main service on Pesach is by using the mouth to tell the Haggadah, on Sukkot is performing many actions like building the Sukkah and waving the 4 species, but on Shavuot, it’s by meditating “in the heart”.

​The Tzadik and the crowns

​There’s a very strong allusion to the figure of the Tzadik of the generation on Shavuot. As we learned before, these 50 days from Pesach through SephiratHaOmer and Shavuot constitute one Partzuf (spiritual system). During Sephirat HaOmer, we are only rectifying the Sephirot of Chokhmah, Bina, Da’at, Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet and Malkhut… but not Netzach, Hod and Yesof!

​About these Sephirot that are lacking, the Arizalteaches that they are rectified with the Tikkun of Shavuot since, according to the Zohar, the 2 Tablets Moshe brought down from Mount Sinai represent Netzach and Hod.

​So what about Yesod?

​This, we can infer, is represented by Moshe Rabbenu, as the verse in Mishlei (proverbs) 10:25 teaches that “the Tzadik is the Yesod of the world”. This is one of the reasons why it’s so important to be attached to the leader of the generation. Sometimes this leader is more evident, sometimes less.

​However, if you’ve been paying attention, we didn’t mention the Sephira of Keter, which is the highest light attainable! And that is because it usually comes as a gift from Hashem at the end of every cycle.

In this case, it comes during the…

​Tikkun of Shavuot

​The Arizal arranged the Tikkun of Shavuot to be the final step in the Partzuf (spiritual system) that is preceded by Pesach and Sephirat HaOmer.

This is the service that is performed by most menand that’s why Shavuot is closely associated with men,who need to bring Torah to the home. This is in contrast to Yom Kippur, when the main Partzuf that’s being elevated is that of the Shekhina (which womenare connected to), likely because they did not participate in the sin of the golden calf.

The Tikkun involves reciting parts of the 24 books of the Tanach (the beginning and end of each), including the full book of Ruth, which takes altogether anywhere between 2 to 3 hours, and then studying Kabbalah the rest of the night. These are the 24 adornments that the Shekhinah (Malkhut) receives on this special night before going to the Chuppah to be married to Zeir Anpin (the 6 Sephirot of Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod and Yesod). During the Tikkun, we are bringing the Netzach, Hod and Yesodwhich were missing to complete the Partzuf.

When the sun is almost up, men must immerse in the Mikvah and this is when we bring in the Sephira of Keter. Then, it’s important to pray the Tefilah of Shacharit as Vatikin (in the earliest possible time) so that the time for the Amidah coincides with sunrise.

The ultimate union between the Shekhina and ZeirAnpin of this entire long system of 50 days is done on the Kedusha of Musaf, when we say the words “Shema Israel, Adonai Elo-heinu, Adonai Echad”. Finally, weneed to make Kiddush in order finalize the Tikkun, and then we are free to do whatever we want (including sleep).

Rabbi Shimon explains in the Zohar that when someone does this Tikkun and does not sleep at all, he receives no less than 70 awesome blessings from Hashem himself, is written up in the Sefer HaZichronot(Book of Remembrance), is called “Servant of the Queen”, and is assured not to die a premature death that year. That is, if they don’t sleep at all until the very end of the Tikkun.

Some women do the Tikkun and there’s no problem with that, though they obviously don’t go to the Mikvah. It’s evident that Hashem see every effort with kind eyes and many women also end up praying Vatikin.

All the prayer that we do is, however, only the internal part of the light. The external part is brought when we eat the festive meal of Shavuot, as in every other Shabbat and Yom Tov. One of the reasons why we milk foods at night is not only because the Torah is associated with milk, but because we want to stay up all night! Therefore, many have the custom to eat meat during the day in order to at least have one meal with meat.

May we all have a wonderful Shavuot and merit all these awesome lights!

This article was written in the zechut of Ariella Rachel bat Sarah. May Hashem help her atttain all her hearts desires speedily!

In the merit of the study of this book - the book of the Zohar - the Jewish People will leave the Exile in a merciful manner. (parashat Naso, 124b)

Studying Kabbalah is a huge source of merit that can bring all sorts of salvation to a person’s life.

If you want to sponsor to have me study in-depth Kabbalah from the Arizal or the Rashash in your merit and receive its blessings, especially for sustenance, children and health ❤️

https://www.emunabuilders.com/product-page/kabbalah-1-hour-study

Rabbi Oshya Ish Tyria: The Secret of Clothes and Kiddush Hashem

​It’s often fascinating to realize how nothing the sages did were in vain. Everything has a deeper meaning once we probe deeply into their stories. Yet, the doors to understanding their deeds only open properly when we do Teshuva and learn also the simple meaning Torah.

One of the least-known sages was Rabbi Oshya IshTyria, a 4th Generation Amorah,who was known to be a launderer. At first sight, it seems like Rabbi Oshya was simply a humble Tzadik doing whatever work was allotted to him.

His story is brought in the Talmud Yerushalmi(Bava Kamma, Chapter 10) and at first glance seems rather unimpressive:

It once happened that the queen lost her jewels and Rabbi Oshya found them. When he came to return to her, she told him to keep them since she had plenty. Nevertheless, he insisted on giving them back and thereupon she blessed “Blessed is the God of the Jews”, which was a tremendous Kiddush Hashem.

What is the big secret with clothes and Kiddush Hashem?

Let’s find out!

​The secret of clothes

​They say that “clothes make the man” and that’s very true. People tend to naturally respect someone well-dressed and even give more credence to his words. In a deeper sense, however, clothes represent the Ohr Makif (surrounding light) of a person. Every spiritual vessel (like a soul or a Sephira) has an internal light (Ohr Pnimi) that animates it from within and a surrounding light that shines from the outside. The surrounding light cannot enter the vessel precisely because it is too strong and cannot be contained. Nevertheless, in Etz Chaim the Arizal writes that the surrounding light desires to enter the vessel and since it’s unable to, it gives power to the vessel from outside, rectifying its external part up to the middle of the vessel’s thickness. The internal half of the thickness is rectified by the internal light.

​Clothes have also many segulot, and they are all based on Kabbalistic teachings. For example, the Arizal writes that putting up two pieces of clothing (like a shirt and a sweater) at the same time can cause forgetfulness. The same can happen if someone sleeps using his clothes as a pillow.

In a spiritual sense, just like clothes protect us from the physical elements, so too, they protect us from bad spiritual elements. More than that, with time, clothes acquire energy from the person wearing them. This is the basis for many Rabbis keeping pieces of clothing from Tzadikim, like Rav Kaduri who kept a belt from the Ben Ish Chai or the Chabad custom for grooms wearing the 7th Lubavitcher Rebbe’s shirt on their wedding night.

What is Kiddush Hashem all about?

The whole world belongs to Hashem, and while we know that, some people still reject this fact and decide to go against Him. From the drawing of the Merkavah (divine chariot) with the divine names, one can see that every aspect of ourselves can be imbued with holiness, including our speech. A prayer uttered with a divine name in mind is much more powerful. This is because Hashem’s holiness can be said to have permeated that place.

Yet, some places are more difficult to reachbecause the Sitrah Achra’s (“the other side”, evil) grasp is much stronger. This is what happens when someone is so far away from Hashem: his soul may be pure and good, but it’s simply drowning in Tumah (“impurity”) and can’t get out on its own.

Essentially, Kiddush Hashem is bringing the spark of the soul that is deep in these unclean places and making them shine. When we publicize the knowledge of Hashem by performing a great deed (without trying to show off) in public, and people recognize that Hashem is the only Creator, that’s what’s called “Kiddush Hashem”. This is what happened when the Queen, who was obviously an idol-worshipper back in the days of Rabbi Oshya, blessed Hashem.

The greater the challenge to bring Hashem’s light into the world, the greater the Kiddush Hashem performed. And, just like Chillul Hashem (the desecration of Hashem’s name) is the worst possible sin, Kiddush Hashem can conversely be the greatest possible Mitzvah. This is what made Rabbi Oshyamerit that in his death, his bier was lifted to Heaven.

Other insights

It is remarkable that Rabbi Oshya was a “launderer”. In a simple sense, he was simply cleaning clothes. But perhaps we can surmise that in a deeper sense, he was cleaning the spiritual stains of the people, which got accumulated in the clothes they wore. It could be for this reason specifically he merited to make such a huge Kiddush Hashem in the story of the Queen who lost her jewels.

Rabbi Oshya is buried in the North, in a small region called Tyria close to the Druze land of Peki’in. Some commentators write that his Hilula is on Tu B’Av in the famous Jewish Holiday we celebrate every year.

If you’d like to sponsor our next trip to this awesome Tzadik, click here!

May we all merit to perform great Kiddush Hashem in this world!

This article was written in the zechut of all Emuna Builder Partners! May they have complete emuna and eternal success in all their endeavors speedily!

Please support Emuna Builder, so that we can continue in this holy work, bringing yeshuos for Klal Yisroel.

Find out more information about becoming an Emuna Builder Partner today!

https://www.emunabuilders.com/partnerships

Rabbi Moshe Cordovero’s Awesome Contribution to Kabbalah

​Most of the time, we’ve been quoting the Arizalbecause he’s the most well-known Kabbalist who not only synthesized the system of Kabbalah we know, but also popularized it. There are very few rituals in Jewish that don’t have the Arizal’s “hand” or his explanations on them. However, equally important to our studies is another great Kabbalist who preceded him, called Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, the Ramak.

​The Ramak is the author of the well-known Mussar (self-discipline) treatise Tomer Dvorah (the “Palm Tree of [the prophetess] Dvorah”), which is present in virtually every Yeshiva and Midrasha. RavChaim Vital studied under him before being taught by the Arizal. He writes that the Arizal came to Safed to study under the Ramak, whom he referred to as "our teacher", right when the Ramak passed away in 1570and was the only one who saw a pillar of fire leading the Ramak's coffin during the funeral procession. This is brought in Sefer HaChezionot (“Book of Visions”).

​It could be said that the Kabbalah of the Ramakcomplements that of the Arizal. Rav Chaim Vital writes, not in a demeaning way, that his teachings are compared to the “shattered vessels”, while the Arizal’steachings are compared to their “rectification”. This is merely a reference to the fact that the Ramak’sKabbalah is more primordial.

​The difference in approaches

One of the key differences between Rabbi Moshe Cordovero and the Arizal's teachings is their approach to the structure of Creation. The Ramak’s Kabbalah emphasized the idea of the ten sefirot, which as we well known, are the divine emanations that make up the universe, while the Arizal's Kabbalah introduced the idea of the four worlds.

Another important difference is their approach to the nature of evil. The Ramak taught that evil is a necessary part of the divine plan, while the Arizalintroduced the idea of the "shattering of the vessels," which refers to the breaking of the vessels from “Adam Kadmon” that contained the divine light and the resulting dispersion of that light into the universe. This event was seen as the source of evil and the Arizal'steachings emphasized the importance of repairing the vessels and restoring the unity of the divine light.

The Ramak clarifies many teachings of the Zohar and adds his own insights. For example, in one verse in Tehilim we learn that the prophet Shmuel was compared to Moshe and Aharon. This is because he restored the prophecy to all the prophets that followed him once it had been taken away when the guardian angel of Esav hit Yaakov Avinu on his tight (a reference to the Sephira of Hod).

However, this is difficult, as we learn in PardesRimonim from the Ramak:

Moshe and Aharon are above, Shmuel is below. What is meant by "above" and "below"? Because the prophecy of Shmuel is superior, and [The Sephirah of] "Hod" (glory) is the rank of Moses and Aaron[...]. However, this matter itself is difficult for two reasons: firstly, who appointed Sama-el (not to be pronounced) to a level of holiness so high that he blemished the Sephirot? And secondly, Sama-el is the ministering angel of Esau, and the ministering angels are below Metatron (not to be pronounced). Moreover, the sefirot do not belong to this realm, and even holy angels cannot fully grasp them, let alone unholy ones. Therefore, it is certain that Sama-eldidn’t blemish the Sephirot (when he hit Yaakov Avinu in the tight), and this notion is completely unacceptable.

Finally, the Arizal's Kabbalah emphasized the importance of meditation, Yichudim (unifications), and visualization techniques as a means of effecting Tikkunim, while the Ramak’s teachings focused more on ethical behavior and character development as a means of achieving spiritual elevation. This is, of course, what everyone who learns Tomer Dvorah finds.

​Tomer Dvorah’s Light

​Few works can be said to have such a positiveimpact on people as much as Tomer Dvorah. We are not going to delve on its ethical teachings because everyone can read that online.

​Rather, Tomer Dvorah’s great innovation is explaining how each of the Tikkunim of Arich Anpin(the Sephirah of Keter) of Atzilut is relatable to us on a very practical level. We learned before that, the Partzuf(spiritual system) of Arich Anpin is pure compassion and is composed of 13 “rectifications of the beard”. These rectifications could be said to be barriers for Din (judgments) that are used on a constant basis.

​Therefore, Hashem many times “overlooks” sins, “holds” the sin, “mitigates” the sin, and doesn’t exact retribution in one go but rather in small portions so the person has time to repent. All of these, among many others, are expressions of his awesome compassion for us.

​Just as Hashem uses these barriers (the 13 Attributes of Compassion) to “let go” of our faults, so too, if we want to merit them, we need to also treat others with compassion. More important than letting go is realizing that this is the process of acquiring these incredibly lofty lights that come from Arich Anpin.

​Other Chiddushim

In one of his teachings from the Shaar Hagevanim(Gate of Colors) chapter, Rabbi Moshe Cordoveroemphasizes the importance of not taking the allegorical use of colors in Kabbalistic texts too literally. The Zohar teaches that each Sephira has a color. This is not meant to be taken literally, rather, they are associatedwith a specific color.

The Ramak cautions against the mistake of attributing physical properties to spiritual concepts, which can lead to the destruction of the entire system. Instead, the colors allude to the results that are transmitted from the highest roots. For example, red represents the Sephirah of Gevurah (might), because it is associated with victory in war and bloodshed, while white represents the Sephirah of Chessed because it is associated with peace.

These teachings and insights by Rabbi Moshe Cordovero offer valuable guidance for those studying Kabbalah and emphasize the need for careful interpretation of allegorical language to gain a deeper understanding of spiritual concepts.

​Concluding Remarks

​Perhaps, one of the most important teachings for us from Ramak’s works is that compassion is always the preferred way to go in life. Anyone aspiring to reach the great levels of divine service needs to understand that Hashem is compassionate to all, and it behooves us to follow him. Reb Natan, student of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, used to say that “Even if someone transgressed the entire Torah 800 times I could still find good points in him”!

​This obviously doesn’t mean to give carte blanche to evil or that there’s no judgment in the world. It means that sometimes reality is a lot more complex than we think, and if we really want to receive Hashem’s compassion, we should strive to be compassionate as well.

​As one would expect, the great Ramak is buried in the Tzfat cemetery next to the Arizal. This is one of our Prayer Treks and if you are interested in sponsoring a trip there, please let me know!

​May we merit all these exalted levels.

This article is written in the zechut of all Emuna Builder partners. May they have complete emuna and success in all their endeavors!

Please support Emuna Builder, so that we can continue in this holy work, bringing yeshuos for Klal Yisroel.

Find out more information about becoming an Emuna Builder Partner today!

https://www.emunabuilders.com/partnerships

Studying Kabbalah is a huge source of merit that can bring all sorts of salvation to a person’s life.

If you want to sponsor to have me study in-depth Kabbalah from the Arizal or the Rashash in your merit and receive its blessings, especially for sustenance, children and health ❤️

https://www.emunabuilders.com/product-page/kabbalah-1-hour-study