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Chapter Three, part 2: Diverting Divine Sustenance
Translation and commentary by Rabbi David Slavin
It is befitting to mention to all those who delve into
this wisdom, that we shouldn't think to take literally the passage of the Zohar
(II 17a) discussing the concept of, "the maid servant who inherits (the place
of) her matron." (Proverbs 30:23). For the sheer intense holiness of G-d
precludes that even in Inner Sanctum of the realm of Beriya, that neither
Angel nor Seraph (a type of celestial being) nor any creature can enter
therein. Therefore one could never entertain the concept of the maidservant
actually taking the place of her matron.  | | " While the Jews are in their land, there is an aspect of malchut..." | | |
Rather the true way to understand that passage is with
the following introduction: The entire universe is run by supernal attributes,
all of whom influence, and draw influence towards malchut. This is
especially true when the tiferet unites with malchut. Subsequently
malchut divides nourishment (to the physical realm) from that influence.
She conducts and administrates the upper, lower, internal and external worlds.
Hence, while the Jews are in their land, there is an aspect of malchut
known as "One Ofan (lofty angel) was on the land" (Ezekiel 1:15), as was
explained as the representation of malchut being in the land ( Asiya)
to administrate the lower worlds. It is from that aspect that the Jews receive
all their divine influence.
Therefore when the Jews had trampled the Temple (see
Isaiah 1:12), they were running after the power of the External Forces, who are
led by their cursed mother (Lilith), to gain nourishment from her as her
children. As is the mystery of the Calves of Succos. These calves represented
the nations of the world. The amount of the calves decreased each day,
representing that their powers will diminish. This was done during the holiday
of Succos in which the world is judged for rain, as well as the determination of
how much divine influences the ministering angels of each country will receive. | | " ...the 'Mother' is not able to sustain us in exile" | | |
Yet our "mother" (the Shechina), is not able to
sustain us in exile, for the position of distributing the divine influence has
been taken from her. In accordance to the state of the Shechina not directly
transferring the influence, therefore the Zohar describes the situation as, "the
maid servant who inherits (the place of) her matron." (Proverbs 30:23). Meaning
that she (Lilith) can divert the majority of the influence to her own
"children".
A parable to describe the situation is as follows. The
son of the king, while living in the king's palace, his nourishment and
sustenance were provided by his mother. | | " The son of the king, while living in the king's palace..." | | |
His mother provided him with all befitting
necessities. Yet when the son became exceedingly rebellious the king banished
him from the palace. To be with her son, his mother went to exile as well. Yet
throughout the exile the king sent provisions to them through their hosts, the
maidservant. Yet the maidservant channeled the best of the provisions for her
own children, leaving the prince the leftovers. Yet the maidservant doesn't have
the wisdom nor sense to realize that the king sent those provisions to her only
because of his son that is there. In the son's perspective the maidservant is
now the source of his sustenance. In this fashion the maidservant has taken the
place of the matron. For she provides for the king's son, she carries his meals
to him from the king. Yet, heaven forbid, should we think that she actually
enters the chambers of the king. Rather the king has the food brought to one of
his generals who then gives it to one of his servants who finally gives it to
the maidservant. Nonetheless being that the influence originated from the king's
palace and goes to the maidservant, there is no greater disgrace for the queen.
To return to the previous article in this series on the Land of Israel,
Effect of Earthly Conduct click here
To continue on to the next article in this series on the Land of Israel,
The Land and the Covenant, click here
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