When those wise men are conscious of that holy ruach [drawn from
Arich Anpin that unites with malchut and causes a tranquil spirit to
dwell on Shabbat], then [they should be in tune with that spiritual
unity] and perform their marital duty, for that ruach draws down with
it all the holy souls [from the world of Atzilut]. And they
thereby inherit children with lofty holy souls because their souls are drawn
down through this harmony [without the mixture of the Evil Inclination. Know
that when man has intercourse with his wife, souls that are truly in the
spiritual image of the parents are born at their time of union. This is
why it is necessary to do complete repentance before union, for if not, then he
will have relations with a sin on his hands, and the soul that is born will
reflect this . On Shabbat, when a person has an additional soul and
therefore very good attributes,it is in his power to drawn down a holier soul
from the world of Atzilut].
When this spirit [of holiness] rests on the world, all the evil spirits
and prosecutors are gone from the world, and we do not need to pray for
protection [in the evening prayer of Hashkivainu]. For the power
of the Shechinah protects Israel [from all aspects of judgment and
fear], and the tabernacle of peace spreads its wings over them, and keeps
them safe from all harm.
[Thus we don't say on Friday Night, "He, the
Merciful One..." which protects us from all damagers, and we don't say
"Safeguard our going and coming" in Hashkivainu, for there is
protection from all supernal judgment. As our souls elevate at the time of sleep
to be deposited in malchut, there is no need to ask for this protection
in one's prayer because the Shechinah is protecting him, and his
request is therefore a blemish on the honor of the Shechinah which
dwells upon him and guards him on Shabbat.]
You may say: we learned1 that a man should not walk solitary on the eve of the
fourth day of the week and on Shabbat eve, and that a man should be careful
[for on those time the externalities are very powerful]. We, on the other
hand, said that on Shabbat eve all people are kept from prosecution, and we do
not have to pray for safety.
BeRahamim LeHayyim: Why did the Ari and Chida include this section? What do they want us to learn?
The above Zohar grew out of a "kindness." At one
time, the Sages conquered the Other Side. Completely. Upon the Other
Side's begging, a Sage permitted it to raise its head and rule only twice a
week: Tuesday night—after the last time we can say Havdalah for
the complete departing of the prior Shabbat extra soul—and Friday night,
when we are usually traveling in groups from the synagogue and spending the
night in a warm home of light with loving family and superlative food, drink,
and song. This appears to reveal the protective powers of Shabbat.
"More than we have kept the Shabbat, the Shabbat has kept us Jews." Truly!
So from the Divine Spirit that assists us in birthing souls from the highest
source, so too will this spirit help to protect us in our ways. IF AND ONLY IF
we recognize it, taste it, savor it, share it, beautify it, etc. You get
the message.
What does the above mean for your Shabbat, and why is it revealed to you now?
Bracketed annotations from Metok Midevash and Sulam commentaries
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