THEMES of Featured Ari Articles

"When you go out to war against your enemies…."

One may think that in wartime one should demonstrate gevura. However, the fact that the enemy has chosen to oppose the forces of holiness means that he must be fought, conquered - and if necessary, annihilated - for his own good. True, power and might (gevura) must be present within the army or individual waging war, but fighting the enemy is an act of chesed for him and for all.

A penitent goes out to war against his evil inclination and against the limbs of his body which had become accustomed to sin. Repeated sinful acts weave a crude and vulgar "garment" for the soul. The penitent, as part of his repentance, must remove these filthy garments, as well.

"When a man takes a wife and engages in marital relations with her..."

There are two types of "lights", or spiritual energies, imparted from a groom to his bride. "Encompassing light" serves as a source of inspiration or protection and is transmitted at betrothal. "Inner light" informs the consciousness of the entity it enters and remakes its possessor's world-view, changing the way the possessor lives his or her life; this is given at the consummation of the marriage.