260312.Vayakhel v186

260312.Vayakhel v186We are told that Malchut is the lowest point, and when it emerges on Shabbat night it expands along with its lights and spreads its wings over the world to protect it. Then another spirit of Neshamah is added to each person, and joy replaces sorrow and wrath. Ruach descends, washes itself in perfumes from the Garden of Eden, and rests upon the holy nation. Sixty Chariots descend with it when it goes down to the Garden of Eden. The Ruach is the secret of Shabbat that dwells below, and since it joins in the pleasures and delights of Yisrael on that day, it should be given pleasure in food and drink. During the other six days it is gladdened by the supernal spirit of the Ancient of Ancients, and on the Shabbat it takes pleasure from the body in the meal of faith. Rabbi Shimon explains that every Nefesh of Yisrael is adorned on Shabbat by the crown of the Ruach that dwells inside them. When Shabbat leaves and the Ruach goes up, the Nefesh feels sorrow for what it lost. We read of the reason for performing marital duties on Shabbat nights; Rabbi Shimon explains the difference between intercourse on that night and intercourse the rest of the week and in the daytime - on this night a holy superior Ruach descends into the holy children.Vayak'hel: Verse 186

The most guarded mystery is for those familiar in wisdom. Happy are they when that Ruach is aroused. That Ruach is the expansion of the point, MALCHUT. It comes from it and spreads throughout the world. And that RUACH is the secret of Shabbat that dwells below. Therefore it is written regarding it that it should be kept: "Wherefore the children of Yisrael shall keep the Shabbat" (Shemot 31:16). It has been explained that it does not say "Shabbat," but "the Shabbat," alluding to that additional Ruach that dwells in everything and should be kept, since it stays with man. Therefore it is written: "that keeps the Shabbat and does not profane it" (Yeshayah 56:2).

Vayak'hel: Verse 187

Within that secret there is another one. That Ruach partakes on this day in the pleasures and delights of Yisrael. It therefore should be given pleasure in food and drink three times in the three meals of the three grades of the Faith, as was explained. And that RUACH receives gladness and pleasure from these meals of Yisrael. Happy is he who gladdens and delights it on that day.

Vayak'hel: Verse 188

That Ruach enjoys during the six days the Supernal Spirit of the most Ancient. On Shabbat day, after descending and washing in the Garden of Eden during the night, it takes pleasure in the physical pleasure at the meal of Faith, and is adorned above and below. It is situated on all sides, VIZ. IN CHOCHMAH AND CHASSADIM, on the higher crown, CHASSADIM, and the lower crown, CHOCHMAH.

Vayak'hel: Verse 189

Since it is with man, it should be properly kept. Therefore it is written: "Wherefore the children of Yisrael shall keep the Shabbat." Shabbat is the lower point, MALCHUT. "The Shabbat" refers to that Ruach which is the expansion of that point. This expansion, when holiness was added to that point, and blessings from above, everything became illuminated, and THE EXPANSION turned into a Ruach luminous on all sides. HALF OF IT divides and turns up and shines, and HALF OF IT divides and turns down and shines. This is the meaning of "between Me and the children of Yisrael" (Shemot 31:16), FOR THE RUACH WAS DIVIDED BETWEEN HIM AND YISRAEL, and together we share a portions and heritage.

Vayak'hel: Verse 190

The upper portion is adorned on that day by the higher, holy pleasure and enjoys the supernal glow of the most Ancient, WHICH IS KETER. The lower portion is adorned on that day with the lower pleasure, by enjoying the meals PREPARED BY YISRAEL; therefore one should delight it with food and drink, with respectable attire, and much joy.