260311.Vayakhel v183

260311.Vayakhel v183

The additional soul

We 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 183

The lower point, MALCHUT, when it emerges to become seen, NAMELY WHEN IT RECEIVES CHOCHMAH CALLED SIGHT, and is decorated WITH SUPERNAL MOCHIN, there is bliss above and below and all the worlds are in joy. At SHABBAT night, the point expands along with its lights, and spreads its wings over the world. Then all other rulers are removed, and the world is protected.

Vayak'hel: Verse 184

Then a Ruach of the Soul is added to Yisrael, to each and every one. With this additional soul all sorrow and wrath are forgotten, and above and below there is only joy. That Ruach that went down as an addition to the world's inhabitants, when it comes down, washes itself with perfumes of the Garden of Eden, and descends to rest upon the holy nation. Happy are they when that Ruach is aroused.

Vayak'hel: Verse 185

When the Ruach descends, sixty Chariots decorate the six directions, descend with it to the Garden of Eden. THE SIX ENDS ARE THE SIX SFIROT, CHESED, GVURAH, TIFERET, NETZACH, HOD AND YESOD, EACH CONSISTING OF TEN, AMOUNTING TO SIXTY IN ALL. When the Ruach arrives in the Garden of Eden, then all these spirits and souls in the Garden of Eden, are bedecked with it. The crier calls and announces: happy are Yisrael, a holy nation, for the good will of your Master is awakened toward you.

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.