*The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Donate- On the verse, “when a man’s wife sways from him [i.e. infidelity],” the sages state that a person does not commit a sin unless a spirit of folly has overtaken him. The reason for this is as follows:
- Even an adulterous wife can overcome her lusts if not for the spirit of folly: Even a woman who is lightheaded and adulterous is capable of overcoming and controlling her lusts if not for the spirit of folly that overcomes her.
- She would be willing to give up her life for G-d: She too contains a hidden love for G-d within her G-dly soul which has complete faith in G-d and desires to attach to His unity and not be separated from His unity G-d forbid, even on expense of them taking her soul, such as if they threaten her to serve idolatry she would give up her life rather than do so. In fact, she would be willing to give up her life to even simply not prostrate herself to idolatry, even though in her heart she remains faithful to G-d.
- The spirit of folly conceals this love: Why then does she sin against G-d and her husband in the adulterous relationship? If she’s even willing to give up her life for G-d’s unity then certainly she can quash and control her lust and passion for promiscuity which is much less of a suffering then is death, may G-d protect us. Why then does she not do so? This is due to the spirit of folly which conceals and hides this love for G-d.
- Spirit of folly confuses her into thinking that the sin doesn’t separate her from G-d: Likewise, the spirit of folly causes her to falsely differentiate between the prohibition against adultery and the prohibition to prostrate to idolatry [in which she tells herself that she will remain united with G-d despite her sin of adultery], as in truth there is no difference as both of these sins separate her from G-d.
- The spirit of folly covers over the G-dly soul up until the level of Chochma: This spirit of folly derives from the side of Kelipa which garbs the G-dly soul up until the level of Chochma of the soul [and is hence able to convince her that she will remain connected to G-d despite her sin]. However, the spirit of folly does not reach this level of Chochma which remains unconcealed by the spirit of folly due to the light of G-d that shines within it [and hence is not able to convince her to transgress the sin of idolatry]. However, in truth even one who transgresses a light sin, transgresses the will of G-d and is found in a state of complete separation from G-d’s unity even more than the side of evil and Kelipa which is referred to as a foreign G-d and actual idolatry.
- The separation from G-d that a sin creates for a Jew is even worse than the separation of all the creations in this world that receive their sustenance from the side of evil, such as the impure animals and birds and all of the reptiles and insects.
- Worse than a gnat and wild carnivores: It is due to this that our sages teach us that even the gnat was created before man [as it is possible for man to become even worse than the gnat]. The reason for emphasizing the gnat is because a gnat is the ultimate creation from the side of evil being that it only consumes and does not expel and is hence most utterly distanced from the side of holiness which is all about giving. When a man sins, then the gnat is even higher than him on the chain descent of energy from the Divine will. He is certainly worse than all of the other impure animals including even the wild carnivorous animals.
- Animals do not stray from their G-dly purpose and instructions: The reason for why a sinner is even worse than the above wild animals and creatures is because they do not change from the nature that G-d invested within them, and the G-dly instructions for these creatures is guarded by their souls, as even though they do not consciously recognize this, their soul root does consciously see it.
- Animals fear man: An example of this can be seen from the fact that Scripture states that the fear of man will be felt upon all animals of the earth, on which the sages state that a wild animal does not have control over a person unless the person likewise appears to them as an animal. However, those who are Tzadikim, who retain the image of G-d on their faces, all of the wild animals subordinate and subjugate themselves before them, as explained in the Zohar regarding the story of Daniel who left unscathed from a den of lions.
- A sinner is worse in the above animals: Accordingly, it is understood that a sinner who transgresses the will of G-d, even if it is a light sin, at the time of the sin he is found in the ultimate state of separation from the supernal holiness, which is the unity of G-d. He is more separate from G-d than all of the impure animals and creatures and insects which come from the side of evil and Kelipa of idolatry.
Related Articles
Daily Tanya Sunday 19th Sivan Shaar Hayichud Viemuna Chapter 7 Part 1: Higher-Level and Lower-Level Unity
Post Views: 28 Chapter 7: Higher-Level and Lower-Level Unity 19th Sivan 1. Higher-Level and Lower-Level Unity The holy Zohar distinguishes between two levels of unity in Divine perception: Higher-Level Unity: Represented by the verse “Shema Yisrael.” Lower-Level Unity: Represented by “Baruch shem kvod malchuto leolam vaed,” with “vaed” considered equivalent
Daily Tanya Shabbos 18th Sivan Shaar Hayichud Viemuna Chapter 6 Part 3: The Distinction Between Body and Soul and Creation
Post Views: 42 18th Sivan 1. The Illusion of Independent Existence Creation appears as if it exists independently due to the concealment of the Divine light through the attribute of Elokim. However, this concealment does not truly affect G-d, as He and His Name Elokim are essentially one. All creation
Daily Tanya Friday 17th Sivan Shaar Hayichud Viemuna Chapter 6 Part 2: The Unity of Havayah and Elokim
Post Views: 76 17th Sivan 1. The Unity of Havayah and Elokim Havayah which represents chesed and revelation, while Elokim which embodies gevurah and concealment, despite their opposing qualities, are unified in essence, forming a complete oneness. This mutual inclusion of attributes shows that Hashem and his attributes are One.
Daily Tanya Thursday 16th Sivan Shaar Hayichud Viemuna Chapter 6: Also Sheim Elokim is Chesed
Post Views: 97 Chapter 6: Also Sheim Elokim is Chesed 1. The Role of the Name Elokim The Name Elokim represents gevurah (severity) and tzimtzum (constriction). It conceals the supernal light that sustains creation, making the world appear self-sufficient and governed by natural law. Hence, its Gematria is “Hateva” which
Daily Tanya Wednesday 15th Sivan Shaar Hayichud Viemuna Chapter 5: The Attributes of Chesed and Gevurah in creation
Post Views: 109 Chapter 5: The Attributes of Chesed and Gevurah in creation 1. The Process of Tzimtzum and Creation Tzimtzum, the Divine contraction, enables creation by allowing created beings to perceive themselves as independently existing. Initially, the world was conceived to be created through stern judgment (gevurah), but the
Daily Tanya Tuesday 14th Sivan Shaar Hayichud Viemuna Chapter 4 Part 3: The Role of Kelim and Or
Post Views: 95 1. The Role of Kelim and Or The act of Tzimtzum and concealment is represented by the concept of kelim (vessels), which obscure the Divine life-force (or, meaning “light”). The kelim ensure that created beings cannot perceive the G-dliness inherent within them. 2. Letters and Divine Utterances
Leave A Comment?
You must be logged in to post a comment.