We have learnt as a profound mystery in the Book of Hidden Wisdom that three hollows of inscribed letters are disclosed in the Cranium of the Small of Countenance, and we have further learnt that there are three Brains enclosed in these hollows, but through the influence of the uppermost and hidden brain of the Ancient Holy One which spreads through that Small of Countenance they become four Brains. These spread throughout the whole of the Body, and these are the four compartments of the phylacteries which the Holy One, blessed be He, puts on.
The second compartment contains the passage commencing “And it shall come to pass when the Lord thy God bringeth thee”.’ R. Judah said: ‘This typifies the brain which opens out through fifty gates, which in turn correspond to the numerous places where the going forth from Egypt is mentioned in the Pentateuch
We have learnt in the Book of R. Hamnuna the Ancient that God burst open many gates above and below which were closed with chains in order to bring forth Israel, for from the gates of that brain all other gates are unlocked and opened. Had not the gates of that brain been first opened, the others could never have been opened to execute judgement and to bring forth Israel from bondage.
All is closed up in that which is called the Supernal Mother, whence power is derived to the Lower Mother. This one comes forth from the Supernal Mother, who is the second compartment, which is called the He of the Holy Name which opens out through fifty gates, and from this issues a spirit to one of the Nostrils.
We have learnt, too, that the Jubilee in which slaves go forth to freedom is attached to this Brain, and the fifty days of the Jubilee further correspond to the fifty days of the Omer. Thus He stands for the appeasement of the spirit and its going forth to freedom, and thus the going forth from Egypt depends on this compartment and on the letter He of the Holy Name, as has been explained.
Observe that from the side of the Father issues Lovingkindness and from the side of the Mother Force, and the Holy One, blessed be He, grasps both and crowns himself therewith as the letter Van.
The third compartment contains the passage commencing, “Hear, O Israel”, the reference being to the patriarch Israel. R. Simeon, however, says that the reference is to the supernal Israel crowned from the side of his Father, to wit Abraham, and crowned from the side of his Mother, to wit, Isaac.
We have learnt that he who loves the King does lovingkindness with all, and all the more so if he asks for no reward, which is a “kindness of truth”, through which he increases lovingkindness in the world. Hence this passage goes on, “Thou shalt love”.
The fourth compartment contains the passage commencing, “And it shall come to pass if ye diligently hearken”. This passage contains the words, “Take heed to yourselves… and the anger of the Lord be kindled against you”, and this compartment typifies Might and stern judgement, and it comes from the side of the supernal Mother; for we have learnt that although She Herself is not judgement, yet from Her side issues judgement and force.
These four does Vau take and crown himself therewith, and these are the phylacteries which the Holy One, blessed be He, puts on. We have learnt that this Vau ascends and assumes his crowns and grasps both sides and is crowned with all, and therefore Vau is the centre of all above and below to display complete Wisdom on all sides.’
R. Abba learnt: It is written, “Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers” (Deut. 10, 15). Commenting on this, R. Simeon said that the patriarchs are the holy chariot above. As there is a holy chariot below, so there is a holy chariot above. And what is this? As we have said, the holy chariot is the name given to the Whole, all being linked together and made one.
But the fathers are only three, and the chariot has four wheels. Who is the fourth? It says: “And he chose their seed after them”; this includes David, who is the fourth to complete the holy chariot, as we have learnt: The patriarchs are the consummation of the whole, and the Body was completed through them and made one. Then King David came and perfected the whole and made firm the body and perfected it. R. Isaac said: ‘As the patriarchs merited to be crowned with the holy chariot, so did David merit to be adorned with the fourth support of the chariot.’
R. Judah said: ‘It is written of David, “He was ruddy and withal fair of eyes”. The “ruddiness” typifies his occupation (as a man of war), while “with fair of eyes” refers to the patriarchs.
Note that while Jerusalem and Zion correspond respectively to Judgement and Mercy, yet it is written, “The city of David, that is Zion” (I Kings 8, 1).
18
רִבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר, ש' דִּרְשִׁימָא בִּתְלַת קִשְׁרֵי, (דד' קשרין רמיזא היא לתלתא ורמיזא לארבעה, תלת הא דאמרן. ארבעה למהוי רתיכא קדישא כחדא. דהא הוא כללא דתקונא עלאה ומהכא מתפרשן ואתמשכן תתאי באורחייהו ברצועיהון דתליין בהני שערי דרישא דתליין בהו ואתמשכן מנייהו כל אינון אחרנין עד דאתקשרן באתרייהו).
We have learnt: Vau takes those upper ones that we have mentioned, and those are the phylacteries which the Holy One, blessed be He, puts on, and therefore a man should take a pride in them. Of such a one it is written, “And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord” (Deut. 28, 10)-literally. These are the phylactery of the head. The phylactery of the arm is the left, which is called “strong”, and inherits from the “strong”. Therefore the second He’, which is the left, takes the four which are one body and entwined in one another, to wit, Tifereth, Nezah, Hod, and Yesod.’
Said R. Hiya: ‘If that is so, this is what is meant by “Thou shalt see my back” (Ex. 33, 23), which, as we have learnt, means the knot of the phylacteries.’ He replied: ‘So we have explained, and this is the truth of the matter, and therefore a strap hangs down below to show that all below are sustained by this, and therefore it is called a “sign”, as it is written, “And it shall be for a sign upon thy hand”.’
HEAR, ISRAEL. R. Yesa said: ‘This is the patriarch Israel.’ R. Isaac said: ‘ “Israel” here has the same meaning as “heavens” in the verses “Hear, O heavens” (Isa. 1, 2), and “Give ear, O heavens” (Deut. 32, 1). “The Lord” here indicates the starting-point of all, in the radiance of the Holy Ancient One, and this is what is called “Father”.
“Our God” is the deep source of the streams and founts that flow forth to all. “The Lord” again is the body of the Tree, the completion of the roots. “One” is the Community of Israel. All form one whole linked together without division.’ R. Isaac learnt: ‘The holy supernal chariot consists of the four compartments of the phylacteries which are put on by Vau, as already explained. There is another holy chariot of four other compartments united into one which are put on by the second He’, as already stated.’
R. Isaac learnt: ‘The holy supernal chariot consists of the four compartments of the phylacteries which are put on by Vau, as already explained. There is another holy chariot of four other compartments united into one which are put on by the second He’, as already stated.’
תָּאנָא בְּרָזָא עִלָּאָה בְּסִפְרָא דִּצְנִיעוּתָא, ג' חֲלָלִין דְּאַתְוָון רְשִׁימִין, אִתְגַּלְּיָין בָּהּ בְּגוּלְגַּלְתָּא דִּזְעֵיר אַנְפִּין. וְתָנֵינָן, ג' מוֹחֵי אִינּוּן, דִּסְתִּימוּ בְּאִינּוּן חַלָלִין. וּמִשֵּׁירוּתָא (וממשיכותא) דְּמוֹחָא עִלָּאָה סְתִימָאָה דְּעַתִּיקָא קַדִּישָׁא דְּאִתְמְשִׁיךְ בְּהַהוּא זְעֵיר אַנְפִּין, אִשְׁתְּכָחוּ ד' מוֹחֵי. וְאִלֵּין ד' מוֹחִין, (ס"א דינא לית כתראי מכל כתרי מלכא) מִשְׁתַּכְּחִין וּמִתְפָּשְּׁטִין (ס"א בכלא ואינון) בְּכָל גּוּפָא וְאִינּוּן ד' רִיהֲטֵי, דְּאַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִּתְפִילִין, דְּאָנַח קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא.
We have learnt as a profound mystery in the Book of Hidden Wisdom that three hollows of inscribed letters are disclosed in the Cranium of the Small of Countenance, and we have further learnt that there are three Brains enclosed in these hollows, but through the influence of the uppermost and hidden brain of the Ancient Holy One which spreads through that Small of Countenance they become four Brains. These spread throughout the whole of the Body, and these are the four compartments of the phylacteries which the Holy One, blessed be He, puts on.
וּבְּגִין כָּךְ בָּעֵי בַּר נָשׁ לַאֲנָחָא בְּכָל יוֹמָא, בְּגִין דְּאִינּוּן שְׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא עִלָּאָה בְּאַתְווֹי רְשִׁימָן, דִּכְתִּיב, (דברים כ״ח:י׳) וְרָאוּ כָּל עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ כִּי שֵׁם יְיָ' נִקְרָא עָלֶיךָ. וּתְנָן, שֵׁם יְיָ' מַמָּשׁ, וְאִלֵּין תְּפִלִּין דְּרֵישָׁא. (מוחא עלאה דאתמשך במוחא תתאה אקרון תרי מוחין ואינון דכתיב חכמות, ומתפרשן בחד)
Therefore a man should put on the phylacteries every day, because they are the supernal Holy Name in its inscribed letters.
רִבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר, הוּא דִּכְתִּיב, (שמות י״ג:ב׳) קַדֶּשׁ לִי כָל בְּכוֹר, דָּא הִיא כִּתְרָא דְּכָלִיל וְאַסְתִּים כָּל אִינּוּן אַחֲרָנִין. (כל בכור כל בכור סתם, לעלאה) מְשִׁיכוּתָא (ס"א משרייתא) דִּלְעֵילָּא סְתִימָא בֵּיהּ. (דכלא) וְדָא אִקְרֵי פֶּטֶר כָּל רֶחֶם, פְּתִיחוּתָא דְּכָל מְשִׁיכוּתָא דְּרַחֲמֵי, וִיסוֹדָא (נ"א ונהירו) דִּלְעֵילָּא.
The first compartment of the phylacteries contains the passage, “Sanctify unto me every firstborn”, which typifies the highest brain, to wit, Wisdom.
אָמַר רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, וְסָתִים בְּיוֹ"ד דִּשְׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא. וְדָא (ס"א יו"ד) חַד בֵּיתָא דִּתְפִלִּין, דְּהוּא קַדֶּשׁ לִי כָל בְּכוֹר סְתָם. מוֹחָא (נ"א אבא) עִלָּאָה, חָכְמָה.
בֵּיתָא תִּנְיָינָא, וְהָיָה כִּי יְבִיאֲךָ יְיָ' (אלהיך). אָמַר רִבִּי יְהוּדָה מוֹחָא דְּתַרְעוֹי נָפְקִין לְחַמְשִׁין תַּרְעִין. תַּרְעִין סַגִּיאִין, וְאִינּוּן לָקֳבֵל זִמְנִין סַגִּיאִין דִּכְתִּיב, (שמות כ׳:ב׳) אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם. (שמות י״ג:י״ח) הוֹצִיאֲךָ יְיָ' מִמִּצְרַיִם. וְאִדְכַּר זִמְנִין סַגִּיאִין דּוּכְרָנָא דְּמִצְרַיִם. וְאִינּוּן חַמְשִׁין לָקֳבֵל חַמְשִׁין.
The second compartment contains the passage commencing “And it shall come to pass when the Lord thy God bringeth thee”.’ R. Judah said: ‘This typifies the brain which opens out through fifty gates, which in turn correspond to the numerous places where the going forth from Egypt is mentioned in the Pentateuch
וְתָנֵינָן בְּסִפְרָא דְּרַב הַמְנוּנָא סָבָא, דְּאָמַר תַּרְעִין סַגִּיאִין דִּלְעֵילָּא וְתַתָּא, תָּבַר קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, דַּהֲווֹ סְתִימִין וּמִתְקַטְּרִין בְּשַׁלְשְׁלֵיהוֹן, בְּגִין לְאַפָּקָא לְהוּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל (לבר). דְּהָא מֵאִלֵּין תַּרְעִין דְּהַהוּא מוֹחָא, מִתְפַּתְּחֵי וּמִשְׁתְּרוּ כָּל שְׁאַר תַּרְעִין. וְאִלְמָלֵא דְּאִתְעָרוּ וְאִתְפְּתָּחוּ אִינּוּן תַּרְעִין דְּהַאי מוֹחָא, לָא הֲווֹ מִתְפַּתְּחִין אִינּוּן אַחֲרָנִין לְמֶעְבַּד דִּינָא, וּלְאַפָּקָא לוֹן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל מִן עַבְדּוּתָא.
We have learnt in the Book of R. Hamnuna the Ancient that God burst open many gates above and below which were closed with chains in order to bring forth Israel, for from the gates of that brain all other gates are unlocked and opened. Had not the gates of that brain been first opened, the others could never have been opened to execute judgement and to bring forth Israel from bondage.
וְכֹלָּא סָתִים בְּהַאי דְּאִקְרֵי אִימָא עִלָּאָה, דְּמִנָהּ אִתְּעַר חֵילָא לְאִימָא תַּתָּאָה. וּמַאי אִיהוּ. דִּכְתִּיב בָּהּ (ישעיהו נ״א:ד׳) וּלְאוּמִּי אֵלַי הַאֲזִינוּ. אַל תִּקְרֵי לְאוּמִּי, אֶלָּא לְאִמִּי. דְּלָא זָז קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מֵחַבְּבָהּ לִכְנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, עַד דִּקְרָאָהּ אִמִּי. וְהַאי נָפְקָא מֵאִימָא עִלָּאָה, דְּהִיא בֵּיתָא תִּנְיָינָא, דְּאִקְרֵי ה' דִּשְׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא, דְּאִתְפַּתְּחָא לְחַמְשִׁין תַּרְעִין. וּמֵהַאי נָפַק רוּחָא לְחַד נוּקְבָּא דְּפַרְדַּשְׁקָא דְּחוֹטָמָא.
All is closed up in that which is called the Supernal Mother, whence power is derived to the Lower Mother. This one comes forth from the Supernal Mother, who is the second compartment, which is called the He of the Holy Name which opens out through fifty gates, and from this issues a spirit to one of the Nostrils.
וְתָנֵינָן, יוֹבְלָא דְּנָפְקִין בֵּיהּ עַבְדִּין לְחֵירוּ, בְּהַאי מוֹחָא אִתְאֲחָד. וְאִינּוּן חַמְשִׁין שְׁנִין דְּיוֹבְלָא. וְאִינּוּן חַמְשִׁין יוֹמִין דְּחוּשְׁבָּנָא דְּעוֹמֶר, בֵּיהּ אִתְאֲחָדוּ. דִּבְהוּ נַיְיחִין רוּחֵי דְּעַבְדִּין, וּמַפְּקֵי רוּחֵיהוֹן (נ"א ומפיק רוחיה) לְנַיְיחָא. כְּמָה דִּכְתִּיב, (ישעיהו י״ד:ג׳) בְּיוֹם הָנִיחַ יְיָ' לְךָ מֵעָצְבְּךָ וּמִרָגְזֶךָ וּמִן הָעֲבוֹדָה וְגוֹ'. וּבְגִין כַּךְ, ה' נַיְיחָא דְּרוּחָא, וּלְאַפָּקָא רוּחָא לְחֵירוּ. וְהַאי בֵּיתָא יְצִיאַת מִצְרַיִם בָּהּ תַּלְיָיא, וּבְאָת ה' דִּשְׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא, כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמַר. עֲד כָּאן כְּלָלָא דְּי"ה דִּשְׁמָא קַדִּישָׁא.
We have learnt, too, that the Jubilee in which slaves go forth to freedom is attached to this Brain, and the fifty days of the Jubilee further correspond to the fifty days of the Omer. Thus He stands for the appeasement of the spirit and its going forth to freedom, and thus the going forth from Egypt depends on this compartment and on the letter He of the Holy Name, as has been explained.
תָּא חֲזֵי, מִסִּטְרָא דְּאַבָּא נָפִיק חֶסֶד. מִסִּטְרָא דְּאִמָּא נָפִיק גְּבוּרָה. וְכֹלָּא אָחִיד קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, וּמִתְעַטָּר בְּהוּ, אָת וָא"ו.
Observe that from the side of the Father issues Lovingkindness and from the side of the Mother Force, and the Holy One, blessed be He, grasps both and crowns himself therewith as the letter Van.
בֵּיתָא תְּלִיתָאָה שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, יִשְׂרָאֵל סָבָא. וְאָהַבְתָּ אֶת יְיָ' אֱלֹהֶיךָ. תָּאנָא רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, דָּא הוּא רָזָא עִלָּאָה, דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל עִלָּאָה אִתְעֲטָּר בְּסִטְרָא דְּאַבָּא. וּמַאי אִיהוּ. אַבְרָהָם. וְאִתְעֲטָּר בְּסִטְרָא דְּאִימָּא. וּמַאי אִיהוּ. יִצְחָק.
The third compartment contains the passage commencing, “Hear, O Israel”, the reference being to the patriarch Israel. R. Simeon, however, says that the reference is to the supernal Israel crowned from the side of his Father, to wit Abraham, and crowned from the side of his Mother, to wit, Isaac.
תָּנֵינָן, וְאָהַבְתָּ מַאן דְּרָחִים לֵיהּ לְמַלְכָּא, עָבִיד יַתִּיר טִיבוּ חֶסֶד עִם כֹּלָּא. וְחֶסֶד יַתִּירָא, הַהוּא דְּאִקְרֵי חֶסֶד דֶּאֱמֶת, דְּלָא בָּעֵי אֲגָר עָלֵיהּ, אֶלָּא בְּגִין רְחִימוּתָא דְּמַלְכָּא, דְּרָחִים לֵיהּ יַתִּיר, וּבִרְחִימוּתָא דְּמַלְכָּא תַּלְיָא חֶסֶד. וְעַל דָּא אִקְרֵי (ישעיהו מ״א:ח׳) אַבְרָהָם אוֹהֲבִי. וּבְגִין דְּרָחִים לֵיהּ יַתִּיר, אַסְגֵּי חֶסֶד בְּעָלְמָא. וְעַל דָּא, הָכָא וְאָהַבְתָּ. וּבִרְחִימוּתָא תַּלְיָא חֶסֶד, וְדָא הִיא בֵּיתָא תְּלִיתָאָה.
We have learnt that he who loves the King does lovingkindness with all, and all the more so if he asks for no reward, which is a “kindness of truth”, through which he increases lovingkindness in the world. Hence this passage goes on, “Thou shalt love”.
בֵּיתָא רְבִיעָאָה, וְהָיָה אִם שָׁמוֹעַ. הִשָּׁמְרוּ לָכֶם. וְחָרָה אַף יְיָ'. גְּבוּרָה תַּקִּיפָא, וְדִינָא קַשְׁיָא הִיא, וְנַפְקַת מִסִּטְרָא דְּאִימָּא עִלָּאָה. וְתָנֵינָן, אַף עַל גַּב דְּלֵית הִיא דִּינָא, מִסִּטְרָהָא נָפְקָא דִּינָא, (דנפק) גְּבוּרָה עִלָּאָה. וְאִי תֵּימָא, וְהָיָה אִם שָׁמוֹעַ דְּלָאו הִיא דִּינָא. לֵית כִּתְרָא מִכָּל כִּתְרֵי מַלְכָּא, דְּלָא יִתְכְּלִיל דִּינָא וְרַחֲמֵי, כָּל שֶׁכֵּן גְּבוּרָה דְּאִתְכְּלִיל טַב וּבִישׁ.
The fourth compartment contains the passage commencing, “And it shall come to pass if ye diligently hearken”. This passage contains the words, “Take heed to yourselves… and the anger of the Lord be kindled against you”, and this compartment typifies Might and stern judgement, and it comes from the side of the supernal Mother; for we have learnt that although She Herself is not judgement, yet from Her side issues judgement and force.
וְאִלֵּין אַרְבָּעָה נָטִיל לוֹן וָא"ו, וְאִתְעֲטָּר בְּהוּ. וְאִלֵּין אִינּוּן תְּפִילִין דְּאָנַח קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. תָּנֵינָן, הַאי וָא"ו סָלִיק וְאִתְעֲטָּר בְּעִטְרוֹי, וְאָחִיד לְהַאי וּלְהַאי, וְאִתְעֲטָּר בְּכֻלְּהוּ, וְעַל דָּא וָא"ו, אֶמְצָעִיתָא דְּכֹלָּא, דְּעֵילָּא וְתַתָּא, לְאַחֲזָאָה חָכְמְתָא שְׁלֵימָתָא מִכָּל סִטְרוֹי.
These four does Vau take and crown himself therewith, and these are the phylacteries which the Holy One, blessed be He, puts on. We have learnt that this Vau ascends and assumes his crowns and grasps both sides and is crowned with all, and therefore Vau is the centre of all above and below to display complete Wisdom on all sides.’
(תאני רבי אבא, כתיב (דברים י׳:ט״ו)) רַק בַּאֲבוֹתֶיךָ חָשַׁק יְיָ'. מִכָּאן אָמַר רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, אֲבָהָתָא אִינּוּן רְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא עִלָּאָה, וּכְתִיב חָשַׁק יְיָ'. תָּא חֲזֵי, כְּמָה דְּאִית רְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא לְתַתָּא, כַּךְ אִית רְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא לְעֵילָּא. וּמַאי נִיהוּ, הָא דְּאַמָרָן, רְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא כֹּלָּא אִקְרֵי, וְכֹלָּא אִתְקְשַׁר דָּא בְּדָא, וְאִתְעָבִיד כֹּלָּא חַד.
R. Abba learnt: It is written, “Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers” (Deut. 10, 15). Commenting on this, R. Simeon said that the patriarchs are the holy chariot above. As there is a holy chariot below, so there is a holy chariot above. And what is this? As we have said, the holy chariot is the name given to the Whole, all being linked together and made one.
רַק בַּאֲבוֹתֶיךָ תְּלָתָא, וּרְתִיכָא אַרְבְּעָה, ד' מְנָלָן. דִּכְתִּיב (דברים י׳:ט״ו) וַיִּבְחַר בְּזַרְעָם אַחֲרֵיהֶם. מַאי מַשְׁמַע. לְאַכְלְלָא בְּהוּ דָּוִד מַלְכָּא, דְּאִיהוּ רְבִיעָאָה, לְאִתְתַּקְנָא בִּרְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא. דְּתָנֵינָן, אֲבָהָתָא תִּקּוּנָא וּשְׁלֵימוּתָא דְּכֹלָּא, וְגוּפָא בְּהוּ אִשְׁתַּכְלָל וְאִתְבְּנֵי, וּבְהוּ אִתְאֲחִיד. אָתָא דָּוִד מַלְכָּא, וְשַׁכְלִיל כֹּלָּא, וְאַתְקִין גּוּפָא, וְאַשְׁלְמֵיהּ בְּהוּ. וְאָמַר רִבִּי יִצְחָק, כְּמָה דְּזָכוּ אֲבָהָתָא לְאִתְעַטְּרָא בִּרְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא, כַּךְ זָכָה דָּוִד לְאִתְתַּקְנָא בְּסַמְכָא רְבִיעָאָה דִּרְתִיכָא.
But the fathers are only three, and the chariot has four wheels. Who is the fourth? It says: “And he chose their seed after them”; this includes David, who is the fourth to complete the holy chariot, as we have learnt: The patriarchs are the consummation of the whole, and the Body was completed through them and made one. Then King David came and perfected the whole and made firm the body and perfected it. R. Isaac said: ‘As the patriarchs merited to be crowned with the holy chariot, so did David merit to be adorned with the fourth support of the chariot.’
אָמַר רִבִּי יְהוּדָה, כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ בְּדָוִד, (שמואל א ט״ז:י״ב) וְהוּא אַדְמוֹנִי עִם יְפֵה עֵינַיִם וְטוֹב רֹאִי. מַאי טַעֲמָא אַדְמוֹנִי. מִשּׁוּם דְּחוּלָקָא דְּעַדְבֵיהּ גַּרְמָא לֵיהּ. אַדְמוֹנִי דִּינָא וַדַּאי. עִם יְפֵה עֵינַיִם, דִּינָא בְּרַחֲמֵי. כְּמָה דִּכְתִּיב, (ישעיהו נ״ה:ג׳) חַסְדֵּי דָּוִד הַנֶּאֱמָנִים.
R. Judah said: ‘It is written of David, “He was ruddy and withal fair of eyes”. The “ruddiness” typifies his occupation (as a man of war), while “with fair of eyes” refers to the patriarchs.
אָמַר רִבִּי יִצְחָק, חַסְדֵּי דָּוִד, בְּאַתְרֵיהּ אוֹקִימְנָא. אֶלָּא וְהוּא אַדְמוֹנִי, כִּדְאַמָרָן. עִם יְפֵה עֵינַיִם, אִלֵּין אֲבָהָתָא. תָּא חֲזֵי, יְרוּשָׁלַיִם וְצִיּוֹן, דִּינָא וְרַחֲמֵי. וְאַף עַל פִּי כֵּן כְּתִיב, (מלכים א ח׳:א׳) עִיר דָּוִד הִיא צִיּוֹן. וּכְתִּיב (הושע י״א:ט׳) בְּקִרְבְּךָ קָדוֹשׁ וְלֹא אָבֹא בְּעִיר, נִשְׁבַּע קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא שֶׁלֹּא יִכָּנֵּס בִּיְרוּשָׁלַ ם שֶׁל מַעֲלָה וְכוּ'. אֵימָתַי. אָמַר רִבִּי יְהוּדָה, כַּד אִתְהַדָּר מַלְכוּ בֵּית דָּוִד לְאַתְרֵיהּ לְתַתָּא.
Note that while Jerusalem and Zion correspond respectively to Judgement and Mercy, yet it is written, “The city of David, that is Zion” (I Kings 8, 1).
רִבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר, ש' דִּרְשִׁימָא בִּתְלַת קִשְׁרֵי, (דד' קשרין רמיזא היא לתלתא ורמיזא לארבעה, תלת הא דאמרן. ארבעה למהוי רתיכא קדישא כחדא. דהא הוא כללא דתקונא עלאה ומהכא מתפרשן ואתמשכן תתאי באורחייהו ברצועיהון דתליין בהני שערי דרישא דתליין בהו ואתמשכן מנייהו כל אינון אחרנין עד דאתקשרן באתרייהו).
We have learnt: Vau takes those upper ones that we have mentioned, and those are the phylacteries which the Holy One, blessed be He, puts on, and therefore a man should take a pride in them. Of such a one it is written, “And all the people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord” (Deut. 28, 10)-literally. These are the phylactery of the head. The phylactery of the arm is the left, which is called “strong”, and inherits from the “strong”. Therefore the second He’, which is the left, takes the four which are one body and entwined in one another, to wit, Tifereth, Nezah, Hod, and Yesod.’
תָּנֵינָן, ו' נָטִיל אִינּוּן עִלָּאֵי דְּאַמָרָן, וְאִלֵּין תְּפִלִּין דְּאָנַח קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא. בְּגִין כַּךְ בָּעֵי בַּר נָשׁ לְאִתְפָּאֲרָא בְּהוּ, עָלֵיהּ כְּתִיב (דברים כ״ח:י׳) וְרָאוּ כָּל עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ כִּי שֵׁם יְיָ' נִקְרָא עָלֶיךָ, שֵׁם יְיָ' מַמָּשׁ. וְאִלֵּין אִינּוּן תְּפִלִּין דְּרֵישָׁא, תְּפִלִּין דִּדְרוֹעָא הִיא שְׂמָאלָא, דְּאִקְרֵי עֹז, וְיָרְתָא מֵעֹז, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב, (שמות י״ג:ט״ז) וְהָיָה לְאוֹת עַל יָדְכָה בְּהֵ"א, וְהִיא הֵ"א דְּאוֹקִימְנָא. זַכָּאָה חוּלָקֵיהוֹן דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. וְעַל דָּא, הֵ"א בַּתְרָאָה נַטְלָא תְּפִלִין, דְּהִיא שְׂמָאלָא.
Said R. Hiya: ‘If that is so, this is what is meant by “Thou shalt see my back” (Ex. 33, 23), which, as we have learnt, means the knot of the phylacteries.’ He replied: ‘So we have explained, and this is the truth of the matter, and therefore a strap hangs down below to show that all below are sustained by this, and therefore it is called a “sign”, as it is written, “And it shall be for a sign upon thy hand”.’
לְמַאן (נ"א ומאן) אִינּוּן אִלֵּין אַרְבְּעָה, דְּאִינּוּן חַד גּוּפָא, וְעַל דָּא כְּלִילָן בְּחַד, וּמַאן אִינּוּן. תִּפְאֶרֶת נֶצַח הוֹד יְסוֹד. וְהִיא הֵ"א דְּיָדְכָה, וְכֻלְּהוּ אֲחִידָא בָּהּ, בְּגִין לְאִתְבָּרְכָא מִנַּיְיהוּ, וּכְלִילָא מִכֻּלְּהוּ.
אָמַר רִבִּי חִיָּיא, אִי הָכִי הָא כְּתִיב (שמות ל״ג:כ״ג) וְרָאִיתָ אֶת אֲחוֹרָי, וְתָנֵינָן דָּא קֶשֶׁר שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין. אָמַר לֵיהּ, הָא אוֹקְמוּהָ, וְשַׁפִּיר הוּא, וְכֹלָּא בְּרִירָא דְּמִלָּה. וְעַל דָּא מֵהַאי תַּלְיָיא רְצוּעָה חַד לְתַתָּא, דְּהָא מִנָהּ תַּלְיָין תַּתָּאֵי, וְאִתְּזָנוּ מִנָהּ. וְעַל דָּא אִיתְקְרֵי אוֹת. כְּמָה דְאַתְּ אָמֵר (בראשית ט׳:י״ב) זֹאת אוֹת הַבְּרִית. וּכְתִיב (שמות י״ג:ט״ז) וְהָיָה לְאוֹת עַל יָדְכָה בְּה' וְהָא אוֹקְמוּהָ.
(דברים ו') שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל. אָמַר רִבִּי יֵיסָא, יִשְׂרָאֵל סָבָא. רִבִּי יִצְחָק אָמַר ע' רַבְרְבָא, לְאַכְלְלָא שִׁבְעִין שְׁמָהָן, סַהֲדוּתָא דְּכֹלָּא שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל, כְּמָה דִּכְתִּיב, (ישעיהו א׳:ב׳) שִׁמְעוּ שָׁמַיִם. וּכְתִיב (דברים ל״ב:א׳) הַאֲזִינוּ הַשָּׁמַיִם. אוּף הָכָא שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְכֹלָּא חַד מִלָּה הוּא. יְדוָֹ"ד, רֵישָׁא דְּכֹלָּא, בִּנְהִירוּ דְּעַתִּיקָא קַדִּישָׁא. וְהַאי הוּא דְּאִקְרֵי אָ"ב. אֱלֹהֵינוּ, עֲמִיקְתָא דְּנַחֲלִין וּמַבּוּעִין, דְּנָפְקִין וְנַגְדִּין לְכֹלָּא.
HEAR, ISRAEL. R. Yesa said: ‘This is the patriarch Israel.’ R. Isaac said: ‘ “Israel” here has the same meaning as “heavens” in the verses “Hear, O heavens” (Isa. 1, 2), and “Give ear, O heavens” (Deut. 32, 1). “The Lord” here indicates the starting-point of all, in the radiance of the Holy Ancient One, and this is what is called “Father”.
יְדוָֹ"ד, גוּפָא דְּאִילָנָא שְׁלִימוּ דְּשָׁרָשִׁין. אֶחָד, כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. וְכֹלָּא חַד שְׁלֵימוּתָא, וְאִתְקְשַׁר דָּא בְּדָא, וְלָא אִשְׁתְּכַח פִּרוּדָא, אֶלָּא כֹּלָּא חַד.
“Our God” is the deep source of the streams and founts that flow forth to all. “The Lord” again is the body of the Tree, the completion of the roots. “One” is the Community of Israel. All form one whole linked together without division.’ R. Isaac learnt: ‘The holy supernal chariot consists of the four compartments of the phylacteries which are put on by Vau, as already explained. There is another holy chariot of four other compartments united into one which are put on by the second He’, as already stated.’
תָּנֵי רִבִּי יִצְחָק, רְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא עִלָּאָה, אַרְבַּע בָּתֵּי דִּתְפִילִין דְּאָנַח ו'. כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמַר. רְתִיכָא קַדִּישָׁא אָחֳרָא, אַרְבַּע אַחֲרָנִין דִּכְלִילָן בְּחַד, דְּאָנַח ה' בַּתְרָאָה כְּמָה דְּאוֹקְמוּהָ.
R. Isaac learnt: ‘The holy supernal chariot consists of the four compartments of the phylacteries which are put on by Vau, as already explained. There is another holy chariot of four other compartments united into one which are put on by the second He’, as already stated.’