Our first concern when it comes to understanding what happened between the Shevira<\/i> process (the \u201cBreaking of the Vessels\u201d) and the Tikkun<\/i> is what happened as a result of the Shevira<\/i>. And so we learn that that the ability to govern, <\/b>i.e., to facilitate actions and contribute to a set goal, was taken away from the vessels when they were broken <\/b>in the course of the Shevira<\/i>. They also didn\u2019t function as the mystical configuration of a perfect form<\/b> then. Instead, they functioned as various imperfect phenomena that were unfit to do things<\/b> fully. It was their source<\/b> i.e., the name AV<\/i>, that kept them that way <\/b>throughout the Shevira<\/i> process until a new emanation<\/b>, i.e., the name MaH<\/i>, came about to perfect them and give them form and function <\/b>(Petach<\/i> 54).<\/b><\/p>\n
Now onward. As we\u2019ll see in this section, exactly 288 sparks of the original light that shone before the Shevira<\/i> process stayed behind to allow for the Tikkun<\/i>. We\u2019ll delve into the significance of the specific number of them as well as the process of Tikkun<\/i> itself in this and the following section.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s begin explaining the significance of the number 288 by first understanding that w<\/b>hen<\/b> two or more names <\/b>of God come to have the same numerical value <\/b>albeit by different means, it\u2019s to be understood that this is <\/b>an instance of a single root which each <\/b>of its separate elements must be connected to in its own way <\/b>to be sure, <\/b>but which in the end it will <\/b>come to be connected to after all of its experiences. <\/b>So, we\u2019ll need to explain all of that.<\/p>\n
It turns out that the number 288 derives from the numerical value of AV<\/i> (72) times 4. As Ramchal puts it: this <\/b>in fact is the mystery of the name <\/b>that\u2019s termed AV<\/i><\/b>, and that\u2019s contained in <\/b>each of the four names of <\/b>names of God depicted by the names and numbers AV<\/i><\/b> (= 72), SaG<\/i><\/b> (= 63), MaH <\/i><\/b>(= 45), and <\/b>in BaN<\/i><\/b> (= 52). For, even though each <\/b>separate name has its own way <\/b>of doing so, each will all arrive at this <\/b>value. What this shows is that this <\/b>AV<\/i> is a root that each must reach in its own way.<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b>This then touches upon the esoteric idea of Erich<\/i> Anpin<\/i> and its relationship with the lower Partzufim<\/i>, as we\u2019re told that the truth <\/b>of the matter is that this derives from <\/b>and is analogous to Erich Anpin<\/i><\/b> from which Abba<\/i> and Imma<\/i>, Zeir Anpin<\/i>, and Nukveh<\/i> derive. Erich Anpin<\/i> <\/b>in this instance is an AV<\/i> whose four <\/b>separate Yuds<\/i><\/b> produce an AV<\/i>, SaG<\/i>, MaH<\/i> and BaN<\/i>. And each one of them, <\/b>i.e., each name AV<\/i>, Sag<\/i>, MaH<\/i>, and BaN<\/i>, must express the value of<\/b> i.e., must add up to, its root, which is <\/b>the name AV<\/i>, which is their dominant power <\/b>(Petach<\/i> <\/b>55). <\/b>We\u2019ll have to explain this, too.<\/p>\n
<\/b>Although the quadrupled number <\/b>representation of the Tetragrammaton written out as Y, Y-H, Y-H-V, and Y-H-V-Y , which is<\/b>, i.e., equals the value of, AV<\/i><\/b> which is 72, is contained in all of the names <\/b>of A<\/i>V<\/i>, SaG<\/i>, MaH<\/i>, and BaN<\/i>, <\/b>still and all the point must be made that only what\u2019s particular to each <\/b>name is considered intrinsic to it. But in the case of BaN<\/i> which doesn\u2019t have its own <\/b>unique <\/b>value it\u2019s true that what\u2019s there<\/b>, i.e., the <\/b>simple <\/b>spelling of Y-H-V-H, is<\/b> considered intrinsic to it. This shows that each <\/b>name has the same value at first in its simple layout, because this is its <\/b>essential makeup. Nonetheless, when their letters are filled <\/b>out, their values change, and they become different from one another, each name is given a value of its own based on its specific function. And BaN<\/i>, which doesn\u2019t have a specific function but takes what\u2019s given it <\/b>instead, has no other value <\/b>than the simple spelling of Y-H-V-H, <\/b>and it joins in with the others in the original general value <\/b>(Petach<\/i> 56). We\u2019ll need to explain this, too.<\/p>\n
These <\/b>four <\/b>instances of AV<\/i><\/b> <\/i>discussed <\/i>in the previous Petach<\/i> which bolster the four Partzufim<\/i> <\/b>of Abba<\/i>, Imma<\/i>, Zeir<\/i> Anpin<\/i>, and Nukveh<\/i> in Erich<\/i> Anpin<\/i>, and which are removed from harm, are the essence of the \u201cChariot\u201d <\/b>, i.e., the entire configuration of Partzufim<\/i>. It\u2019s here that the \u201cThrone\u201d \u201cbears its bearers\u201d<\/b>, as we\u2019ll explain. <\/b><\/p>\n
\u00a0It thus became necessary for 288 sparks <\/b>of holiness remaining behind after the breaking of the vessels to descend from there so as to bolster and sustain the vessels that were descending <\/b>in the course of the breaking process so that there wouldn\u2019t be utter annihilation, and so that there\u2019d be <\/b>the <\/b>possibility for a<\/b> way<\/b> of returning and being repaired <\/b>instead. <\/b><\/p>\n
Ramchal then begins to wax more philosophical. As a result <\/b>of those 288 sparks, the phenomena of this world came to be such that a single power<\/b>, i.e., the Shechina<\/i>, would remain so that the world wouldn\u2019t be destroyed, God forbid, and so that what had been damaged could be repaired through this remaining power <\/b>(Petach <\/i>57).<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b>And then he begins to move us toward the next section and the Tikkun<\/i> by saying that Malchut<\/i><\/b> <\/b>in the Sephira<\/i> configuration or Nukveh <\/i>in the Partzuf<\/i> configuration only becomes beautiful and delightful when Yesod<\/i> <\/b>or Zeir Anpin<\/i> is with her, for she\u2019s only made complete by means of Yesod<\/i><\/b> or Zeir Anpin<\/i>. But when Malchut<\/i> <\/b>or Nukveh <\/i>is without Yesod<\/i><\/b> or Zeir<\/i> Anpin<\/i>, she\u2019s the source of all <\/b>sorts of deficiency and \u201csadness\u201d, yet when Malchut<\/i> <\/b>or Nukveh <\/i>is with Yesod<\/i><\/b> or Zeir Anpin<\/i>, she\u2019s the source of all <\/b>sorts of \u00a0joy for the male<\/b>, or for Yesod<\/i> or Zeir<\/i> Anpin<\/i>, himself.<\/b><\/p>\n
Accordingly, at first<\/b>, i.e., in the course of the breaking of the vessels, everything was in the mystical configuration of BaN<\/i>, which is Nukveh<\/i> <\/b>or Malchut<\/i> without the male<\/b>, i.e., without Yesod<\/i> or Zeir<\/i> Anpin<\/i>, and that resulted in \u201csadness\u201d. And the \u201csix directions\u201d <\/b>contained in Zeir <\/b>Anpin<\/i>: <\/b>Chessed<\/i>, Gevurah<\/i>, Tipheret<\/i>, Netzach<\/i>, Hod<\/i>, and Yesod<\/i>, didn\u2019t face Malchut<\/i> <\/b>or Nukveh<\/i>, because they weren\u2019t <\/b>yet delightful. But when Yesod<\/i> <\/b>or Zeir<\/i> Anpin<\/i> assumes the mystical configuration of MaH<\/i> <\/b>in the course of the Tikkun<\/i>, she<\/b>, i.e., Malchut<\/i> or Nukveh<\/i>, will be perfected and will herself inspire delight in the male<\/b>, i.e., in Yesod<\/i> or Zeir<\/i> Anpin<\/i>, which is the Tikkun<\/i><\/b> process itself (Petach<\/i> 58). <\/b>We\u2019ll do what we can to explain all this likewise.<\/p>\n
(c) 2013 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman<\/p>\n
Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org<\/a><\/p>\n ———————————————————-<\/p>\n AT LONG LAST! Rabbi Feldman’s translation of Maimonides’ “Eight Chapters” is available here<\/a> at a discount.<\/p>\n You can still purchase a copy of Rabbi Feldman’s translation of “The Gates of Repentance” here<\/a> at a discount as well.<\/p>\n Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has also translated and commented upon “The Path of the Just” and “The Duties of the Heart” (Jason Aronson Publishers).<\/p>\n Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled “Spiritual Excellence<\/a>\u201d and \u201cRamchal<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Our first concern when it comes to understanding what happened between the Shevira process (the \u201cBreaking of the Vessels\u201d) and the Tikkun is what happened as a result of the Shevira. And so we learn that that the ability to … Continue reading