Chapter 1 (PDF) - Stanford University Press

Torah. Of this is written: I have put My words in your mouth and covered you
of
the shadow of My hand, to plant heavens and establish earth (Isaiah 51:16).
with
of My hand?''
shadow
replied, ``When Torah was transmitted to Moses, myriads of celestial
He
came to scorch him with flames from their mouths, but the blessed
angels
One sheltered him. 186
Now when this word ascends, is crowned, and
Holy
before the blessed Holy One, He shelters that word and covers that
stands
so that he will not be discovered by themÐarousing their jealousyÐ
person
that word is transformed into new heavens and a new earth, as is
before
I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to plant heavens and
written:
earth. From this we learn that every word concealed from the eyes
establish
supernal value, 187 as is written: I have covered you with the shadow of My
attains
Why was it covered and hidden from view? For the sake of supernal
hand.
as is written: to plant heavens and establish earth, as already explained.
value,
The verse does not read the heavens
185.
... The reference is not to the existing
but to new heavens. See BT Sanhedrin
heavens,
99b: ``Rav said, `[Concerning one who
Torah for her own sake,] it is as
studies
he built heavenly and earthly pa-
though
as is written: I have put My words in
laces,
mouth and covered you with the shadow
your
My hand, to plant heavens and establish
of
Rabbi Shim'on amplifies this teach-
earth.'''
and radicalizes it; note how the phrase
ing
is as though'' has disappeared.
``it
angels came to scorch him . . . Jealous
186.
that a mere mortal dared to enter the
realm. See Pesiqta Rabbati 20:
celestial
Moses ascended on high....a band
``When
angels of destruction . . . sought to scorch
of
with the breath of their mouths. What
him
the blessed Holy One do? He spread
did
some of His splendor.''
overhim
Ma'yan Ḥokhmah (Beit ha-Midrash,
See
and BT Shabbat 88b: ``Rabbi
1:58±60);
son of Levi said, `When Moses
Yehoshu'a
on high, the ministering angels said
ascended
the blessed Holy One, ``Master of the
before
What is one born of woman doing
Universe!
among us?'' He answered, ``He has come
here
receive Torah.'' They said, ``That precious
to
hidden by You for 974 generations
treasure
the world was created, You desire to
before
to flesh and blood! What is a human that
give
are mindful of him, a human being that
You
take note of him?'' (Psalms 8:5). ``Answer
You
said the blessed Holy One to Moses.
them,''
of the Universe,'' he replied, ``I fear
``Master
could scorch me with the breath of their
they
He said, ``Grasp My throne of
mouths.''
and answer them. . . .''' Rabbi Naḥman
Glory,
`This teaches that the Almighty spread
observed,
some of the luster of His Shekhinah and
cloud overhim.''' See Zohar 2:58a, 156b.
His
every word concealed . . . See BT
187.
8b: ``Blessing is not found in anything
Ta'anit
weighed, measured, or counted, but
in that which is hidden from the eye.''
only
Zohar 1:64b, 202a.
Cf.
distinguished by halakhah.''
(metsuyyanim),
on this passage, Rabbi Shim'on iden-
Based
Haqdamat Sefer ha-Zohar
[1:5a]
verse does not read the heavens, but rather heavens.'' 185
The
El'azarasked, ``What is the meaning of: I have covered you with the
Rabbi
27
(ammi), My people!' (ibid.). To say to those
``To say to Zion: `You are
T
P
K
(ammi).'
those distinguished words, 188 these above those: `You are T P K
gates,
188. Zion ...gates...distinguished words
In BT Berakhot 8a, the phrase gates of
QGKX
(tsiyyon), Zion (Psalms 87:2) is interpreted in
P
the name of Rav Ḥisda as ``gates
OKRKKGX