Chapter Thirty-Four

It is known that "the Patriarchs constitute the Divine Chariot." [1]

Throughout their lives, they did not cease even momentarily from binding their mind and soul to the Master of the universe, with the aforementioned absolute surrender to His unity.

[I.e., their constant awareness of G-d's unity led them to be continuously in a state of self-nullification before G-d; and, as explained more fully in chapter 23, this self-nullification is what is meant by the term "chariot", a vehicle submissive to the will of its pilot].

After them came all the prophets who similarly nullified themselves before G-d's unity in varying degrees, each according to the level of his soul and his understanding.

The rank of our teacher Moses, peace be upon him, surpassed them all; of him our Sages said: [2] "The Shechinah (the Divine Presence) spoke out of Moses' throat."

[His was such a total surrender to G-dliness, that the very words he uttered were Divine speech; the relation of Moses' throat to Divine speech was that of one's throat to his own speech].

At Mount Sinai, Israel were privileged to experience a glimmer of this level of self-nullification.

But they could not endure it; as our Sages have said, [3] "At every Divine utterance their souls took flight," [and G-d resurrected them each time]. This [flight of their soul] actually represents the self- nullification spoken of previously. [4]

Therefore, [because they were unable to live with this feeling of self-surrender before G-d], He commanded them immediately to erect for Him a Sanctuary, in which would be the Holy of Holies, wherein His presence would dwell; i.e., there His unity would be revealed, as will be explained further. [5]

[The Alter Rebbe points out below that when one specific place is singled out as an abode for G-d's presence, despite the fact that "His glory fills the entire earth," the uniqueness of this site lies in the revelation of G-dliness which occurs there.

In contrast to the rest of the world, where G-d's unity as the sole existing being stands concealed, in "the abode of G-d's presence" it is clearly apparent that "there is naught besides Him."

We thus see that the revelation of G-d's unity which the Jewish people experienced at Mount Sinai, but which they could not endure, was continued by means of the Sanctuary].

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) See above, ch. 23.

2. (Back to text) Cf. Zohar III, 232a; commentary of Rabbi David Luria on Shemot Rabbah, end of ch. 3.

3. (Back to text) Shabbat 88b.

4. (Back to text) See also below, end of ch. 36.

5. (Back to text) Ch. 53.