[The above-mentioned difficulties will be resolved] by clarifying first the comment of the Yenuka (quoted in the Zohar, Parshat Balak [1] ) on the verse: [2] "The wise man's eyes are in his head."

[The Zohar comments]: "Where else are a man's eyes?... Surely, then, the meaning of the verse is as follows:

We have learned that a man must not go four cubits while bareheaded. Why? Because the Shechinah [the Divine Presence] rests upon his head.

[Therefore,] every wise man has his eyes [i.e., his interest and concern] and [hence also] his speech [concentrated] "in his head," [i.e.], in that [light of the Shechinah] which rests and abides above his head.

Now, when his "eyes" [i.e. his interest and his concern] are there, he must know that this light kindled above his head [i.e., the light that shines upon his soul] requires oil.

For man's body is the wick [that retains the luminous flame] and the light is kindled above it; and [thus] King Solomon cried out, saying, [3] "Let there be no lack of oil above your head."

For the light over his head requires oil, meaning good deeds - [the good deeds that man performs are the oil which supplies the light illuminating his soul], and for this reason "the wise man's eyes are in his head" - [to ensure that he never lacks oil (good deeds) for this light.

The quotation [from the Zohar] ends here.

   

Notes:

1. (Back to text) Zohar III, 187a.

2. (Back to text) Kohelet 2:14.

3. (Back to text) Ibid. 9:8.