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The Secret of Splitting the River By Rabbi David Rothschild Based on a discourse by The Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson The Last Day of Passover 5745-1985 A. Streams of Consciousness
The Verses
Messiah’s Torah Euphrates Crossing River Thought B. Two Torahs People Parallel Divine Speech Divine Thought C. Tribal Zones Lower Chariot Miracle Meaning Who knows Twelve? Upper Chariot Seven Delights Deep Thought Flood Waters Torah Revolution A.
Streams of Consciousness
The Verses “G-d will dry up the Nile Delta and He will wave His Hand over the Euphrates River with the power of His Breath; He will break it into seven streams and lead the people across in dry shoes. There will be a road from Assyria for the remnant of His people that will remain from Assyria, as there was for Israel on the day it went up from the land of Egypt” (Isaiah 11: 15-16. Haftorah 8th day of Pasover outside of Israel) Messiah’s Torah Maimonides teaches that in the future Messianic era, the Messiah will teach everyone Torah. The Sages write, “G-d will reveal a new, innovative Torah.’ This means that the manner of Torah study will be new. In that era, people will learn Torah visually! The revelation of the attribute of sight will be an unprecedented phenomenon. It applies to the level of thought in the Torah. The Torah as we know it derives from the aspect of speech. G-d spoke the Ten Commandments and verbally delivered the written and oral Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai. But in the future, G-d will transmit His New Torah to Earth. This will be similar to our present day Torah, that was given below, “not in heaven” (Deuteronomy 30:12). After all, the essential legal decisions of Torah apply to affairs on Earth. As King Solomon disclosed, angels “Descend to listen to your Torah learning” (Song of Songs 8:13).
These future revelations of the Torah are included in what the Zohar calls “the Soul of the Torah.” The principal application of these inner aspects of the Torah will also be specifically on Earth. And their revelation will be in a manner of sight. Euphrates Crossing Now we can understand the substance of the Splitting of the Euphrates River which will occur in Messianic Times. The revelation of the Revealed Torah – called the ‘body’ or essential Torah – first required the Splitting of the Sea. For, only by means of this feat was the World of Speech -- the Revealed World -- revealed on Mount Sinai. Likewise to facilitate the revelation of Messiah’s Torah, the World of Thought – the Concealed World – must be split open. This, then, is the significance of Isaiah’s prophecy of the Splitting of the River. But why should this future event occur precisely in a river? Kabbala answers that thought is allegorized as a river. River Thought Thought never rests or remains still, it continuously flows. The Hebrew word for river (nahar) is derived from the verb for flowing. As Isaiah said, “In the end of days … All the nations will stream (naharu) to the Temple” (Isaiah 2:2). The Future Revelation will be such that Messiah’s Torah will spread out in a manner that resembles the ever-increasing breadth of a river. This is the concept of the future Splitting of the River. Just as the sea split to permit the Infinite Lights it concealed to shine, likewise the river will part to allow Messiah’s Torah to become revealed. For the Messiah will teach the Inner Torah, which corresponds to the World of Thought. Hence that which today conceals this World must first be nullified. Only then can the Infinite Lights hidden therein be revealed. B. Two Torah’s People Parallel A deeper understanding of this idea can be reached by observing human beings. Kabbala tells us that man is similar to Divinity, which is why the Hebrew word for man (adam), is constructed from the same two-letter root as the term for “similar” (adamah). Thus by appreciating human faculties, one can discern those of G-d. Humans possess the faculties of speech and thought. The distinction between them is comparable to the difference between revelation and concealment. Speech’s function is to reveal to a recipient one’s inner thoughts. In the faculty of thought, however, our thoughts remain hidden. As the Talmud says, “A man does not know what is in his friend’s heart.” Divine Speech In like manner, G-d desired to make known his Revealed Torah - called Divine Speech. He wanted to speak Torah on Mount Sinai. But before He could do so, G-d first had to remove the obstacle that inhibited Speech’s revelation. That’s why He split open the sea, which corresponds to the final sefirah in the World of Emanation, the attribute of Kingship (Malchut), which is associated with Divine Speech. [see “The Secret of the Splitting of the Sea.] When the sea opened up, a revelation of Divine Speech descended below. Then Divine Speech - the Revealed Torah - was given to the Jewish people. Divine Thought
Messiah’s Torah will be of an entirely different nature. For the Inner Torah relates to G-d’s attribute of Thought. What’s more, this high level of Torah will be apprehended by means of man’s faculty of sight. People will not only know what lies within his friend’s heart, rather, they will be able to see what is there! To precipitate this revelation, an even higher “splitting” must first take place. While Speech refers to Emanation’s attribute of Kingship, Thought alludes to its sefirah of Understanding (Binah). In order for Thought and G-d’s Inwardness to shine below, a splitting and revelation in the sefirah of Understanding is required. C. Tribal Zones Lower Chariot Now it is possible to understand why the sea split into twelve sections. In contrast, the future Splitting of the River will be specifically in seven streams. The Splitting of the Sea corresponds to the spiritual service of the Lower Chariot of the World of Creation. At this level, it is the Lower Fear of G-d that is felt, and as a result, the ‘Lower’ Divine Service that is performed. The term “lower” is employed because a mere radiation of G-d’s Light shines in the Lower Worlds. Souls and angels there are cognizant of this Light. They pine for the Light’s source, which remains imperceptible and aloof. This service divides into 12 parts. Regarding the 12 Tribes of Israel, Moses said, “And these are the names of the children of Israel who were coming into Egypt” (Exodus 1:1). They left the Land of Israel and descended to Egypt. Kabbala reveals that the 12 Tribes are the Lower Chariot of the world of Creation. That is, the souls left the highest Divine realm to move downward into the created worlds. Miracle Meaning Kabbala and Zohar appear to differ on the nature of the miracle of the Splitting of the Sea. According to Kabbala, Jewish souls and Lights from the World of Emanation broke through the barrier separating the realm of infinity from the created worlds. Zohar, though, relates that Jewish souls from the lower worlds ascended through the sea breach into the World of Emanation. Chassidus explains that these differing explanations aren’t contradictory. The miracle’s central feature was the unprecedented fusion of antithetical worlds, which enabled the descent of a higher light as well as the ascent to a higher world. A parable is provided: When one person stands on a mountain peak and his friend is positioned down in the valley, and they choose to meet, it doesn’t really matter whether their encounter resulted from the lower person’s climbing the peak or the higher one’s descent below; in the end they become united. Who Knows Twelve? In the World of Creation, the totality of Jewish souls comprises 12 distinct tribes. This division reflects a similar partition in the World of Emanation. A physical example is useful. There are three sets of bones in the hand. Intelligence shines in the highest set. One writes with his fingers, not the palm. Within the middle section are enclothed the emotions. Action attributes are found in the bottom section. In Emanation, the right hand corresponds to the attribute of Kindness (Chesed). Like a physical hand, Kindness is divided into three general parts. Within these three parts are the ten sefirot. The attribute of Severity (Gevurah) of Emanation is allegorized as its left hand. It too is subdivided into three parts. Emanation’s right and left feet, corresponding to action faculties, receive the same treatment. In this manner, Emanation’s four highest sefirot divide into 12 distinct sub-sections. Jewish souls residing in Emanation obtain their identity from its sefirot. They too are partitioned into 12 sections. And this initial grouping is reflected below in the World of Creation. The attribute of Kingship in the World of Emanation, as mentioned earlier, prevented Emanation’s lights from descending below to the three Lower Worlds of Creation, Formation and Action. Now that the time arrived for such a revelation, Kingship had to first undergo a preparatory stage. Emanation’s 12 sub-sections are separated, each occupying its own unique position. Therefore, Kingship had to provide a different channel for each one’s crossing. Likewise regarding the Zohar’s interpretation. Every one of the 12 tribes from the World of Creation was to ascend up into the World of Emanation. Each tribe, though, obtained vitality from its correlating sub-section of Emanation. To ascend, they required their own path; if they took another tribe’s route, they would reach the wrong sub-section source. For both of these reasons, Kingship’s internal preparation had to match the task at hand. That’s why the sea split into exactly 12 sections. When the Jews crossed the sea, each tribe traversed the seabed on it’s own particular route. On a spiritual plane, the Infinite Light of the World of Emanation shone down to the tribes in the World of Creation through 12 celestial pathways. The Splitting of the Sea was a historical fact in this physical world, but it mirrored a spiritual act in the highest worlds. Upper Chariot In contrast, the future Splitting of the River corresponds to the Higher Service, the Higher Chariot and Higher Fear. In this supernal realm, the number seven applies. For the Supernal Chariot refers to the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. As the Midrash confirms, “The Patriarchs are the Chariot.” The Supernal Chariot also refers to the Matriarchs: Sarah, Rebecca, Leah and Rachel. The Midrash informs that in matters of prophecy, Abraham was subordinate to his wife Sarah. Genesis records, “Whatever Sarah tells you, heed her voice” (Genesis 21:12). When added together, the three Patriarchs and the four Matriarchs total seven. Like the crossing at the Sea of Reeds, the future Splitting of the River allegorizes a spiritual event. But then the river will be breached into seven, rather then 12 streams. Within each pathway will descend a revelation of one of the seven aspects of the Supernal Chariot, itself composed of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. Moreover, G-d’s inner aspect of Delight (Atik) will be revealed. Seven Delight While the Supernal Chariot is situated in the emotive sefirot of the World of Emanation, Delight represents an infinitely higher realm. There, G-d’s Light is abstracted beyond even the possibility of revelation. Delight also contains an aspect of the other sefirot. Its final seven sefirot represent the ultimate expression of G-d’s “emotions”. Just as the sea conceals the lights of the World of Emanation, the river covers the emotions of Delight. When the sea split, Emanation’s Lights shone down into the lower worlds. Likewise in the future, the river’s breach will allow Delight’s Infinite Lights to illuminate the earth. Deep Thought As discussed earlier, the river corresponds to the faculty of thought. Similar to speech, thought also possesses letters. While they are more refined than letters of speech, they are nevertheless tangible entities. Thought’s letters perform a dual role. On the one hand they cover the light of intelligence, will and delight. Speech corresponds to the sefirah of Kingship, which blocks the lights of the sefirot above it from shining below. In a similar manner, the letters of thought screen the sublime spiritual realms above it and prevent their revelation below. In order to access those realms, these letters of thought must be ripped asunder. Letters of thought, though, perform the paradoxical role of making revelation possible. Letters act as vessels. And illumination can only transpire within a vessel. For example, should a candle’s wick be damaged, the flame has nothing to hold on to. Flood Waters The Future Revelation will occur specifically by means of the letters of thought. But Thought will be different than it is today. Not only will the river be breached, allowing Infinite Light to shine forth, it itself will broaden and expand. This connotes the breadth of G-d’s Essence of Thought. Expanse of revelation occurs in the attribute of Thought (Binah) to a greater degree than in Wisdom. For Wisdom receives insight in compact form. The idea is then contained, developed and understood by the letters of Thought. Then will be fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy, “For the earth will be filled with knowledge of G-d as water covers the ocean floor” (Isaiah 11:9). Enlightenment will expand and increase, just as a mighty river overflows its banks. The illumination will be so overpowering that it will extend below, reaching even the physical earth. This revelation will be similar in nature to the method of Messiah’s Torah instruction. The Messiah will teach his Torah not only to scholars but also to beginners. Jeremiah foretold, “For all of them will know Me, from their smallest to their greatest” (Jeremiah 31:33). While everyone will enjoy equal comprehension of G-d, at the same time distinctions of personal qualification and conduct will exist. Jeremiah's terminology makes this evident, "smallest … greatest.” Still, the Messiah will also instruct “the smallest” - even those individuals who are in the lowly category of “earth.” Moreover, Messiah’s Torah will be a “new Torah.”
This innovation will even be apparent regarding the Torah as it is now and will
also be recognized in the “earth” below. In simple terms, its novelty will also
be manifest in Jewish Law. Torah Revolution Maimonides ruled that a Rabbinical Court whose members are wiser and more numerous than an earlier court, has the authority to overturn the earlier court’s judgments. This will also happen in the Future Era. At that time, a new Rabbinical Court will be established. The members of this new court will be wiser and more numerous than all previous courts. They will be legally empowered to introduce new concepts and subjects in Torah. (Some opinions assert that the court will include the most prominent figures in Jewish history, for the Resurrection of the Dead can occur simultaneously with Messiah’s arrival.) An example of this revolution is provided by the Midrash. It asks, “Why are swine called hazir? In the future they will return (hozer) to a purified state.” A transformation in Jewish Law will occur. Swine, the ultimate beast of defilement, will itself become purified. How can such a mind-boggling assertion be understood? Most commentaries suggest this change will be brought about when the swine loses its physical signs of impurity. Swines’ physical appearance will be altered to render them kosher. However this explanation is insufficient. For if that were to be the case, this new creature wouldn’t be a swine. Rather, the correct solution is that there will be a completely new reality regarding the swine-of-old. And the new Rabbinical Court will be the ones who alter its reality! Consumption of swine meat, though, is a clear prohibition enunciated in the Five Books of Moses. Rabbinical Courts, regardless of their Messianic status, are unable to change such a law. Hence, an even deeper explanation is required to explain the Midrash. . [The Rebbe
delivered this discourse on a Holiday, when recording is forbidden. Chassidim
wrote its text after the Holiday ended. But they couldn’t remember clearly the
Rebbe’s answer!] This revelation will descend all the way down to the land. As the prophecy says, “For the earth will be filled with knowledge of G-d.” What’s more, the lowly earth will be transformed until it becomes “filled.” The Hebrew word for “filled” also translates as “completion.” As the Midrash says, “The world was created in a perfected and complete state.” Isaiah’s prophecy concludes, “as water covers the ocean floor.” He foresaw, though, that the river’s revelation shall also be present in the sea. That is, the hidden aspect of G-d – Thought – will be incorporated in His revealed condition – Speech. This is the ultimate interpretation of the river’s breach into seven streams. For where do streams eventually wind up? They empty into the sea. Then the sea will be transformed into a mikvah, similar to its state at the onset of Creation, when “the waters were gathered together.” (Genesis 1:9). G-d’s Light will then fill the land as the sea’s waters cover the ocean floor. |
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