Tanya — Igeret HaKodesh אִגֶּרֶת הַקֹּדֶשׁ, Chapter 13

מָה רַב טוּבְךָ אֲשֶׁר צָפַנְתָּ לִירֵאֶיךָ וְגוֹ׳.

THIRTEEN. “How abundant is Your goodness which You have hidden for those who fear You….”

הִנֵּה, בִּכְלַל עוֹבְדֵי ה׳ יֵשׁ ב׳ בְּחִינוֹת וּמַדְרֵגוֹת חֲלוּקוֹת מִצַּד שׁוֹרֶשׁ נִשְׁמָתָם לְמַעְלָה, מִבְּחִינַת יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאל.

In the class of the “servants of the L–rd” there are two degrees and levels which, depending on the root of their souls above, are distinct in relation to the categories of the right. and the left..

דְּהַיְינוּ, שֶׁבְּחִינַת שְׂמֹאל הִיא מִדַּת הַצִּמְצוּם וְהַהֶסְתֵּר בַּעֲבוֹדַת ה׳, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב: ״וְהַצְנֵעַ לֶכֶת כוּ׳״ ״בַּמִּסְתָּרִים תִּבְכֶּה כוּ׳״, ״כָּל הָעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה בַּסֵּתֶר כוּ׳״.

That is, the characteristic of the left is the trait of contraction (tzimtzum) and concealment in the service of the L–rd, as it is written: “and to walk secretly…”; “in secret places cries…”; “whoever busies himself with Torah in secret….” 5:1 (Maimonides, Hilchot Talmud Torah 3:12); cf. also Moed Kattan 16b.

וְהִנֵּה, מִמִּדָּה זוֹ נִמְשְׁכָה גַם כֵּן בְּחִינַת הַצִּמְצוּם וְהַגְּבוּל בַּעֲבוֹדַת ה׳, כְּמוֹ בִּצְדָקָה לִהְיוֹת נִידּוֹן בְּהֶשֵּׂג יָד, וְ״הַמְבַזְבֵּז – אַל יְבַזְבֵּז יוֹתֵר מֵחוֹמֶשׁ״, וּכְהַאי גַּוְנָא בְּתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה וּשְׁאָרֵי מִצְוֹת, דַּי לוֹ שֶׁיּוֹצֵא יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ מֵחִיּוּב מְפוֹרָשׁ שֶׁחִיְּיבַתּוּ הַתּוֹרָה בְּפֵירוּשׁ לִקְבּוֹעַ עִתִּים כוּ׳. וּמִמֶּנָּה נִמְשָׁךְ גַּם כֵּן מַה שֶּׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ־זִכְרוֹנָם־לִבְרָכָה: ״זְרוֹק מָרָה בַּתַּלְמִידִים כוּ׳״.

From this attribute derives also the aspect of contraction (tzimtzum) and limitation in the service of G–d; for example, with charity—to judge according to the means, “and he who expends, should not expend more than one-fifth”; 50a (cf. above, Epistle 10, note 36). and, likewise, regarding the study of Torah and the other commandments—he suffices in discharging his duty, the definite duty to which the Torah obliges him, “to appoint times….” 3:4 ff. and 4:6; cf. Tzemach Tzedek—Chidushim al Hashass on Peah 1:1. From it derives also what our Sages, of blessed memory, said 103b.: “Cast a scare upon the pupils….”

אַךְ בְּחִינַת יָמִין, הִיא מִדַּת הַחֶסֶד וְהַהִתְפַּשְּׁטוּת בַּעֲבוֹדַת ה׳, בְּהִתְרַחֲבוּת בְּלִי צִמְצוּם וְהֶסְתֵּר כְּלָל, כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב: ״וְאֶתְהַלְּכָה בָרְחָבָה כוּ׳״, וְגַם בְּלִי צִמְצוּם וּגְבוּל כְּלָל, וְאֵין מַעֲצוֹר לְרוּחַ נִדְבָתוֹ, בֵּין בִּצְדָקָה וּבֵין בְּתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה וּשְׁאָרֵי מִצְוֹת, וְלֹא דַי לוֹ לָצֵאת יְדֵי חוֹבָתוֹ בִּלְבַד, אֶלָּא עַד בְּלִי דַי כוּ׳:

On the other hand, the characteristic of the right is the attribute of grace (chesed) and extension in the service of G–d by way of expansion, without any contraction and concealment whatsoever, as it is written: “And I will walk in an expanse…,” without any contraction and limitation whatsoever. There is no restraint to the spirit of his generosity—whether it be with respect to charity, the study of Torah, or other commandments. He does not suffice in discharging his obligation only, but to the extent of “never sufficient….”

וְהִנֵּה, כָּל אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל צָרִיךְ לִהְיוֹת כָּלוּל מִב׳ בְּחִינוֹת אֵלּוּ, וְ״אֵין לְךָ דָבָר שֶׁאֵין לוֹ מָקוֹם״.

Now, every one of Israel needs to comprise both these traits, for “there is no thing which does not have its place.” 4:3—Both chesed and gevurah are essential.

וְלָכֵן מָצִינוּ כַּמָּה דְבָרִים מִקּוּלֵּי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי וּמֵחוּמְרֵי בֵּית הִלֵּל, לְלַמְּדֵנוּ, שֶׁאַף בֵּית שַׁמַּאי שֶׁשֹּׁרֶשׁ נִשְׁמָתָם מִבְּחִינַת שְׂמֹאל הָעֶלְיוֹן, וְלָכֵן הָיוּ דָנִין לְהַחֲמִיר תָּמִיד בְּכָל אִיסּוּרֵי הַתּוֹרָה, וּבֵית הִלֵּל שֶׁהָיוּ מִבְּחִינַת יָמִין הָעֶלְיוֹן, הָיוּ מְלַמְּדִין זְכוּת לְהָקֵל וּלְהַתִּיר אִיסּוּרֵי בֵּית שַׁמַּאי, שֶׁיִּהְיוּ מוּתָּרִים מֵאִיסּוּרָם וְיוּכְלוּ לַעֲלוֹת לְמַעְלָה, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן, בְּכַמָּה דְבָרִים הָיוּ בֵּית שַׁמַּאי מְקִילִּין, מִפְּנֵי הִתְכַּלְלוּת שֹׁרֶשׁ נִשְׁמָתָם שֶׁהוּא כָּלוּל גַּם מִיָּמִין.

Thus we find various matters that are of the leniencies of Bet Shammai and of the stringencies of Bet Hillel. ch. 4; 5:1-5; Oholot 11:3-6. This comes to teach us that Bet Shammai, the root of whose soul is of the category of the supernal left.—Zohar III:245a. See Shaar Hagilgulim, ch. 36.—[that is why they always decided stringently regarding all the prohibitions of the Torah; but Bet Hillel, who were of the supernal right,.—See references in note 15 above. would find favorable arguments to be lenient and to permit the injunctions of Bet Shammai so that these should become muttarim from their issur (bound) to the sitra achara. To be muttar (permitted) means to be muttar (released, free) from the sitra achara. See Likkutei Amarim, Part I, ch. 7 and below, Epistle 26. and able to ascend upward. Nevertheless]—in several matters, even Bet Shammai are lenient. This is so because of the inclusiveness of their soul’s root, which compounds the right as well.

וְכֵן שׁוֹרֶשׁ נִשְׁמַת בֵּית הִלֵּל כָּלוּל גַּם מִשְּׂמֹאל, כַּיָּדוּעַ דֶּרֶךְ וּמִדּוֹת קֹדֶשׁ הָעֶלְיוֹן, דְּ״לֵית תַּמָן קִיצּוּץ וּפֵירוּד״ חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, וְכָל הַמִּדּוֹת כְּלוּלוֹת זוֹ מִזּוֹ, וְלָכֵן הֵם מְיוּחָדוֹת זוֹ בָּזוֹ, כַּיָּדוּעַ לְיוֹדְעֵי חֵן; וּכְדִכְתִיב בְּאַבְרָהָם, שֶׁהוּא מִדַּת הַחֶסֶד וְהָאַהֲבָה: ״עַתָּה יָדַעְתִּי כִּי יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים אַתָּה״, עַל־יְדֵי שֶׁלָּבַשׁ מִדַּת הַגְּבוּרָה, ״וַיַּעֲקוֹד אֶת יִצְחָק בְּנוֹ . . וַיִּקַּח אֶת הַמַּאֲכֶלֶת כוּ׳״.

And, likewise, the root of Bet Hillel’s soul compounds the left also. For, as known of the mode and attributes of the kodesh ha’elyon, there is no cleavage and division there, III:70a; also ibid., 83a and 109a. Heaven forfend, and all the traits compound each other. Thus, they are united one with the other,, Part II, ch. 6. as known to the students of Kabbalah. are not truly separate and distinct from each other; they proceed from, and succeed, each other. Thus we speak of chesed of chesed, gevurah of chesed, etc.; chesed of gevurah, gevurah of gevurah, etc. Cf. Addendum, Mystical Concepts in Chassidism. Thus it is written of Abraham, who is the attribute of chesed and love: “Now I know that you are fearful of G–d”—for he had donned the attribute of gevurah, Vayera (on this and the preceding passage), and cf. the commentary of Nachmanides on this verse, and Zohar I:119b. “and bound Isaac his son…and took the knife….”

וּמַה שֶּׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב: ״אַבְרָהָם אוֹהֲבִי״ וּ״פַחַד יִצְחָק״, הִנֵּה הַהֶפְרֵשׁ וְהַהֶבְדֵּל הַזֶּה הוּא בִּבְחִינַת גִּילּוּי וְהֶעְלֵם, שֶׁבְּמִדַּת יִצְחָק – הַפַּחַד הוּא בִּבְחִינַת גִּילּוּי וְהָאַהֲבָה מְסוּתֶּרֶת בִּבְחִינַת הֶעְלֵם וְהֶסְתֵּר, וְהַהֵיפֶךְ – בְּמִדַּת אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ עָלָיו־הַשָּׁלוֹם.

As for Scripture stating “Abraham who loved Me,” to Abraham; see Pardes Rimonim 23:11, s.v. Ahavah. and “the Fright of Isaac,” to Isaac; see Pardes Rimonim 23:17, s.v. Pachad (cf. Zohar III:12b, 18a, and 302b). this difference and distinction is with respect to manifestation and concealment. In the attribute of Isaac, fright is in a state of manifestation, while love is hidden in a state of concealment and hiding. The opposite is with the trait of our father Abraham, peace be to him.

וְזֶהוּ שֶׁאָמַר דָּוִד הַמֶּלֶךְ עָלָיו־הַשָּׁלוֹם: ״מָה רַב טוּבְךָ וְגוֹ׳״. כְּלוֹמַר, שֶׁמִּדַּת הַטּוֹב וְהַחֶסֶד אֲשֶׁר הִיא בִּבְחִינַת הֶעְלֵם וְהֶסְתֵּר אֵצֶל כָּל מִי שֶׁשּׁוֹרֶשׁ נִשְׁמָתוֹ מִבְּחִינַת שְׂמֹאל, הַנִּקְרָא בְּשֵׁם ״יְרֵאֶיךָ״, כְּמִדַּת בֵּית שַׁמַּאי, הִנֵּה אַף שֶׁהוּא טוֹב הַגָּנוּז וְצָפוּן, אַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן, הוּא רַב וְגָדוֹל מְאֹד כְּמוֹ מִדַּת הַגְּדוּלָּה וְהַחֶסֶד מַמָּשׁ שֶׁמִּבְּחִינַת יָמִין, וּשְׁתֵּיהֶן הֵן מִבְּחִינַת גִּילּוּי בְּלִי גְבוּל וּמִדָּה וְשִׁיעוּר.

And this is the meaning of what King David, peace be to him, said: “How abundant is Your goodness….” That is to say that the attribute of goodness and chesed, which is in a state of concealment and hiding with everyone the root of whose soul is of the category of the left, referred to as “those that fear You”, Bamidbar 16b; Mayim Rabbim 5636, ch. 49: “The gematria (numerical value) of yirah (awe; fear) is equivalent to that of gevurah.” [as is the trait of Bet Shammai], now, though this is a concealed and hidden goodness, it is nevertheless truly as abundant and immense as the attribute of gedulah (greatness) denotes the Divine chesed; see Tikkunei Zohar 22 (67b); Likkutei Amarim, Part II, ch. 4; Likkutei Torah, Ekev 17c ff.; Mayim Rabbim 5636, ch. 46 ff. and chesed, which is of the right, and both are of the category of a manifestation that is without limit, measure, and size.

וְזֶהוּ שֶׁכָּתוּב ״מָה רַב טוּבְךָ״, כְּלוֹמַר בְּלִי גְבוּל וּמִדָּה, בֵּין הַטּוֹב ״אֲשֶׁר צָפַנְתָּ לִירֵאֶיךָ״, וּבֵין אֲשֶׁר ״פָּעַלְתָּ לַחוֹסִים בָּךְ״, שֶׁהֵם בַּעֲלֵי הַבִּטָּחוֹן שֶׁמִּבְּחִינַת יָמִין, וְחַסְדָּם וְטוּבָם, הוּא גַם כֵּן בִּבְחִינַת גִּילּוּי וְהִתְפַּשְּׁטוּת – ״נֶגֶד בְּנֵי אָדָם״, וְלֹא בִּבְחִינַת צִמְצוּם וְהֶסְתֵּר כְּלָל.

And this is the meaning of Scripture: “How abundant is Your goodness,” i.e., without limit and measure, whether it be the goodness “which You have hidden for those who fear You,” or that which “You have wrought for those who trust in You”—i.e., the hopeful who are of the category of the right,31 II:120b. and whose kindness and goodness are also in a state of manifestation and expansion “before the children of man,” and by no means in a state of contraction and concealment.

(וּמַה שֶּׁכָּתוּב ״לִירֵאֶיךָ״ וְלֹא ״בִּירֵאֶיךָ״, הַיְינוּ מִשּׁוּם שֶׁכָּל מַה שֶּׁהוּא בִּבְחִינַת הֶעְלֵם בְּכָל נְשָׁמָה, הִנֵּה בְּחִינָה זוֹ אֵינָהּ מְלוּבֶּשֶׁת תּוֹךְ הַגּוּף בְּמוֹחוֹ וְלִבּוֹ, אֶלָּא הוּא בִּבְחִינַת מַקִּיף מִלְמַעְלָה, וּמִשָּׁם הִיא מְאִירָה לְמוֹחוֹ וְלִבּוֹ לָעִתִּים הַצְּרִיכִים לְהִתְעוֹרְרוּת בְּחִינָה זוֹ, שֶׁתִּתְעוֹרֵר וְתָאִיר לְמוֹחוֹ וְלִבּוֹ, כְּדֵי לָבֹא לִידֵי מַעֲשֶׂה בְּפוֹעַל מַמָּשׁ).

(The reason it says “For those who fear You” rather than “In those who fear You” is because with every soul, whatever is in a state of concealment is not vested within the body in his mind and heart. It is, rather, in a state of “encompassing from above,” and from there it radiates to his mind and heart at those times when an arousal of this aspect becomes necessary, i.e., to be aroused and to illumine his mind and heart in order to result in a real act.)

וְאָמַר עַל כֵּן, אֲשֶׁר ״רַב טוּב לְבֵית יִשְׂרָאֵל״, הַצָּפוּן וְהַגָּלוּי, הוּא בִּבְחִינַת בְּלִי גְבוּל וּמִדָּה לְפִי עֵרֶךְ נַפְשׁוֹתָם הַמְלוּבֶּשֶׁת בַּגּוּף, לָכֵן, גַּם אַתָּה ה׳ תִּתְנַהֵג עִמָּהֶם בְּמִדַּת חַסְדְּךָ הַגָּדוֹל בְּלִי גְבוּל וְתַכְלִית, הַנִּקְרָא ״רַב חֶסֶד״.

(The verse), therefore, says that whereas the “abundance of goodness of the House of Israel” [that which is hidden and that which is manifest] is in a state of “without limit and measure” [according to the category of their soul vested in the body], therefore “You, too, O L–rd, treat them with the attribute of Your unlimited and infinitely great chesed which is called rav chesed.”

דְּ״אִית חֶסֶד וְאִית חֶסֶד״: אִית חֶסֶד עוֹלָם, שֶׁיֵּשׁ כְּנֶגְדּוֹ וּלְעוּמָּתוֹ מִדַּת הַדִּין חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, לְמַעֵט וּלְצַמְצֵם חַסְדּוֹ וְטוּבוֹ. אֲבָל חֶסֶד עֶלְיוֹן הַנִּקְרָא ״רַב חֶסֶד״, אֵין כְּנֶגְדּוֹ מִדַּת הַדִּין לְמַעֵט וּלְצַמְצֵם רוֹב חַסְדּוֹ מִלְּהִתְפַּשֵּׁט בְּלִי גְבוּל וְתַכְלִית, כִּי הוּא נִמְשָׁךְ מִבְּחִינַת ״סוֹבֵב כָּל עָלְמִין״ וּ״טְמִירָא דְכָל טְמִירִין״, הַנִּקְרָא ״כֶּתֶר עֶלְיוֹן״. וְזֶהוּ שֶׁכָּתוּב: ״תַּסְתִּירֵם בְּסֵתֶר פָּנֶיךָ וְגוֹ׳ תִּצְפְּנֵם בְּסוּכָּה וְגוֹ׳״:

For there are different types of chesed: there is chesed olam, the corresponding opposite of which is the attribute of din,; see Addendum, Mystical Concepts in Chassidism). Heaven forfend, which. serves to diminish and contract His chesed and goodness. But the chesed elyon,. which is called rav chesed, does not have an attribute of din opposed to it [to diminish and contract the abundance of His grace from extending unlimited and infinitely]. It derives from the rank of sovev kol almin and temira dechol temirin, called keter elyon..—See Zohar I:147a (Toss.); also Zohar II:42b and III:288b; Tikkunei Zohar, Introduction 12a; cf. Pardes Rimonim 5:4. This, then, is the meaning of “You hide them in the covert of Your Countenance…You conceal them in a pavilion….”