Chukat 5771

The Zohar
	Water from the Well
	From the teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai; translation & commentary by Simcha-Shmuel Treister

The well of Miriam, from which the Jewish People drank in the Sinai desert, dried up when she died and returned in the merit of Moses. The Zohar comments: If you ask how 600,000 people drew water from that well, then you should know that there were 12 streams and the water gushed forth from the well and filled these streams that then flowed to all sides. Then, when the Israelites camped and wanted water, they would stand on the side of the stream bed and sing a song to that higher spiritual well, i.e. malchut. They would say words of truth, and thus it would happen.

From here we learn that whoever wishes to awaken and draw down things from Above, whether by actions or words, will achieve nothing unless the action or words are done in a fitting manner. Everyone goes to the Synagogue to awaken something from above but there are only a few who know how to do so. Via proper preparation (i.e. study of Kabbalistic meditations and practices), each one of us can be empowered to affect the world in the most positive way possible.

The Holy Ari
	Fixing the Mixing
	from the Writings of the Ari as recorded by Rabbi Chaim Vital; translated and edited by Moshe Yakov Wisnefsky

The sages note that it was the "Mixed Multitude" of non-Jews that accompanied the Jews in their exodus from Egypt who instigated the idolatry of the Golden Calf. The Arizal explains that the Mixed Multitude was indeed meant to be elevated eventually, since they contained sparks of holiness, and therefore Moses attempted to gather the Mixed Multitude under the wings of the Divine Presence and convert them to Judaism.

But Moses tried to do this prematurely. The Baal Shem Tov teaches that every process of spiritual growth must proceed through the three stages: submission of the ego, in order to gain new insight; separation of good and evil, in order to refine and purify the insight; and sweetening of the impure elements of the insight with the power generated by the pure, refined insight. Moses' mistake was skipping the middle stage of this process.

Mystical Classics
	Under the Yoke of the Oral Torah
	From the teachings of Rabbi Bachya ben Asher

The Red Cow is an allusion to the Oral Torah, the attribute of Justice in its most severe form and the source of ritual impurity. Purity is derived from an influence exerted by the attribute of Mercy, an emanation higher than that of gevura, the attribute of Justice responsible for every impurity.

This chore was given to Elazar to perform in order that he should address the attribute of Justice in its most concentrated form and it was slaughtered outside the holy precincts of the Temple in order to be able to diffuse the spirit of impurity.

Chasidic Masters
	The Holy Roots of Evil
	From the teachings of Rabbi M. M. Shneersohn (The Tzemach Tzedek)

The root of evil - that which gives it life - is goodness. But when it descends below through the chain of worlds it becomes physical suffering or spiritual debilitation. When a person suffers some misfortune, Heaven forbid, he should not judge by the sight of his eyes and consider it evil. Rather, he should realize that in truth its source is goodness, since nothing evil can emerge from G-d, but this goodness is not apparent in the lower worlds.

This is the idea of the copper serpent, which was to be placed on the pole and raised high so that the people would gaze upward. The Israelites should see the serpent as it is raised upward to its root and realize that it is not detached from Him and that no evil descends from Above.

Contemporary Kabbalists
	Battling Our Enemies Within
	From the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Moshe-Yaakov Wisnefsky

This Torah reading relates the attack of the nation of Amalek upon the Jewish People. The Lubavitcher Rebbe teaches that, allegorically, Amalek is the element of doubt that cools the enthusiasm we are supposed to feel towards G-d and our divine mission. In this sense, our inner Amalek does not oppose receiving the Torah, only our excitement about it. After all, he argues, learning the Torah is an intellectual endeavor. Reason requires a calm, seasoned attitude, not fiery enthusiasm. In particular, he argues against our passionate commitment to G-d's laws even before we have learned what they are. "If the Torah is true," he contends, "we will eventually commit to it even if we predicate action on study. Why be so impetuous and irrational?"

In fact, however, the Amalekite attitude will eventually lead us off the Torah's path. Unless we approach the Torah with the warmth and enthusiasm that flow naturally from relating to it as G-d's will and wisdom, we will lose interest in it and squander our energies on diversions and lifestyles that offer more immediate gratification, whether material or spiritual.

Ascent Lights
	The Prophetess of Redemption
	By Rena S. Goldzweig

"There were three good providers that were given to the Jewish people: Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. And three good gifts were given [to the Jews int he desert] in their behalf: the Manna in Moses' merit, Seven Clouds of Glory in Aaron's merit, and a [mobile] well in Miriam's merit." (Taanit 9a, Zohar III 102b)

The Ari teaches that when a well of water is dug, a corresponding spiritual well of water is opened in the upper worlds, causing the spiritual energies of faith contained in the upper waters to permeate the atmosphere and giving people more faith and belief in G-d. Thus, Miriam's well is connected to her deep belief and faith in G-d.

Miriam had two merits connected specifically with water: watching over Moses' rush basket in the Nile in his infancy and exuberant praise after the Splitting of the Red Sea. Indeed, it was entirely to Miriam's credit that the Jews continued to procreate in Egypt in spite of Pharaoh's decrees. Therefore, water - the most crucial need - was in her merit.

Mystic Story
	A Memory Beverage
	By Yerachmiel Tilles

Rabbi Yosef Karo cautioned Rabbi Moshe Alsheich: "Your student Chaim Vital is remarkable. Be exceptionally careful."

Shabbat Shalom.