HOME | CONTACT US | DONATE LoginLOGIN Ask the RabbiASK THE RABBI
Chabad.org - Torah, Judaism and Jewish Info
 
Chabad.org » Kabbalah Online » Weekly Torah » Archives » Bereishit - Genesis » Chayei Sara » Contemporary Kabbalists » Down by the Water
PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
CommentComment
Down by the Water
The 24 books of Scripture form the channel through which G-d's wisdom flows into the world.
Intermediate Intermediate

Down by the Water


The maiden was of beautiful appearance, a virgin whom no man had known. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up. (Gen. 24:16)

The numerical value of the word for "pitcher" (in Hebrew, "kad") is 24, alluding to the 24 books of Scripture. The spring alludes to the source of divine wisdom. The 24 books form the channel through which G-d's wisdom flows into the world.

The Oral Torah is a pitcher that draws from the 24 books of the Written Torah….

Additionally, the word for "her pitcher" ("kadah", "kad" plus the letter hei) alludes to the Oral Torah. The Oral Torah is identified with the sefira of expression, malchut, which in turn is identified with the final hei of G-d's Name. The Oral Torah is a pitcher that draws from the 24 books of the Written Torah.

Alternatively, while the pitcher symbolizes the Written Torah, the spring into which it was lowered symbolizes the Oral Torah. Dipping the pitcher into the water thus signifies the combination of the Written Torah and the Oral Torah.

The incident of the well is an expression of the unity soon to be accomplished through their marriage….

Furthermore, Isaac personified the Written Torah and Rebecca the Oral Torah. Thus, the incident of the well is an expression of the unity soon to be accomplished through their marriage.

Despite the vast body of knowledge that is included in the Oral Torah, it is no more than a "pitcher" of water compared to the vast "sea" of divine wisdom hidden within the Torah. Only in the Messianic Era will this infinite body of knowledge be revealed, and "the world will be filled with knowledge of G-d as the waters fill the sea." (Isaiah 11:9)


Based on Torat Chaim 128a; Tikunei Zohar, Introduction (17a); Or Hatorah, Nach, vol. 2, p. 829; Sefer HaMaamarim 5732, p.48; Hitva'aduyot 5750, vol. 1, p. 386

© 2001 chabad of california / www.LAchumash.com

PrintSend this page to a friendShare this
CommentComment

From the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe; adapted by Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky   More articles...  |   RSS Listing of Newest Articles by this Author
Moshe Yaakov Wisnefsky is a scholar, writer, editor and anthologist, living in Jerusalem. He has recently produced two monumental works: "Apples from the Orchard: Arizal on the Weekly Torah" and a Chumash translation with commentary based on the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe (Kehot).
From the Kehot Chumash, produced by Chabad of California with an interpolated translation and commentary based on the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory. Copyright (c) 2008 by Chabad of California, Inc. All rights reserved. For personal use only. The full volume is available for purchase at Kehotonline.

The content on this page is copyrighted by the author, publisher and/or Chabad.org, and is produced by Chabad.org. If you enjoyed this article, we encourage you to distribute it further, provided that you comply with the copyright policy.
 



 


Contemporary Kabbalists
The Cave and the Letter Hei
Liberation of the Rose
Down by the Water
Sarah's Voice