Chapter I

הטה אלקי אזנך ושמע פקח עינך וראה

"Give1 ear, my G-d, and hear; open Your eyes and behold."2

Daniel, who composed this prayer, asks G-d to view the Jewish people with the single eye of the Supernal level of Atika [Kadishah], which contains no "left" [the attribute of severity; it contains only the "right" attribute of chassodim, Divine kindness and benevolence].3 Concerning this level we find written:4 "Behold, the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps."

The main theme of Daniel's prayer is [mentioned in the previous verse]:5 "and let Your countenance shine upon Your desolate Sanctuary for the L-rd's sake."

The Talmud says:6 "From the time the Holy Temple was destroyed, G-d has nothing in this world but the four cubits of Halachah." Daniel supplicates the A-lmighty to remove all hindrances to Torah study and Divine service [the "four cubits of halachah," which at present substitute for the Temple]. He asks this of G-d "for the L-rd's (Adnay) sake" for the sake of the Divine name of Adnay.

The Divine name Adnay is [G-d's name as He is manifest] in this world of Asiyah, for every world is illuminated by a different Divine name, corresponding to His manner of manifestation [in that world], and the Divine name in this world of Asiyah is Kel-Adnay.

The letters of the Hebrew name Daniel are numerically equal [when the name itself is included and given a value of one "im hakolel"] to Kel-Adnay.7 Daniel's spiritual service, therefore, was to pray that G-dliness be revealed in this world, and that the Temple be rebuilt.

Daniel lived during a time of exile, when Jews were downtrodden and repressed, as the verse says:8 "Slaves have become our rulers." It was a time when even the Shechinah was, as it were, in exile.9

There is a major difference between the times when the Holy Temple existed and times of exile. During the time of the Holy Temple, G-dliness was revealed and Jews were supremely exalted. However, after the destruction of the Temple and the exile of the Jews from our land, we are in a depressed state. This was particularly so during Daniel's time. Daniel lived during the reign of King Darius, at which time Jews were even more downtrodden and repressed than they were during the reign of King Nevuchadnetzar. At that time Daniel asked G-d to "let Your countenance shine upon Your desolate Sanctuary." He was praying for the supreme revelation of the "One eye of Atika Kadisha."

There are three [different ways or] levels [in which G-d views the Jewish people]. The first [and lowest] is with one eye, as indicated by the Midrashic statement:10 "When Jews do not fulfill G-d's will, He looks at them with one eye." This level corresponds to the Divine name Elokim, which indicates hiding and concealment.

The second level is with both eyes, and occurs during times when Jews obey Him, as the Midrash says:11 "When Jews fulfill G-d's will, He looks at them with both eyes." This level corresponds to the Divine names Havayah and Elokim [Havayah being a name indicating revelation and Elokim concealment] for though [looking at Jews with both eyes alludes to a state in which] G-dliness is revealed, it is merely the G-dliness [manifest] in the progressive chain of descent of created worlds.

The third [and highest] level again involves one eye, but [unlike the first level, which indicates concealment], it is the "one eye" of the supernally holy Atika Kadisha, concerning which is written: "Behold the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps."

Daniel prayed that this supreme level be revealed. It is for this reason that he says: "Open Your eyes 'aynecho'" [the Hebrew word "aynecho" can be read to mean one eye or both, for Daniel refers to that level] wherein both eyes are considered as one, the "one eye" of Atika Kadisha, the source of all salvation.

In summary: The Divine name in this world of Asiyah is Kel-Adnay, numerically equivalent to Daniel's name. When the Temple existed, G-dliness was revealed and Jews were at an exalted level. During exile, G-dliness is concealed and Jews are in a depressed state. Daniel's request is for the revelation of the "one eye" of Atika Kadisha.