"G‑d spoke to Moses saying, 'Gather the people together'" (Num. 21:16) [to give them water]. This is because that well was not held back from them. If you wonder how all of them could possibly draw from that one, it is because it divided into thirteen streams. The flowing spring in the well is filled and flows in all directions. Then, at the time the children of Israel encamped and desired water, they would stand at its edge and sing. What did they say? '"Spring up, O well," (Ibid. 21:17) and raise your waters to bring forth for everyone to drink from you.' That is the way to praise this well, "the well that the princes dug out." [malchut called "well" was prepared by Abba and Imma, called "princes"] They spoke words of truth. And so it is.

From here, we were taught that whoever desires to arouse matters above, either by deed or speech, if that deed or speech is not performed properly, then nothing gets aroused. All the inhabitants of the world go to the synagogue to arouse something above (to nullify a decree or to drawn down kindnesses) but few are those who know how to arouse. G‑d is near to those who know how to call on Him and arouse properly. However, if they do not know how to call on Him, He is not near, as is written: "G‑d is near to all those who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth." (Psalms 145:18) What is, "in truth"? That is that they know how to arouse a matter of truth appropriately. And this applies to all matters as well.

Israel said these things which are matters of truth in order to arouse this well and to give drink to Israel. If they had not said these things, it would not have been aroused. Likewise, regarding the world's sorcerers who utilize evil practices, they would not be awakened for them until they performed within them some truthful acts. Even if they had screamed all day long with other words and different acts, they would never have been capable of drawing them, and they would not have been aroused towards them.

Come and see: it is written, "and called on the name of the Ba'al..." (I Kings 18:26) What is the reason [that they weren't answered by him]? First, it was not within the Ba'al's authority [to bring down fire from the heavens]. In addition, since matters were not proper between them, G‑d made them forget them. That is what is written "and that You have turned their hearts back again." (Ibid. 18:37) Praised are the righteous who know how to call upon their Master properly.

Rabbi Shimon said: Here I wish to reveal something. Come and see: anyone who is capable of preparing his behavior as is proper [to prepare the outside of the worlds of Beriya, Yetzira, Asiya] and arranges his speech as is proper [to prepare the inside of these worlds] definitely arouses G‑d [to arouse Zeir Anpin] to draw down supernal speech which is proper. And if not, He is not propitious to them. If this is so, does not the whole world know how to arrange the necessary actions and speech? What then is the special importance of the righteous, who know the essence of words and actions and who know how to direct their heart and desire more than those who are not as knowledgeable?

It is only that those who are not as knowledgeable of the essence of actions, but simply know their set-up and nothing more, draw down upon themselves ‘from behind G‑d's shoulders’ [to draw the flow through the aspect of "behind", as if the Divine has turned Its back so we do not stand face to face with Him]. It (their spiritual practice) does not soar in the air, called ‘providence’ (i.e. ‘face-to-face’ supervision, relationship).

Those that are knowledgeable and properly focus the heart and the will, extricate blessings from the place of Thought [chochma]. They emanate in all the branches and roots in a straightforward manner as called for, until the higher and lower levels are blessed, and the Holy Name [Havayah] is blessed through them. Happy is their lot, since G‑d is close to them and available to them. When they call on Him, He is ready for them, and at the time of their distress, He is with them. He honors them in This World and in the World to Come. This is what is written: "because he has set his delight upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." (Psalms 91:14)

BeRahamim LeHayyim: What does this mean to you, and why is it being revealed to you now?

Whether it is much or little, the most important thing is doing, speaking, and thinking, all in the service of the Eternal. Yes, there are those who know the secrets of spiritual elevation and unification. But the beauty of Judaism and our Torah is that it is for everyone! From "the heads of your tribes, your elders and your officers...from the hewer of wood to the drawer of your water." (Deut. 29:9)

Each plays his own role in the Cosmic Play. Our task as a light undo the nations does not involve nonstop meditation with Gurus on mountain tops. Rather, we must sift the sparks of holiness down here, and build a permanent dwelling place for G‑d to rest His Divine Presence. G‑d forbid "we are so heavenly minded that we do no earthly good."

Bracketed annotations from Metok Midevash and Sulam commentaries
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