The Depth of the Secret of the Tablets: Why Was "Good" Not Mentioned in the First Tablets?

Lesson No. 32 | Lesson 1 - (Continued from No. 31) Friday Morning, Parashas Matos, 23 Tammuz 5755

This article explains the deep connection between the breaking of the Tablets and the histalkus (passing away) of Elimelech and Machlon in the Book of Ruth. Through a Talmudic discussion in Tractate Bava Kamma, it is explained that the first Tablets were hewn from a supernal place where evil has no hold whatsoever, which is why the word "good" was not written in them, and how the tikkun (rectification) of the sin of the Golden Calf is accomplished in every generation.

The histalkus (passing away) of Elimelech and Machlon in the Book of Ruth is not merely a historical event; rather, it is the actual spiritual aspect of the breaking of the Tablets. When Elimelech and Machlon passed away, the breaking of the first Tablets occurred in the world. Those who remained—Ruth and Naomi—represent the aspect of the second Tablets.

The Secret of the Tablets in the Book of Ruth

To understand this deeply, we must contemplate a question brought in Tractate Bava Kamma (55a). The Gemara asks there:

"Why is the word 'good' not stated in the first Tablets, yet 'good' is stated in the latter Tablets?"

Seemingly, what kind of question is this? After all, every child knows what is written in the Tablets! Rather, the question of the Amoraim (Talmudic sages) was much deeper: From what spiritual level did the Tablets descend? The question was not textual, but essential: Did the first Tablets come from a place so high that the word "good" is too small for them?

Because the moment you say the word "good," it indicates that there is also evil in the world. If there is pure, it is a sign that there is impure. If you say there is good, you necessarily acknowledge the reality of evil.

Above Good and Evil

The first Tablets came from immense supernal Sefiros (Divine emanations), from an aspect called "Atika Kadisha" (the Holy Ancient One) and "Arich Anpin" (the Long Face, representing infinite Divine mercy). In this lofty place of "Atika Kadisha," the concept of good does not apply at all, because there is absolutely no evil there. The first Tablets were above good, at the level of "their spiritual impurity ceased," a place where it is entirely impossible to even say the word "good."

In contrast, after the breaking of the Tablets, we descended to the level of the second Tablets. There, the concept of "good" already applies, and therefore it is stated in them, "so that it may be good for you." This is the secret of the verse, "He who finds a wife finds good"—the aspect of the woman, which is the aspect of Naomi and Ruth, represents the second Tablets in which "good" illuminates. The first Tablets, however, included the complete illumination of Elimelech and Naomi, Machlon and Ruth together.

Rectifying the Sin of the Golden Calf in Every Generation

After the first Tablets were broken, unfortunately, they are broken anew in every single generation. This is our great sorrow—on the seventeenth of Tammuz, the Tablets descended, but we did not merit to receive them. The breaking of the Tablets during the era of the Judges manifested in the histalkus of Elimelech and Machlon.

In every generation, there is an aspect of making a Golden Calf, and our entire purpose is to rectify this Calf. Avraham Avinu (our Patriarch) rectified the two calves of the twenty generations that preceded him—from Adam to Noach, and from Noach to Avraham. Therefore, he called the place of the Holy Temple a "Har" (Mountain), and together with the aspect of "Ro" (which has the numerical value of 206, equaling two times "Egel" [calf]), these are two calves. After him came Yitzchak Avinu and rectified the calf of his generation, and then the place was called "Sadeh" (Field, which has the gematria of 309, equaling three times "Egel"). Afterward, Yaakov Avinu came, rectified the calf of his generation, and called the place "Bayis" (House, which has the gematria of 412, equaling four times "Egel").

If we did not receive the Tablets on the seventeenth of Tammuz and they were broken, it is a sign that we made a Golden Calf. And what is the making of the Golden Calf in our generation? It is the histalkus of the tzaddikim. The moment awesome tzaddikim pass away, this is literally the breaking of the Tablets.

Thunder and Lightning in Bethlehem

When righteous men and women pass away, all the Tablets are broken. However, since in the Book of Ruth only Elimelech and Machlon passed away, Naomi and Ruth remained. Regarding this, it is stated:

"And the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem."

"And the two of them went"—these are the two Tablets, the second Tablets that remained. And when they arrived in Bethlehem, the verse describes: "The entire city was in an uproar over them." What is the meaning of "in an uproar"? This is exactly what happened at the revelation at Mount Sinai, about which it is stated, "And all the people saw the thunder and the flames." Suddenly, there was thunder and lightning in the city, and people heard the immense illumination of the Giving of the Torah.

May Hashem, blessed be He, help us merit to hear thunder and lightning anew, and may the Holy Temple be rebuilt, and may the complete Geulah (Redemption) come, speedily in our days, Amen.

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