The Secret of Rashbi: A Flaming Fire and the Preparation for the Giving of the Torah
Lesson No. 303 | Tuesday, Parashas Behar-Bechukosai, 22 Iyar 5761 - Bris
An in-depth discourse on the immense power of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai in protecting the Torah so that it will not be forgotten from the Jewish people. Through the Kabbalistic secrets of Pesach, Lag BaOmer, and Shavuos, it is explained how the light of Rashbi, who was a 'flaming torch', gives us the strength to defeat the kelipah (impure shell) of Amalek and to prepare for receiving the Torah.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai promised that through him the Torah would not be forgotten from the Jewish people. Our Sages, of blessed memory, said that in the vineyard of Yavneh they decreed: "The Torah is destined to be forgotten from the Jewish people." Rashbi stood up and declared: "No, the Torah will not be forgotten!" He based his words on the verse:
"For it shall not be forgotten from the mouth of his offspring"
The final letters of the words in this verse spell the name Yochai (כִּי לֹא תִשָּׁכַח מִפִּי). This means that from the offspring of Yochai—through the Godly Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai—the Torah will not be forgotten from the Jewish people. In the merit of his holy work, the Zohar, "they will go out of exile with it." Therefore, Rashbi is called an "Ir V'Kadish Min Shemaya Nachis"—a holy angel who descended from Heaven.
The Secret of the Lights: From Pesach to Shavuos
At the Pesach Seder, we are very careful that the supernal lights do not extend to the aspect of "Leah," but only to the aspect of "Rachel," and this is accomplished by eating the charoses. The reason for this is that on Pesach, it is not yet possible to give illumination to Leah, out of fear that the chitzonim (external, impure forces) will take hold of these lights. Therefore, at this time, the Sefiros (Divine emanations) stand in a state of "Achor b'Achor" (back-to-back).
All the days of Sefiras HaOmer are a preparation for Lag BaOmer, and Lag BaOmer is a preparation for the festival of Shavuos. On Lag BaOmer, which is the aspect of Hod sheb'Hod (Splendor within Splendor), the great revelation begins. This day parallels the secret of Purim, when we read Megillas Esther, whereas on Shavuos—when the complete revelation of Lag BaOmer occurs in a state of "Panim b'Panim" (face-to-face)—we read Megillas Rus. Rus is the aspect of Leah, and on Shavuos it is already possible to safely transfer the illumination to Leah, from whom Mashiach ben David is destined to emerge.
A Flaming Torch of Fire
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai came into the world to rectify the sin of the tribe of Shimon. He was entirely a flaming fire for Hashem, may He be blessed. Why do we light bonfires on Lag BaOmer? To remind us that every person must be a flaming fire for Hashem, may He be blessed, exactly as Rashbi was a bonfire and a flaming torch.
The word "lapid" (torch) has a gematria (numerical value) of 124. Twice "lapid" equals 248, corresponding to the ramach (248) limbs of the body. All 248 limbs of Rabbi Shimon were a flaming fire of holiness. And twice 248 has the same gematria as "Livyasan" (Leviathan), a hint to the feast of the Leviathan that the tzaddikim will merit to enjoy in the World to Come.
The Power to Nullify the Kelipah of Amalek
Reb Noson of Breslov explains (Likutey Halachos, Minchah) that in order to defeat Amalek, who rules over the world, we must rectify the blemishes of the Bris (covenant). It is impossible to eradicate Amalek from the world until we nullify these blemishes. Facing the power of Amalek and the Sitra Achra (the Other Side, forces of impurity), stood the great tzaddikim—Moshe, Yehoshua, Rebbe Akiva and his students. But only through the power of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is it truly possible to stand against the *Sitra Achra* and defeat it.
Rashbi, who sat in the cave and considered himself as dust and ashes, merited to draw down tremendous lights and reveal the secrets of the Tzimtzumim (Divine contractions) from the beginning of Creation. Through the holy Zohar, he draws the Divine light down into the world. On Lag BaOmer, all the hidden sparks ascend, we rectify the "Seven Kings" (the seven Sefiros of the World of Tohu), and on this holy day, all sins are forgiven.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai is the complete tikkun (rectification) of Rebbe Akiva and his students, and in the merit of his Torah and his great light, we merit the proper preparation for receiving the Torah on the festival of Shavuos.
Part 1 of 3 — Lesson No. 303