The Secret of the Chasan and Kallah: Transforming Matter into Spirit and the Building of Jerusalem

Class No. 228 | Cassette No. 228, Motzaei Shabbos Kodesh (Saturday night), Parashas Vayigash, the eve of the 10th of Teves 5760 - Yahrtzeit (anniversary of passing) of Moharnat zy"a.

An in-depth article on the secret of the union of a chasan and kallah (groom and bride) and their spiritual power to build the world, through the teachings of the Maharal.

Kayin (Cain) brought flax to show that Godliness exists everywhere, even in the Chalal HaPanui (the Empty Void). This was also the secret of Rachav, who managed to reveal within Jericho—the center of impurity of that generation—that Hashem is in the world, that Hashem is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. Therefore, she hid the spies in flax. It is said of Rachav that she dwelled "in the wall of the city," and the commentators explain that this refers to the wall of Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden). Whoever possesses the sign of truth is already in Gan Eden during their lifetime.

From there we arrive at the secret of the chasan and kallah, about whom the prophet Yeshayahu prophesied: "Behold, I and the children whom Hashem has given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel." Through the melodies and the joy of a chasan and kallah, it is possible to bring the entire world back in teshuvah (repentance).

The Secret of the Korban Todah: Transforming Chametz into Matzah

The Maharal of Prague explains the words of the Gemara regarding the joy of a chasan and kallah. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi says that the voices of a chasan and kallah correspond to the five voices of the Giving of the Torah, and Rabbi Avahu says: "It is as if he offered a Korban Todah (Thanksgiving Offering)." What is so special about the Korban Todah? A Korban Todah is brought for any salvation—by those who travel the sea, those who walk through deserts, or someone who has been released from prison or recovered from an illness.

In a Korban Todah, exceptionally, chametz (leavened bread) is brought. Usually, it is forbidden to offer chametz on the altar, but here, due to the immense joy of the salvation or the joy of the Giving of the Torah, all the chametz is transformed into matzah. The joy of the chasan and kallah transforms the chametz into matzah and nullifies all physicality, until everything is transformed into spirit. This is the northern wind that blows upon the harp of David, which Rebbe Nachman speaks about in Torah 49—a spirit that contains no physicality whatsoever.

This spiritual work, to transform chametz into matzah, continues until the end of all generations. Even in the future to come, when all other sacrifices will be nullified, the Korban Todah will continue to be offered. A person will always face a tremendous battle to transform the faint spark of matter into spirit, and through this, he creates garments for the soul so that it will not be consumed by the Infinite Light (Ohr Ein Sof).

One Soul Divided in Two

Why was the world created with male and female? The Rambam in Sefer HaMitzvos explains that fools think it is impossible to reproduce without a male and female, but the truth is that there are creatures in nature that reproduce on their own without male and female. Hashem does not lack options and ways to create life.

The Maharal explains that the reason Hashem created man and woman is because, in reality, it is a single soul that was divided in two—he is Chochmah (Wisdom) and she is Binah (Understanding), he is Chesed (Loving-kindness) and she is Gevurah (Severity). The entire purpose for which Hashem created male and female is so that man would not say that he is "unique in the lower realms."

In the book Imrei Noam, it is brought down that it is impossible to nullify the power of the primordial snake unless a person always acts "in the presence of his wife." He cannot make any step or spiritual progress in life without her. The holy Zohar says the same about Avraham Avinu (our Patriarch Abraham):

"And Avram went up... and his wife with him"—meaning that all of Avraham's spiritual ascents were only together with his wife, and in this, he was different from Adam and Noach.

The Danger of Arrogance and the Joint Spiritual Work

The holy Zohar reveals that the Holy One, blessed be He, showed Adam HaRishon (the First Man) that He was destined to create six men at the peak of perfection, "in the supernal image," so that Adam would not have complaints about the weakness of humanity. However, they all failed and fell because of the feeling of "my power and the might of my hand."

Shimshon trusted in his strength, Shaul in his height, Asahel in his running speed, Yoshiyahu in his righteousness (as he did not consult the prophet Yirmiyahu), Tzidkiyahu, and Avshalom in his hair, as he was a holy Nazirite but thought he surpassed his father.

Hashem called his name "Shes," to hint that He was willing to create man alone at the peak of perfection, but He knew that if man were alone, he would become arrogant. Therefore, He divided him in two. The entire life of a person is the spiritual work to unite the chasan and kallah, and this is the secret of "it is as if he rebuilt one of the ruins of Jerusalem."

A Divine Building: Bringing Joy to a Chasan and Kallah

Rabbi Nachman bar Yitzchak says that the entire matter of building Jerusalem depends on the kosher chasan and kallah. The Megaleh Amukos writes that Moshe Rabbeinu prayed 515 prayers for the chasan and kallah, because the moment there is true perfection between a couple—Jerusalem will immediately be built.

Therefore, people are willing to spend vast amounts of money and travel from the ends of the earth to bring joy to a chasan and kallah. "Though he does not see it, his guardian angel sees it"—their soul senses that upon every wedding of a kosher chasan and kallah depends the entire building of Jerusalem, the personal Geulah (Redemption), and the collective Geulah. People come to a wedding as if they have never seen a wedding before, because in every wedding there is a completely new light of Mashiach.

The Maharal of Prague says: The building of a groom and bride is a Divine building, exactly like the building of the Holy Temple. When a person goes to gladden a groom and bride, he hears anew the voices of the Giving of the Torah. Through the completion of the human form in marriage, the form of the entire world is completed. This explanation, the Maharal emphasizes, is not mere intellectual debate, but a clear truth built upon the secrets of the Torah. And through this, we will truly merit the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the rebuilding of the Holy Temple, and the coming of our righteous Mashiach, speedily in our days, Amen.

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