The Secret of Traveling on the Roads: The Power of the Supernal Chariot and Guarding the Eyes
Lesson No. 93 | Motzaei Shabbat Parashat Beha'alotcha, Eve of 17 Sivan 5757 - Melaveh Malkah for Fundraisers at the Rav's House in the Wall (Continued in No. 94)
A fascinating article from the lesson of Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a, revealing the immense lights and heavenly protection that accompany a person traveling on the roads for the sake of Heaven. Through the secrets of the holy Zohar, it is explained how guarding the eyes on the roads awakens holiness in every onlooker and brings Jews back in teshuvah (repentance).
When a person travels on the roads in holiness, and especially when he guards his eyes and lowers his head, his success continually increases. In his travels, he spiritually crosses seven rivers of fire (neharei dinur), and an immense light of wisdom descends upon him. The holy Zohar says regarding the verse "and the Mishkan was taken down," that when the banner of the camp of Judah began to travel, there was no longer a need for the physical Mishkan (Tabernacle), because a light greater than the Mishkan itself descended.
When a person begins to travel for the sake of Heaven, all the lights of the Mishkan descend upon him. He only needs to open a Chumash or Gemara on the way, and turn himself into a vessel for miracles and wonders. The Ba'al HaTurim, who was the son of the Rosh, brings the words of the Zohar on the verse:
"And it came to pass, when the Ark set forward"
And explains that the Ark would not travel until Moses told it to travel. And the moment the Ark begins to travel, it transports with it the Chariot (Merkavah) and all the holy Chayot (living creatures).
Accompaniment of Lions and Eagles of Fire
When a person begins to travel, the entire holy Chariot begins to accompany him. The lion of the Chariot accompanies him along with 370,000 lions of fire. They all roar and distance all the accusers from him, and nullify all the judgments from upon him. The Zohar in Parashat Pinchas says that even when a person moves from room to room, the pain of wandering atones for his sins. How much more so when he leaves his home and travels on the roads for a holy purpose – all his sins and reincarnations are atoned for.
The one who travels on the roads rules over all the forces of judgment, and about him it is said: "Your father's sons shall bow down to you." He subdues all the adversaries. In addition to the lions, the eagle of the Chariot also accompanies him along with 350,000 eagles of white fire. These eagles simply fly him. A person suddenly feels that he is flying; a three-hour journey he completes in one hour, and he does not understand how it happened – this is literally a miraculous shortening of the way (kefitzat haderech).
He crosses seven rivers of fire, seven rivers of dinur, and the angels Gabriel and Raphael accompany him, as well as the figure of the Man in the Chariot from the west side. During such a journey, a person can bring about all the salvations in the world.
The Sanctification of Hashem's Name in Guarding the Eyes
When a person travels in holiness and purity, and especially in the scorching summer days when immodesty is rampant, and he is meticulous about guarding his eyes – this very behavior brings people back in teshuvah (repentance). Sometimes people on the street think that Jews with a religious appearance are hypocrites, but when they see a young man with a beard and peyot entering a place, truly guarding his eyes and not looking in every direction, they immediately understand that these are serious people.
They begin to feel a sense of awe and respect for him, and deep down they want to be like him. Because the truth is that there is no person in the world who does not want holiness. Every mother wants her daughter to be pure and holy, and Hashem tells us:
"You are children to Hashem your God... You shall be holy, for I am holy."
Hashem, may He be blessed, says: "You are My children! I want you too to be holy just as I am holy." Hashem gave birth to us, and in every Jew is ingrained the deep desire to be holy. Even the person who is in the most impure place in the world truly wants to be holy, except that he was simply told that there is no such thing, that it is a thing of the past. But when he sees before his eyes a living person walking in holiness and purity, this truth awakens within him anew and he discovers that the Torah is eternal.
Part 1 of 2 — Lesson No. 93
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