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Authored and Published by the Salant Foundation
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Day Two
Knowing the Merciful Creator
Many spiritually inclined people refrain from engaging in the study of Kabbalah, the esoteric wisdom of the Torah. Their perspective is valid because its secrets are profound. However, a particular branch of Kabbalistic wisdom concerns opening the sacred gate of “Knowing the Merciful Creator.” Indeed, "Knowing the Merciful Creator," is recorded amongst the 613 Torah Commandments, as the verse states (Deuteronomy 4:39): “And you shall know today and place upon your heart that the Eternal is the Almighty in the Heavens above and on the earth below.” Opening this gate is a primary component of the Torah, and it is essential for every Jew to both acquire the knowledge of how to do so, and to translate this knowledge into action.
Indeed, concerning the importance of this, The Sefer Charedim cites the Almighty’s reproof of even the Torah scholars (Jeremiah 2:8): “The ‘Masters of Torah’ do not know Me!” Similarly, the blessing we recite daily over Torah study states: “...may we and our descendants and the descendants of Your People, the House of Israel, Know Your Name.” What’s more, Yermiyahu HaNavi states (9:22-23): “Only in this may one glorify himself: in perceiving and knowing Me, for I am the Eternal.” Maimonides states (The Laws of the Foundations of Torah 1:1), “The underlying foundation and the pillar of wisdom is to know that there is a Primordial Being, Who brought into being all existence.” Nachmanides also states, “The Creator’s sole Will [in creating the universe] is that man should know and acknowledge that the Almighty created him” (Parshas Bo).
Clearly, “Knowing the Merciful Creator” is an essential aspect of Torah wisdom. By elucidating the essence of the Ten Sefirot (System of Divine Lights), as taught in Day Four, the Tomer Devorah clarifies the essence of this wisdom, making it accessible to all. Indeed, since its initial publication, the greatest of our luminaries, amongst them such eminent personalities as the Sh’lah HaKodesh, the Chidah, Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, the Divrei Chaim M’Sanz, and many others have enthusiastically encouraged the study of Tomer Devorah.
Teshuvah Elyonah (Exalted Repentance)
In chapter four of Tomer Devorah, the Ramak (the acronym for the author’s name: Rabbi Moshe Cordovero) reveals the esoteric teaching of Teshuvah Elyonah or Exalted Repentance. When a person successfully attains Teshuvah Elyonah, he unites with the inherently pure and holy goodness that exists preserved in his soul’s root. He is thereby transformed and cleansed of his misdeeds. In turn, these misdeeds ascend with him and are themselves implanted in holiness. They are thus actually converted into Mitzvot, and even the Negative Impulse is purified.
Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
In truth we find that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the holy author of the Zohar, actually alluded to the importance of Teshuvah Elyonah almost two thousand years ago in the Tikkunei Zohar (6:22a – quoted and discussed on Day Fifty). However, it seems that this teaching remained hidden until the Ramak merited to reveal these exalted and esoteric teachings that “rectifies every flaw.” The work before you, dear reader, is based on explanatory notes I wrote for myself as I studied the Tomer Devorah. In my great spiritual poverty, I don’t delude myself into thinking that I’ve composed the “last word” on this exalted work. Indeed, it is naught but a drop in the mighty ocean of deep secrets with which it is so replete. Truly, the Tomer Devorah, as well as all the holy writings of the Ramak are:
Deep waters without end. The Splendor of the Holy Divine Presence illuminates every letter like a Holy Flame;
and the very Light of the Seven Days of Creation is hidden within his esoteric teachings!
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