“Soul to Soul” p: 161-2

AyinBase with R' Paltiel Friday 26 Iyar 5772  

Page 161 – bottom of the page – last line (line starts, 'be-shorshah...') For text, see link top right of the blog. Or for text right click here.

We are saying seeing the one making the statement of wisdom has a profound effect in connecting to the root and essence of that wisdom. Similarly in the general topic of learning Torah, there is the need to make a bracha/blessing before beginning, and this is to recognize the One who gives Torah. This way you connect to the Source and connect to the Torah in its root, and thus one gets an increase in light in the learning.

This is not allegorical. It denotes light from the Source. Light does not exist independent of the source. Light flows where there is a clear path, a clear channel. 

So the light is only that which comes direct from the Source.

The torah represents its Source, not a rule book for the world. It is His wisdom, not a manual on how to navigate the world. The blessing before learning is the connecting to the Source, rather than just focusing on the lowest level of application.

The truth of Torah is absolute and not based on the context in which it is presented.

Through meditation in prayer (hisbonenut be-tephilah) there is an essence to essence connection. This is beyond sechel/mind. It is the personal connection – 'person to person' – Israel to G-d.

And one's soul becomes close to Elokus/G-dliness during prayer and so when he later learns Torah he sees, 'the One who gives Torah'.

Through the meditation in prayer is initiated a powerful 'running to Elokus/G-dliness'. This is like the love declared in the Shemah/Deuteronomy 6:4 where the will of the heart is directed to Him.