Perashat Devarim: Sparks Fly

By Victor Bibi Devarim

Eleven Days Through Mount Se'ir

Our parasha opens with the words אלה הדברים - The אור החיים notes that our teacher Moshe Rabbenu began his final instructions to Israel on the first of Shevat and would conclude them on the seventh of Adar. These days are hinted at - in the numerical value of אלה or in the 36 days of instruction. Based on the writings of R. HaAri (Sefer Halikutim - Devarim) we would like to make the assertion that Moshe's opening words in verse ב represent a summary of the whole Torah.

The verse reads אחד עשר יום מחרב דרך הר שעיר עד קדש ברנע - translated literally it would read " Eleven days from Horev by the Mount Se'ir Road to Kadesh Barnea" We will now elucidate this verse according to the Ari. "The main task of man is via the instructions given at Horev (Sinai) - Torah. Through the fulfillment of this Divine Code we will complete our task in this world - which is to collect the 11 general divine sparks that currently are being held by the evil husks of Edom (Esav) - by the Mount Se'ir Road. Your task Israel is to raise these lost or wondering aspects (בר נע ונד) of holiness and return them to Kadesh - to their rightful place of Holiness above." 

The Eleven Sparks

The Midrash teaches that the Creator had built worlds and destroyed (the channels within) them. The Ari explains that there are four worlds one "standing" above the other. The most exalted of these is the world of Asilut of which there is the most revealment of the Divine Oneness of the Creator. As we descend to the lower worlds of Beri'ah Yesirah and Asi'yah there is an increase in the concealment of his Oneness. It was within this most exalted world of Asilut where the Midrash is referencing that the Creator destroyed it's channels prior to Creation.

There are 10 general channels or vessels that were to funnel the light of the Creator from Asilut throughout creation. Due to an inherent flaw in the 7 lower channels of Asilut they spiritually broke with their vessels and associated sparks experiencing a death and falling into the 3 lower worlds. These 7 are referenced in parashat Vayishlah where we are told of the seven kings of Edom who died prior to there being a king in Israel. Besides the lower 7 (4-10) channels - The number 2 and 3 channels in the world of Asilut  also each experienced a falling of two of their aspects for a total of an additional 4 sparks.

So prior to the Creation of Adam we have 11 aspects that have to be raised back from a lower existence back upwards higher into the world of Asilut. These 11 writes the Ari (Shaar Hapesukim Ki Tavo) are associated amongst other places in the Torah with the 11 simanim of the ketoret, the 11 goat coverings in the Mishkan and the 11 curses in Ki Tavo. 

The Torah - Sefer Hatikun

Adam was put into the world to work and protect the land. This is a reference to his role to elevate the sparks back into the world of Asilut. He evidently failed at this task and caused additional damage - namely allowing the worlds to descend further from their elevated state. The Torah would be given to Israel as a detailed code to complete the task of Adam - in addition to correcting his compounded failure.

Through Torah and Misvot - Israel will have the tools to elevate the 11 sparks which can be found in the pathway of the highlands of Mount Se'ir. The latter a reference to the evil husks who have access to the holy sparks. The intention will be to gather them and elevate them back to the highest world of Asilut. This state is called Kodesh- a place of holiness - referenced in the verse as Kadesh.

The Ari teaches that the word ברנע connotes that until now these sparks had been wondering - exiled from their home in Asilut. As in Bar - A subject - Ne'ah - who has wondered. But they are destined to return "home" to be part of the newly rebuilt channels of Asilut. 

Rules of Balance

The sparks are to be elevated via the Torah back into their rightful place in the world Asilut. This will cause spiritual reverberations - so that the sparks will attain a corrected state and be used to rebuild that world in a proper manner. It is important to note that one of the numerous reasons enumerated by R. HaAri as to why the channels in the world of Asilut originally shattered is that they were not in a state of balance. The Torah therefore as the instructive manual to properly rebuild this world contains within it the rules of balance.

The channels in the World of Asilut would be placed in the formation of 3 Columns. This in the secret of Hesed - Din - Rahamim. Or in the teachings of Pirke Avot as Torah - Avodah - Gemilut Hasadim. Din Emet Shalom. Or as Avraham Yishak Yaakov. Or as Kohen Levi Yisrael. So that within the rules to elevate the sparks are integrated laws of balance. In this manner the elevation of these sparks will help in permanently establishing the channels of Asilut in state of balance. There will no longer be a fear of them breaking - having godliness to descend into a state of concealment. 

The Return of the Sparks

Once all of the sparks have been gathered by Israel from the pathway of Esav - there will no longer remain any wondering or exile of the sparks - all will be considered Kodesh. It is not a simple task as the Angel of Esav (ס״מ) stands in our path on the road. We must follow the Torah for success in this endeavor. The rules enumerated as the written and oral law is the Divine instruction on how to accomplish this task.

By following these words - The channels will be set up in a formation established according to the rules of the Torah. With this summary - Moshe begins to recount in Sefer Devarim how Israel had been deficient numerous times in the 40 years of the desert to complete this Tikun. Now they will have another opportunity to accomplish this task as they enter the land of Israel. The previous generation had failed and has been replaced with a new generation. It is important not to lose focus on the task at hand. With the "redemption" of the sparks - there will be an ushering in of a new era - with the parallel redemption of the People of Israel from the grips of Esav leading them back to the Holy land.

We will leave our wonderings in exile from the pathway of Mount Seir back to Kadesh - the place of holiness. Once the sparks have been elevated and reestablished in columns in Asilut - The spiritual forces of Esav will lose their vitality and then God's Kingdom will be established above and below.