שבירה ShevirahXIIShomer Emunim
R. Yosef Irgas · Livorno, printed Amsterdam 173637 teachings

שומר אמוניםShomer Emunim.

Two scholars sit down to argue whether the Torah has an inside.
The questioner presses; the kabbalist answers, and keeps the faith.

Does the Torah Have an Inside?

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  1. Iההקדמות ומפתחותKeys Before the AriLearn the keys first, and the Ari's door opens.
  2. IIלשתי כתותTwo Camps at the GateLet one from each camp argue, and the truth will show.
  3. IIIסתרי תורהSecrets the Talmud NamesThe Talmud itself speaks of what the Ancient One covered.
  4. IVלא נשכחו ולא נאבדוNot Lost in ExileA chain of witnesses, unbroken from the tanna'im to us.

The Kabbalists' Ways Defended

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  1. Vמחלוקת המקובליםWhen Kabbalists DisagreeHints without teachers bred disputes; the Ari's writings ended them.
  2. VIלהלביש באותו סיפורStories as GarmentsThe story is true, and it is a garment for a secret.
  3. VIIצירופי התיבותThe Ways of the LettersSome secrets are written forward, and some only backward.
  4. VIIIמשל ודמיוןThe Body as ParableThe limbs are names for what the powers do.

Is Plain Faith Enough?

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  1. IXמפקין ליה מכל תרעיןPut Out of Every GateGood deeds bring you in; knowledge opens the inner gates.
  2. Xהאמונה אינה האמירה בפהFaith Is Not SpeechSaying 'one' is easy; the heart must picture it whole.
  3. XIריבוי פירוד וגשמותWhere the Philosophers StoodReason reached the One; it could not see the rungs.

Why Sefirot at All?

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  1. XIIטבע הטוב להיטיבThe Good Withholds NothingA perfect giver gives every rung that can receive.
  2. XIIIבגין דישתמודעין ליהRungs to Know Him ByEach rung below Him measures how far above He is.
  3. XIVכמדליק נר מנרA Candle from a CandleLight passed on, nothing lost, and never cut away.
  4. XVשיעור קומהOne Soul in Eye and HandOne soul, many limbs: the change is in the vessels.
  5. XVIנעשית ע"י הקולמוס וכולה ע"י הידThe Hand and the QuillAll of it the quill's, all of it the hand's.

Four Premises for the Student

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  1. XVIIאלו ואלו דברי אלהים חייםThree Worlds, Three AnswersThree opinions, three worlds, and not one of them wrong.
  2. XVIIIנגלה אליהוElijah's ChainWhere the chain wore thin, Elijah came to relink it.
  3. XIXלא ניתנה אל שיקול הדעתNot Given to ReasoningA premise built on a question falls when it is answered.

The Roots of Faith

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  1. XXספרים ומלמדים אלמיםBooks Are Mute TeachersA book cannot answer back; a teacher can.
  2. XXIמה הנפש ממלאה את הגוףAs the Soul Fills the BodyThe soul in the body is the first witness to God.
  3. XXIIהאור לעולם הוא קשור בשרשוLight Bound to Its RootCall it light only because light never leaves its source.
  4. XXIIIרואה ואינו נראהHe Sees and Is Not SeenEvery rank knows more that He is, none what He is.
  5. XXIVנקרא שלם בפועלComplete in ActThe giver gains nothing; the giving is its nature.
  6. XXVאין שם קודםNo BeforeBefore the first thing, there was no before.

Tzimtzum Is a Parable

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  1. XXVIכשעלה ברצונו הפשוטThe Simple WillHis will is not added to Him; it is Him.
  2. XXVIIהצמצום כפשוטוNot to Be Taken LiterallyEin Sof has no shape, so the withdrawal has none.
  3. XXVIIIלשכך את האזןOnly to Soothe the EarThe circle and the line were drawn for the ear.
  4. XXIXיש לו כח בגבולA Power Held to MeasureInfinite power, given out in the measure we can bear.
  5. XXXמקום רוחניPlace Without SpaceAbove and below mean more and less understood.

Prayer, Providence and Parting

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  1. XXXIאין הא"ס נרמז בשום שםBeyond Every NameEvery name, even 'one,' draws an edge around Him.
  2. XXXIIכמו האותיות על הקלףLetters on the ParchmentSpeak the sefirot's names; turn the heart to Him.
  3. XXXIIIעשר עששיותLight Through Colored GlassThe light takes no color from the glass.
  4. XXXIVהעבודה צורך גבוהService the Heights NeedThe mother wants to nurse more than the child to suck.
  5. XXXVמעין הנובעThe Fountain and the FarewellThe water is always clear at the source.

Answers from the Ari's Writings

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  1. XXXVIמכנים מפנימי בשם החיצוןNamed for the GarmentA garment may carry the name of what it hides.
  2. XXXVIIשלא לברך על הלבנהThe Moon on a Festival NightOnce she has risen, do not bring her down.