שני פנים לחכמהThe Two Faces of Wisdom

shnei panim la-ḥokhmahIn Gamatria ↗

Face upward to receive, face downward to give, by measure.

Supernal wisdom, Chokhmah, spreads over all that exists: 'You made them all in wisdom' (Psalms 104:24). It has two faces: one turned upward to receive from Keter, one turned down to guide the sefirot below. So a person needs two faces: secluding himself with his Maker to grow in wisdom, and teaching others, each according to what his mind can bear, never more. Wisdom is also a father to all creation, so he should carry the people as a nurse carries an infant, and extend compassion to every creature, harming plant or animal only for a need, as Rabbi Judah learned through a calf and a weasel.

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