This episode is the 107th and final installment in our Derech Hashem series
of studies with the RaMChaL of blessed memory. It is not insignificant that
it is episode #107 as this is the gematria of the Hebrew word davak (dalet,
veit, kuf – 106 + 1 with the kollel, meaning we add one for the word itself
= 107). Davak, meaning adhered, stick to, glue, cleave, is the root of
devekut (devotion, cleaving to and being one with Hashem). This state of
cleaving to Hashem is the goal of our service to him, and the Tsaddik, Rabbi
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, had this ultimate state in mind for us on every page
of this great work, Derech Hashem. It is my prayer that our presentation of
the RaMChaL’s teaching on Classical Judaism has been beneficial to the
viewers in reaching that goal.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 395.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

HaShem did not desire to write the Torah so clearly that it would not need any explanation. Quite to the contrary, HaShem wrote in it many undefined concepts, so that no man could possibly know its true meaning without being giving an explanation. This explanation must come through a tradition emanating from HaShem Himself, Who is the Author of the Torah.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 395.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

All created things exist only because HaShem’s will decrees that they exist. The same is true of all their laws and properties, which exist solely because they were decreed by HaShem’s wisdom to be appropriated. Just as He ordained these rules through His will, however, He is likewise able to suspend or change them as He desires, at any time He pleases.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 391.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

It is necessary to know that even though true good is attained by each individual according to their deeds, creation as a whole cannot be perfected until the entire  Chosen People exists in it optimum state. They must be perfected through every possible aura (of holiness), and the Divine Presence must attach itself to them. Only then can the world attain a perfect state where each individual can attain (the reward) that they deserve according to their deeds.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 389.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

It is necessary to know that even though true good is attained by each individual according to their deeds, creation as a whole cannot be perfected until the entire  Chosen People exists in it optimum state. They must be perfected through every possible aura (of holiness), and the Divine Presence must attach itself to them. Only then can the world attain a perfect state where each individual can attain (the reward) that they deserve according to their deeds.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 385.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

HaShem desired to reveal His will to man, and therefore prepared a process of revelation through which He makes Himself known to mortal man in the physical world. Through this process, HaShem reveals whatever He desires, whether it be His secrets and mysteries, concept of His providence, or decrees that He is issuing regarding the world. This process is called prophecy.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 381.

HaShem desired to reveal His will to man, and therefore prepared a process of revelation through which He makes Himself known to mortal man in the physical world. Through this process, HaShem reveals whatever He desires, whether it be His secrets and mysteries, concept of His providence, or decrees that He is issuing regarding the world. This process is called prophecy.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 381.

Repentance removes the blemish in precisely the same manner. Power to act is taken away from the particular Force of Corruption (that parallels the sin), and therefore, the influence of holiness is brought back and appropriately transmitted.
From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 373.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

The main point of creation was that HaShem wanted to create man, who would then have the task of attaching himself to HaShem, thus to enjoy His true good. This is accomplished through the fact that man has two ways before him, one being good and the other evil; and man has the power to choose whichever he desires.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 369–373.

Due to technical problems, we hope to return next week. Your prayers are welcome.

The angels are all HaShem’s servants, obeying His command. Everything in the world, whether good or bad, is done through them. Consequently, the angels are divided into two groups, one being good, and the other evil. That is, one group is appointed to do good, whether it be physical or spiritual, and others are appointed for evil, both physical and spiritual.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 365–369.

The first thing a person should know is that there exist a Being, who is Master of everything that exists and Who brought all things into being at the time that He desired. He sustains them as long as He so desires, and rules over them with complete authority. This Being is G-d.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 361–365.

The signifiance of Yom Kippur is that HaShem set aside one day for Israel, when repentance is readily accepted and their sins can easily be erased. This rectifies all spiritual damage caused by these sins, and removed the darkness that stengthened itself as a result of them.

It is important to realize that one of the major rectifications that the prophets selected for Israel was the concept of reading the Torah. This reading includes two basic concepts. The first is the annual Torah reading, where the entire Torah is read each year, following a constant cycle. The second consists of the special portions that are read at specific times (such as the various holy day reading.

On special certain days, it is also appropriate that special portions be read, relating to the concepts of those days. The illumination of those days is thus stengthened through the power of the Torah, which is the strongest power of mankind.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 349–357.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

The signifiance of sounding the shofar on Rosh Hashanah is related to the fact on this day HaShem judges all the world. On Rosh Hashanah, HaShem renews all creation as part of a new cycle, namely a new year. Courts of justice are set up (on high) and all created beings brought to trial.

At this time, the Prosecutor (or Satan) is prepared to accuse mankind for its sins. HaShem therefore commanded us to sound the shofar, in order to invoke a process of mercy, rather than one of harsh judgement. This in turn confounds the Prosecutor to such an extent that he is no longer able to accuse.

The true signifiance of the shofar is therefore to arouse the Fathers of the world, to grasp hold of their merit, to satisfy the Attribute of Justice, to cause good to overwhelm evil, to humble the powers of evil, to remove power from the Prosecutor, and finally, our intent is that HaShem should make use of His superiority and direct things with His sole authority to disregard sin. All this is accomplished through the shofar when it is properly accomplished by the repentance of all mankind.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 345–349.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

Just as the Clouds of Glory elevated the children of Israel spiritual and physically, they likewise were responsible for the transmission of the Essence of Illumination that set them totally apart from the other nations. It was through this transformation that they became HaShem’s chosen people.

It is the Light of holiness, transmitted by HaShem, that surrounds every Tzadik (righteous person), distinguishing them from all other individuals, and elevating them above all other G-d fearing people. This revels the value of the “Sukkot” through the sukkah itself. The Light of HaShem also shines over Israel and engulfs them in such a manner that when they wave the lulav and its associated species their enemies are terrified.

Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 49:23 states, “With their faces to the earth they will bow down to you (the children of Israel)…” Also 60:14 “The sons of those who persecuted you shall come to you bowing.” All the nations will then be subjugated and bow down to Israel, and the children of Israel will partake of HaShem’s Light that shines upon their Land.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 343–345.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

Holidays mark dates when rectifications came about in history; on their anniversary, the same Lights shine forth again. The Highest Wisdom decreed that on every anniversary of this period, a counterpart of its original Light should shine forth, and the results of its rectification renewed to those who accept it.

We are therefore commanded to observe Pesach with all its rituals to recall the Exodus, on the anniversary of this event, there shines forth a Light that parallels the one that illuminated at the time. Since the results of that rectification are renewed in people that study the Torah, we are obligated to keep all the rituals for this event.

Shavuot (seven weeks) likewise involves a great rectification, since it is the time when the Torah was given. Sukkot involves the Clouds of Glory, as it is written (Vayikra 23:24) “That future generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in sukkot…”. Chanukah and Purim also involve this same conept.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 337–343.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

HaShem decreed that the days would repeat themselves, following a periodic cycle, which would be seven days in length. Seven was the appropriate measure for the repeating cycle, for all creation came into existence over a period of seven days, so that creation’s entire being is contained in the number..

This cycle of seven also exists on a larger scale, spanning all the years of human history. Existence is divided into six periods, each containing one thousand years, followed by a seventh thousand-year period, which will be a period of “rest.”

The Sabbath, therefore, was a great gift that HaShem gave to Israel, given because His Desire was that Israel be His holy nation. He did not give the gift to any of the rest of the nations, in any sense, for the unique elevation which one experiences on the Sabbath is neither fitting nor intended for them.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 331–337.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

On page 325, paragraph 14, The four parts of the daily prayers service actually parallel the four-part structure of the creation. The first three parts of the service rectify the lower worlds.

On page 325, also, paragraph 15, Attached to this order are other prayers, designed to incite HaShem to bestow both mercy and additional blessings. These are the “Viduy” (Confession), the Thirteen Attributes, and the “falling upon one’s face” (in the Tachanun).

The purpose of the Confession is to prevent the Accusers from speaking out and causing the service to be cast aside. We then recite the Thirteen Attributes (of Mercy) because they have the power to cause HaShem to be grasped through His Attribute of Mercy. The “falling on one’s face” in Tachanun is also a high degree of self-subjugation before HaShem. It therefore has the power to appease the Attribute of Justice and arouse mercy.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 325.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

On page 321, paragraph 12, we find on holy days only seven blessings were ordained for the Amidah. These days have their own intrinsic blessings and sanctity which transmit HaShem’s sustenance.

On page 321, also, paragraph 13, we find there four different worlds. The physical world consist of two components– the celestial and the terrestrial. The celestial is the realm of the stars and planets, while the terrestrial is our realm, here on earth. The two together comprise a single world–the physical.

Above this is another world, namely the world of the angels. Higher than this is yet another world, a third world, that of the Highest Forces. This third world is called “The World of the Throne.”  On a still higher level we can speak in general of different Influences emanating from HaShem, revelations of His Light, from which the existence of everything in Creation is derived. In a manner of speaking, the realm of these Influences also can be termed a “world,” one which usually is called “The World of HaShem.”
From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 321.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

The morning prayer service is divided into four general sections. The first (Korbanos) involves readings associated with the sacrificial system, the second (Pesukei d’Zimrah) consist of Psalms and other Biblical praises, the third is the Shema and its blessings, and the fourth is the Amidah and concluding prayers.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 321.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

The morning prayer service is divided into four general sections. The first (Korbanos) involves readings associated with the sacrificial system, the second (Pesukei d’Zimrah) consist of Psalms and other Biblical praises, the third is the Shema and its blessings, and the fourth is the Amidah and concluding prayers.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 317.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

The concept of tzitzis: connecting holiness to one’s clothing. Therefore, tzitzis identifies the Jew and the Non-Jew as HaShem/Elokim servant, responsible for creation’s rectification.

All this, however, is based on the fact that man is HaShem/Elokim servant, and was therefore given the task of rectifying all creation. It is for this reason alone that his deeds can have such an effect and he can thus actually accomplish this.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzz

atto. Page 313.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

King David wrote (Psalms 104: 20-23), “HaShem/Elokim makes darkness, and it is night, and all the beasts of the forest creep forth…The sun rises, they slink away…Mankind then goes forth to their work, and to labor until evening.”

Even through nighttime in general is the time when these Forces have authority, this is actually only true of the first half of the night. At midnight, an Influence of Illumination and favor emanates from HaShem/Elokim to all worlds, and authority is taken away from these Forces of evil.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 307.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here

Prayer is a daily obligation, requesting HaShem/Elokim’s good be supplied without interruption. One of the conditions ordained by the Highest Wisdom was that in order for mankind to receive sustenance form HaShem/Elokim, they must first motivate themselves in HaShem/Elokim direction and turn to HaShem/Elokim to request their needs. HaShem/Elokim desires and wills to constantly benefit mankind. He therefore arranged that prayer be a daily obligation. Through it, mankind receives sustenance, success and blessing according to their needs, as dictated by their state of being.

From the “RaMCHaL”–Derech HaShem–Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto. Page 301.

To subscribe to Biblical Faith news letter, please click here