Les Proverbes 20:29 Cabale : Sha'arei Orah

We now must enlighten you to a very great secret. That is, the mystery of the Upper Fixtures-Tikkunim HaElyonim-תקונים העליונים,⁴⁷⁴This refers to the Thirteen Fixtures of the Beard (Yud-Gimmel Tikkunei Dikna) of the Crown-Keter (The Long Patient One-Arich Anpin-אריך אנפין). called the Elder-Zaken-זקן, are also the secret of Splendor-Tiferet-תפארת. This is one of the great secrets of the Chariot (Merkavah), but it all goes to one place and one intention, like what was explained about the title Splendor-Tiferet-תפארת. This is also the secret of the verse,⁴⁷⁵Proverbs 20:29 “The splendor-Tiferet-תפארת of youth is their strength.” For, in truth, all powers are included in the Sefirah of Splendor-Tiferet-תפארת, and it therefore is victorious over all. One who knows the secret of the hairs of the beard-Sa’arot HaZakan-שערות הזקן,⁴⁷⁶This refers to the Thirteen Fixtures of the Beard (Yud-Gimmel Tikkunei Dikna) of the Crown-Keter (The Long Patient One-Arich Anpin-אריך אנפין), which are the thirteen qualities of Mercy-Rachamim, and are called (Shabbat 152a), “The glory of the face is the beard.” It similarly states (Psalms 133:2), “Like precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard-Zakan-זקן; the beard of Aharon running down upon his emotions-Midotav-מדותיו.” That is, the emotional qualities of the heart, all of which are included in the Sefirah of Splendor-Tiferet-תפארת (called the small face-Zeir Anpin), receive from the upper qualities of the beard-Zakan-זקן of the Crown-Keter (which is called the Long Face-Arich Anpin). Also see Sifra d’Tzniyuta Ch. 3; Etz Chayim, Shaar 13 & 14; Shaar HaYichud of the Mittler Rebbe, Rabbi Dovber of Lubavitch, Ch. 22 & 25, and elsewhere. This will be explained further in the Tenth Gate. will know the secret of Splendor-Tiferet-תפארת. From this secret all the sections of the Chariot (Merkavah) are born, since the spreading forth to all sides is from Splendor-Tiferet-תפארת. This secret is hidden and sealed in the verse,⁴⁷⁷Isaiah 44:13 “It is the splendor-Tiferet-תפארת of man-Adam-אדם to dwell in a house-Bayit-בית.”⁴⁷⁸This refers to the secret of the teaching, “The Holy One, blessed is He, desired a dwelling place for Himself in the lower worlds.” Midrash Tanchuma, Bechukotai 3, Naso 16, Bereishit Rabba 3, Bamidbar Rabba 13:6 and elsewhere. It likewise is the secret of King Solomon’s statement,⁴⁷⁹Proverbs 19:11 “It is His splendor-Tifarto-תפארתו to overlook transgression.”⁴⁸⁰As mentioned before, through repentance-Teshuvah to HaShem-יהו״ה, blessed is He, one reaches to and elicits the radiance of the thirteen attributes of mercy from the Crown-Keter-כתר, tearing up and overturning all judgments. This refers to the matter that HaShem-יהו״ה, may He be blessed and elevated forever, is glorified-Mitpa’er-מתפאר when after having sinned, the creatures return in repentance-Teshuvah to Him. This will suffice for the understanding.