Kutipan Tanakh Rut 3:15: Likkutei Torah

And in explanation of the matter, behold it is written in Ruth (3:15), "And he said, etc., while he measured out six measures of barley, etc." And the Gemara (Sanhedrin 93a) explains [that they are] six righteous people, etc. And so is it in the Midrash Rabbah on Ruth on this verse. But at first glance, it is not understood how these great righteous ones are called by the name barley. And see in Chullin, there is also [discussion] about this matter and the Maharasha there in the Chiddushei Aggadot stretched to resolve [this]. But it appears that it can be said that even though the aspect of wheat, which is human food, is much higher than the aspect of barley, animal food - since the aspect of humans is the souls of Emanation, whereas the aspect of animals is the souls of Creation, Formation and Action, and as I wrote in s.v. VeElu HaMishpatim - nevertheless, there is an aspect of animals that is higher than the aspect of humans. That is what our Rabbis, may their memory be blessed, said [in] the first chapter of Chullin (5b:5) about the verse, "man and animal You preserve" (Psalms 36:7): "These are people who are clever in terms of their intellect like (the first) man, but comport themselves (humbly) like an animal." And that is why these [righteous people] are called by the name, barley, which is the food of animals, etc. And this is the aspect of the great animal which is above the aspect of people, as I wrote on Parshat Ekev, s.v. VaYakhilkha et HaMan, see there. And in the Zohar, vol. 3, Parshat Emor 98b (Zohar, Emor 37:186), it explains the six barley grains are the six orders of the Mishnah, and that is [the meaning of] animal food. This means to say that through that, one comes to the aspect and level just mentioned of, "man and animal You preserve" - that is that we make ourselves like animals. And this is according to that which our Rabbis, may their memory be blessed, said in the Midrash Rabbah, Parshat Emor, Chapter 27, "We are like a man, save us like an animal, since we are drawn after You like an animal, etc." And see that which I wrote in s.v. VeHenif HaKohen Otam al Lechem HaBikkurim. However regarding the relationship of the six orders of the Mishnah to barley (seorim), it can be said the Oral Torah is what limits the measurement (shiur) and the size of all the commandments: That tefillin be specifically so and so; and likewise the sukkah, and as I wrote about this in s.v. BeShaah SheHekdimu Yisrael Naaseh.