Êxodo 33:16 Cabalá: Sha'arei Orah

Know that in the upper Courts of Law, where the upper ministers of the nations are judged, they all are judged with strict and harsh judgment, in which nothing at all is overlooked, but rather, everything accords to the final judgment decreed on them in the Great Upper Court. Know that all sentences that are entirely given over into the hands of an emissary, contain no mercy-Rachamim in them whatsoever. This is because the emissary is incapable of modifying or forgiving the decree whatsoever. However, the King can indeed forgive and pardon, even if a person has sinned great sins before Him. However, HaShem-יהו״ה, blessed is He, told Moshe,⁵³⁰Exodus 23:20-21 “Behold! I send an angel before you to guard you on the way… Beware of him, listen to his voice, and do not rebel against him, for he will not forgive your willful sin.” In other words, “Guard yourself from sinning, for if you sin, the angel will conclude the sentence against you, for he has no authority to overlook your willful sin and forgive.” Our teacher Moshe, peace be upon him, therefore said,⁵³¹Exodus 33:16 “How then, will it be known that I have found favor in Your eyes – I and your people – unless You accompany us?” and HaShem-יהו״ה, blessed is He, agreed to this. That is, our teacher Moshe, peace be upon him, said,⁵³²Exodus 34:9 “Let the Lord-Adona”y-אדנ״י go within us,” since He is the King and can be merciful and forgive. The verse therefore concludes, “And You shall forgive our iniquity and error and make us Your heritage.” Moreover, when HaShem-יהו"ה agreed to do this, He did so by way of a covenant-Brit-ברית, and said that this gift is not granted to the other nations of the world, as He said,⁵³³Exodus 34:10 “Behold! I am sealing a covenant-Brit-ברית: Before your entire people I shall perform wonders that have never been created in all the earth and amongst all the nations etc.” This is why the Jewish people always plead to HaShem’s-יהו"ה quality as Lord-Adona”y-אדנ״י – that even though they are unworthy, He should be merciful and pardon. We thus say,⁵³⁴Daniel 9:19 – ״אדנ״י ש׳מעה אדנ״י ס׳לחה אדנ״י ה׳קשיבה״ “O Lord-Adona”y-אדנ״י listen, O Lord-Adonay-אדנ״י forgive, O Lord-Adona”y-אדנ״י, be attentive.” Many of the righteous-Tzaddikim were fearful of HaShem’s-יהו"ה quality of Lordship-Adona”y-אדנ״י, lest they encounter it on its own, and they therefore would draw mercy and goodness to it from the Supernal Crown-Keter Elyon, as well as from other titles and adjectives of mercy-Rachamim. We see that David would do so, saying,⁵³⁵Psalms 86:15-16 “But You, O’ Lord-Adona”y-אדנ״י, are the Merciful-Rachum-רחום and Compassionate-Chanun-חנון God-E”l-א״ל, slow to anger-Erech Apayim-ארך אפים, abundant in kindness-Rav Chessed-רב חסד, and truth-Emet-אמת. Turn to me and show me favor.”