Isaías 65:5 Cabalá: Chesed LeAvraham

The matter is as follows: just as there are "delicacies" that Jacob prepared for his father (Isaac), representing good deeds and righteous actions that ascend to the Divine, there are also "bitter delicacies" that God abhors—these are the sins and corrupted deeds performed by those dwelling below. Such actions do not ascend through the holy "forces of grinding, swallowing, and digestion" (symbolized by the esophagus, stomach, and digestive system, which correspond to sacred processes of refining deeds). Instead, they pass through unholy forces, namely Samael and his legions. These unholy forces "cook," "prepare," and derive pleasure from the sinful deeds committed below, becoming bound to those actions. This is the meaning of what we say in the confessional prayer (*viduy*): "We have clung to falsehood and deceit." "Deceit" refers to Lilith, while "falsehood" refers to Samael. Through sinful actions, these forces attach themselves and bind to the sinner. After binding to a sin, these forces produce a "smoke" that rises and obscures the "eyes of the upper realms." This is akin to the bitterness that Esau brought to Isaac and Rebecca, as it is written: *"And they were a source of bitterness to Isaac and Rebecca"* (Genesis 26:35), and further: *"His eyes grew dim, so he could not see"* (Genesis 27:1). These bitter "delicacies" create a spiritual "smoke" that clouds the higher realms, the exact opposite of the "pleasing aroma" of righteous deeds, which brings satisfaction to the Divine spirit. This bitterness corresponds to harsh judgment (*din kasheh*) awakened by sinful actions. Judgment then flows downward to the external forces (*chitzonim*) to empower them. This harsh judgment grants permission to act in the lower world, resulting in harm and punishment, as described: *"Behold, smoke has risen in My nostrils, a fire burning all day"* (Isaiah 65:5). This is what stirs the anger of God, the antithesis of spiritual rest and satisfaction.# Just as the right side of holiness awakens goodness, descending to the lower realms as blessings, abundance, wisdom, children, wealth, knowledge, honor, life, and all other good occurrences, so too does the left side awaken judgment. This judgment descends into the lower realms as illnesses, suffering, harsh occurrences, and bitterness worse than death. Ultimately, *“this corresponds to that”* (Ecclesiastes 7:14): the forces of holiness and impurity are parallel opposites. Each action awakens its corresponding spiritual reality, for better or worse. This duality defines the spiritual interplay between righteousness and sin.