וַתִּשָּׂאֵ֣נִי ר֔וּחַ וָאֶשְׁמַ֣ע אַחֲרַ֔י ק֖וֹל רַ֣עַשׁ גָּד֑וֹל בָּר֥וּךְ כְּבוֹד־יְהוָ֖ה מִמְּקוֹמֽוֹ׃
Pagkatapos ay itinaas ako ng isang hangin, at narinig ko sa likuran ko ang tinig ng isang malakas na ugong: “Pinagpala ang kaluwalhatian ng Walang-Hanggan mula sa Kanyang dako.”
Ohr Ne'erav
And I heard behind me (Ezek. 3:12) a herald calling. Will you not answer [that] I will prepare my generation, for you have not denied the words of the Master of the Earth, [who is] awesome in praise in the darkness, and light dwells with Him (Dan. 2:22). I will tell of the decree (Ps. 2:7), advice from afar. Indeed, these are the lambs of the Merciful One, the eternal God [who] is a dwelling-place (Deut. 33:27), Selah. Why should you ask, when it is miraculous? (Judg. 13:18). The Lord of Hosts has purposed, and who will disannul it? (Isa. 14:27). If I would relate and speak of them, they are more than can be told (Ps. 40:6), for it is to test (Exod. 20:20) us that He orders His angels (Ps. 91:11) for us in the high heavens above and on the earth below (Deut. 4:39). They sanctify and purify themselves (Isa. 66:17) to comprehend the rash and to give merit to the multitude concerning the things that are the mysteries of the world, to bring all hidden things to judgment (Eccles. 12:14), for thus it arose in [His] thought, and it is known to all that there is a time and a season for each thing (Eccles. 3:1), and snarl against all sound wisdom (Prov. 18:1), and [for] the enlightened one [who wishes] to do well, his silence suffices for him. Let him be [more] silent for the Lord than the roar of the lion [is loud]. He will place and desire, and his heart will understand that not all faces are alike, and [that] God has made high and uplifted (Isa. 57:15) lowly and dark, both essential and nonessential, [so] that they should fear Him (Eccles. 3:14). For the mem and the samekh on the [stone] tablets are still suspended and stand. They warn and testify as a sign and anger [that will] consume and destroy those who utilize the crown not for its own sake,3Cf. Mishnah, Avot 1:13. with a deadly poison for those who defy her will. A contemptible brand in the thought of him that is at ease (Job 12:5) under every leafy tree (Deut. 12:2).
Ohr Ne'erav
This is the advice necessary for the man whom the king wishes to honor (Esther 6:6). Peace of mind to the poor and lowly of spirit, who trembles at His word (Isa. 66:2). Let him not boast of the morrow (Prov. 27:1), “for the reward of [the performance of] a commandment is a commandment” (Avot 4:2). He desired it for his habitation (Ps. 132:13); until the day breathe (Song 2:17) man will go out to his labor (Ps. 104:23), [which] will be accepted for him (Lev. 1:4), his fruit in its time (Ps. 1:3). This tarrying in the house for a little (Ruth 2:7), for the command of the king was urgent (I Sam. 21:9). Prepare outside your sword and your bow (Gen. 27:3), and do all your labor (Exod. 20:9) in Scripture, Mishnah, and Gemara, and there will be stored for you in the field of apples4The “apple trees” symbolize the sefirot from Gedulah to Yesod. Malkhut is called the “Field of Apples” because she is filled with “apple trees.” a heap of good deeds. Afterwards you will build your house “as a meeting house for the sages” (Avot 1:4), numerous and perfect (Nah. 1:12), seated upon judgment seats (Judg. 5.10) in holiness, and receiving one from another in whispers, crowned with their tefillin and fringes which they make for themselves (Deut. 22:12) to wrap themselves with awe and fear. They seclude themselves like standing Seraphim (Isa. 6:2), like brethren sitting together (Ps. 133:1). And if, as God lives (I Sam. 20:3), they speak of the face of the eagle (Ezek. 1:10), they were swifter and stronger than lions (I Samuel 1:23), and the noise of the wings of the living creatures (Ezek. 3:13) says, Blessed be the glory of God (Ezek. 3:12), who loves righteousness (Ps. 11:7), and the words rejoice as when they were given at Sinai from before God, the Lord of all the earth (Josh. 3:13).
Sha'arei Orah
And now my son, listen to my voice, let your ears be attentive to my counsel. My son, if sinners seduce you, do not be enticed.11Proverbs 1:10 If they tell you, “Come with us and we will give into your hands names and pronunciations that you can use,” my son, do not walk on the way with them. Restrain your legs from their path.12Proverbs 1:15 For all those names and usages are kinds of nets and traps with which to hunt souls and lead them to destruction.