Kabbalah sa Isaias 38:1: Sha'arei Kedusha & Sha'arei Orah

The gravest of the positive commandments are the mitzvah of offering the Paschal Lamb (Korban Pesach) and the mitzvah of circumcision. The nullification of either of these two commandments results in excision (Karet). Even more severe is the nullification of positive commandments that are punished with excision (Karet) and also violate a negative commandment, such as the mitzvah to fast and desist from all prohibited forms of labor on Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement). Higher than this is the mitzvah of resting from all prohibited forms of labor on Shabbat, as nullifying this mitzvah is both a negative prohibition and is punishable by stoning (Skilah). Higher than this is the mitzvah to procreate, that is, to be fruitful and multiply. For even if a person is full of Torah and mitzvot, like King Chizkiyahu,⁷³⁷See Kings II 18:5 – The Torah attests about King Chizkiyahu, “He trusted in HaShem-יהו״ה, the God of Israel; after him there was not anyone like him among all the kings of Yehudah, nor among those who preceded him.” he will die in this world and not live in the coming world, because he abstained from procreating.⁷³⁸See Talmud Bavli, Brachot 10a – Notwithstanding his greatness, he was told (by HaShem-יהו"ה through His prophet Yishayahu) that because he did not bear children (since he saw with the Holy Spirit (Ru’ach HaKodesh) that his children would not be virtuous), (Isaiah 38:1), “You shall die and shall not live,” meaning, “You will die in this world and will not live in the coming world.” He indeed repented and rectified this, and thus fifteen years were added to his life. This is also the case in regard to the positive mitzvah of donning Tefillin. That is, a skull that has never donned Tefillin shall not rise in the time of the resurrection and is called a rebellious Jew who sins with his body.⁷³⁹Talmud Bavli, Rosh HaShanah 17a Greater than all these is a person who abrogates the covenant of the circumcision⁷⁴⁰Talmud Bavli, Yoma 85b; Shevuot 13a; Sanhedrin 99a; Avot d’Rabbi Natan, Ch. 26, and elsewhere. in order to cause anger.

Now that we have transmitted these principles to you, we must tell you the secret of Chizkiyahu’s prayer,⁷⁵Isaiah 38:11 “I had said, ‘I will not see Ya”h-י״ה, Ya”h-י״ה is in the Land of the Living-Eretz HaChayim-ארץ החיים.” What is the meaning of his words, “I will not see Ya”h-י״ה?” It is as if to say, that since he was told,⁷⁶Isaiah 38:1 “You shall die, and you shall not live,” Chizkiyahu said to himself, “Since I will not see the Coming World-Olam HaBa-עולם הבא”⁷⁷Talmud Bavli, Brachot 10a – The double language, “You will die, and you will not live” means, “You will die in this world, and you will not live in the Coming World-Olam HaBa-עולם הבא.” which is the World of the Living-Olam HaChayim-עולם החיים and is Ya”h-י״ה, as explained before, “And if I were to say that I will at least merit to behold the Sefirah of Kingship-Malchut, which is the last Sefirah, I have said that this too I will not merit to behold.” What is the reason? Because it is there, in the Sefirah of Kingship-Malchut, that the Sefirot, which come from the name Ya”h-י״ה, make their appearance, and Kingship-Malchut is then called the Land of the Living-Eretz HaChayim-ארץ החיים. That is, she receives beneficence from the World of Life-Olam HaChayim-עולם החיים, which is the secret of Ya”h-י״ה, which includes Understanding-Binah. The verse then continues, “I will not again behold man-Adam-אדם with the inhabitants of the earth-Chadel-חדל.” This refers to the matter of Adam-אדם, the first man, who withheld himself-Chadal-חדל from transgressing,⁷⁸Also see Zohar I 65b as you shall yet hear, with HaShem’s-יהו״ה help, blessed is He.

Now, from where do we know that these three depend on a higher place than this Name HaShem-יהו״ה? Regarding life, it is written about Chizkiyah, King of Yehudah,¹⁷¹Isaiah 38:5 “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your days.” The verse does not say, “I am adding-Moseef-מוסיף,” but specifies, “I will add-Yoseef-יוסיף.” That is, “In the Great Court of Judgement, I already rendered judgment,¹⁷²As in Isaiah 38:1 – “Isaiah son of Amoz, the prophet came to him [Chizkiyah] and said to him, ‘Thus said HaShem-יהו״ה: Instruct your household, for you shall die, and you shall not live.’” In other words, the decree had already been rendered by the Great Upper Court (Beit Din HaGadol Shel Ma’alah). however, if it is desirable to that known light-Ohr-אור,¹⁷³The numerical value of the Light-Ohr-אור-207 is the same as the Unlimited One-Ein Sof-אין סוף-207, by which the crown-Keter is called (as will be mentioned shortly). I will add-Yoseef-יוסִף to your days.” Regarding children, when Chana pleaded for a child, it is written that “she prayed over HaShem-יהו״ה,” literally, which refers to the name Eheye”h-אהי״ה, to which the Mazal-מזל is affixed. This is why the verse specifies, “she prayed over-Al-על HaShem-יהו״ה.” Regarding sustenance it is written,¹⁷⁴Psalms 55:23 “Cast your burden over HaShem-יהו״ה, and He will sustain you.” The verse specifies “over-Al-על HaShem-יהו״ה,” rather than, “to-El-אל HaShem-יהו״ה.”