Kabbalah sa Isaias 45:20: Chesed LeAvraham

**The Reason Why the Holy One, Blessed Be He, Did Not Allow the External Forces to Rule Alone Outside the Land of Israel:** The Holy One, Blessed Be He, did not want the dominion of the external forces (*chitzonim*) to exist independently outside the Land of Israel, for otherwise, the inhabitants of the world would perish from famine. As it is written, *“They bow to nothingness and emptiness and pray to a god who cannot save”* (Isaiah 45:20). This shows that the external forces are devoid of any goodness or substance. If so, how would these forces provide sustenance even for the *erev rav* (mixed multitude) that depends on them? The answer is that a measure of holiness is bestowed upon the celestial spheres through the **heichalot** (heavenly chambers). Each **mazal** (constellation) receives from the twelve facets of the celestial *chayot* (living creatures), and each star receives from a higher heichal. This arrangement provides the heavenly ministers (*sarim*) with the treasures they distribute to the nations. Thus, the boundaries of any nation outside the Land of Israel are determined solely by the influence of the particular star ruling over it. However, other stars, whether from the northern or southern skies, that do not govern that region have no influence there. A minister cannot enter another minister’s boundary because it deviates from its domain. As a result, specific herbs, metals, plant species, and various delicacies are absent in certain regions. In contrast, the Land of Israel, which is directly nourished by the Divine Source, is described as *“lacking nothing”* (Deuteronomy 8:9). The Source flows directly to the constellations, as mentioned. The power of the **mazal** (astrological influence) is nullified only when it passes through the section of the sky corresponding to the Land of Israel—an area of 400 *parsa* by 400 *parsa* (a vast expanse). When within this section, the mazal's power diminishes. Upon exiting and entering the borders of the nations, its power ignites and intensifies again. This phenomenon aligns closely with natural law. Sometimes a **mazal** “falls into a pit” due to certain causes. There is no greater cause for this than its passage over the portion of the sky corresponding to the Land of Israel.