תּוֹרָה פב

Torah 82 · Corresponding to Likutay Moharan Part I, Toirah 82

Shame [ cherpath ] is the aspect of foreskin [ orlah ] — as it is written: "we cannot — etc. — for one who has a foreskin — for that is a shame to us" [Genesis 34:14]. And there are three skins of the foreskin — which are the aspect of the three husks: "a stormy wind" — "and a great cloud" — "and a flashing fire" [Ezekiel 1:4]. And through silence upon shame [ sh'tikah al ha-cherpath ] — one repels them. For one does not wish to quarrel and shame one's fellow. And there is the aspect of a thin fourth skin — which is the aspect of nogah [brightness] — the aspect of chashmal — that is, chash mal [to be silent and to speak]. For to be silent and keep still over shamings — is the aspect of circumcision [ milah ]. And indeed it is known that nogah is sometimes included in holiness and sometimes in the opposite. And therefore in silence upon shame there are also two aspects. Sometimes one keeps silent toward one's fellow in order to increase his suffering — it is found that through this one further shames one's fellow. And then the silence — the aspect of nogah — is included in the husk — in the aspect of shame as above. But those who hear their shame and do not respond — and act from love — that is, they are silent out of love — not wishing to shame and disgrace their fellow — then this silence — the aspect of nogah — is included in holiness. And behold it is written in the writings of the Ari, of blessed memory: that on Shabbos eve the husk of nogah is included in holiness — and the three impure husks also wish to ascend to take hold in the holiness. And then the flame of Yah descends and scorches them so they do not take hold in the holiness — see there. And therefore our Sages of blessed memory said [Shabbos 88a] regarding those who act from love as above: and about them the verse says: "and those who love Him are as the sun going forth in its might" [Judges 5:31]. Which is the aspect of the flame of Yah mentioned above — through which nogah is included in holiness — in the aspect of chash-mal [hushed speech]. For this silence is the aspect of the nullification of the foreskin and the shame as above. 📜 Translator's Summary — Toirah 82 [from the Translator] Central theme: Shame is spiritually the foreskin — and keeping silent when shamed is the spiritual circumcision. The three husks correspond to the three foreskin-skins. The fourth layer — nogah — is the silence itself, which can go either way: silence used to intensify the shamer's cruelty joins the husk; silence born of love for one's fellow joins holiness. This is the secret of the chashmal — chash-mal , hushed speech — and the flame of Yah on Shabbos eve that preserves holiness from the husks.