## The Gate of Unity Chapter 45

###### The Gate of Unity 45:1
[The Gate of Unity 45:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:1)

והנה כתיב ויעש יהו״ה לאדם ולאשתו כתנות עור וילבישם

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Now it is written,¹ “And *HaShem Elohim-*יהו"ה אלהי"ם made for Adam and his wife cloaks of leather (*Ohr-***ע**ור) and garbed them.”

footnotes:
¹ Genesis 3:21; Also see Siddur Im Divrei Elokim Chayim, Shacharit 60d; Birchat HaMazon 115b; Milah 147a-148d; Biurei Zohar, Balak 149d; Maamarei Admor HaEmtza'ee, Vayikra Vol. 2, pg. 493; Torah Or, Lech Lecha 12c.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:2
[The Gate of Unity 45:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:2)

שזהו בחינת החשמ"ל דנוגה שמקיף לזעיר אנפין ונוקבא דאצילות שנקרא אדם ואשתו עד מתחת רגליהם כו' כידוע

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This refers to the aspect of the *Chashmal* of *Nogah* that encompasses *Zeir Anpin* and *Nukvah (Malchut)* of *Atzilut*, who are called Adam and his wife, [which encompasses them] until below their feet, as known.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:3
[The Gate of Unity 45:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:3)

ובתורתו של רבי מאיר היה כתוב אור באלף

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Now, in the Torah scroll of Rabbi Meir² this was written with an *Aleph*-א, that is, “Light-*Ohr-***א**ור.”

footnotes:
² See Midrash Bereishit Raba 20:12; Shaar HaEmunah 43a; Maamarei Admor HaEmtzaee, Bereishit pg. 450; Bamidbar Vol. 2, pg. 560  p. 757; Devarim Vol. 1, pg. 115; Drushei Chatunah Vol. 1, pg. 66; Hanachot 5577 pg. 253.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:4
[The Gate of Unity 45:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:4)

שזהו בחינת זיהרא עילאה, כמו שכתוב עוטה אור כשלמה, שזהו אחר הבירורים דרפ"ח כו'.

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This refers to the upper radiance³ about which it states,⁴ “He covers Himself with light as a garment,” this being after the rectification of the two-hundred and eighty-eight [sparks] etc.

footnotes:
³ Zohar I 36b – Zihara Ila’ah
⁴ Psalms 104:2


###### The Gate of Unity 45:5
[The Gate of Unity 45:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:5)

ומתחלה יש להבין קצת בביאור ענין השבירה והתיקון בכללותן

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Now, we must first have some understanding into the explanation of the matter of the shattering and rectification [of the vessels] in general.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:6
[The Gate of Unity 45:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:6)

שהוא בבחינת האותיות שנקרא כלים

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This [took place] in the aspect of the letters (*Otiyot*-אותיות), which are called vessels (*Keilim*).⁵

footnotes:
⁵ Tanya, Shaar HaYichud V'HaEmunah Ch. 4 and elsewhere.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:7
[The Gate of Unity 45:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:7)

שנשברו ונפלו מצד ריבוי האור שלא היה ביכולתם להכיל כמו שכתוב בעץ חיים

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
They shattered and fell because of the overabundance of light which they were incapable of containing, as stated in *Etz Chayim*.⁶

footnotes:
⁶ See Etz Chayim, Shaar 10, Ch. 5; Maamarei Admor HaEmtza'ee, Devarim Vol. 4, pg. 1,476.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:8
[The Gate of Unity 45:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:8)

וכמו שכתוב אתה פוררת בעזך ים

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is like the verse,⁷ “You caused the sea (*Yam-*ים) to fracture with Your might.”⁸-ים” refers to *Malchut*, which is the letters, as it states (Ecclesiastes 1:7), “All the streams flow into the sea (*HaYam*-הים). See Shaarei Orah of Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla translated as Gates of Light, Shaar 1 (*Malchut*); Also see Ginat Egoz of Rabbi Yosef Gikatilla, translated as HaShem Is One.

footnotes:
⁷ Psalms 74:13
⁸ The term “sea-Yam


###### The Gate of Unity 45:9
[The Gate of Unity 45:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:9)

שזהו בחינת התהו, שנתפררו בחינת האותיות, שנקרא שבירת הכלים כידוע

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This refers to the aspect of *Tohu* (Chaos),⁹ wherein the aspect of the letters fragmented, this being called, “The Shattering of the Vessels” (*Shvirat HaKelim*), as known.

footnotes:
⁹ Maamarei Admor HaEmtza'ee, Na”Ch pg. 5; Torat Chayim, Vayeishev 206c.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:10
[The Gate of Unity 45:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:10)

וטעם הדבר ידוע, על דרך משל עומק אור שכל שלמעלה מכלי הגבלת המוח, אז ודאי יתבלבלו אותיות השכל שבמחשבה, מצד מיעוט כחם להכיל האור, כי רב הוא מהם

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The reason for this, as known, is analogous to a deep conceptual light that transcends the limitations of the organ (vessel) of the brain [to contain]. The letters of the thought of the concept will certainly become confused, because of their inability to contain the light, since it is too great for them.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:11
[The Gate of Unity 45:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:11)

מה שאין כן כלי המוח שמכיל לאור השכל העמוק, אדרבא מוגבל ומתיישב ונעלם באותיות הללו (בלשון אידייש פאר נעמט כו')

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The opposite is true when the organ (vessel) of the brain is able to contain the light of the deep concept. On the contrary, it becomes limited, settled and concealed within these letters (that is, it is absorbed).


###### The Gate of Unity 45:12
[The Gate of Unity 45:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:12)

וכאשר לא יכילו, אזי בהכרח שיתפרדו האותיות

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, when they are incapable of containment, then of necessity, the letters become fragmented.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:13
[The Gate of Unity 45:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:13)

וכמו שמבואר במקום אחר באריכות, שזהו כמו בתיבה אחת שתקצר להכיל האור הרב שבה, יתפרדו האותיות שבה אנה ואנה, עד שלא יהיה מובן מזה כלום

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
It is as explained elsewhere at length,¹⁰ that this is like when a word falls short of containing the great light [of meaning] that is within it; its letters scatter here and there, until nothing at all can be understood from them.

footnotes:
¹⁰ Maamarei Admor HaEmtza'ee, Na”Ch pg. 5 and on; Maamarei Admor HaZaken, Nevi'im pg. 5 and on.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:14
[The Gate of Unity 45:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:14)

כתיבת ויאמר כשלא יכיל עומק המכוון שבו, יתפרדו האותיות, וישאר וי"ו מ״ם שבו מפורדין שלא כסדרן במקומן

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
An example is the word “And He said-*Vayomer-*ויאמר.” When it cannot contain the depth of its intended [meaning], its letters scatter and all that remains is its *Vav*-ו and *Mem*-מ, out of order and displaced.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:15
[The Gate of Unity 45:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:15)

(כדוגמת אותיות הרהורי לבו שביום, שמתפרדין שלא במקומן ושלא כסדרן בחלומות

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
(This is similar to the letters of the fleeting thoughts of the heart during the day. They become disjointed, displaced and out of order when one dreams [at night].¹¹

footnotes:
¹¹ Talmud Bavli, Brachot 55b; Maamarei Admor HaEmtza'ee, Hanachot 5577 p. 244


###### The Gate of Unity 45:16
[The Gate of Unity 45:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:16)

שבאין רק מצרופים שמהרהר ביום, בלתי מסודרין, אלא אות מתיבה זו ואות מתיבה אחרת כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
They come about from the combinations of thoughts one thinks during the day, but out of order. Rather, [they come in a jumble], one letter from this word and another letter from that word etc.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:17
[The Gate of Unity 45:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:17)

ולכך החלומות שוא ידברו כו' וכמו שכתוב במקום אחר)

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
It thus states,¹² “dreams speak nonsense etc.,” as explained elsewhere.¹³)

footnotes:
¹² Zacharia 10:2
¹³ Torat Chayim, VaYechi 245d


###### The Gate of Unity 45:18
[The Gate of Unity 45:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:18)

וזה הפירור נקרא שבירה לחלקים רבים וקטנים

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This fragmentation is called a “Shattering” (*Shvirah)* into many small parts.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:19
[The Gate of Unity 45:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:19)

כי בבוא זה האות שנתפרר לעצמו במקום אחר, אין בו רק חלק מצומצם מאד מן השכל שהיה מקובץ בהיות התיבה בצירופה בשלימות כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is because when a letter that separated unto itself comes elsewhere, it only contains an exceedingly diminished portion of the full concept, as the word was in its complete form etc.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:20
[The Gate of Unity 45:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:20)

וגם הוא מתפרר פירור אחר פירור, עד שנעשה מזה ענין זר לגמרי

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Moreover, it too undergoes one fragmentation after another, until it becomes completely alienated from its [original] meaning.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:21
[The Gate of Unity 45:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:21)

(כדוגמת ענין החלומות מהרהורי לבו שביום, רק אף על פי כן לא יחלום פילא בקופא דמחטא, רק מעין הרהורי לבו דוקא, וכמו שכתוב במקום אחר בענין פותר חלומות דיוסף וכמו שיתבאר)

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
(This may be compared to the matter of dreams that come from the thoughts of one’s heart during the day. However, one cannot dream of,¹⁴ 55b; *Torat Chayim, VaYetze* 169d; *Miketz* 216a “An elephant going through the eye of a needle,” but rather only reflections of the thoughts of his heart [during the day], as discussed elsewhere regarding Joseph’s interpretation of dreams,¹⁵ p. 431; *Torat Chayim, VaYechi* p. 245c 248c. and as will be explained later.)

footnotes:
¹⁴ Talmud Bavli, Brachot
¹⁵ See Maamarei Admor HaZaken, Inyanim


###### The Gate of Unity 45:22
[The Gate of Unity 45:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:22)

וכך יובן למעלה בענין שבירת הכלים דאורות דתהו, שזהו בחינת פירור ופיזור האותיות שלהם, כמו שכתוב אתה פוררת כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Likewise, we may understand how it is supernally, in regard to the matter of the shattering of the vessels of the lights of *Tohu* (Chaos), that it is an aspect of the fragmentation and scattering of their letters, as stated, “You scattered [the sea (*Yam*-ים)] etc.”


###### The Gate of Unity 45:23
[The Gate of Unity 45:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:23)

והיינו שנפלו למטה מטה עד שנעשה בבחינת לבוש זר

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is to say that they fell lower and lower until they came into an aspect of being an “alien garment.”


###### The Gate of Unity 45:24
[The Gate of Unity 45:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:24)

שזהו שרש ענין התהוות בחינת לבוש דחשמל כו' הנקרא כתנות עור

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is the root of the matter of the coming into being of the aspect of the garment of the *Chashmal* etc., which is called garments of skin (*Or-***ע**ור).


###### The Gate of Unity 45:25
[The Gate of Unity 45:25](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:25)

וידוע דעור זה הן בחינת ג' מיני אותיות דמחשבה דבור ומעשה, ששרשם הוא מאותיות דכלים דתהו שנתפררו וירדו למטה, ונעשה בחינת לבוש ומקיף להלביש לבחינת המדות דאדם כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Now, as known, these “Skins” are the aspect of the three kinds of letters; thought, speech and action,¹⁶ which are rooted in the letters of the vessels of *Tohu* (Chaos) that fragmented and fell down, thus making the aspect of an encompassing garment to garb the aspect of the emotions of man etc.

footnotes:
¹⁶ See Biurei HaZohar, VaYeshev 21d; Tazriah 73b; Maamarei Admor HaEmtza'ee, Devarim Vol. 3, pg. 923; Na”Ch pg. 318; Kuntreisim pg. 209


###### The Gate of Unity 45:26
[The Gate of Unity 45:26](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:26)

וגם שהוא נעשה בבחינת לבוש נפרד, שרשו מלמעלה ממקור המוחין דבינה שבמדות

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Although it became an aspect of a separate garment, its root is from above the source of the intellect of *Binah* as it is in the emotions.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:27
[The Gate of Unity 45:27](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:27)

וזהו גם כן בחינת חיצוניות בינה, שעל גוזליו ירחף לשמירה כו', שהוא מבחינת המקיף דבינה בבחינת מ"ם סתומה הנזכר לעיל ודי למבין.

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This also is the aspect of the externality of *Binah* that, “hovers over the chicks,” to protect them etc., which is from the aspect of the encompassing light of *Binah*, in the aspect of the previously discussed closed *Mem*-ם. This will suffice for the understanding.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:28
[The Gate of Unity 45:28](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:28)

ולהבין זה בתוספת ביאור, הנה ידוע שזהו גם כן שרש ענין המשלים, כמו ג' מאות משלים דרבי מאיר כו', ששרש המשל למעלה מן הנמשל, כמו משלי שלמה שהן חכמות עמוקות ביותר

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Now, to understand this with additional explanation, it is known that this is also the root of the matter of analogies, such as the three hundred analogies of Rabbi Meir etc.¹⁷ in that the root of the analogy is higher than the analogue,¹⁸ as are the analogies [proverbs] of Solomon, which are exceedingly deep [concepts of] wisdom.

footnotes:
¹⁷ Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 38b
¹⁸ See Sefer HaMaamarim 5568 Vol. 1, pg. 393; Maamarei Admor HaEmtza'ee, Vayikra Vol. 2, pg. 522 and on.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:29
[The Gate of Unity 45:29](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:29)

שאין להם בחינת כלים באותיות כי אם בהתלבשותם בענינים זרים נבדלים הרבה מן עצם החכמה, שם דוקא יושג עומק החכמה כמו שיוכלו להשיג עומק השכל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
They thus do not have an aspect of “vessels of letters,” except through being enclothed in matters that are very separate from the essential wisdom. It is specifically there, [in the analogy,] that the depth of the wisdom may be grasped, just as one grasps the depth of a concept.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:30
[The Gate of Unity 45:30](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:30)

רק על ידי המשל דוקא, שלא יושג גם ברבוי הסבר דברים כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This may only be [accomplished] specifically through analogy, for it cannot be grasped even with abundant explanations etc.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:31
[The Gate of Unity 45:31](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:31)

והמשל שנעשה לפי אופן הנמשל דוקא, הרי בהכרח שישיג לעומק ומקור מוצא הנמשל, ואם לא, לא יכוון המשל לנמשל כלל כידוע

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Moreover, for an analogy to be made specifically according to the analogue, of necessity it must reach the depth and source from which the analogue comes out. If not, the analogy will not at all be in line with the analogue, as known.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:32
[The Gate of Unity 45:32](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:32)

אם כן שרש המשל במקור שכל הנמשל ולמעלה הימנו

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This being the case, the root of the analogy is in the source concept of the analogue, and higher than it.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:33
[The Gate of Unity 45:33](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:33)

ולזה אמר דברי חכמים וחידותם, שלפי ערך עומק ומקור החכמה, כך ערך החידות ומשלים, כמו משלים דרבי מאיר ומשלי שלמה

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
For this reason, it states,¹⁹ “The words of the wise and their riddles”; that commensurate to the depth and source of the wisdom, so will be the depth of the riddles and analogies, such as the analogies of Rabbi Meir and the analogies of Solomon.

footnotes:
¹⁹ Proverbs 1:6


###### The Gate of Unity 45:34
[The Gate of Unity 45:34](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:34)

וכמו שכתוב במקום אחר בענין וידבר ג' אלפים משל, דהיינו משל למשל, כמו שכתוב בזהר שהנמצא במשל האחרון, יותר שם הוא העומק והמקור היותר ראשון של הנמשל כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is explained elsewhere regarding the verse,²⁰ “And he spoke three thousand proverbs;” that is, [each analogy was] an analogy for [the previous] analogy, as explained in the Zohar that the very last analogy contains the very first depth and source of the analogue etc.

footnotes:
²⁰ Kings I 5:12


###### The Gate of Unity 45:35
[The Gate of Unity 45:35](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:35)

וכל זה הוא גם כן בשרש בחינת האותיות, שעל ידיהם דוקא יושג היטב אור השכל כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The same holds true of the root of the aspect of letters. It is specifically through them that the light of the intellect is grasped well etc.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:36
[The Gate of Unity 45:36](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:36)

(וכמו כן יובן בענין ההגשמה של אור השכל, כל שבא בהשגה והסבר בהגשמה ביותר למטה מטה, שם דוקא בחינת העומק והמקור של גוף פנימית אור השכל כו')

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
(This may similarly be understood regarding the light of the intellect becoming concrete. To the degree that it comes to be concretely grasped and explained on the lowest level, it is specifically there that the aspect of the depth and inner light of the intellect itself is [grasped] etc.)


###### The Gate of Unity 45:37
[The Gate of Unity 45:37](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:37)

והיינו גם כן בחינת חיצוניות בינה, שמזה נעשה בחינת לבוש החשמל דבינה

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The [above] is also the case with the aspect of the externality of *Binah* from which the aspect of the *Chashmal* garment of *Binah* is made.²¹

footnotes:
²¹ See Or HaTorah, Noach Vol. 3, pg. 1338


###### The Gate of Unity 45:38
[The Gate of Unity 45:38](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:38)

שעל זה אמר ויעש כתנות עור כו', שהוא בחינת שומר למוחין שבמדות, שלא יבא לבחינת טעות

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
It is regarding this that it states, “And he made cloaks of skin-*Or*-**ע**ור etc.,” which is the aspect of the protector of the intellect within the emotions, so as not to come to an aspect of error.


###### The Gate of Unity 45:39
[The Gate of Unity 45:39](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:39)

(שמזה נעשה השליא לולד כו')

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
(It is from this that the placenta for the fetus is made etc.²².)

footnotes:
²² As will be explained later regarding the development of Klipah


###### The Gate of Unity 45:40
[The Gate of Unity 45:40](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/45:40)

וכמו שכתוב במקום אחר באריכות בענין אימא פרישת גדפהא כו' ובענין בשלו״ם, אותיות מלבו״ש כו', ובענין סכך דסוכה וכהאי גוונא ודי למבין

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is as explained at length elsewhere²³ regarding the matter of,²⁴) 256a; Torat Chayim, Vayetze 170c; Biurei HaZohar, Noach 4c and on. “The mother spreads her wings etc.,” and regarding the matter of “*baShalom*-בשלום-in peace,” which is the same letters as “*Malbush*-מלבוש-garment” etc.,²⁵, end of *Amida*; Also see Emek HaMelech, Shaar 1, Ch. 55 (9c); Torat Chayim, Noach 58a. and regarding the matter of the *Sechach* (covering) of the *Sukkah* and the like.²⁶ This will suffice for the understanding.

footnotes:
²³ See Maamarei Admor HaEmtza'ee VaYikra Vol. 2, pg. 494.
²⁴ Zohar III (Ra'aya Mehemna
²⁵ See Siddur of the Arizal
²⁶ See Siddur Im Divrei Elokim Chayim, Shaar HaSukkot p. 257a and on.