לקוטי שיחות חלק ד - בלק

Regarding the verse, “For from the mountaintops I see him, and from the hills I behold him,” our Sages explain: “The mountaintops refer to the Patriarchs, and the hills refer to the Matriarchs.”

The explanation is as follows:

The father’s influence is general and overarching; therefore he is described from a distance—“I see him” (arenu). The mother’s influence reveals and develops the details; therefore she is described with closeness—“I behold him” (ashurenu).

In terms of the spiritual attributes (sefirot), this corresponds to Chochmah and Binah. Binah is closer to the emotional attributes (middos), and therefore from the perspective of Binah the emotions retain their individual existence. This is the level known as Yichuda Tata’ah (the lower unity), where the world’s existence is recognized but understood as dependent upon G‑d.

By contrast, Chochmah is associated with koach mah—the power of self-nullification. Since it is more distant from the other attributes, all existence becomes nullified within the Divine reality. This is the level of Yichuda Ila’ah (the higher unity).

Nevertheless, because the ultimate purpose of creation is that G‑d should have a dwelling place in the lowest realms, there is a unique advantage in Yichuda Tata’ah. This is reflected in the verse, “Whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her voice,” emphasizing the special role of the feminine quality that brings holiness into the practical details of life.

This lesson applies to every Jewish home. The day-to-day direction of the home—especially in matters of educating sons and daughters, giving charity generously, and practicing hospitality—is entrusted primarily to the woman. Through her efforts, the Divine promise, “And I will dwell among them,” is fulfilled within the home itself, transforming it into a dwelling place for the Divine Presence.