006 —וירד הגבול

Veyered HaGevul U'Macha Al Kasef Yam Kinneres Kedma, VeYered HaGevul HaYardenah.

The concept of the Yarden (Jordan River) is as our Sages say: it takes from one and gives to another^[2]. This means it represents the elevation from below to above, raising up from the shattering—the remnants of the kings of Tohu that have not been refined, which refers to kelipas noga. The goal is to transform them into holiness. Specifically, the seven emotional attributes that fell into the kelipos—Cham and Canaan. The heat (chamimus) is the root of the seven negative emotions in the land of Canaan, and the task is to take that very heat and turn it into fiery passion—"Rishpeha rishpei aish"—a burning enthusiasm in serving Hashem.

This is the idea of the Yarden, which takes from one and gives to another, from below to above, through an awakening from below. This is called "olam" (world), which is Vav-Kuf (the six lower sefirot). In this kind of service, there must be changes, due to the changing nature of lower things and physical matters like eating and drinking^[3].

There is another, higher level of service (from lower things), called "ahavah rabbah"—great love—which does not require that love be taken from lower things, from Cham, the father of Canaan, as mentioned above. Rather, everything comes from above, from the level of "olam" mentioned earlier. The Torah was created two thousand years before the world, and there too it says, "Rishpeha rishpei aish" (its flames are flames of fire). This is the level of Eretz Yisrael: "Einei Hashem Elokecha bah" (the eyes of the L‑rd your G‑d are upon it)—the level of chochmah, which is the two thousand years: "A'alefcha chochmah, a'alefcha binah" (I will teach you wisdom, I will teach you understanding).

This love comes only from above, through Aharon, the "shushvina d'matronisa" (the escort of the bride), who draws down ahavah rabbah from above to the matronisa (the Jewish people) as mentioned. Contemplate this well.

Even the love that is within the world, from below to above, is not taken only from the world, for the nations also eat, etc., and it does not become holiness. There must be a radiance from above to below, so that one is able to elevate the emotions to holiness.

This is the meaning of: "Veyered HaGevul HaYardenah, U'Macha Al Kasef Yam Kinneres Kedma" (the border descends to the Jordan, and strikes the shoulder of the Kinneret Sea to the east).

Kinneret—sweet like a harp. This is the level of chassadim (kindnesses) that come out from Eden, which is chochmah. This is sufficient for the understanding.

Mikedem l'Ayin—from before the level of "Einei Hashem Elokecha" (the eyes of the L‑rd your G‑d are upon it).

Yam Kinneret—the supernal sea, the level of Nekudim.

The Yarden is the level of the 288 sparks in kelipas noga that descended in the shattering.

But their root is before the shattering; there is their source.

And through this, there is a drawing down to the Yarden, so that it can elevate and take from one and give to another. This is sufficient for the understanding, and may Hashem have mercy.^[4]

Summary

The maamar teaches that spiritual elevation involves transforming worldly passions into holiness, symbolized by the Jordan River's flow. There are two levels of Divine service: one that elevates from below, and a higher one that draws love for G‑d from above, both essential for true spiritual refinement.