Kabbalah Library

43. “When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business.” This commandment for the groom to be happy with his wife for one year, as it is written, “he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken,” is since these twelve months are hers. The year is a bride; Malchut is called “year,” and there is no bride except in twelve months, as it is written, “And made the sea standing on twelve oxen,” since the sea is Malchut. Twelve oxen are four Sefirot HB TM, with three lines in each, which are twelve in each place.

Since there is no correction of the bride except in twelve, the groom must therefore please her and her house, her and her corrections, such as above. This is why it is written about Jacob, “and he took of the stones of the place.” The place is Malchut; the stones of the place are twelve. One who pleases the bride, pleases her maidens, which are her Sefirot in Beria. The maidens are twelve, and all of it is a year. This is why the groom must be happy with his wife for one year.

44. This joy is not his, but hers, as it is written, “to bring happiness to his wife.” It is not written “to be happy,” but “to bring happiness,”, that he should please the bride. Similarly, the bride has no joy except in the body and in her corrections, and one who pleases them is righteous.

This is why it is written, “He shall be free at home one year.” “Free” means he will not toil with worldly matters so he will have a desire to please her. “Free” from everything, free from taxes, property taxes, and poll tax. Free, in that he will not go to the army to make war, so there will be joy above and below, and to awaken joy above. Happy is the holy nation whose lord delights in them; happy are they in this world, and happy are they in the next world.