Kabbalah Library
Zohar for All, Volume 8
If They Were Wise, They Would Understand This
241. All those verses here are rebukes that Moses rebuked Israel, except for that Holy Name that he revealed at the beginning of his words. It is written, “For I will call on the name of the Lord,” which is HGT NHYM. Even the verses where He reproves Israel are included in the Holy Name, since nothing in the Torah is excluded from inclusion in the Holy Name, for the whole Torah is the name of the Creator.
242. These verses we have explained thus far are known to all. But because the name of the Creator is inscribed in this portion, we have had to clarify them thus far. Here it is written, “If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their end!” “This” is Malchut. If Israel know how “this” grips to her judgments to avenge the wicked ones, they will understand their end and keep themselves to be in her, to observe her commandments, as it is written, “And the earth,” Malchut, “will rise up against him.”
243. “If they were wise, they would understand this.” When “this” connects to Israel, when they observe the commandments of the Torah and dwell with her in wholeness, they will know that the help of “this” is with them to avenge their enemies. Israel, who are the least among the nations, would know “How could one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight.” And who caused them? “This,” for there was wholeness in them when they were observing the commandments of the Torah, and it will never depart from them, from taking vengeance for them against their enemies.
244. “Unless their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had surrendered them.” “Their Rock had sold them” because it is written, “You ignored the Rock that bore you,” that the corrections are not in their proper place. “Unless their Rock had sold them” is Abraham, who said, “Commit Israel to exile but do not let them into Hell,” since Israel cannot tolerate these two, exile and Hell.
The Creator agreed with him that every time Israel sin, they will fall into exile and their enemies will enslave them. For this reason, “Unless their Rock had sold them” indeed. This is Abraham, who gave them up for exile, and the Lord had surrendered them; He agreed with him.
