Kabbalah Library

655. “And the women of the neighborhood gave him a name, saying, ‘A son has been born to Naomi.’” It is written, “If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset.” This verse speaks of man’s soul in this world. It teaches that man’s soul comes out each night, and the Creator mortgages her and returns her to the person’s bosom the next day.

656. For this reason, one must deposit one’s soul to his maker and read one verse of mercy, such as “In Your hand I deposit my spirit, redeem me, Lord, God of truth.” Since she is mortgaged, although she has several debts, the Creator returns her to the person’s bosom.

657. One should behave in a similar manner with the qualities of the Creator and walk in His ways, as it is written, “and to walk in His ways,” since his soul is a collateral in His hands, which is under the throne, and he was made of a foul drop. Thus, the deposit of his soul is in His hand.

658. “If you take your neighbor’s cloak,” meaning if you sabotage your actions and soil your soul, which is the light of the garment of the Creator, who is your friend and your father’s friend, “until sunset,” when it is your time to be rid of the world, “return it to him,” as it is written, “and the spirit shall return to the God who gave it.” Give her to Him, as He has given her to you.

659. “If you take,” if a person sabotages his actions, afterwards, when his time comes, due to his many debts to his owner, He sabotages His own and takes his soul.

600. This is why it is written, “Do not take a widow’s cloak as security,” since his collateral is in the hands of the Creator, there is no need to deposit it another time, as it is written, “Affliction shall not rise twice.” All the souls are the Creator’s. If they merit, they come among the righteous in the Garden of Eden. If they do not merit, they enter Hell.