Kabbalah Library

428. “When they went, they went on their four quarters.” On the four of them, the four Ophanim that are below them, since those below them are called “their quarters,” as it is written, “lying under his burden.” “Lying” is translated as “quarter.” On those who lie under them means that when the animals want to go, the Ophanim go, since each has four wheels, Ophanim, that lie under them, and it is written about these four quarters: When they went, they went.”

429. When the animals walked, the Ophanim walk with them, and when the animals rise above the earth, the Ophanim rise. If the Ophanim are lying under the animals, should it not have written, “And when the Ophanim went, the animals walked with them? However, this means that the animals carry the Ophanim that carry them, like that ark that carries its carriers.

430. Also, the throne carries the animals that carry it. If the throne carries the animals, from what is the sweat of the animals made? Their sweat is not made because of the burden of the throne. Rather, their sweat is because of their looking to know and to look and attain what is hidden and concealed, and which they cannot comprehend. This is what their sweat is over. But all those who adhere to the upper holiness carry those who carry them. This is the meaning of what is written, “When they went, they went on their four quarters.”