250617.Shlach Lecha ver117

The difference between Tam and Tamim

Rabbi Ila'i explains why Abraham was referred to as Tamim (perfect) while Jacob was referred to as Tam (perfect) and says that the difference has to do with the fact that Jacob was more perfect, being circumcised. With the wholeness of male and female together, Tam takes the letter aleph to become Emet, truth, as in "You will show truth to Jacob." When Abraham circumcised himself he entered into Tam and also into its levels that are together called Yam, ocean, thus becoming Tamim that combines the letters of both; thus he was connected with the right. Everyone should contain the holy levels and be Tam Yam in order to be able to accept the aleph, the secret of Jacob, to become Emet or truth. Rabbi Ila'i tells us how Malchut is covered on the outside with blue that was taken from the ocean so that those who look at her with the evil eye will draw the blue color that is judgment; internally, however, all the colors sparkle in her and are embroidered with the light of Chochmah. Similarly the man who wears the blue tzitzit becomes Tamim every day. He becomes elevated afterward to higher levels by the wearing of the Tefilin, to the levels of Zeir Anpin. It now appears that seven days have passed since the righteous rabbis began their supernal experience, and Rabbi Ila'i now tells them the explanation of the six sections of the mysterious riddle they heard earlier.

Shlach Lecha: Verse 117

פָּתַח ר' אִילָאִי וְאָמַר, תָּמִים תִּהְיֶה עִם יְיָ' אֱלֹהֶיךָ. מַה בֵּין תָּם לְתָמִים. בְאַבְרָהָם כְּתִיב, הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי וֶהְיֵה תָמִים. יַעֲקֹב דְּאִשְׁתְּלִים יַתִּיר, כְּתִיב בֵּיהּ, וְיַעֲקֹב אִישׁ תָּם. אֲמַאי אִקְרֵי אִישׁ תָּם. בְּגִין דְּלָא אִשְׁתְּאַר בֵּיהּ פְּסוֹלֶת כְּלַל, דְּהָא פְּרִיעָה הֲוָה בֵּיהּ.

Rabbi Ila'i opened the discussion saying, "You shall be perfect (Heb. tamim). with Hashem your Elohim" (Devarim 18:13). HE ASKS: What is the difference between Tam (lit. 'perfect') and Tamim (lit. 'perfect'). HE RESPONDS: By Abraham, it is written: "Walk before Me, and be perfect (Heb. tamim)" (Beresheet 17:1). By Jacob, who was more perfected, it is written: "And Jacob was a plain (perfect - tam) man" (Beresheet 25:27). Why was he called a perfect man? Since no refuse was left with him, as the uncovering of the membrane at circumcision was performed on him.

Shlach Lecha: Verse 118

בְּמָה אִתְפְּרַע, וְאִתְדַכֵּי מֵהַהוּא פְּסוֹלֶת בְּגִין דְּהַהוּא אֲתָר דְּאַתְקִיף לִפְסוֹלֶת, דִּלְגוֹ אֲתָר דִּפְרִיעָה שָׁארִי, אִיהוּ שׁוֹר, דִּיּוּקְנָא דִּשְׂמָאלָא דְּכֻרְסַיָא דִּילֵיהּ. וְהַהוּא שׁוֹר, אִקְרֵי שׁוֹר תָּם. דְּהָא רְתִיכָא דְּכֻרְסְיָא, רְשִׁימָא דִּבְרִית אִית בֵּיהּ. וע"ד, הַאי שׁוֹר אִקְרֵי תָּם. וְיַעֲקֹב אָחִיד בֵּיהּ בְּגַוֵּויהּ, וּבְהַאי שׁוֹר עָבֵיד פְּרִיעָה, וְאַעְבַּר זוּהֲמָא דִּפְסּוֹלֶת כֻּלָּא.

HE INQUIRES: How did he perform that membrane uncovering and become cleansed from that refuse? HE RESPONDS: That area that strengthens the refuse within - WHICH EXISTS where the membrane is - is an ox, WHICH IS the left image of His throne. FOR IN THE CHARIOT OF THE THRONE ARE THE FACE OF THE LION TO THE RIGHT AND THE FACE OF THE OX TO THE LEFT. That ox is referred to as an ox that has not gored (Heb. tam), since there exists an impression of that Covenant of circumcision in the Chariot of that throne. Therefore, this ox is called an unblemished ox. Jacob is connected with it and with this ox, he has performed the membrane uncovering and has removed the soil of that refuse entirely.