"In mourning, it is forbidden to iron white garments, as it is written: 'He will not iron them.'" (Niddah 16b)
The Torah of the Zohar (Shir HaShirim) explains that the white garments symbolize the hidden aspect of the intellect. The intellect is not revealed openly, but rather is concealed and hidden within. Therefore, our sages said: "A person does not fully comprehend the wisdom of his teacher until forty years have passed." This is because the depth of the intellect, the influence of the teacher, remains concealed from the student for a long time.
The intellect is like a hidden treasure, only revealed after much time and effort. The garments are the means by which the inner wisdom is concealed, and only after forty years does the student begin to truly understand his teacher's wisdom.
The Hidden and the Revealed
The Zohar teaches that the intellect is covered by garments, which are themselves hidden. Only after a long period does the inner light shine forth. This is similar to the process of snow turning into water: initially, the snow is white and covers everything, but eventually it melts and becomes water, revealing what was hidden beneath.
So too, the inner wisdom is initially concealed by the garments of intellect, and only after time does it become revealed. The process of learning and understanding is gradual, requiring patience and perseverance.
The Role of the Beard and the Elder
The beard is a symbol of maturity and wisdom. The Zohar explains that the beard represents the flow of intellect from the hidden to the revealed. An elder begins to grow a beard after twenty years, signifying the beginning of intellectual maturity. The beard is connected to the flow of wisdom from the mind to the rest of the body.
Women and eunuchs do not grow beards, as they lack the power of intellectual influence. The beard is thus a sign of the ability to transmit wisdom and understanding.
The Garments of the Intellect
The Torah refers to the garments of the intellect as "white garments," which are the external expressions of inner wisdom. These garments conceal the inner light, allowing it to be revealed only gradually. The process of learning is one of uncovering these garments, moving from the concealed to the revealed.
The garments are necessary for the transmission of wisdom, as they allow the inner light to be received by the student. Without these garments, the light would be too intense to be absorbed.
The Source of Delight
The ultimate source of delight is the hidden intellect, which is the root of all wisdom and understanding. This delight is only accessible through the process of uncovering the garments, moving from concealment to revelation.
The process of learning and understanding is thus a journey from the hidden to the revealed, from the concealed intellect to the open expression of wisdom.
