Summary of the Maamar
Q1. What is the spiritual aspect corresponding to “the Heavens?”
A1. The Written Torah corresponds to the Heavens, since the heavens are made of “water.” Water is essentially colorless and tasteless. Likewise, the spiritual heavens are something that we cannot see or understand. Similarly, the Written Torah is the essential will and wisdom of Hashem, which is totally beyond human comprehension. Whatever understanding of it that we have is only on the most superficial level, like someone who is just reading a story without knowing the deeper meaning behind it.
Q2. What is the spiritual aspect corresponding to “the Earth?”
A2. The Oral Torah corresponds to the Earth. Just like the earth takes an inedible seed and makes it into an entire plant or tree that produces fruit, so too, the Oral Torah takes the wisdom of Hashem from the Written Torah that is totally beyond our grasp and makes it into understandable laws and ideas.
Q3. How are the spiritual Heavens and Earth (Written and Oral Torah) witnesses regarding the Jewish People, telling over whether we performed the Mitzvos properly?
A3. Through our Mitzva performance, we reveal the Infinite Light of Hashem into the Torah. When we perform Mitzvos, we draw down the Infinite Light of Hashem into the objects used for the Mitzvos (and ourselves), thereby giving them (and ourselves) true spiritual life. In addition, this Infinite Light is then drawn down and connected to the Torah we study. Therefore, the Written and Oral Torah testify about our Mitzva performance, since their connection to the Infinite Light of Hashem (which is essentially beyond any wisdom, even that of the Torah) is dependent on our performance of the Mitzvos.
Q4. From where do we receive the power to draw down Hashem’s Infinite Light into the Torah?
A4. Through the connection to Hashem that is revealed during prayer. This is accomplished by way of the contemplation of Hashem’s greatness during Pesukei Dezimra and the Blessings on the Shema, and in the Shema itself.
