Summary of the Maamar
Q1. What is the reason that in the generations after the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash we find that the Sages established many additional restrictions, beyond what the Torah demands? Why did they instruct us to be extra careful in mitzvos, beyond the letter of the Torah law?
A1. Because, in the time of the Beis Hamikdash we experienced so much revelation of Hashem that our animal souls were naturally more refined. It was, therefore, much easier to reveal our love for Hashem, even by just keeping the laws of the Torah itself, without any extra measures. However, after the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, when our animal souls are coarser and have a much stronger passion for physicality, it has become more difficult to reveal our love for Hashem. Therefore, in the time of Exile, the only way to overcome the animal soul and reveal our love for Hashem is through keeping the “extra careful measures of the Sages.”
Q2. How do the “extra careful measures of the Sages” help us reveal a great love for Hashem?
A2. Because, the motivating factor behind these “extra careful measures” is the fact that Hashem has a great love for us. A father who truly loves his son will push him to be careful in his conduct, so that he should behave in the most refined manner and attain wisdom and sensitivity etc. Similarly, because Hashem loves us, He wants us to keep the Torah and mitzvos in the most complete manner possible. That is the purpose of the “extra careful measures of the Sages.” Since the motivation behind these measures is Hashem’s great love for us, they have the power to reveal the great love for Hashem which is hidden within us. This is because our love for Hashem is a reflection of His infinite love for us.
Q3. How does this tie into our parsha, Parshas Matos, in giving a deeper understanding of the passage about a father nullifying his daughter’s vows?
A3. The mystical meaning of a father nullifying vows is that the father represents Chochma, an entirely selfless dedication to Hashem, which transcends all reason and logic. This dedication comes from the deepest part of the soul, and only through this type of selfless dedication, which is expressed in fulfilling the “extra careful measures of the Sages,” can one remove the “vows and prohibitions” that they are bound to. What are these “vows and prohibitions” a reference to? They symbolize the fact that the animal soul feels “bound” to pursue physical pleasure, while the Divine soul is stuck dealing with the animal soul’s drives. This is just like someone who is bound by an oath, and is, therefore, stuck dealing with the consequences of the oath. By saying that the “father” nullifies the “vows,” the verse is teaching us that through the dedication to Hashem on a level of Chochma, by keeping everything in Torah law, even every Rabbinic decree and instruction, we will be able to remove the coarseness and passion of the animal soul, which “binds” the Divine soul to pursue its goals. Once those “bonds” to materiality are “nullified” through the power of Chochma, then a Jew can reveal his true love for Hashem.
Q4. Why does the Torah stress the fact that Moshe himself gave over the command regarding annulling vows? Didn’t he give over all of the commandments?
A4. Since Moshe Rabeinu embodied the power of Chochma in its most absolute state, the Torah emphasizes that this command was taught by him, in order to help us receive the spiritual power that Moshe – Chochma – gives us. Namely, the ability to “nullify” the “bonds” of the animal soul, which stop us from expressing our love Hashem. This is why there is special emphasis on the fact that Moshe gave over this commandment.
