1- Eretz Yisroel is referred to as the “Land of the Seven Nations.”
There are two ideas represented:
A- The Seven Attributes of Tohu. By fulfilling mitzvos we elevate the physical objects involved in those mitzvos, together with the “Sparks of Holiness” of Tohu contained in them. Since these Sparks come from the Seven Attributes of Tohu, and their elevation is accomplished mostly in the mitzvos of Eretz Yisroel, Eretz Yisroel is connected to the number seven.
B- The Seven Heichalos. The “Heichalos” are the external dimension of the created worlds, where the created beings exist. The idea of mitzvos is to refine the created beings and the “Heichalos,” so that they should be able to receive Hashem’s Light. Each world has seven “Heichalos.” Since mitzvos are connected to transforming Heichalos, and there are seven Heichalos, Eretz Yisroel, where there are most of the mitzvos, is connected to the number seven.
2- Not only is the idea of mitzvos to bring the Light into the lowest level, the physical world, but also, they bring down the Light from the highest possible level.
In addition, even the study of Torah itself cannot come down into our world, or even into Malchus, without the action of the mitzvos. This idea is explained in Tanya, Igeres HaKodesh, chapter 5:
“In order for the flow of Light of Chochma-Wisdom to come down into Malchus, Hashem’s Speech, it needs to come through the Attribute of Kindness. Since it is a great descent for the Light to come down from Chochma to Malchus, only through Kindness does it descend. This is because the nature of Kindness is to flow from a high place to a low place, like water. To awaken Hashem’s Kindness, one must perform acts of kindness and charity in this world. This is the only way to awaken Hashem’s Kindness, which will bring down the Light of Chocham-Wisdom of the Torah into the him and the world. If he doesn’t perform acts of kindness, then the wisdom he has is detached from the Light of Chochma of Atzilus, and his wisdom is lifeless, G-d forbid.”
This concept can also be applied to mitzvos, in general, that only through mitzvah performance will the Light of Torah study and prayer come down into Malchus and into the world.
3- We can explain another aspect of Torah study, where study alone, without mitzvah performance, is insufficient. In marriage, there are two stages, Kidushin-encompassing marriage, and Nisuin-intimate marriage. The Kidushin stage occurs when the groom puts a ring on the bride’s finger. Just as the ring encompasses her finger, the marriage at this stage is encompassing them, but does not yet allow intimacy. Only after Kidushin can there be Nisuin-intimate marriage, where the bride can receive internally from the groom. Similarly, through mitzvos we create an encompassing connection with Hashem that binds us to Him at all levels. Only afterwards can we receive the Wisdom of His Torah internally.
Even though at the Giving of the Torah there was a revelation of Torah Wisdom before mitzvah performance, that was only a one-time occurrence. However, the correct long-term order is that mitzvos must come before Torah study. This is why the Jewish People said, “We will do the mitzvos” before saying, “We will listen and understand the Torah,” since they knew that for all future times this is the correct order.
Lessons in the Service of Hashem from the Maamar:
1- When we overcome our own Yetzer Hara, we elevate and refine not only ourselves, but the entire world, and all spiritual worlds, making them more receptive to Hashem’s Light. And, when we perform a mitzvah, we bring down Hashem’s Light into ourselves and the entire world and all worlds.
2- Hashem’s Ultimate Desire is to have a dwelling in our physical life through performing mitzvos. He wants to be more revealed and connect to us on a deeper level than He is revealed and accessible in the spiritual worlds and levels.
3- In order for the Light of Torah study and prayer to come into us and into the world, we need to be involved in acts of charity and kindness, (in addition to our other obligatory mitzvah performances).
