The word “שָמוֹר-guard” is also referring to the study of Mishna, since through that study one brings forth the power “לְהַקְרִיב לִי-to make yourself close to Me [Hashem].”
In the Midrash Rabbah on Koheles, on the verse (7:28), “I [King Shlomo] have only found one “Adam/person” out of a thousand that are perfectly good,” the Midrash comments: “This is Moshe Rabeinu, who came after a thousand generations to give us the Torah. As is written (Tehilim 105:8), “[The Torah is] the matter that He [Hashem] commanded after a thousand generations.”
We see from this Midrash that Moshe Rabeinu, who gave us the Torah, is called "Adam," showing how the term "Adam" also applies to the Torah, which is why Moshe was called "Adam" in the merit of him giving us the Torah.
See commentary of Rashi on Devarim 12:28.
Lessons in Likutay Torah – Vayikra
Regarding this, it says "אָדָם כִּי יַקְרִיב," meaning that through the Torah study, Hashem brings us close.
After explaining how the term “Adam” can be referring to the Torah, the Alter Rebbe goes back to the interpretation that “Adam” is referring to Hashem, and that it is through our Torah study that we ‘cause’ Him to wake up our Divine soul:
This is the inner meaning of “דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם: אָדָם כִּי יַקְרִיב כו'”. Speak to the Children of Israel and tell them they are the ones who cause that אָּדָּם כִּי יַקְרִיב-Hashem, as He is called “Adam on High” will bring close the Divine soul,” and this is accomplished through their Torah study.
Through this, Torah study and Hashem waking up our Divine soul, afterward “from the animals... you shall bring your offering” of the animal soul, as explained above, and one of the main ways to elevate the animal soul is through fulfilling Mitzvos.
Because, specifically a Mitzvah has a special power to elevate the animal soul and connect with the Infinite Light of Hashem, since (Mishlei 14:34) “charity, which symbolizes all Mitzvos, elevates a nation.”
In Torah Or Parshas Mikeitz (38c), the Alter Rebbe explains:
Every Mitzvah is compared to charity. Charity is about giving life to the poor and picking up their spirit. So too, every Mitzvah is about drawing down Life and Light from Hashem to the created beings that are spiritually “poor” and lifting them up spiritually.
Summary of Chapter 4:
- Now, we will understand the verse (Shir HaShirim 1:4) “מָשְכֵנִי-[Hashem, please] pull me up, הָצּורָּנךיֶּרֲחַא-and we shall run after You [Hashem].” The phrase “מָשְכֵנִי- [Hashem, please] pull me up” is written in the singular form, which refers to the “Isarusa Dele’eila” of Hashem to awaken the natural love hidden in the Divine soul. Through this, the Divine soul can also refine the animal soul. Then “הָצּורָּנךיֶּרֲחַא-we shall run after You [Hashem],” in the plural form, meaning that we run after Hashem with both sets of ours desires, of the Divine soul and of the animal soul.
- After this, the verse in Shir HaShirim continues, “הֱבִיאַנִיָהַמֶּלֶּךְָחֲדָּרָּיו - the King [Hashem] has brought me into his 'chamber.'" This means that the King is Hashem, who has previously brought my Divine soul into the 'chambers' of Torah study. Before the Divine soul comes into this world, it learns the Torah on the level of Atzilus. Because it has this connection to the Torah in its subconscious, when a Jew learns Torah in this world, his Divine soul 'remembers' how it used to have the highest possible connection to Hashem in its source in Atzilus, and it yearns to return to that connection. This is why, when a Jew learns Torah, it gives him the power to awaken to love for Hashem in prayer.
- Based on this, we will come to another interpretation of the verse "אָדָם כִּי יַקְרִיב מִכֶּם קָרְבָּן לַה' - when an "Adam" will bring close from you as an offering to Hashem." The term "Adam-Man" can also be referring to the Torah and the Mitzvos. The Torah is comprised of 248 Action Mitzvos and 365 Refraining Mitzvos, corresponding to the 248 limbs and 365 veins of a person. Since the Torah is arranged corresponding to a person, and its purpose is to reveal Hashem to the person, the Torah itself is referred to as "Adam-Man." Thus, the verse can be read, “אָדָם כִּי יַקְרִיב מִכֶּם קָרְבָּן לַה ' - when “Adam-the Torah” will [take] from you to draw close as an offering to Hashem.”
- The lesson of this interpretation: When a Jew learns Torah, he is "calling" to Hashem to come close to him, and to awaken his Divine soul to love and fear of Hashem. In other words, when there is "Adam - the Torah" studied by a Jew, then "He, Hashem, will bring close from you” by awakening your Divine soul.
- Similarly, by fulfilling Mitzvos, like charity, this brings a special power from Hashem to awaken the Divine and animal soul during prayer. (Which is one reason why we put on Talis and Tefilin and give charity before prayer, specifically).
