Glossary of Terms Used in the BaHar Weekly Torah Portion

Economy

In spirituality, “economy” relates to the question, “How do I sustain my soul?” The light may enter the soul only when it is in Dvekut (adhesion) with the Creator. To the extent of Dvekut with the Creator, so is the measure of fulfillment by the Creator. This is how the Creator “sustains” the soul. It is possible to achieve this by correcting the desire. As we correct each desire from reception to bestowal, we are promptly filled with the upper light to the extent of our correction. This is called “sustaining,” and this is the proper economy.

Selling of Property

When we cannot work with a desire because it is too big or because it offers such pleasure that we cannot work with it, we “sell” it. There are corrections in our desires that belong to the great desires, Levush and Heichal. We leave them out of the boundaries within which we are working, taking them out of our domain, seemingly putting them in deposit.

Shmita (Omission of Tilling of Land every Seven Years)

Shmita is connection to the degree of Bina, when the upper light corrects everything that happened and gives us strength for the next degree. This is why there are special rules concerning debt and the selling of items under the tutelage of Bina, the great quality of bestowal.

Crop (Yield/Grain)

“Crop” is the reward in the will to receive. Through it, we begin to actually work with the vessels of bestowal in order to “feed” the world.

Earth

“Earth” is desire. There are many names for “desire,” depending on its degree: earth, soil, land, field. We name the desire and use it according to its degree. Our world is a depiction of the correction of our desires. Not everything really exists; rather, everything that is depicted is within us.

Slave

A “slave” is an uncorrected desire. It cannot have self-control, but it is corrected by belonging and becoming incorporated into the degree of Bina. It “annexes” itself to it, and thus keeps what unfolds on that degree. A slave is controlled like an embryo in its mother’s womb. On the degree of spiritual embryo, we cancel ourselves and let the upper one govern.