Glossary of Terms Used in the Balak Weekly Torah Portion
King
The force that governs a degree is a “king.”
Messengers
The forces by which actions are performed on a certain degree, a certain state of a person. A person’s state is called a “degree.” The one who governs each degree is called the “king of the degree,” which is usually the Sefira (singular of Sefirot) we call Keter (crown). The messengers are forces acting within that degree. By and large, it is the eight Sefirot from Hochma to Yesod.
Curse
The egoistic force that works in order to receive, which governs us, and for whom it acts as a curse.
Mare
The mare is our substance, the donkey’s female. It is the actual will to receive that feels and distinguishes between the forces within us.
Angel
An angel is the force that acts in a degree and is directed by the ruler, the Keter, the king.
Blocked Road
It is the way by which one is going to correct one’s will to receive, with the intention to reach the next degree, greater Dvekut (adhesion), greater clarity of vision in spirituality, but which he cannot reach. That is, in this manner, it is impossible to advance. One finds that to reach the next degree, a new substance is needed..
Deviating from the Way
“Deviation” happens when we advance on the path toward bestowal when suddenly something goes awry and we discover we have strayed from the path. However, this discovery is already a correction in itself.
How is the discovery of the deviation a correction?
By discovering the deviation, we know how to continue. Our effort toward the goal is like a guided missile. The missile must constantly detect its deviations and correct them. If it moves in a straight line, it cannot hit its target. It is the same for us: we cannot move in one straight line toward our goal. Rather, we must constantly examine our deviations, as only through them do we advance toward the goal.
Oath
An “oath” is when the will to receive, Malchut, connects to Keter on a single axis and is ready to follow Keter’s will above reason.