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I Was Borrowed on, and I Repay
63. I Was Borrowed on, and I Repay
I heard on the eve after Shabbat, 1938
Understand what our sages said, “I was borrowed on, and I repay.” It means that the purpose of making the heaven and the earth is the light of Shabbat [Sabbath]. This light should be disclosed to the lower ones, and this purpose appears through Torah and Mitzvot [commandments] and good deeds.
Gmar Tikkun [end of correction] means when this light appears in full through an awakening from below, meaning preceded by Torah and Mitzvot. Before Gmar Tikkun there is also a discernment of Shabbat, called “A likeness of the next world,” when the light of Shabbat shines in both the individual and the public as a whole.
This light of Shabbat comes by credit, meaning without preceding exertion, though afterward, one will pay off for all the credit. In other words, afterward he will give all the labor that he should have given before he was imparted the light; he will pay later.
This is the meaning of “I was borrowed on,” meaning draw the light of Shabbat by credit, and I will pay, from the verse, “and let the hair of the woman’s head go loose.” It means that the Creator will reveal this light only if Israel borrow, meaning extend. Although they are still not worthy, by credit, one can still draw.