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Zelophehad Was Gathering Wood
137. Zelophehad Was Gathering Wood
I heard in 1947
Zelophehad was gathering wood. The Zohar interprets that he was measuring which tree was bigger: the tree of life or the tree of knowledge. A righteous is called “the tree of life,” who is entirely to bestow. And in that, there is no hold to the external ones. However, wholeness lies in the tree of knowledge, the extension of Hochma [wisdom] below. This is the meaning of doing good to His creations. They must not be measured; rather, they should be, “that they may become one in your hand.”
This means that one without the other is incomplete. And Mordecai was from the quality of the tree of life, not wanting to extend anything below since he had no deficiencies. Hence, He had to increase the quality of Haman, so he would draw the lights below. Afterward, when he disclosed his deficiency, Mordecai would receive them in the form of reception in order to bestow.
Now we can see why later, when Mordecai said good things about the King, when he saved Him from death, the King promoted Haman, who was his enemy. It is as our sages said, “according to every man’s wish,” according to the will of Mordecai and Haman, who were hateful of each other.