Short Summary of Torah Ohr Daf 38 מי כה' אלוקינו

w/ Rabbi Dovid Leib Shmerling from Melbourne, AU

End of Biur Inyan Rani V'Simchi #2

Bas Tzion= the way Malchus descends into BIY”A and the Ayin Sarim, in order to elevate them. This happens during Galus. In the times of thr BH”M, Malchus (and thus Atzlius) is whole, complete, and the Ayin Sarim are automatically battul to Kedusha.

The Navi is coming to tell us that even in Galus, there can be both rinah and simcha by Bas Tzion. This happens through an Isarusah dil’Eilah which comes about on its own (ish ish= no ISADL”T). Even though its not from our own effort (which usually implies that its effect will be Makkif), it effects us in a way of Pnimius.

“Mi K’Hashem Elokeinu hamagbihi lashaves hamashpili liros bashomayim uv’aretz”

• “ki ner mitzvah v’Torah or”, “ner Havayah nishmas adam”. Both Mitzvos and the Neshamah are compared to a candle. We need to understand the comparison.
• The Candle: The main part of a candle is the wick, which anchors the flame. However, for the flame to last over time, there must be oil, which feeds the flame (and is destroyed as a result). On the other hand, oil itself cannot feed the flame. The wick is that which serves as an intermediary between the flame and its fuel.
• The Neshama as Candle:
• “v’ahavata…bishnei yitzarecha”. What does it mean to convince the Yetzer Hara to love Hashem?
• There are two nefashos: NH”E and NH”B. The main aspect of each Neshama is its cognitive aspect (Sechel). The emotions of each Nehsmah are what we refer to when we say “yetzer tov/ra” (Middos). The sechel of the NH”E only knows Elokus and creates middos based on this understanding. The Sechel of the NH”B only understands this world. 
• The goal is that we transform the middos of the NH”B to also love Hashem. This happens through thinking about how the only true reality is Elokus. When one realizes this, one can get even the NH”B to forget about its worldly interests and experience a love for Hashem. 
• In this case, the wick is the NH”E, which transforms the NH”B into fuel (oil) and connects it to its love for Hashem (flame). (In this case, the emphasis is on the NH”E)
• The Mitzvos as Candles:
• Mitzvos also effect the elevation of the NH”B.
• This happens through drawing down from Or Makkif through Mitzvos, which has a direct effect on the NH”E. In addition, is also gives one the power to deal more directly with the NH”B through hisbonenus (as mentioned above). 
• Torah:
• Torah is an expression of Ein Sof (Chochma) as it is beyond SD”H. The purpose of creation is to draw Ein Sof into our world, and this is done through Torah. This elevates the world/kelippah. At the highest level (of bittul), the Torah scholar is a “mouthpiece” for Hashem in this world.
• The Candle as Torah, Mitzvos, and Ahavah: The Mitzvot are the wick, which connect the Sechel of the NH”B (oil) to Torah (the flame). In order for the NH”B to be suitable as fuel for (i.e. able to be nullified through its understanding of)  Torah, it must first experience Love of Hashem, through Davening. (In this case, the emphasis is on the NH”B)
• “Mi K’Hashem Elokeinu hamagbihi lashaves hamashpili liros bashomayim uv’aretz”
• “hamagbihi”= Mitzvot, Aliyah, which thus allow a person to be a suitable resting place for Torah “lashaves”. 
• “hamashpili liros…”= Yerida, the way a person who learns Torah draws down Ein Sof. This level is that of seeing (liros) which is higher than Davening/Shema/hearing. 

1. 2 souls, each of which has two parts.
2. Two ways of elevating the NH”B: Tefillah and Torah, both of which need Mitzvos.
3. In order for there to be 

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