*WALLS OF SELF-RESTRAINT*In our previous post we discussed the Kelaim – the curtains in the form of loosely woven linen netting that formed the walls of the courtyard, separating it from the unholy area outside.
Unlike the Rebbe who explains that the Kelaim represent our pure, essential Emunah, the Rebbe’s father teaches that the Kelaim represent the attribute of Gevurah. This is alluded to in a number of aspects of the Kelaim. Linen is a stiff fabric, representing Gevurah (as opposed to soft wool which represents Chessed). The Hebrew word for linen שש, also means 6. Gevurah is the 6th Sefirah when counted from “below to above”. Linen is also called בד. Binah (which is the source of Gevurah) is the second Sefirah (ב) and Gevurah is the fourth Sefirah (ד). The Kelaim were 280 Amos long – running for 200 Amos on the north and south sides of the Mishkan, 50 Amos on the west and 30 Amos at the front of the Mishkan on the east. 280 is the Gematria of the 5 Hebrew letters that have final form – מנצפ"ך. In Kabbalah, these represent the aspects of 5 Gevurah. Gevurah is restraint and discipline. In Avodah, we use our attribute of Gevurah to prevail over temptation and desire, as taught by our sages “who is strong? One who conquers their inclination”. Just as one entering the Mishkan first passed through the Kelaim, pushing away our material desires and negative influences is the entry-point in our service of Hashem. Like the Kelaim, this distances us from the negative influences, allowing us to advance in spiritual service as we enter our Mishkan. ~ Likutei Levi Yitzchok Igros Kodesh p388
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