Refining the Final Point

בפסוק לא תשאר פרסה כו' ממנו נקח לעבוד כו'.

“In the verse: ‘Not a hoof shall remain… from it we shall take to serve…’.”

The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that Israel insists nothing be left behind in Egypt, because everything must ultimately be elevated to divine service.

פי' פרסה נקודה אחרונה אשר היא מפסקת בין הטוב והרע.

“The meaning of ‘hoof’ is the final point that separates between good and evil.”

He interprets the ‘hoof’ symbolically as the lowest, final boundary‑point that distinguishes holiness from impurity.

והכל תלוי בנקודה אחרונה אשר איש.

“And everything depends on this final point that a person…”

The teaching stresses that a person’s spiritual work hinges on this smallest, last point of choice and refinement.

ישראל צריך לתקן הכל.

“Israel must repair everything.”

The task of Israel is to elevate and rectify every aspect of creation, even its lowest elements.

ולא ישאר כחוט השערה.

“And nothing may remain, not even like a hair’s breadth.”

No element of reality may be left unrefined; even the slightest trace must be uplifted.

ומזו הנקודה באין לעבודת הש"י.

“And from this point one comes to the service of the Holy One, blessed be He.”

It is precisely through refining the final, lowest point that one becomes able to serve God fully.

ואנחנו לא נדע כו' עד בואנו שמה.

“And we do not know… until we arrive there.”

Israel acknowledges that the ultimate measure of what must be elevated is not fully known until the work is completed.

פי' לסוף נקודה זו כנ"ל.

“Meaning: until the end of this point, as explained above.”

The Sefat Emet clarifies that ‘arriving there’ means reaching the complete refinement of that final boundary‑point.

Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that the ‘hoof’ symbolizes the smallest, final point separating good from evil. Israel must refine even this minimal point so nothing remains outside holiness, and full divine service arises from elevating even the lowest elements.