The Tzaddik Drawing Below Upward
במדרש נטה ידך עה"ש כו'.
“In the Midrash: ‘Stretch out your hand…’ etc.”
The Sefat Emet begins by invoking the Midrash on God’s command to Moses to stretch out his hand, introducing the theme of Divine action flowing through human agency.
כל אשר חפץ ה' עשה בשוב"א בימים כו' תהומות.
“All that the Lord desired, He did—in the heavens, on the earth, in the seas, and in the depths.”
This verse is understood to mean that everything depends on the unified will and desire of the Creator, whose intention extends through all realms down to the very depths.
פי' כי הכל תלוי באחדות הרצון וחפץ של הבורא ית' וכפי הרצון כביכול למעלה נמשכין כל העולמות עד התהום.
“For everything depends on the unity of the Divine will, and according to that will above, all worlds are drawn forth down to the lowest depths.”
The Sefat Emet explains that the structure of existence flows from a single Divine intention, and the higher realms transmit their influence downward through every level of creation.
וזה נמסר לבנ"י ולא כ' יעשה רק עשה.
“And this was entrusted to Israel, for it does not say ‘He will do,’ but rather ‘He has done.’”
Israel is given access to this ongoing Divine action, which is described as continually present rather than merely future.
כמ"ש אתה יצרת עולמך מקדם.
“As it is said: ‘You formed Your world from the beginning.’”
The entire structure of creation was already formed before God, in its full outline and depth, from the beginning.
שהי' לפניו ית' ציור כל הבריאה עד התהום וזהו היו צריכין לברר ביצ"מ לכן נעשה שינוי כל הטבע.
“For before Him was the entire configuration of creation down to the depths, and this required clarification during the Exodus; therefore all of nature was altered.”
The miracles of the Exodus served to reveal and clarify the primordial Divine design underlying creation, hence the suspension and transformation of natural law.
והרמז ע"י מרע"ה להודיע כי הצדיק הוא ממוצע בין העליונים והתחתונים.
“And the hint through Moses was to teach that the tzaddik is an intermediary between the upper and lower realms.”
Moses embodies the role of the righteous person who links heaven and earth, enabling Divine influence to descend.
ובכח נטיותו להמשיך כל התחתונים אל השורש בשמים.
“And through his inclinations he draws all lower realms back to the root in heaven.”
The tzaddik elevates earthly existence, reconnecting it with its spiritual source.
וזה נטה ידך כו'.
“And this is the meaning of ‘Stretch out your hand…’”
Moses’s gesture symbolizes drawing Divine energy downward and raising the lower realms upward.
ולזה צריכין בנ"י להעיד בכל יום על יחודו ית' ובריאת מ"ב שהקב"ה מחדש בכל יום.
“Therefore Israel must testify daily to His unity and to the creation of the forty-two-letter Name, which God renews each day.”
Daily acknowledgment of Divine unity aligns Israel with the constant renewal of creation.
ומצד זה יש התחדשות תמיד כפי השינוי למעלה.
“And from this comes continual renewal, according to the change above.”
As the higher realms shift and renew, so too the lower worlds experience renewal.
וזה שנמסר לבנ"י החדשים ומועדים שידעו שבזמנים אלו יש שינוי למעלה.
“And this is why the New Moons and festivals were given to Israel, so they would know that in those times there is a change above.”
Festivals mark moments of higher-level transformation, which Israel is meant to recognize and respond to.
ולתועתיד יתגלה זה לעיני הכל כמ"ש והי' מדי חודש בחדשו כו' יבא כ"ב להשתחות.
“And in the future this will be revealed to all, as it is said: ‘And from New Moon to New Moon… all flesh shall come to bow.’”
Ultimately, all humanity will perceive these rhythms of Divine renewal.
שיהי' ניכר דביקות הכל בשורש ויראו איך יש התחדשות וחיות מהשורש אל כל הבריאה כנ"ל.
“Then it will be evident how all is bound to its root, and they will see how renewal and vitality flow from the root to all creation.”
The future revelation will make visible the continuous flow of life from the Divine source into all existence.
Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that all creation flows from a unified Divine will, revealed especially in the Exodus. Moses, as the tzaddik, mediates between the spiritual and physical realms. Israel’s daily testimony and observance of sacred times align them with ongoing Divine renewal, which will one day be visible to all.