Daily Zohar # 4705 – Vayera – Perhaps there are thirty there

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Hebrew translation:

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Zohar Vayera
Continued from previous DZ
#193
“אוּלַי יֵשׁ חֲמִשִּׁים צַדִּיקִם” “Perhaps there are fifty righteous…” (Genesis 18:24). The soul opens and says, “Master of the Universe, perhaps they engaged with the fifty portions of the Torah, and even though they did not engage in them for the sake of heaven, they still deserve reward in the World to Come and should not enter Gehinnom.” What is written after this? “וַיֹּאמֶר ה’ אִם אֶמְצָא בִסְדֹם חֲמִשִּׁים צַדִּיקִים” “And YHVH said, ‘If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city…’” (Genesis 18:26).
#194
The question is asked: “But there are more than fifty portions in the Torah, as there are fifty-three portions.” The answer is given according to Rabbi Abahu’s teaching, which states that each of the five books of the Torah contains the ten utterances through which the world was created. Together, they make fifty.
#195
The soul further opens and says, “Master of the Universe, even if they did not engage in Torah, perhaps they have already received their punishment for their sins in the earthly court, and it has atoned for them. As it is written, “אַרְבָּעִים יַכֶּנּוּ לֹא יֹסִיף” ‘Forty lashes may be given, but no more’ (Deuteronomy 25:3). And from the shame they felt before the court, that should be enough for their atonement, so that they should not enter Gehinnom.” What is written after this? “לֹא אֶעֱשֶׂה בַּעֲבוּר הָאַרְבָּעִים” “I will not do it for the sake of forty” (Genesis 18:29).
#196
The soul continues and says, “אוּלַי יֵשׁ שָׁם שְׁלֹשִׁים” “Perhaps there are thirty there. Perhaps there are Tzadikim among them who have attained thirty levels, as alluded to in the verse, “וַיְהִי בִּשְׁלֹשִׁים שָׁנָה” ‘And it came to pass in the thirtieth year’ (Ezekiel 1:1). These levels are contained within the thirty-two paths, which are composed of the twenty-two letters and the ten sefirot. At times, they are included as eight.”
The secret of the thirty-two paths of wisdom is as follows: When Zeir Anpin and Nukva, which correspond to the twenty-two letters, ascend to Binah as Mayim Nukvin, they integrate with the ten sefirot of Binah and become the thirty-two aspects, the thirty-two paths of wisdom. These thirty-two paths consist of the twenty-two letters from Zeir Anpin and Nukva and the ten sefirot from Binah itself.
The explanation is that Binah, by its nature, desires only Chessed and not Chochmah, as indicated by the verse, “כי חפץ חסד הוא” “For He desires kindness” (Micah 7:18). However, when Zeir Anpin and Nukva ascends to Binah as Mayim Nukvin, Binah rises to the head of Arich Anpin and becomes imbued with Chochmah. Thus, it is called the thirty-two paths of wisdom. This is why it is said that they attain “thirty levels… which are included in the thirty-two paths,” comprised of twenty-two letters, Zeir Anpin and Nukva, and the ten sefirot (Binah), together forming thirty-two aspects.
Sometimes, however, these are condensed into eight, meaning that Binah, in certain aspects, contains only eight sefirot instead of ten. These eight sefirot exclude Keter and Chochmah, which means Binah lacks the upper three and thus is only considered “thirty levels” and not the full thirty-two paths of wisdom. This is the idea behind Abraham’s words, “Perhaps there are thirty there” (Genesis 18:30), referring to these thirty levels.
Notes:
Abraham’s plea for mercy on behalf of Sodom, asking, “Perhaps there are thirty,” reflects a recognition that even partial spiritual attainment (thirty levels) carries value and may merit Hashem’s compassion. This teaching emphasizes that each level of spiritual development, even if incomplete, holds significance and can contribute to Hashem’s preservation and mercy.

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