Every Beginning Is Hard

173) When Rachel (who was meant to be corrected in twelve tribes) died, she took the house, the Shechina, so that the Shechina will be properly crowned, so she would obtain Mochin of GAR and will be, as it is written, “The mother of the sons is glad.” In other words, Rachel died so that the lower the Shechina—Rachel—and the higher the Shechina—Leah—will become one Partzuf. At that time, the lower the Shechina obtains GAR, and the higher the Shechina, which is the mother of the sons, was glad with the correction of the twelve tribes.

Thus, Leah did not die, and with Benjamin, the Shechina began to take the house and become corrected, as she is considered the Yesod [foundation] of the twelve tribes. This is why she is the first to correct the Shechina. For this reason, Benjamin is always in the west, in banners, since Yesod is considered west.

174) With Benjamin, the Shechina begins to correct in twelve tribes, and with him, the Kingdom of heaven begins to become known in the land. This is so because the first king in Israel, Saul, was of his sons, and any beginning that is about to be known comes with questions. This is why it contains a judgment of death. Afterwards, she settles and persists.

175) When the Shechina wanted to be corrected and to take the house in the correction of the twelve tribes, the judgment was made in Rachel, for she died. Afterwards she was corrected to settle. Similarly, when Malchut wanted to become known in the land, she began with judgment and did not settle in her proper place until the judgment awakened in Saul according to his actions, and he was killed in the mountains of the Gilboa. Afterwards, Malchut settled in David and was corrected.

176) Every beginning is hard, then comes relief. In the beginning of the year, the beginning is hard, since the whole world is judged, each according to his deeds. Afterwards there is relief, forgiveness, and repentance on the day of atonement and Succoth. This is so because the beginning is in the left, hence its judgments are harsh, and then the right awakens, as it is written, “his left hand be under my head.” Afterwards, it is written, “and his right will embrace me”; hence the relief.”

177) It is to the contrary in the nations of the world. In the future, the Creator will first awaken peacefully over the other nations, the idol worshippers, and afterwards will prevail over them with harsh judgment, as it is written, “The Lord will go forth as a mighty man, as a man of war He will stir up envy.” First HaVaYaH, which is mercy, and then as a mighty man, though not like a real mighty man. And afterwards, “like a man of war,” but not like a real man of war. After that, the Gevura appears over them to obliterate them, as it is written, “He will cry, yea, He will shout aloud, He will prove Himself mighty against His enemies.” And it is written, “Then shall the Lord go forth and fight,” and it is written, “Who is this that comes from Edom”?

175) It is written, “The Lord is good, a stronghold on a day of trouble.” Happy is the man who strengthens in the Creator, since the stronghold of the Creator is a stronghold. “The Lord is good,” as it is written, “The Lord is good to all.” The stronghold is a stronghold that has salvations, as it is written, “He is a stronghold of salvation to His anointed.” “In the day of adversity,” a day of trouble, when the other nations pester Israel.