Glossary of Terms Used in the Matot Weekly Torah Portion

• Tribe
• Vows
• Spoil
• Hagaalah of Kelim (dipping utensils in boiling water)
• A Kosher Kli
• Eastern Side of the Jordan
• Anger
• Matot (Tribes)

Tribe

A tribe is a group. Just as the body has systems such as the lymph system, the cardiovascular system, the nervous systems, etc., a tribe is one of the twelve systems that comprise the soul. The soul divides into twelve systems known as HBD, HGT, NHY. In each Yod–Hey–Vav–Hey there are three lines, which add up to twelve.

Vows

We cannot advance without them; it is a type of consideration toward the next degree. Although we do not know what it is, we still go for it. In spirituality, it is considered that one takes upon oneself a vow to correct oneself, and only afterward checks if this is at all possible.

Spoil

The spoil is the light received in the corrected Kelim in spirituality, the light of Hochma (wisdom) that dresses in light of Hassadim (mercy).

Hagaalah of Kelim (dipping utensils in boiling water)

Hagaalah is one of the forms of correcting our spiritual Kelim. We have Kelim on the still, vegetative, animate, and human levels. The desires divide into four degrees according to their Aviut (thickness). The Kelim that are similar to our Kelim are corrected through what is called Hagaalah.

A Kosher Kli

A Kosher Kli is a desire to receive that has acquired the intention to bestow. Conversely, a desire to receive that has the intention to receive is non-kosher.

Eastern Side of the Jordan

This is the part that still belongs to the land of Israel, but is in Tifferet of the world of Beria. It is written about it in the writings of the ARI and in The Study of the Ten Sefirot.

Anger

Increasing of the Gevurot in Malchut because they cannot receive for lack of Hassadim (mercy). In our world a person becomes angry for lack of light of Hassadim inside the Kli.

Matot (Tribes)

“‘I said, ‘Let a world of mercy be built.’’ Hesed (mercy) is one of the upper Sefirot of the king, a higher Sefira than the seven bottom Sefirot. The Creator named the soul of Israel Hesed on the condition that the Hesed will be built, and the Hesed will not be blotted out from the world.”

Zohar for All, Matot (Tribes), item 6

Hesed is the highest of the seven Sefirot, Hesed, Gevura, Tifferet, Netzah, Hod, Yesod, and Malchut. This is why Hesed is the top Sefira of the structure of the soul. It is in charge, drawing, and managing our entire process of correction. In this way, Hesed truly acts as Hesed (mercy).