Unveiling the Human Shadow

The Mystery of the Shadow on Hoshana Rabbah Night

In the writings of King Solomon, it is taught that on the last night of Sukkot, known as Hoshana Rabbah, if one looks at their shadow in the moonlight^[1] and sees it whole, without any missing parts, it is a sign that they are not destined, heaven forbid, for death that was decreed on Rosh Hashanah. The reason this is tied to Hoshana Rabbah is that the seven days of Sukkot correspond to seven higher spiritual days, upon which all earthly days and years depend.

The seventh day of the holiday signifies the End of Days, the secret of Malchut, and thus when the seventh night arrives, one can see if their days are complete by their shadow. If a person sees upon them the upper shadow, it is a sign that the higher kindness of Hashem rests upon them as before.

They are not afraid of the judgment of justice, represented by Malchut, and are in peace and joy, seeing a glowing, bright face.

For this reason, Hashem warned Israel to shield themselves from the judgment of this justice, to cover themselves with understanding, known as the sukkah of peace, and to sit in the shadow of faith, which is Bina, as it is written "You shall dwell in sukkot for seven days" [Leviticus 23:42]. Thus, seven days are written to include the sefirah of Malchut above in Bina, adding blessing from the upper waters of kindness.

Since this seventh day, Hoshana Rabbah, corresponds to the gathering of Israel, we encircle the upper altar, the secret of Malchut, with Arava branches, representing Netzach and Hod, and perform the water libation.

(Zohar, Shemot, Part 1, Sign 24, page 257, Metok Midevash, pp. 104-106)

A Dream About a Sandal

In a place where death resides, there is no sandal because the deceased lacks the correction of human feet, and thus there is no need for a sandal. All creatures extending from the negative side have distorted feet, changing like the feet of a rooster...

The Queen of Sheba, who came to hear Solomon's wisdom, asked him about sandals, whether a sandal should be made for the feet of the negative side...(1 Kings 10:1) "And She came to test Solomon with hard questions", whispering secrets of wisdom.

He revealed to her that it is neither necessary nor appropriate to make a sandal for the negative side, for it is not its way.

Therefore, if someone dreams that sandals are put on their feet, it indicates that life is granted to them. Conversely, if they dream the sandal is removed, it is a sign they will be given over to the judgments of the negative side unless they repent.

(Zohar, Shemot, Part 3, Sign 16, page 308, Metok Midevash, pp. 429)

Positioning of Spiritual Worlds Upon Passing

The sages taught (Sanhedrin 7a)... that during judgment, Gehinnom is open to the left... with the Angel of Death stands behind the person. Gan Eden is open to the right... parallel to Gehinnom on the left... and the Tree of Life... opens before him, above his head, parallel to the negative force behind him.

(Zohar, Mishpatim 117, Metok Midevash, pp. 525)

The Sin of the Golden Calf Brought Death

When negative forces act upon the world through external forces, receiving judgment from the higher strength, the consequence is that death is drawn down because the presence aligns with the serpent. When Malchut bonds with the serpent, it draws death to wrongdoers due to their sins, bringing judgment upon them and leaving them in the hands of external forces, distancing them from the Tree of Life... As it moves away from life, death prevails over all. Once permission is given to the destroyer to harm, it makes no distinction between righteous and wicked. According to these two reasons, 1) that Hashem judges the world by the majority, and 2) in the sin of the Golden Calf, Malchut was blemished - thus, it brought death to the world, including all creatures, even animals and beasts.

(Zohar, Ki Tisa 194, Metok Midevash, pp. 179)

The Introspection of the Chafetz Chaim

In his later years, the *Chafetz Chaim* agreed to requests from Jewish leaders to visit Grodno and strengthen religious observance. He stayed there for several days, speaking about Shabbat observance, family purity, kashrut, and more.

One evening, it was arranged that the Chafetz Chaim would speak at the city's great synagogue. His health too frail to walk, he was carried by students and followers on a chair to the synagogue.
Rabbi Zeidel Epstein, a young student at the time, stood close to the chair bearers. As they faced a narrow alley, the crowd's admiration prevented their passage, making it difficult for the bearers to proceed.
Despite attempts to part the crowd, no one wanted to relinquish their closeness to the revered sage, forcing the bearers to push through a side entrance near the ark.
While pushing the chair, Rabbi Epstein noticed the Chafetz Chaim quietly speaking to himself, prompting him to listen. Astonished, he heard the Chafetz Chaim murmur: "Yisrael Meir! Here among many friends and admirers, they struggle to pave a path for you. What will happen in the higher world, where many destructive angels may block your way? What will you do then?" This he repeated to himself several times, a lesson that left Rabbi Epstein and all who heard in profound reflection.

(From "Treasures of the End Days")