שבט

Consider and reflect the teachings on Sivan (1:6 and 1:7) about the would-be convert who approached Shammai (Shabbat 31a), who embodies the quality of Severity and Awe (Zohar 3:245a). The would-be convert said, “Teach me the entire Torah [while I stand] on one leg” and Shammai pushed him away with the measuring stick he was holding. Shammai embodies Severity and Awe, and was holding a measuring stick that a builder uses at the start, to depict the entire building as one entity in their thoughts. And this plan does not endure. Afterwards, they build according to various [necessary] constrictions. In truth, the building changes from one day to the next, until it is finished, and then that is what endures. Understand. And Hillel comes close to this would be convert, because Hillel is the embodiment of Kindness and Love. He teaches him about love, “What is hateful to you, [do not do to others]” which is the mitzvah of “Love your fellow as yourself...” (Lev. 19:18). See the above-mentioned teachings, and understand for I grew tired from repeating the matter at length. See, when the moon is renewed in her monthly renewal, she is a tiny point which increases and grows each day until she stands at her fullness on the fifteenth [day]. And increasing every day resembles the Torah, which a person adds to every day to their mind's understanding, until the understanding of their soul is brought out from potential to manifestation. And the fullness of the moon resembles the Torah that a person reflects on [in the womb] before they are born into the air of this world, when they are taught the entire Torah (Niddah 30b). See the above-mentioned teaching about the Torah of Kindness and the Torah from the “Mouth of Severity” [i.e. G!d] and see what I wrote above about the constellation of the Bucket (Aquarius) being the constellation of Israel. And the bucket serves the water, which is Torah, therefore [this month contains] the New Year for the Trees for “a person is a tree of the field” (Deut. 20:19). And now you may understand that the first of Shevat is the [New Year for Trees] according to Beit Shammai, who come from the side of Severity. And the Fifteenth of the month is the [New Year for Trees] according to Beit Hillel, who come from the side of Kindness and Love. Therefore [for Beit Shammai] the Mishnah (Rosh Hashanah 1:1) says “like the House of Shammai” using a Chaf to mean “like.” Understand these allusions.