תורה 10

6. And this is the aspect of dancing and hand-clapping, because dancing and clapping are drawn from the spirit in the heart. As is readily observable, when a person’s heart is happy he dances and claps his hands. And, as is brought in the Tikkuney Zohar (#21, p.51b): “This ruach blows in the six sections of the arms and the six sections of the legs”—the aspect of clapping and dancing. This corresponds to “his heart carried his feet” (Bereishit Rabbah 70:8). In other words, the spirit in the heart produces dancing.

Thus, through the tzaddik/the ruach, haughtiness is eliminated, as explained. As is written (Psalms 36:12), “Let not the foot of pride come against me.” Idolatry is also eliminated. As is written (Genesis 18:4), “… and wash your feet”—this alludes to idolatry (Bava Metzia 86b).

And when the feet are lifted up in dance, corresponding to “his heart carried his feet,” haughtiness—i.e., idolatry—is eliminated. Through this, Divine judgments/decrees are mitigated. For “As long as there is idol worship in the world, there is charon af (Divine anger) in the world” (Sifri 13:18). But when idolatry disappears, Divine anger disappears and chasadim (benevolences) are drawn [to the world]. Then the feet are “the feet of ChaSiDav (His pious ones)” (1 Samuel 20:9) —i.e., the aspect of ChaSaDim. This corresponds to (Isaiah 55:3), “… the kindnesses of David are faithful.” Specifically “faithful,” because heresy and atheism are eliminated.

And [ruach] also corresponds to hand-clapping. For through the ruach, the emanation of the hands is revealed, as in (Song of Songs 5:1), “The sound of my beloved dofeik (pulsates).” Dofeik, as the Tikkuney Zohar (# 25, p.70a) brings, is an aspect of ruach. The verse adjacent to this, “My beloved put his hand in through the hole” (Song of Songs 5:4), alludes to the revelation of the hands’ emanation—i.e., hand-clapping. And then idol worship—i.e., heresy—is eliminated. As it is written (Exodus 17:2), “And his hands were faith.”

We find, therefore, that through the tzaddik—i.e., the ruach in the heart—the emanation of the hands and feet—i.e., clapping and dancing—is revealed. Haughtiness and atheism are thus eliminated, and faith is increased. And then, “My foot stands in an even place” (Psalms 26:11) is fulfilled. [“My foot stands”] is a reference to faith, whereas heresy is called “a bent foot.” As Asaf said (Psalms 73:2), “My feet were almost bent,” which in context refers there to his having turned his heart to heresy. But, “My foot stands in an even place” indicates faith. And then, “His hands were faith” is fulfilled.