Page 370 - BERESHIT

numerical value of ten. This signifies Yaakov’s connection to the ten
sefirot, as well as the Ten Commandments. Our clothing analogically
suggests the light of kedushah which draws its source from Hashem. The
ten sefirot give man the ability to connect to Hashem.

Clothing also symbolizes Torah, as it warms a person and protects him
from the elements. The element of cold alludes to the Yetzer Hara and its
chilling influence over our service of Hashem. The Yetzer Hara attacks us
with his enticements and seeks to put a damper on our spiritual activity.

The word has the same numerical value as the Name of Hashem, .
The letter in His Name was used to create the World to Come, while the
letter was used to create our present world. Our job is to bridge the gap
that separates them, and to unite the Name of Hashem that they represent.
We accomplish this by experiencing the spiritual pleasure of learning
Torah.

The garments of Adam Harishon connected him to Hashem after he was
sent out of Gan Eden. These were the garments that Yaakov wore, which
still had the scent of Gan Eden lingering about, as Adam wore them before
he was sent away. It fragrantly insinuated the connection Yaakov had with
his Creator.

The belt Adam wore symbolizes the job of man to differentiate between
good and evil, just as a belt separates the upper torso from the lower part
of the body. Once man sinned and created the obscurity which clouds our
perceptions between good and evil, it became necessary to wear clothing.

The Angel of Eisav tried to create a cloud of dust to sully Yaakov’s
clothing and sever his connection to Torah. The power of the Yetzer Hara
is like a sting, which can create a painful wound or lead to amputation,
all from a small perforation of the skin. Yaakov struggled in order that the
Angel should not get a grip on him or lessen his Divine service.

Conversely, we are enjoined to sit by the feet of Torah scholars and listen

to their words. The Mishnah calls this to be by the dust of their

feet. The analogy is that dust collects on one’s clothing and is apparent to

all. So too, our learning should make its mark on our behavior.