Likutei Moharan 30:3/ליקוטי מוהר"ן ל׳:ג׳

13. Now, this is the concept of hair: the light of the mentalities emerge in the hairs. Likewise, the upper intellect, which is perceptions of Godliness, is enclothed in the lower intellect. This corresponds to “hair in a circle,” an aspect of encircling—namely, the introductions which go round about until they get to the point, as explained.

2Yet the main thing is the point. As we find in the words of the Sages: They surrounded him with halakhot, until they arrived at the “daughter’s rival” (Yevamot 16a). Thus, all the halakhot which they had previously discussed were not the main intention, they were just circlings and introductions in order to arrive at the “daughter’s rival,” which was the intended.

3And this is the concept of “black hair,” corresponding to (Song of Songs 1:5), “I am black but comely.” This is because blackness focuses the power of sight and contracts it so that one can see well. Likewise, the lower intellect is an aspect of blackness. It contracts within itself the comeliness and beauty of the upper intellect.

4Moreover, these SAaRot (hairs) correspond to “the ShA’uRa (measures) of the letters of the Torah.” The mitzvot express the wisdom of the Holy One, <and all> the commandments have different measures and specifications. For example: Why is the prescription of a particular mitzvah as it is? Because that is what the wisdom of the Holy One required. The same is true of the prescription of a different mitzvah; it is in accordance with the wisdom of the Holy One.

5Now, each and every mitzvah has letters, words and themes which are the measures and specifications in which the wisdom of the Holy One is contracted. This corresponds to the upper intellect being enclothed in the lower intellect, through which we merit perceptions of Godliness, as above.

6This is the meaning of: Avraham had a bat (daughter), and Bakol was her name (Bava Batra 16b). “Bat” alludes to the bat ayin (pupil of the eye), the black of the eye. This corresponds to the blackness, mentioned above, which contracts, defines and includes within it all the large things that stand opposite it.

7Take for example a large mountain. When it stands opposite the pupil, the black of the eye, the entire mountain is confined within the pupil that sees it. This is because the blackness in the eye contracts all large things, and they are included and seen in it. Through this, one is able to see and grasp that which is being looked at.

8In a similar fashion, the lower intellect contracts and confines the great, upper intellect and it becomes included within it. Through this, one is able to see, understand and grasp the upper, great intellect, as explained.

9And this is the meaning of: “God appeared before him b’laBaT (in a flame of) fire” (Exodus 3:2). The Holy One wanted to enclothe perceptions of Godliness for him, and He enclothed it for him in the aspect of the BaT ayin (pupil), as explained.

10This corresponds to: A daughter [born] first is a good sign for sons (Bava Batra 141a). “A bat first” is the lower intellect, which is a first and an introduction to the upper intellect.

11And this is the meaning of “a good sign for sons.” “Sons” corresponds to the upper intellect, as in the teaching of our Sages <on the verse> (Isaiah 43:6), “Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth.” “Bring My sons” alludes to the exiles of Babylon, whose minds were composed, like sons; “My daughters” alludes to the exiles in the other lands, whose minds are unsettled, like daughters (Menachot 110a). Thus, “sons” is the aspect of a composed mind, corresponding to the upper and great intellect which is grasped through introductions, corresponding to the lower intellect.

12This is: “A bat first”—the lower intellect; “is a good sign for sons”—through it one grasps the upper intellect, the sons. And, “a good sign” alludes to the fact that in [the lower intellect] there are signs and specifications of the upper intellect. This is as in, “the measure of the letters of the Torah,” the aspect of “I am black but comely,” as explained.