Likutei Moharan 36:8/ליקוטי מוהר"ן ל״ו:ח׳

18. {This lesson is leshon Rabbeinu z’l. He said that it contains the mystical kavanot -meditations of Kiddush, and that, God willing, he would explain this elsewhere. I also found a manuscript belonging to our holy master and teacher, of blessed memory, on the topics of this lesson, worded somewhat differently. But a part of the paper had been torn off. That which was recorded on the remaining part I’ve copied below:.

2“Tzaphnat-Paaneach” that we reveal… seventy faces… Torah… the secret of acher (another), as is written (Proverbs 25:9), “but do not reveal the secret of another.” As is brought in the Zohar: When the point of the dalet of echaD —this point being the sign of the Covenant—is detached, acheR is made (Tikkuney Zohar #34, p.77b). This is when he defiles his brit in a prostitute, who is called Kingdom of Evil, el acheR (an other-god). But someone who sanctifies himself from this desire is bound with the Kingdom of Heaven, which is called Ani, as is written (Leviticus 19:2), “You shall be holy, because holy am Ani (I).” And wherever you find a barrier against immoral sexual behavior you will find holiness (Zohar I, 204b).

3But one who uncovers nakedness will certainly be exiled among the naked, who are other-gods— Tikkunim (Tikkuney Zohar #56) page 90. Because of this it is brought in the Zohar (III, 84a): When Rebbe Shimon saw beautiful women, he said, “Do not turn aside to false gods” (Leviticus 19:4). This is because adultery is nakedness, other gods, the Kingdom of Evil.

4Because of this, an especially propitious method for eliminating lustful thoughts is to recite Shema Yisrael and Barukh shem k’vod… As is brought on the verse, “he brought forth a Midianite woman to his brethren…” (Numbers 25:6). Thus we find that the main test by which a person is tested and refined is in no matter other than adultery, which is comprised of seventy nations and of the “secret of acher”/ el acher.

5But when a person cries out to God, as is written (Psalms 42:2), “that is how my soul cries for You,” and he cries out seventy calls, not fewer, then the secrets of the Torah open up for him. That which is hidden is revealed to him, and he gives birth to new souls. For he gives birth to Torah, and the Torah is comprised of all the souls of Israel. And he reveals the face of the Torah, which until now was closed up within the shells. For the shell preceded the fruit. But through the Torah teachings which the tzaddik originates he is able to bestow new souls to each one of his followers who are attached to his teaching. As in the song: “thereby creating new souls and spirits with the thirty-two”—i.e., with the Torah, which begins with a Bet and concludes with a Lamed —“and with the three branches”—i.e., a three-fold Torah, he makes new souls and spirits.

6As for the Torah, if he is deserving, it becomes his elixir of life; but if he is not deserving, [it becomes his potion of death]. As is taught: “Place them…,” and as in, “the righteous will go in them, [but the wicked will stumble on them].” It comes to each and every person commensurate with the way he receives [it], whereas from Him no evil comes. As is written (Lamentations 3:38), “It is not from the mouth of the Most High that evil comes.”

7Rather, the blessing or curse is made by man, in accordance with his particular vessel, as in, “See, this day I set before you blessing and curse.” Specifically “before you,” because before the Holy One the light emerges undifferentiated—i.e., individual letters. The combination [which turns them into words] is made in accordance with the person. If he is a good person, a combination for blessing is made; but if not, then the reverse. This is “before you blessing and curse”—exactly! because before God, this combination is as yet without shape, neither for blessing nor otherwise.

8And this is why Bilaam wondered to himself about this, “It is bareikh that I have taken, and when there is such beireikh, I cannot reverse it.” Bareikh, with a kamatz. Likewise, “I have taken” indicates that he took it of his own accord….