Daf Yomi, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Torah and Psychology, Marriage Counseling, Psychotherapy
Our Gemara on this daf discusses the mitzvah of pouring water libations on the altar on Succos. It is a relatively unique mitzvah, and it is hard not to see the symbolism: we pray for water for the upcoming season and pour water on the altar.
Rashi (Vayikra 2:12) relates a mystical tradition:
“A covenant was established with the salt as far back as the six days of Creation, when the lower waters received an assurance that they would be offered on the altar in the form of salt and also as water in the ceremony of the libation of water on the Feast of Tabernacles.”
It seems that the “lower waters,” i.e., the earthly waters, resented being separated from the heavenly waters (Bereishis 1:7), as they were losing connection with God. They were given a consolation prize: they would be offered on the altar.
Sefer HaBen Yakir Li Ephraim (Succos 286) asks why water would be mollified by an occasional connection, dependent on the existence of the Temple, as opposed to the constant connection of the upper waters. He answers, we see from here the value of performing an actual mitzvah. The relatively smaller amount of time and opportunity is still of immense value compared to the constant but passive connection to God that the upper waters experienced.
It is said in the name of the Vilna Gaon that Eliyahu HaNavi offered to teach him Torah, but he declined because he wanted to work for it himself.
Salt and water are fundamental elements of life. Water is the basis of all physical existence, and salt preserves it. (In times without modern refrigeration, salt was the only effective way to preserve food.) Though the lower waters are not as consistent in connection to God as the upper waters, their striving and ultimate fulfillment of the mitzvah creates peaks of connection that surpass the placid constancy of the upper waters—like a rocket breaking escape velocity.
Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation
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Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW-R, LMFT, DHL is a psychotherapist who works with high conflict couples and families. He can be reached via email at simchafeuerman@gmail.com