Oil: Difference between revisions

However, in chapter 35 of Tanya it states that oil is an analogy not for Chochma but for mitzvos (and this forms the basis for all that follows there until the end of Tanya in chapter 53).  

Many times in Chassidus, oil and wine are mentioned as two types of avodah (divine service): avodah with hispaalus and hislahavus (excitement and enthusiasm) which is wine, connected more to the avodah of the Leviim, and avodah with bitul and quietly (oil) which is more connected to the avodah of the Kohanim.

The reason that wine was also kept in the chamber is because a Yid's bitul should not be because they have no chayus and hislahavus in learning Torah chas v'shalom. However, despite this, we see that the chamber is called the Chamber of Oils specifically (and not the Chamber of Wine and Oil etc.), because the main emphasis is on the aspect of bitul.

Oil is mentioned many times also as giving off fragrance to far distances. Therefore, oil is compared to the avodah of the Avos which was only in the aspect of fragrance and not a direct revelation of Hashem's light in the world. Meaning that in their avodah of fulfilling mitzvos they only drew down a divine illumination, and did not reach the level of fulfilling mitzvos as they are after Matan Torah, which contain the drawing down and revelation of His essence.

* Oil of non-Jews

* V'Atah Tetzaveh