The Secret of the Chasan and Kallah: The Ascent to the Chamber of Atika Kadisha

Lesson No. 175 | Thursday, Parashas Vayeshev, Eve of 22 Kislev 5759 - Lesson for Yeshiva Students in Bnei Brak

A chasan (groom) and kallah (bride) on the day of their chupah (wedding canopy) merit to ascend to the supernal chambers of "Atika Kadisha" (the Holy Ancient One, a high Kabbalistic level), a spiritual level that is even higher than the holiness of Yom Kippur. In this exalted place, all matters of this world are nullified, and all those who participate in their joy merit the forgiveness of their sins and the attainment of mochin d'kedushah (holy intellect).

When Eliezer, the servant of Avraham, sought a wife for Yitzchak, he established a sign: "And I will know that You have done kindness with my master." He said in his heart that when the young woman would say to him, "I will also draw water for your camels," then he would know that this is the word of Hashem. Through this trait of loving-kindness, he knew that she was a wise woman who could be relied upon to raise the new generation, and bring the Mashiach who will redeem us speedily in our days.

Higher Than the Holiness of Yom Kippur

In the book Degel Machaneh Ephraim (Parashas Bo), a tremendous novel insight and awesome secrets are brought down regarding the spiritual stature of the chasan and kallah. He explains that on the day of their chupah, the chasan and kallah ascend all the way to the sefirah (Divine emanation) of Binah (Understanding), which is a level higher than Yom Kippur. In the merit of this exalted ascent, anyone who is around the chasan and kallah and participates in their joy has all their sins forgiven. At that moment, the chasan and kallah are in the supernal chambers, in the aspect of "the Garden of Eden from the east," which is the Garden of Eden of Atzilus (the World of Emanation).

Regarding this level, Reb Noson writes in Likutey Halachos (Orach Chaim, Laws of Minchah Prayer) the secret that "no thought can grasp it at all" — no thought can possibly comprehend the intensity of this light. The Degel Machaneh Ephraim calls this "light in their dwellings," and explains that there is a deep secret here: Yom Kippur is the secret of "Imma Ila'ah" (the Supernal Mother), and it contains five prayers until the end of the fast. In contrast, at a wedding, there are "five voices" (the voice of joy, the voice of gladness, etc.), and this is an aspect that is even greater and higher than Yom Kippur. Rebbe Nachman reveals to us why the chasan and kallah reach a place higher than Yom Kippur, in the aspect of "no stranger can intermingle with his joy."

The Ascent to the Torah of Atika

Rebbe Nachman says that the chasan and kallah ascend to an even higher level — all the way to "Atika Kadisha" (the Holy Ancient One). In Atika Kadisha, "there is no left side and no wealth there" — there is no left side of strict judgments (dinim), and there is no connection to physical wealth. Therefore, there was a custom to shout "Shabbos!" at a wedding, because the entire essence of a wedding is the aspect of the delight of Shabbos (Oneg Shabbos). The chasan, the kallah, and everyone around them ascend to the comprehension of "Oraisah d'Atika" (the Torah of Atika).

In the Torah of this world, there is a right and a left, but when one ascends to Atika, there is no left and no wealth. For this reason, it is customary to throw coins and money at a wedding, to show that when one hears the tidings of the Torah of Atika, they do not want money and they do not want anything physical. They throw the money because in the World to Come there is no eating or drinking, but rather "the kings of the hosts flee (yidodun)" — the tzaddikim are like His angels, mighty in strength, who run swiftly.

Leaping All the Way to the Infinite Light

A kallah is the aspect of the delight of Shabbos and the Torah of Atika Setima'ah (the Concealed Ancient One). The chasan and kallah ascend to the chamber of Atika d'Atika Setima'ah, about which it is said:

"And nations shall walk by your light, and kings by the brilliance of your shine."

They ascend to Malchus d'Atzilus (the Kingship of the World of Emanation), to the Atika of the World of Beriah (Creation). When a person ascends to Atika, they automatically leap the entire way. They receive such great mochin (intellect) that they comprehend everything. Through the joy and holiness of the chupah, one merits the light of Atika, the Infinite Light (Ohr Ein Sof). The chasan and kallah merit to reach a place that precedes Creation, to the Infinite Light of the Garden of Eden from the east.

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