Likutay Moharan - Torah-teaching 177

177. “And the LORD said: I have forgiven according to your word” (Numbers 14:20).

The initial letters of סלחתי כדבריך (“I have forgiven according to your word”) spell: כוסי (“My cup”). The word davar ("your word") is also an acronym for: “Dishanta B'shemen Roshi” — “You have anointed my head with oil” (Psalms 23:5).

There are true tzadikim who possess the spiritual power that, through drinking wine, they effect forgiveness of sins.
As our Sages taught (Yoma 76a): Wine has two aspects. If one is worthy, it becomes “head”—referring to intellect or mochin (spiritual brains), which can bring atonement, as it is written: “A wise man will atone for it” (Proverbs 16:14).

Thus: “I have forgiven according to your word”—the acronym “כוסי”—indicates that forgiveness comes by means of the mind (intellect), which is perfected through wine, as in: “You have anointed my head with oil” (Psalms 23) and “Good oil upon the head” (Psalms 133), referencing the “holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30).

Forgiveness, then, is in proportion to the level of intellect attained through this process.

The cup כוסי רויה (“My cup overflows”) from Psalms 23 is also linked to the verse: “We passed through fire and water and You brought us to abundance” (Psalms 66:12).

Similarly, the episode of the golden calf (Exodus 32) describes burning the idol and scattering its ashes on the water. The verse: “Even if silent, is it truly righteousness?” (Psalms 58) indicates that artistry or craftsmanship becomes mute, lacking words with which to glorify itself.

Therefore, one must make speech to elevate craftsmanship upward. This elevation depends on brains (mochin), and these depend on