Likutay Moharan - Torah-teaching 83

83

A gift in secret subdues anger

[In the language of the ḥaverim (friends)] — “A gift in secret subdues anger” (Proverbs 21). Know that in the Aleph-Bet [Hebrew alphabet], there are six Pe’s.

The letter Aleph [א] cannot be pronounced without the letter Pe [פ]. Likewise Kaf [כ], Final Kaf [ך], Pe [פ], Final Pe [ף], and also Kuf [ק] — all of them cannot be read without the articulation of a Pe sound. It is found that in the Aleph-Bet there are six Pe’s.

Pe [פ] has a gematria (numerical value) of 80. Six times 80 is 480, which is the gematria of Lilit [לילית].

And behold — God forbid — when something impure occurs to a person, it is through the aforementioned kelipah [קְלִיפָה, spiritual husk], as is known. This kelipah draws its sustenance from the Aleph-Bet, specifically corresponding to the number of its name — that is, from these six Pe’s mentioned above.

And from this is formed “Pe Af” [פֶּה אַף — literally “mouth of anger”]. As it is stated (Sotah 17a): “A man and a woman — if they merit, the Shekhinah [Divine Presence] dwells between them; if they do not merit — meaning, if it is impure — a fire consumes them.”

For know and understand: the letters themselves of these Pe’s [i.e. Aleph א, Kaf כ, Final Kaf ך, Pe פ, Final Pe ף, Kuf ק] have the gematria of esh [אֵשׁ — fire], and they take vengeance on him.

But when one gives tzedakah [צְדָקָה — charity] in secret, he redeems the holy sparks from the kelipah, and transforms the Af [אַף — anger] into Pe [פֶּה — mouth].

And this is the meaning of the verse: “A gift in secret subdues anger” — from the language of kofer alav keli [כּוֹפֶה עָלָיו כְּלִי — forcing upon him a vessel], meaning a term of reversal or turning.

“Subdues anger” — that is, he subdues and transforms the Af into a Pe. [And this is wondrous.]