What is it about the 50th Gate?
When I had the privilege to learn Yoreh De’ah for rabbinic ordination, our rebbe,Rav Yosef Weiss said on the first day ‘Boys, remember! There is the 5th part of Shukhan Aruch, without which the other four are almost useless, and that is common sense.’ Or as R’Elyah Chayim Carlebach, R’Shlomo’s twin brother was fond of saying ‘Just be normal!!’
So, where do we find the 50th Gate? Everything is in our Holy Torah. Surely the 50th Gate is marked in a special manner – perhaps flanked by the letter ‘Nun’ numerically 50!?!
We find in P’ B’Ha’alot’cha (the same weekly portion opening with Aharon’s lighting the M’norah), the 2 verses of “VaY’hee binso’a Ho’Aron” and “U’v'Noo’kho” flanked by backwards ‘Nun’s.
RaSH”I says these ‘Nun’s indicate these p’sukim,verses, were transported from their linear place in the Torah narrative to accomplish a secret higher purpose,of separating derogatory accounts of Ahm Yisroel’s behaviour. [The numeric of the full letter N U N = 106. The 2 N U N s (flanks) numerically = 2 x 106 = 212, which is the equivalent of RIV -altercation. However, it is split-separation of the altercants, perhaps fixing the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad to Good FROM Bad, ‘lahat haKherev haMithapechet’)
This 5Oth Gate of Wisdom tells us we have to go outside our comfort zone, to disrupt our linear selves, to go beyond. The true wisdom is to know what to do NOW to bring the world into alignment, serving G-d.
How can we accomplish this? Again, our Holy Torah doesn’t leave us high and dry. These 2 verses tell us the entire encampment would not begin or end its journey until Moshe Rabbeinu davenned. As we journey into the 50th Gate of trying to know what G-d wants from us now,we have to keep on davenning.
CHaZ”L tell us these 2 verses are considered a separate sefer, holy book of the Torah (i.e instead of the 5 books of the Khumash, there are 7 since B’Midbar is split into 3). But there’s no mitzvah in this exceedingly terse sefer!! The Ohr HaKhayim HaKadosh explains the purpose of this special sefer is to indicate Ahm Yisroel’s mission in journeying all over the planet. He says wherever we go in this great desert (of a planet)we are charged with uncovering and redeeming all the Holy Sparks.
The 50th Gate of Binah is the portal of seeing the Inside of the Inside. Not many ascend to this level, of utter clarity. Ben-Zoma achieved it and truly understood ” Who is wise, a gibbor, a wealthy man, an honored person…”. Unfortunately, society misinterpreted his behaviour as one who has lost his mind. Clarity is not easily attained or accepted.
R’Shlomo taught us we all need Moshiakh eyes. ‘A Y N’ numerically is 130; 2 eyes = 260 = 10 x 26. Moshiakh eyes allow us to see the Holy People, hidden under all the shmutz that accumulates with daily existence. Fixing the world can only come about thru sight rooted in the 13 attributes of mercy and lovingkindness.

I am constantly amazed at R’ Simcha’s ability to go beyond himself. I am sure it is because he is always davenning as he courageously goes where no one has gone before. Even more so,he has acquired a fine pair of Moshiakh eyes, tho’ that long journey has taken its tolls.

I bless you that attaining the 50th Gate of Moshiakh Eyes is just the beginning of another 70 Insides of the Insides (Panim==>P’nim) of the Holy Torah. May your Light illuminate the world for many years to come , with Debbie warming you with her Holy Fire.