#### Netsach and Hod (1): *etsem* Know now, that these two names, collectively called, HaShem God of Hosts-HaShem Elohi”m Tzva’ot-יהו״ה אלהי״ם צבאו״ת, referring to victory-Netzach and majesty-Hod, are called The Essence of the Heavens-Etzem HaShamayim-עצם השמים. About them it states, *Exodus 24:10 “Like the essence of the heavens-Etzem HaShamayim-עצם השמים in purity.”* This is because their strength-Eetzumam-עיצומם comes from that place called heavens-Shamayim-שמים. This mystery in Scriptures is well known to those who know the hidden wisdom. They literally are the strength of the heavens-Etzem HaShamayim-עצם השמים, and every term of “Etzem-עצם” that you find, receives from them, each matter according to its kind. For example, when Torah states, *Leviticus 23:28; Also see Ramban there. “On the essence-Etzem-עצם of this day,” the day receives strength from them.* This likewise is the mystery of the verse, *Psalms 35:10 “All my bones-Atzmotai-עצמותי declare, ‘HaShem-יהו״ה, who is like You?’”* It is from this place that strength of life comes to the dead of Israel, through the quality of the Living God-E”l Chai-א״ל חי. The verse thus states, *Isaiah 58:11 “[He] will strengthen your bones-Atzmotecha-עצמותיך.”* The word used here for “strengthen-Yachaleetz-יחליץ,” also means “to arm,” as in the verse, *Numbers 32:32 “We shall cross over armed-Chalutzim-חלוצים,”* and similarly, *Numbers 32:27 “Every armed person of the legion-Chalutz Tzava-חלוץ צבא,”* and the verse, *Numbers 31:5 “Twelve thousand armed (men) of the legion-Chultzei Tzava-חלוצי צבא.”* That is, it is from the place called HaShem Tzva’ot-יהו״ה צבאו״ת that they become an “armed legion-Chalutzei Tzava-חלוצי צבא,” and that, “[He] will strengthen your bones-Atzmotecha Yachaleetz-עצמותיך יחליץ Know that there is certain bone-Etzem-עצם in a person’s spine called the “Luz-לוז.” *Midrash Bereishit Rabba 28:3*. This is the essence-Etzem-עצם of the person, and is their primary root and source. It is the primary source of a person’s birth/DNA, heart, brain, and source of seed. This essence-Etzem-עצם is from the choicest and most refined aspect of the seminal drop, and is the primary aspect that sustains all one’s bones-Atzamot-עצמות. When a person dies and their bones decompose and rot, that essence-Etzem-עצם does not decompose, nor does it disintegrate. If it is placed in fire, it will not burn, and if it is placed in millstones, it will not be ground up, and if it is struck with a hammer, it will not splinter. That essence-Etzem-עצם is sustained eternally, and after the death of the righteous-Tzaddik, it receives the power of pleasure and delight, as it states, “[God] will strengthen your essence-Atzmotecha Yachaleetz-עצמותיך יחליץ.” In the wicked, this aspect receives all the punishments, about which the verse states, *Ezekiel 32:27 “[They will not lie with the mighty…] for their iniquities remain upon their essence-Atzmotam-עצמותם.”* The root and source of this essence is the “Essence of the Heavens-Etzem HaShamayim-עצם השמים,” and from there it receives strength to sustain and uphold a person’s entire body. Know now, that the matter of bowing is related to the matter of the bones-Atzamot-עצמות. This is why it was necessary for our sages, of blessed memory, to hint to this by stating, *Talmud Bavli, Brachot 28b “One must bow until all the vertebrae in the spine protrude,”* in that during the recitation of “We submit-Modim-מודים,” a person must bow. *(In the Amidah prayer.)* [...] Know that from these two Divine qualities – victory-Netzach and majesty-Hod – the prophets derive their prophecy. It is from here that the prophets draw all kinds of prophecy, each according to his strength and grasp. This is true of all prophets except our teacher Moshe, peace be upon him, who ascended to receive Torah from higher than this, in that his prophecy was “with clear vision and not with riddles.” *Numbers 12:18* You therefore will find that the other prophets hint to this when they state in their prophecies, “Thus says HaShem of Hosts-HaShem Tzva’ot-יהו״ה צבאות.” In contrast, our teacher Moshe, peace be upon him, never mentioned HaShem of Hosts-HaShem Tzva’ot-יהו״ה צבאו״ת,” since his prophecy ascended higher than this. However, notice that in their prophecies, the other prophets hint at the four lower Sefirot, these being the Lord-Adona”y, the Living God-E”l Chay-א״ל חי, HaShem of Hosts-HaShem Tzva’ot-יהו״ה צבאו״ת, and God of Hosts-Elohi”m Tzva’ot-אלהי״ם צבאו״ת, all of which are included in the matter of “Thus-Koh-כה says HaShem of Hosts-HaShem Tzva’ot-יהו״ה צבאו״ת.”