What do we learn from "Lo Uchal La'avor"?
Rashi (4, from Yuma 77b): One may not walk through [flowing] water above the loins, lest the water inundate him. After the water reached his loins, he left the water and went on the bank ? "va'Yshiveni Sefas ha'Nachal" (6).
Malbim: The water (Da'as) was so deep that one cannot pass through it. Even though "Ki Mal'ah ha'Aretz De'ah Es Hashem ka'Mayim la'Yam Mechasim" (Yeshayah 11:9), it will be like water that covers the sea ? some places are deep, and some are not. All will recognize Hashem, but there will be different levels of understanding, in quality and quantity. Everyone grasps according to his level.
What is the meaning of "Ga'u"?
Rashi: It grew.
What are "Mei Shachu"?
Rashi: It is water in which one must swim; he cannot walk through it, lest it inundate him. Shachu is swimming, like "Ka'asher Yefares ha'Shocheh Lishchos" (Yeshayah 25:11). Radak ? Shachu is a noun; its grammatical form is like "Achu" (Bereishis 41:2, Iyov 8:11).
Malbim: This hints to understanding of the physical world ? the investigation and knowledge of nature and science will grow greatly.
What is the significance of the water becoming a river?
Malbim: This was a miracle ? "u'Mayan mi'Beis Hashem v'Hishkah Es Nachal ha'Shitim" (Yo'el 4:18), "v'Hayah ha'Yom ha'Hu Yetze'u Mayim Chayim mi'Yrushalayim" (Zecharyah 14:8). There was never a spring in Yerushalayim 1 , and then will increase a fountain of flowing water. It also hints to 'water' of Da'as, Torah and Emunah that will come from Beis Hashem ? "Ki mi'Tziyon Tetzei Sorah" (Yeshayah 2:3).
Yuma 31a: Ein Eitam was higher than the Azarah; from it came the channel that brought water to where Kohanim immersed (Rashi 31a)! An Amah of water flowed through the Mikdash (Yuma 44b)! Get Pashut (128:53) asks why the custom is to write in Gitin in Yerushalayim 'which sits on Mei Shelach (which is far away) and Mei Boros', and to omit Ein Eitam. Yaskil Avdi (6 EH 91:3) suggests that perhaps it is not considered a spring, for by its source it mixes with ponds of rain-water. However, this does not answer for Radak (Zecharyah 13:1), who says that water never came out from the city. This requires investigation. (PF)
What is the significance of measuring the water four times?
Malbim citing Mahari: This hints to four kinds of understanding of Hashem that people will have via this water of Da'as. Mei Afsayim is grasping the world of Havayah, loss, Hevel and nothingness. Mei Birkayim is understanding the world of Galgalim, which move. Mei Masnayim is grasping the world of angels ? their strength is in their loins ? "Giborei Cho'ach Osei Devaro" (Tehilim 103:20). Mei Shachu is grasping Elokus 1 . Mei Afsayim are closer to the Mikdash Toras ha'Adam Mei Birkayim, to teach that in any case, all will be constantly at the doors of the Mikdash to seek Him, recognize Him and go in His light. Those who did not yet receive His ways will press more to know Him ? "Lechu v'Na'aleh El Har Hashem? v'Yorenu mi'Derachav" (Michah 4:2). Those who did not learn will be more inside than those who already learned and know Hashem ? the latter went outside to spread their springs [of knowledge].
Malbim: People will be divided into four levels. (a) Nations that will remain in their prior folly, that served stars and Mazalos, e.g. China, Japan and India. They will acquire a small amount of Mei Da'as - Mei Afsayim. (b) Nations that do not serve idolatry, and have a creed, just they err about Elokus and serve what is not truly Elokim. They will acquire more Mei Da'as - Mayim Birkayim. (c) Nations that received true mindsets in Emunah of Elokus and His unity, just they did not receive the true creed and Mitzvos of Elokus. They will be satiated from a source of flowing water; they will have Mei Da'as that is Mei Masnayim. (d) The nation that received Toras Hashem and His Chukim and Mitzvos, they will have great understanding. For them it will be a flowing river, a source of Chachmah - Mei Shachu.
