Kuntres Etz HaChayim

Chapter XIII The Tree of Life — Kuntres Etz HaChayim by Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn of Lubavitch Translated by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger

A person who does not study P’nimiyus HaTorah is liable for his soul, for even if he occupies himself with Torah study, he will fall from his spiritual level as explained above. Not only will he not carry out the task of refinement, on the contrary, he will....

Certainly, this applies to someone who does not desire this study, but rather [to devote himself] solely to the study of Nigleh, the revealed, legal dimension of the Torah.

He attaches himself to the place of death, as stated in the passage from the Zohar, Parshas Vayechi, cited above. For it is through the study of [P’nimiyus HaTorah] alone that a person will merit the light of life.

[Indeed,] it is “the Tree of Life,” and the medium which will bring a person to the love and fear [of G-d]. And [then], he will “live in them,” i.e., his Torah study will enable him to carry out the task of refinement and elevate his soul — and even the source of his soul — and unite them in His oneness.

This is the intent of our Sages’ statement: “All of these [forms of disease] can be nullified by bread [dipped] in salt.” Salt, an analogy for the study of P’nimiyus HaTorah, is necessary, as stated in ch. 4. __________________
On the verse, “And the wise shall shine like the radiance of the firmament ["zohar harakiya"],” Ra’aya Mehemna [section of the Holy Zohar] on Parshat Nasso comments: “With this work of yours, [i.e., of R. Shimon bar Yochai], which is the Book of the Zohar [...] with those [who study this work] no trial is needed.

Because eventually the Jewish people will taste of the Tree of Life, which is this Book of the Zohar, they will go out of exile with it, in mercy. For them shall be fulfilled the verse, ‘G‑d alone will lead them, and there is no strange god with Him.’

In seeking their Redemption, they will not have to resort to the favors of the gentile nations, whose patron angels are known as “strange gods.” Rather, G‑d Himself will lead them out of exile and redeem them.