Parashat Bereishit: The Four Winds and the Song of Creation

 

“From the four winds, come, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.” (Yechezkel 37:9)

The Torah and our Sages reveal that the world is sustained each day by four winds — each emerging from a different direction, each guided by a unique angel, and each serving a distinct Divine purpose. (Zohar Chadash 13a)

Through these four winds, the Creator continuously renews Creation, harmonizing healing, beauty, judgment, and mercy — the physical reflections of the four spiritual Sefirot that sustain existence: Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, and Malchut.

The East Wind — Healing and Renewal (Michael)

From morning until noon, the east wind blows — gentle and life-giving, carrying the breezes of refuah, healing. It is directed by the archangel Michael, associated with Chesed (kindness).

One might wonder: if this wind brings healing, should it not be under the charge of Raphael, the angel of healing? But here the Torah teaches a profound lesson: healing is not bound to any angelic force — it comes solely from Hashem. As it says, “I am Hashem, your healer” (Shemot 15:26). The angels are merely emissaries; the true source of all health, recovery, and life-force is G-d Himself.

 

“One should not depend on any angel… One should set his eyes on High and return to G-d. If he merits, G-d will then send His angel to heal him.” (Adapted from Zohar Chadash 13a)

The West Wind — Beauty and Growth (Rafael)

From noon until nightfall, the west wind blows, directed by Rafael. It brings noi (beauty) and hadar (splendor) to the vegetation of the world, nourishing the outer form of life as the east wind nourishes the inner.

Together, these two winds — east and west — represent the dynamic balance between the inner world of the soul and the outer world of creation, both under Divine orchestration.

The South Wind — Warmth and Judgment (Uriel)

From nightfall until midnight, the south wind stirs, directed by Uriel, whose name means “G-d is my light.” It warms the earth and brings vitality, yet it can be harmful to those who are weak or ill.

This is also the time when, as our Sages say, the wicked in Gehinnom are judged, while the world sleeps and few prayers rise to sweeten the judgments. (Zohar I:78a)

Thus, the south wind corresponds to Gevurah — strength and Divine discipline — a necessary counterpart to the winds of kindness and beauty.

The North Wind — Mercy and Song (Gavriel)

From midnight until dawn, the north wind blows, cooling the world and bringing comfort to the sick. It is directed by Gavriel, representing restrained might tempered with mercy.

Our Sages say that when the north wind blows, the righteous in Gan Eden inhale its fragrance — the scent of the Garden’s trees and herbs — and the heavens themselves begin to sing praise before Hashem. (Zohar Chadash 13a)

This wind also awakens the souls of the righteous below. King David, for example, hung a harp above his bed; at midnight, when the north wind blew, the harp would play, waking him to sing psalms of praise to Hashem. (Berachot 3b)

The Midnight Awakening — The Song of Torah

Midnight marks a turning point in the world’s spiritual pulse — when Divine judgment turns to compassion, and the Shechinah begins to rise.

Our Sages teach that one who studies Torah at night brings protection to his home:

“If the words of Torah are heard in a house at night, it will not be destroyed.” (Eruvin 18b) But when Torah is absent, the Divine protection is withdrawn, and calamity may befall. (Sanhedrin 92a)

Even a short study at midnight — a few verses or a brief reflection — is precious before Hashem, for it shows the soul’s yearning to cleave to Him when the world is silent.

The Blessing of the Wind

When one feels a strong wind blow, he recites the blessing acknowledging Hashem’s ongoing act of Creation:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹקֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם עוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֵׂה בְּרֵאשִׁית

Baruch Atah Hashem Elokeinu Melech ha-olam, Oseh Ma’aseh Bereishit

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who performs the work of Creation. (Orach Chayim 227:1)

Each gust of wind becomes a reminder that the world is not abandoned to nature — it is constantly renewed by the Ruach Elokim (Spirit of G-d) that “hovers over the waters” (Bereishit 1:2).

The Winds and the Primordial Light

The ruach — wind or spirit — of Creation is bound to the Ohr HaGanuz, the Hidden Light that shone from one end of the universe to the other (Chagigah 12a; Bereishit Rabbah 3:6). This is the Light that Hashem “set aside for the righteous in the World to Come.” (Zohar I:31b)

That same Divine breath animates the winds, sustains life, and renews creation daily. Just as light was formed from darkness, so too, each night gives rise to a new dawn — teaching that even within concealment lies the spark of Divine revelation.

“It was evening and it was morning — one day.” (Bereishit 1:5)

The union of evening and morning forms a single Divine rhythm, showing that both concealment and revelation are part of one holy day. (Rabbenu Bachya; Midrash Tehillim 19)

Every day, Hashem orchestrates a sacred symphony of winds:

• East — Michael — Healing and Chesed

• West — Rafael — Beauty and Tiferet

• South — Uriel — Warmth and Judgment (Gevurah)

• North — Gavriel — Song, Mercy, and Renewal

Together they mirror the four Sefirot, the four camps of angels around the Divine Throne (Bamidbar Rabbah 2:10), and the four letters of the Divine Name.

Through them, Hashem’s breath — Ruach Hashem — continues to animate Creation with compassion, justice, beauty, and peace.

“He makes His angels winds, His servants a flaming fire.” (Tehillim 104:4)

The Four Winds and the Four Letters of Hashem’s Name

Kabbalah teaches that the Tetragrammaton (Y-H-V-H) represents the four dimensions of Divine emanation — the channels through which infinite light (Ohr Ein Sof) flows into Creation. Each letter corresponds to one wind, one angel, and one elemental aspect of existence.

Letter: י (Yod)

Wind / Direction: East

Angel: Michael

Element: Fire

Sefirah: Chochmah (Wisdom)

Aspect of Creation: The spark of beginning, the seed of light and healing

Letter: ה (Heh)

Wind / Direction: West

Angel: Rafael

Element: Water

Sefirah: Binah (Understanding)

Aspect of Creation: The flow of beauty, nurturing growth and life

Letter: ו (Vav)

Wind / Direction: South

Angel: Uriel

Element: Air

Sefirah: Tiferet (Harmony)

Aspect of Creation: The bridge between heaven and earth, warmth and judgment

Letter: ה (Final Heh)

Wind / Direction: North

Angel: Gavriel

Element: Earth

Sefirah: Malchut (Kingship)

Aspect of Creation: The revelation of Divine will within creation

This structure mirrors the Divine order seen throughout the Torah:

“From the four winds of heaven, gather, O breath…” (Yechezkel 37:9)

“And G-d formed man from the dust of the earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” (Bereishit 2:7)

The ruach — the Divine breath — entered creation through these four channels, infusing every element with a spark of holiness.

The Breath of the Name — Y-H-V-H as the Cycle of Life

Each wind represents a movement within the Divine Name — the constant cycle of emanation and return (hishtalshelut and teshuvah). The Yod begins as the point of pure light, expanding into Heh (understanding), flowing through Vav (connection), and manifesting in Heh (actualization).

This process unfolds in every breath of life, every heartbeat, and every wind that moves across the world. The Zohar calls this “the breath of the King that animates the worlds.” (Zohar I:19a)

When we feel the wind upon our face, we are literally encountering the movement of the Divine Name through the natural world — the “Oseh Ma’aseh Bereishit,” the continual act of Creation.

The Four Elements — The Structure of Creation

The Sefer Yetzirah, one of the earliest Kabbalistic works, reveals that all of Creation emerges through the balance of four primal elements — fire, water, air, and earth — each corresponding to one letter of Hashem’s Name. These elements are not physical matter alone, but spiritual archetypes through which the world is sustained.

▸ Fire (East / Yod / Michael): The spark of life, representing passion, inspiration, and the soul’s yearning to ascend.

“He makes His angels flames of fire.” (Tehillim 104:4)

▸ Water (West / Heh / Rafael): The flow of compassion, Torah wisdom, and healing.

“The voice of Hashem is upon the waters.” (Tehillim 29:3)

▸ Air (South / Vav / Uriel): The breath that connects heaven and earth — the spirit that carries speech and prayer.

“And G-d breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” (Bereishit 2:7)

▸ Earth (North / Final Heh / Gavriel): The vessel that receives and gives form, where Divine purpose is manifested in action.

“For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” (Bereishit 3:19)

In every gust of wind, in every breath, the world re-echoes this Divine rhythm — fire rising, water descending, air flowing, and earth grounding all.

When the Winds Unite

When all four winds unite in harmony, the Divine Name becomes complete — Y-H-V-H fully expressed in the world. This unity is the hidden key to tikkun olam — rectification and redemption — when the fragmented forces of creation will once again merge in harmony under the One Name.

As the prophet says:

“On that day, Hashem will be One and His Name One.” (Zecharya 14:9)

At that time, the four winds will no longer oppose one another but will merge into one perfect ruach, the breath of Mashiach — the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of Hashem. (Yeshayahu 11:2)

Practical Reflection — Breathing with Awareness

When we breathe consciously, with awareness of the Divine Name, we align ourselves with the inner winds of Creation. Each inhalation draws the light of the Yod-Heh, and each exhalation extends it through Vav-Heh — the joining of heaven and earth within the heart of man.

The Ari HaKadosh taught that each breath should be taken b’yirah u’b’ahavah — with awe and love — for even the simplest breath participates in the renewal of Creation. (Etz Chaim, Sha’ar HaKlalim)

In Summary

The Four Winds are not only forces of weather — they are the living expressions of Hashem’s Name within the world:

The east brings the spark of fire (Yod) — healing and renewal.

The west flows with water (Heh) — beauty and growth.

The south moves with air (Vav) — warmth and connection.

The north grounds with earth (Final Heh) — revelation and rest.

Through them, every moment of existence whispers the hidden Name of G-d — the eternal breath sustaining all life.

“Let every breath praise Hashem.” (Tehillim 150:6)

♡♡♡

(based on Torah: Midrash, Chazal, Kabbalah and Classical Mefarshim: Rashi, Ramban, MeAm Lo'ez, Zohar, Midrash Rabbah, Arizal, Or HaChaim)