Hem’she’ch 5664

Hem’she’ch 5664

1

There are two ways to describe spiritual influence, light and strength.

Light describes the unchanging influence that is always connected to its source. Like a ray of the sun that always remains bright just like its source. Light is dependent on its source for its existence, therefore it must always maintain a connection to its source. As soon as something gets between the ray and the sun, the ray will disappear.

Strength describes the influence that is excreted and invested in something else. The energy changes and adapts the characteristics of the recipient.

[As a painter paints the spiritual energy that moves his fingers is expressed by the colors on the canvas. The painting is independent and very different then its original spiritual form within the artist.]

Hashem’s influence that created the world can be described by both "Light" and "Energy" for it has an element of each of these qualities. It is similar to strength because it undergoes change. The once undefined energy is now defined by the object it creates.

It is similar to "Light" in that it is always connected to its source, Hasehem. For that is how it has the power to create and vitalize the creation in the first place. The energy is connected to its source as a craftsman who continuously works on the peace of clay. The clay is independent yet connected to the craftsman who is forming it.

2

Hashem’s influence changes as it evolves to create the lower worlds. We will discus three of the major changes that the "light" undergoes. The first and most significant change is the FIRST TZIM’TZUM, the first contraction. Here is where the G-dly light is changed most significantly.

A parable of a teacher and a student is used to explain the FIRST TZIM’TZUM. The teacher is infinitely removed from his student. Anything the teacher will say will just confuse the student. The teacher must create a “blank” in his own mind, he must stop thinking. The void in his mind makes room and invites a new idea to appear. This idea although originating from the teacher’s previous insight, is a “new” idea that can eventually be explained by the student.

In order for the creation to exist Hashem must create an "empty" space, where he is concealed. The world(s) can be created within this empty space. The light that penetrates into the empty space is "new", and can therefore be contained by the creation without overwhelming it. The “new” light can be compared to the "new" idea that the student can understand.

3

The next stage in the change of the G-dly influence is the TZIM’TZUM of A”K, the contraction of the GENERAL (primordial) MAN, the contraction at which a detail is derived from the general light.

An idea is expressed in a paragraph. The combination of the letters, words and sentences of the paragraph create a “vessel” for the idea. When you combine all of the details, you get a general idea, which surpasses and is greater then the combination of all the letters. Now, if you separate one letter from the paragraph, the letter losses its previous glory. It was once part of a greater idea and now it’s just one letter. The letter itself did not change but by reveling it as an independent idea it looses most of its previous significance.

This is an analogy that can help explain the TEN SEFIROT of ATZILUT. The SEFIROT existed before ATZILUT, as “vessels” to the greater light, they were like letters all lined up to express an idea. In ATZILUT they were separated into independent SEFIROT, thus loosing the general light, and only expressing their limited “letter” or light.

4

The next change in the influence is when it goes through the PARSA, the curtain. The CURTAIN makes the light “thicker” less refined and it allows the light to “cloth itself in a garment”.

When something is clothed in a garment the garment conceals it. When a person talks words of love, even if the love is based on and motivated by an intellectual reason, you will only hear love not reason. Because the intellectual reason for the love is clothed by the love.

5

The verse states "You made the heavens with your great strength". Strength describes the influence that undergoes change. Changed by the FIRST CONTRACTION, then by the contraction of the PRIMORDIAL MAN – from the general to the detail, and finally by the CURTAIN, the concealment within a garment.

In the Morning Prayer we praise Hashem who “In His goodness renews the creation every day, continuously”. Hashem renews the creation; he continues to be involved with it. Giving the “Strength” (the energy which changes) the quality of “Light” the connection to its source, its creator.