The Philosophy of Unity

CHASIDUS is not interested in philosophy per se, rather it explains philosophical ideas that help bring out a point that is of interest.

The primary objective in SHAR HAYICHUD is to explain the unity of HASHEM, meaning that HASHEM is everywhere and there is nothing that is outside him or independent of him.

To explain, the ALTER REBBE quotes the BAL SHEM TOV who teaches that the creation is continues and every created being has a life force from HASHEM that brings it into existence continuously. Now, the reason that we can’t see the “light” of HASHEM that creates is because of the COACH HAGEVURA – the power of HASHEM’s might which conceals his creating power. So truthfully every creation is just an expression of HASHEM’s creating power and is not independent.

This KOACH HAGEVURA the attribute of might is just as amazing as the power to create. For just like we can’t create or understand the process of creation, so can’t we understand how the true existence of the creation - the creating power - can be concealed. [Look at the CHACH HAGEVURA and you are looking at a revelation of HASHEM just as great as the splitting of the red sea.]

From here the ALTER REBBE goes on to explain that HASHEM ECHAD – HASHEM is one. All of HASHEM’s attributes are one. The attribute of kindness – expression – the power to create and the power of GEVURA – might – the power to conceal are all one and the same truly united with the essence of HASHEM.

The ALTER REBBE quotes the RAMBAM who explains that HASHEM and his wisdom are one, for “he is the knower, he is the knowledge, and he is the known.”

Now, the objective is not necessarily to have a philosophical explanation of the nature of HASHEM’s attributes, after all the RAMBAM himself says that we can’t even picture it. Rather the purpose of quoting the Rambam’s idea is to teach us that CHESED and GEVURA and the essence of HASHEM are all one, that the power to conceal is an expression of HASHEM just as the power to create is. That supports the main point of SHAR HAYICHUD – the unity of HASHEM, how there is nothing outside of him.