“We Understand, but the Body Does not Know What it Means to Understand” p: 174

AyinBase / Ayin Beis with R' Paltiel Friday 27 Elul 5772  

Page 174 – 4 lines from end of the second paragraph – (line starts, 'ofen...') For text, see picture below.

We have a paradox to present the reality of light after tzimzum.

There is no way that the light can become contaminated because it is an essential light – ohr atzmi.

Even while it is invested in the vessel and functions according to its parameters, it is still essential.

There are 2 effects of the soul dressed in the body. a) the body comes to life – the vitality of the soul is transformed to the extent that we say, 'the body is alive', and then there is b) the way the faculties of mind and emotions are operating – they are functioning in the body, but the body does not really relate to them – 'we understand, but the body does not know what it means to understand'. We put things into physical terms so the body can tolerate the understanding.

If we try to understand non-existence becoming into existence, it is impossible. That is why we say, 'know there is a first being and we see His unity'. And we can see the unity and know there is a First Being.

The point is that all our experiences of mind and emotion are really soul experiences, not body experiences. The body is just a platform, a locale and does not really understand.

Chochmah comes to us from the soul – like a spark. It is a soul experience.

So the light is invested in the vessels and though it is a soul/ohr/light element if functions in the vessel.

The light points out how the truth operates in a defined setting.

So the soul powers remain soul powers even while functioning in the body.