AyinBase with R' Paltiel Sunday 9 Nissan 5772
Page 69 – few lines below middle of the page (line starts, 'kuli....') For text, see link top right of the blog. Or for text right click here.
What was the effect and conclusion of the entire discussion of bechirah? Before we started learning we knew He chose Israel. But when we got into the details we saw that the real topic of bechirah/choice is not 'choosing what you like' – it is something that occurs within the Essence /atzmus itself. The result of this is that Torah and the souls of Israel stay attached to susim kudsha brich hu / His hidden life – of the essence itself.
bechirah/choice represents a bond between the hidden levels of Him, Israel and Torah - there is no external definition of what the choice is about. Our best expression is, 'He chooses Himself'!
Himself he has before he chooses?!
But even when they become revealed they remain attached to Him. This is choosing Himself.
There is a depth to the soul that comes before any conscious knowledge of itslef. Etzem/essence means the absolute reality – existing internally and externally.
Everything created has a worldly presence that describes its primary presence. Humans are an exception to this. The basis of space is Elokus/G-dliness. The souls of Israel remain connected and relate to Him, while being expressed in space. Space is not a reality in itself. G-dly presence is the primary reality that allows for space.
He is the dwelling and cover for us.
And this clarifies for us His choice of Israel even in a time of exile. In exile you may think that Jews were thrown into the space of the world, and under the jurisdiction of the other nations. But there is still a choice that extends wherever they are.
More specifically what is the choice/bechirah about? What is the distinction? The principle of the choice and distinction between internal and external is the nature of the choice and distinction. The gemara says, yes, there is chochmah/wisdom among the nations, no, Torah is not found among the nations. What's the difference? Wisdom vs Torah? Abraham/Avraham's question was 'is there a master to this palace? Who am I supposed to serve?' and after his research he did not walk away with the philosophy. He turned and said now I will serve Him. He said, 'Hey fools we have to turn and serve Him!' Aristotle in our writings is called the chacham/wise man Aristotle, but he had a philosophy not a change of life.
Torah is where do I belong and what is my duty. This is the distinction between Israel and the other nations. The wise of the nations can excel in philosophy, but it is not Torah. Israel wants the reality and to serve Him. And this is the inner reality. Philosophy is external.
Israel has the element of essence.
A man may be a professional who seems to be heart and mind engaged in his field. And it is true. He dreams and thinks about it. Yet there is a certain element of himself that is actually the real reality behind this whole engagement. There is something essential in him that gives him the impetus to 'go for it'.
We are identifying pnimius tynug/pleasure and ratzon/will in which his whole self /atzmo is concealed there. A soldier stands at his post. The enemy aims at him. He holds his ground. He returns fire. How does he have the strength? Aiming your weapon takes great focus. You need to co-ordinate 3 points. The 2 sights on the target. You have to remove yourself from any disturbance. How does he do it? For the soldier the enemy is aiming at his king and nation. He is not concerned about his life. He's concerned about his king. But this is completely concealed. Him motivation and life force is concealed.
The soldier functions at the edge of the abyss. There is an element of war, where as a result of the dedication, one is victorious and acknowledged. There are cases where the sergeant lead his platoon into destruction and he had in mind the recognition he was hoping to receive. And this agenda lead to the destruction.
There is a hidden level hidden and camouflaged by the external for of every activity.
Where is the difference between external and internal features understood? Who recognizes the difference between the meal and the presence of the host? To have that recognition you have to have an essence. Externally it is not distinct.
That which chooses and distinguishes is the atzmus/essence itself. Anything less than that does not make the distinction.
Something that is not essence does not recognize the difference.
A man makes a celebration for his son's wedding. There is a feast. The host has central to him the joy of the occasion, not the pleasure of the meal. His friends share his joy. For him to see them eating, gives him joy. The strangers also come and eat. Due to the host's great joy he wants them also to enjoy...
The meal is external. For a human being to be focused on the meal is not becoming. But due to the host's inner joy the meal is also part of the inner reality. Due to the pnimiut/inner reality, there is also chitzoni/external.
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