“Nothing Else Matters” p: 169 -170

AyinBase with R' Paltiel Thursday 22 Tammuz 5772 

Page 169 – about a quarter from the end of the page (line starts, 'sheha-atzmus...') For text, see link top right of the blog.

We are talking about the principle of devekus/cleaving and its effect. As a result of devekus – cleaving – where the lower level that has its own definitions and context and presence – yet it is true to its source. Thus the very definition of this lower entity is that it stands for its source. It says, 'all there is, is the source'. It's message is not about itself.

This is the nature of chochmah/wisdom. And wisdom is like sight. With the faculty of sight, you see an object that is separate from you, but you see 'the object as it sees itself'. This is cleaving – you are not using an intermediary to tell you about the object.

When the chochmah has this level of cleaving to its source, 'nothing else exists' and it senses the 'real thing' the 'yesh ha-emiti'. The chochmah senses how the essence is everything.

Thus the sense of self-nullification and the recognition of the sense of insignificance of everything is base on, 'in His presence nothing else matters'. Thus we see chochmah is call ohr/light. Even though it comes forth from nothing/essence, yet in its state of being present it still cleaves to its source in a direct manner (ie not from its own separate perspective).

Thus the light that is in the world (in contrast to the infinite light that precedes world and is entirely representative of Essence which existed before the tzimzum/contraction) was introduced to the world by means of the kav/line (denoting progression) and is in a state of something from nothing. It has definition. Yet it is also explained how the kav/line is sourced in essence and touches and cleaves to Ohr Ein Sof baruch hu (the infinite One).

Even though the creation is after the tzimtzum/contraction, and the manner of the light's arrival is by means of hiding of the 'first light', this is what allows it to relate to the world. This is because the primary elements of world are time and space. This means there is a continuous process. Things are coming into being and there are created entities.

As result of this process of retraction of the primal light and then a shining forth of a ray/line/kav it has the element of definition/limit.