“Like Fire Rising” p: 168

AyinBase / Ayin Beis with R' Paltiel Thursday 11 Tishrei 5772  

Page 168 – 6^th line from the end of the page – (line starts, 'bimkoro...') For text, see picture below.

We have been looking at light/ohr. Even when it becomse a 'something' it is still aloof and constantly striving upwards. It is not independent of its source.

To understand this better, we have looked at the metaphor of fire/light here below.

Fire strives to be absorbed in its source. Fire consumes the wick that holds it down. It is not part of existence in a settled, passive manner.

Fire is close to its source and has an affinity with its source...

what is the meaning of this? Could we not just say that the fire is lighter and hence rises? We say something at odds with the secular/scientific view. The principle difference is base on, 'what is the basis of all existence?' Science will say the apple is just the way the tree promulgates its species, and spreads its seeds. The Torah says, fruit is His produce. He makes fruit for His own purpose.

We say there are 4 categories of existence – inanimate, vegitative, animal, speakers (humans) – and that all that exists does so by virtue of its recognition of its Creator. Each of the 4 mentioned about are expressing their connection to their Creator in their own way.

Similarly, the 4 elements – earth, water, wind and fire – also make statements about their connection to their creator.

Earth is the least sensitive that it comes from a 'non-thing' – the Creator and it stays settled. Water, has not form, and wind is more formless. Fire is above that, and it senses, 'why do I exist? Because my source exists!' and this is its sensing of closeness to the source... and the fire is a metaphor for light that we have been discussing.

Nature per se, represents an overall reality. Not its own system.