“Secret of the Name” p: 173

AyinBase / Ayin Beis with R' Paltiel Tuesday 28 Cheshvan 5772 

Page 173 at 1st line at top of the page – (line starts, 'ruck...') For text, see picture below.

We saw that the 'name' is representative of the person himself. He has a name due to the inherent ability to affect the outside world – it is rooted in the essence of the person himself. There is a point that is refered to as the 'essence of the name' that is beyond function.

So too talking about 'above'; the 10 sphirot are called the 'secret of the name' – 'raza de shma'. That is to say the essential element of the name, not just when it needs to be referenced.

What is the significance that there is an essence of the name? We used metaphors to look at this. They point out that any external relationship that may appear to be a momentary convenience, really is a reflection of the essence of the person. Examples here were relating to 'use of the table' or 'the prohibition against stealing'. The external form is seen to be rooted in a soul/G-dly reality.

The human being is like the 'invited guest' and thus has peace of mind and the sense of being a 'human being'.

This is the 'secret of the name' – ie a name which has external reality relates all the way back to essence itself.

What gives the world a real presence? That there is a King. Present right here. And all is within His domain.

We talked about, 'name' to learn about 'light', since they are the same topic, says the Rebbe, but for us 'name' is easier to grasp.

The infinite light after the tzimzum/contraction, is in an aspect of 'return and shine' – 'chozer ve ha-ir'. So it has an element of 'hamshacha' – drawing down and hence an element of 'being and not being'. So we can more readily say the presence has definitive terms, and has the 10 sphirot and an element of 'the name'.

Think of the concept of a person owning a home. It is his place. It the cup is on the table and it is move, the space it occupied remained behind. The cup does not own the space. A human being is a real presence in the world and owns a piece of the world. Even when he is not there he still retains ownership.

If a man expands his home, he does not have to expand himself, he is there too automatically in the expanded area. This is ohr/light. But if he was offered the Empire State Building as a dwelling, he could not relate. A man is a limited essence. But the ohr ein sof before the contraction has no limit. It is representative of the Essence that has no limit.