“How We See” p: 28

AyinBase / Ayin Beis with R' Paltiel Thursday 19 Tammuz 5773

Photo: Batya David, Israel

Page 28 (chuf chet). At the lower third of the page – (line begins: 'hamagid...') For text, click: Here.

The point we are looking at is oneg/delight.

Oneg/delight gives presence and life to everything.

Because oneg/delight also exists in the external and superficial world, we need to refresh our understanding of what it is.

If someone didn't want to do something he wouldn't do it... so you may think it is the 'motivator', but we are saying it wouldn't even exist without the oneg/delight.

It makes it exist.

So it is not just the 'reason' for doing things. It is the essential reality. We have to clearly recognize that everything in the human being and the world has to have a source. This in contrary to the world's view that things make themselves – a false view. Everything has to be made. And it is made by the ein sof. It has to have an element of infinity to exist. Infinity cannot be grasped or defined.

What is the way infinity comes into finitude?

You cannot take a piece of infinity. You have to relate directly to it, to get its influence.

Every faculty you have functions as part of you. It operates at your level. It has an element of you. The exception to this is oneg/delight. Oneg is where there is a seamless connection to infinity. It is not even a connection. It is an actual transmission. This is the means by which the infinite participates in everything.

Every activity has a beginning, middle and end. Oneg is not experienced in this way. It is a constant in the soul.

Chayus/vitality is the sensitivity. In sight we see not just the object itself, but the context – a broad periphery. This is the sensitivity of the eye. It is amazing. It is almost like seeing behind you. And you are not even focused on it. This is like the oneg element. I see not due to my focus, but due to enjoyment or delight...!

There is the specificity of each faculty and then there is the 'life' element of it. This is the overall sensitivity or delight!

The tynug/delight found in each of your faculties is not separate. It is the same delight that is spread throughout all the different faculties. Each faculty welcomes the tynug, since this delight is really their core existence.

There is tynug in each of the 4 senses.

And why would there be any delight in sin? For this the Alte Rebbe says, really it is impossible, except there is 'ruach shtus' (spirit of folly) that makes you forget you are interfering with your connection to Him.

In fact there is not an experience that the Torah forbids. The 'forbidden' is where something is disconnected from the source. And this is why we say it is like drawing Him into exile.