Editing The Power of Growth (section)

== Something from Nothing ==
At the end of Igeret HaKodesh chapter 20 in Tanya (and other places), the Alter Rebbe clarifies that the function of the power of growth is '''not''' to grow the seed, but rather the opposite – the seed awakens the power of growth in the earth – '''and it alone''' causes the growth (not that the seed receives power from it to grow). For this reason, the action of the power of growth is called "from nothing to something" – because the '''spiritual''' power of growth produces '''physical''' plants, and physicality from spirituality is something from nothing. In the words of the Alter Rebbe: "The seed was also created from the power of growth and contains within it the power of growth in a hidden state... therefore, when the body of the seed decomposes and disintegrates, the power of growth clothed within it becomes nullified to the general power of growth in the earth and becomes feminine waters to it, and it grows according to the type of seed, etc."