Editing Pikuach Nefesh (section)

== Departure of the Spark from the Klipot ==
The things forbidden by the Torah are called "issurim" (prohibitions), which comes from the language of being "bound," because the divine spark within these things is bound by the three impure klipot [shells of impurity], and they cannot ascend and be included in holiness. However, when something is permitted because of pikuach nefesh (life-threatening situations) - the Alter Rebbe writes that the thing becomes completely permitted.

The Rebbe explains that this doesn't mean that during danger the spark of the three impure klipot leaves and is replaced by a different spark from klipat nogah (the neutral shell), for how could a limited human action change the source of vitality of the thing? Rather, the change that occurs is that the same divine spark that was called "three impure klipot" because it didn't feel its divine nature - as a result of being bound by external forces - in a case of pikuach nefesh becomes unbound from its attachment, and feels its divine nature, and that is what one elevates and refines.