The Four Elements: Difference between revisions
Created page with "Every creation in the world is composed of '''four elements''': fire, wind, water, and earth. Each creation has slightly more of one element than another, although there is no creation that doesn't have all four powers (except for wood which is composed of all four elements equally). == Creation Process == In the process of creation through which Hashem created all beings, He first created simple matter without form, which is the Hiyuli matter. Afterward, the Creator..." |
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In the process of creation through which Hashem created all beings, He first created simple matter without form, which is the Hiyuli matter. | In the process of creation through which Hashem created all beings, He first created simple matter without form, which is the Hiyuli matter. | ||
Afterward, the Creator instilled in it four forms: the form of fire, the form of wind, the form of water, and the form of earth. However, even then they were still abstract existences that weren't tangible matter, but rather just the elements of matter from which all creations in the world were composed. | Afterward, the Creator instilled in it four forms: the form of fire, the form of wind, the form of [[water]], and the form of earth. However, even then they were still abstract existences that weren't tangible matter, but rather just the elements of matter from which all creations in the world were composed. | ||
In the elements of matter, there must be a clear distinction between relative elements and absolute elements. | In the elements of matter, there must be a clear distinction between relative elements and absolute elements. | ||
While science deals with elements of matter that are only relative, meaning they are elements in relation to matter used by humans | While science deals with elements of matter that are only relative, meaning they are elements in relation to matter actually used by humans, the absolute elements are not in the category of matter but rather are only '''elements''' of matter, even though they are called by names of materials known in nature - fire, wind, water, and earth. | ||
Only after their mixing and combining to become actual matter do the elements become components of matter, and each one becomes part of the matter. | Only after their mixing and combining to become actual matter do the elements become components of matter, and each one becomes part of the matter. | ||
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The four elements can be arranged in several different ways, besides the order appearing at the beginning of the Tanya (AMRE): | The four elements can be arranged in several different ways, besides the order appearing at the beginning of the Tanya (AMRE): | ||
== ARME == | ==== ARME ==== | ||
The simplest order for the four elements is - Fire (Aish), Wind (Ruach), Water (Mayim), Earth (Afar). This is the order of their appearance in nature, with fire being the lightest and earth being the heaviest. This order represents the elements from the perspective of vessels (keilim). | The simplest order for the four elements is - Fire (Aish), Wind (Ruach), Water (Mayim), Earth (Afar). This is the order of their appearance in nature, with fire being the lightest and earth being the heaviest. This order represents the elements from the perspective of vessels (keilim). | ||
== MARE == | ==== MARE ==== | ||
This order - Water, Fire, Wind, Earth - corresponds to their relationship with the Sefiros. This order represents the elements according to their light (ohr) and vitality. | This order - Water, Fire, Wind, Earth - corresponds to their relationship with the Sefiros. This order represents the elements according to their light (ohr) and vitality. | ||
Torah is compared to water which descends from a high place to a low place, corresponding to the right line - the line of Chassadim. Fire corresponds to the movement of Ratzo and desire to separate from the wick. Therefore, fire represents the line of Gevuros - the left line. Wind sometimes rises and sometimes descends, corresponding to the middle line - the inclusion of Chassadim and Gevuros. The element of earth corresponds to the Sefira of Malchus which comes after the completion of the three lines. | Torah is compared to water which descends from a high place to a low place, corresponding to the right line - the line of Chassadim. Fire corresponds to the movement of Ratzo and desire to separate from the wick. Therefore, fire represents the line of Gevuros - the left line. Wind sometimes rises and sometimes descends, corresponding to the middle line - the inclusion of Chassadim and Gevuros. The element of earth corresponds to the Sefira of Malchus which comes after the completion of the three lines. | ||
== RAME == | ==== RAME ==== | ||
This order is intermediate between the lights and vessels, and it corresponds to the relationship between the simple elements and the Domem-Tzomeach-Chai-Medaber (inanimate-vegetative-animate-speaking). | This order is intermediate between the lights and vessels, and it corresponds to the relationship between the simple elements and the Domem-Tzomeach-Chai-Medaber (inanimate-vegetative-animate-speaking). | ||
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In another letter, the Rebbe hints at a scientific parallel of the 4 elements in: matter and antimatter, positive and negative. | In another letter, the Rebbe hints at a scientific parallel of the 4 elements in: matter and antimatter, positive and negative. | ||
[[he:ארבע יסודות]] | |||