Sefiras HaBinah: Difference between revisions
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{{Ten Sefiros}} | |||
Sefiras HaBinah is the second sefirah among the ten sefiros in Kabbalah. The role of this sefirah is to receive the abstract G-dly light from Sefiras HaChochmah, process it, create and define its details in logical and intellectual concepts, and transmit the final idea to Sefiras HaDaas. | '''Sefiras HaBinah''' is the second sefirah among the ten sefiros in Kabbalah. The role of this sefirah is to receive the abstract G-dly light from Sefiras HaChochmah, process it, create and define its details in logical and intellectual concepts, and transmit the final idea to Sefiras HaDaas. | ||
The parallel of Sefiras HaBinah in the human soul is the power of binah (understanding) that influences one's emotions and actions. The ability to receive an abstract concept about the spiritual Sefiras HaChochmah is accomplished through analyzing the power of chochmah in the human soul and projecting its characteristics, after abstraction, to the spiritual sefiros. | The parallel of Sefiras HaBinah in the human soul is the power of binah (understanding) that influences one's emotions and actions. The ability to receive an abstract concept about the spiritual Sefiras HaChochmah is accomplished through analyzing the power of chochmah in the human soul and projecting its characteristics, after abstraction, to the spiritual sefiros. | ||
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== The Essence of Binah == | == The Essence of Binah == | ||
Binah is compared to a spiritual river. The sefirah of Binah decodes the abstract divine light received in the sefirah of Chochmah into a complete intellectual structure of concepts and ideas. While in Chochmah the divine light is not received in terms of intellect, Binah's role is to dim the intensity of the light as it appears in Chochmah, so it can engage with it, reveal its components, define them, arrange them, and create a complete intellectual system that can be understood and transmitted to the following sefiros. For Binah to accomplish this, it is not in complete bitul like Chochmah, but rather begins to develop a possibility of a sense of independence. | Binah is compared to a spiritual river. The sefirah of Binah decodes the abstract divine light received in the sefirah of Chochmah into a complete intellectual structure of concepts and ideas. While in Chochmah the divine light is not received in terms of intellect, Binah's role is to dim the intensity of the light as it appears in Chochmah, so it can engage with it, reveal its components, define them, arrange them, and create a complete intellectual system that can be understood and transmitted to the following sefiros. For Binah to accomplish this, it is not in complete bitul like Chochmah, but rather begins to develop a possibility of a sense of independence. | ||
[[File:נהר.JPG|thumb|Binah is compared to a spiritual river.]] | |||
The sefiros of Chochmah and Binah function as a paired system, dependent on each other. Without Binah, the abstract light received in Chochmah would dissipate, and without Chochmah, Binah would have no material to process. Chochmah and Binah operate like a camera in darkness. The camera flash sends powerful light to the surface, and at exactly that moment, the film must record the details of the objects reflected from the light. A moment later, the flash dissipates, and without the film, there would be no trace of the flash. Conversely, without the flash, the film would not identify objects in darkness and would show a black image. | The sefiros of Chochmah and Binah function as a paired system, dependent on each other. Without Binah, the abstract light received in Chochmah would dissipate, and without Chochmah, Binah would have no material to process. Chochmah and Binah operate like a camera in darkness. The camera flash sends powerful light to the surface, and at exactly that moment, the film must record the details of the objects reflected from the light. A moment later, the flash dissipates, and without the film, there would be no trace of the flash. Conversely, without the flash, the film would not identify objects in darkness and would show a black image. | ||
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In Igeres HaTeshuvah, the Alter Rebbe describes Binah as like a mother who broods over her chicks. | In Igeres HaTeshuvah, the Alter Rebbe describes Binah as like a mother who broods over her chicks. | ||
== Binah and Malchus == | ==== Binah and Malchus ==== | ||
Binah is called Leah, Alma D'iskasia (the concealed world), in relation to the Sefira of Malchus which is called Rachel, Alma D'isgalia (the revealed world). | Binah is called Leah, Alma D'iskasia (the concealed world), in relation to the Sefira of Malchus which is called Rachel, Alma D'isgalia (the revealed world). | ||
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(It should be noted that more generally, Yisroel Saba is the power of influence (the external aspect of) Chochma that descends and unites with Tevunah.) | (It should be noted that more generally, Yisroel Saba is the power of influence (the external aspect of) Chochma that descends and unites with Tevunah.) | ||
== Fifty Gates of Binah == | ==== Fifty Gates of Binah ==== | ||
Intellect and emotions are different in their essence, to the point where they are complete opposites. In order for intellect to influence emotions, it must be brought out and 'lowered' from the essence of intellect and changed to the essence of emotions. The "Gates of Binah" are the first 'gate' and opening of the descent of intellect towards emotions. | Intellect and emotions are different in their essence, to the point where they are complete opposites. In order for intellect to influence emotions, it must be brought out and 'lowered' from the essence of intellect and changed to the essence of emotions. The "Gates of Binah" are the first 'gate' and opening of the descent of intellect towards emotions. | ||
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[[Category:Ten Sefiros]] | [[Category:Ten Sefiros]] | ||
{{Template:The Ten Sefiros}} | |||