"Merhav HaAtzmi" and "Nekudah HaAtzmit": Difference between revisions
Created page with ""Merhav HaAtzmi" (Self Space) and "Nekudah HaAtzmit" (Self Point) describe (by way of negation) the state of power in its source and root, as it is devoid of any definition and form that belongs to revelations. This concept is directly related to a similarly named concept, "Merhav HaAtzmut" (Essence Space), which is a term for the Infinite Light (Pnimiyut Atik). == Introduction == Anything that is "essential" cannot be grasped directly by the intellect, but only throug..." |
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"Merhav HaAtzmi" | "'''Merhav HaAtzmi<ref>And so is any matter that is "Atzmi".</ref>'''" and "'''Nekudah HaAtzmit'''" describe (by way of negation) the state of power in its source and root, as it is devoid of any definition and form that belongs to revelations. | ||
This concept is directly related to a similarly named concept, "Merhav HaAtzmut" (Essence Space), which is a term for the Infinite Light (Pnimiyut Atik). | This concept is directly related to a similarly named concept, "Merhav HaAtzmut" (Essence Space), which is a term for the Infinite Light ([[Kesser#Pnimiyut Atik|Pnimiyut Atik]]). | ||
== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Anything that is "essential" cannot be grasped directly by the intellect, but only through negation. The reason for this is that since the intellect grasps intellectual matters by defining them within boundaries and limitations, it is impossible to grasp through it matters that have no defined existence. And since an "essential" thing is something that is '''not''' defined, the only way to grasp it is through negative comprehension. | Anything that is "essential" cannot be grasped directly by the intellect, but only through negation. The reason for this is that since the intellect grasps intellectual matters by defining them within boundaries and limitations, it is impossible to grasp through it matters that have no defined existence. And since an "essential" thing is something that is '''not''' defined, the only way to grasp it is through negative comprehension<ref>Igros Kodesh of the Frierdiker Rebbe, Volume 15, Letter 5612</ref>. | ||
== Definitions of Chochmah and Binah == | == Definitions of Chochmah and Binah == | ||
Chochmah and Binah are "particular" powers, each with its own definition: | Chochmah and Binah are "particular" powers, each with its own definition<ref>Sefer HaMaamarim 5710 page 81, 5710 page 25.</ref>: | ||
'''The definition of Chochmah''' is light, the definition of light is revelation, and the definition of the '''beginning''' of revelation (also called "invention") is a point. | '''The definition of Chochmah''' is light, the definition of light is revelation, and the definition of the '''beginning''' of revelation (also called "invention") is a point. | ||
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== Nekudah HaAtzmit and Merhav HaAtzmi == | == Nekudah HaAtzmit and Merhav HaAtzmi == | ||
Since Chochmah and Binah as included in their source are '''devoid''' of all their definitions (as stated in the first paragraph), it follows that as Chochmah and Binah are included in their source, they are '''not''' light, not revelation, not a point, and not expansion. | Since Chochmah and Binah as included in their source are '''devoid''' of all their definitions (as stated in the first paragraph), it follows that as Chochmah and Binah are included in their source, they are '''not''' light, not revelation, not a point<ref>In the case of Chochma.</ref>, and not expansion<ref>In the case of Binah.</ref>. | ||
'''They are not light''' - similar to how the element of fire (beneath the moon's sphere) is dark and does not illuminate. | '''They are not light''' - similar to how the element of fire (beneath the moon's sphere) is dark and does not illuminate. | ||
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'''They are not revelation''' - but rather concealment. That is, the fact that they are not revealed is not because something covers them, but because their existence is the existence of something that '''cannot''' be revealed (like air, for example. The fact that it cannot be seen is not because something covers or conceals it, but because it is something that cannot be seen). | '''They are not revelation''' - but rather concealment. That is, the fact that they are not revealed is not because something covers them, but because their existence is the existence of something that '''cannot''' be revealed (like air, for example. The fact that it cannot be seen is not because something covers or conceals it, but because it is something that cannot be seen). | ||
'''They are not point/expansion''' - Chochmah as included in its source is not a particular point (of intellect/specific concept) - but rather a "self point" (including all types of intellects and inventions that could ever flow from the intellect), and similarly Binah - is not expansion in the sense of spreading out but rather "self space" (including everything that could ever expand and broaden in different ways and with various explanations, clarifications, examples, and analogies). | '''They are not point/expansion<ref>Sefer HaMaamarim 5703 page 54.</ref>''' - Chochmah as included in its source is not a particular point (of intellect/specific concept) - but rather a "self point" (including all types of intellects and inventions that could ever flow from the intellect), and similarly Binah - is not expansion in the sense of spreading out but rather "self space" (including everything that could ever expand and broaden in different ways and with various explanations, clarifications, examples, and analogies). | ||
Although we cannot grasp this reality (for this itself is the definition of "negative comprehension"), the intellect necessarily affirms that this is indeed the reality. | Although we cannot grasp this reality (for this itself is the definition of "negative comprehension"), the intellect necessarily affirms that this is indeed the reality. | ||
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'''2.''' That the aspect of "God of knowledge is Havayah" (Merhav HaAtzmut - which is above both higher knowledge and lower knowledge together, and therefore includes them both as one) should be revealed '''in both'''. This is accomplished through the service of teshuvah (which is with great power, since until now it was in a land of drought and shadow of death), and similarly in all created beings - the very fact that they feel separate causes them to thirst to escape from their constraints. | '''2.''' That the aspect of "God of knowledge is Havayah" (Merhav HaAtzmut - which is above both higher knowledge and lower knowledge together, and therefore includes them both as one) should be revealed '''in both'''. This is accomplished through the service of teshuvah (which is with great power, since until now it was in a land of drought and shadow of death), and similarly in all created beings - the very fact that they feel separate causes them to thirst to escape from their constraints. | ||
== References == | |||
[[Category: Concepts in Chassidus]] | |||
[[he:נקודה העצמית ומרחב העצמי]] | |||