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'''Mati V'lo Mati''' (Translation: Touches and Does Not Touch, meaning: Extends and Does Not Extend) is the source for the concept of Ratzo V'Shov (running and returning). The metaphor from the soul's powers is found in the faculty of will<ref>Discourse "Vayechulu HaShamayim" 5666</ref>. | '''Mati V'lo Mati''' (Translation: Touches and Does Not Touch, meaning: Extends and Does Not Extend) is the source for the concept of [[Ratzo V'Shov]] (running and returning). The metaphor from the soul's powers is found in the faculty of will<ref>Discourse "Vayechulu HaShamayim" 5666</ref>. | ||
==== Its Essence ==== | ==== Its Essence ==== | ||
Mati V'lo Mati is the order of extension and drawing down (and influence) of the Ohr Ein Sof (Infinite Light) into the worlds. Since the Ohr Ein Sof is as its name implies - without limit, its extension into the worlds occurs in a manner that does not come in divisions. Rather, immediately with the drawing down, there is a withdrawal, because if not, the vessels (and the worlds) would be nullified<ref>Torah Ohr Parshat Bereishit 2:4</ref>, as they are separate from their source. This differs from Ratzo V'Shov, which concerns the order of receiving life-force (and the order of divine service of angels and souls) by created beings from the Ohr Ein Sof. Therefore, the order is reversed - first Ratzo and nullification to its source, and afterward Shov and drawing down into the worlds. | Mati V'lo Mati is the order of extension and drawing down (and influence) of the [[Ohr Ein Sof|Ohr Ein Sof (Infinite Light)]] into the worlds. Since the Ohr Ein Sof is as its name implies - without limit, its extension into the worlds occurs in a manner that does not come in divisions. Rather, immediately with the drawing down, there is a withdrawal, because if not, the vessels (and the worlds) would be nullified<ref>Torah Ohr Parshat Bereishit 2:4</ref>, as they are separate from their source. This differs from Ratzo V'Shov, which concerns the order of receiving life-force (and the order of divine service of angels and souls) by created beings from the Ohr Ein Sof. Therefore, the order is reversed - first Ratzo and nullification to its source, and afterward Shov and drawing down into the worlds. | ||
The reason that the light withdraws immediately after it is drawn down is understood from the concept of the light as it is included in its source. At the beginning of the revelation of the light, the light is still included in its source, and even when it extends (because even within the sun itself, the sunlight is present), it is still concealed within its source, and therefore does not change from one essence to another. Consequently, even when the light extends (Mati), it does not extend (Lo Mati) in a way that would change it to an essence separate from its source. This is different regarding the created being (whose essence is being separate from its source) - when it withdraws from its existence, it withdraws from its essence to become included in its source. And so it is also with light that settles within a vessel. Since the vessel causes a change in the form of revelation of the light (that is, its shade/hue), when it feels the distance from its source, it yearns to withdraw and become included in its source. | The reason that the light withdraws immediately after it is drawn down is understood from the concept of the light as it is included in its source. At the beginning of the revelation of the light, the light is still included in its source, and even when it extends (because even within the sun itself, the sunlight is present), it is still concealed within its source, and therefore does not change from one essence to another. Consequently, even when the light extends (Mati), it does not extend (Lo Mati) in a way that would change it to an essence separate from its source. This is different regarding the created being (whose essence is being separate from its source) - when it withdraws from its existence, it withdraws from its essence to become included in its source. And so it is also with light that settles within a [[vessel]]. Since the vessel causes a change in the form of revelation of the light (that is, its shade/hue), when it feels the distance from its source, it yearns to withdraw and become included in its source. | ||
==== Metaphor from the Faculty of Will ==== | ==== Metaphor from the Faculty of Will ==== | ||
Latest revision as of 22:15, 27 July 2025
Mati V'lo Mati (Translation: Touches and Does Not Touch, meaning: Extends and Does Not Extend) is the source for the concept of Ratzo V'Shov (running and returning). The metaphor from the soul's powers is found in the faculty of will[1].
Its Essence[edit | edit source]
Mati V'lo Mati is the order of extension and drawing down (and influence) of the Ohr Ein Sof (Infinite Light) into the worlds. Since the Ohr Ein Sof is as its name implies - without limit, its extension into the worlds occurs in a manner that does not come in divisions. Rather, immediately with the drawing down, there is a withdrawal, because if not, the vessels (and the worlds) would be nullified[2], as they are separate from their source. This differs from Ratzo V'Shov, which concerns the order of receiving life-force (and the order of divine service of angels and souls) by created beings from the Ohr Ein Sof. Therefore, the order is reversed - first Ratzo and nullification to its source, and afterward Shov and drawing down into the worlds.
The reason that the light withdraws immediately after it is drawn down is understood from the concept of the light as it is included in its source. At the beginning of the revelation of the light, the light is still included in its source, and even when it extends (because even within the sun itself, the sunlight is present), it is still concealed within its source, and therefore does not change from one essence to another. Consequently, even when the light extends (Mati), it does not extend (Lo Mati) in a way that would change it to an essence separate from its source. This is different regarding the created being (whose essence is being separate from its source) - when it withdraws from its existence, it withdraws from its essence to become included in its source. And so it is also with light that settles within a vessel. Since the vessel causes a change in the form of revelation of the light (that is, its shade/hue), when it feels the distance from its source, it yearns to withdraw and become included in its source.
Metaphor from the Faculty of Will[edit | edit source]
This is understood from the metaphor of the power of will among the soul's faculties. The entire matter of will is the inclination of the soul. Thus, its entire essence is the extension of the soul outward. Similarly, in the revelation of will, the existence of the soul is felt openly, and as soon as the soul withdraws from that will, the will is immediately nullified. This is different regarding other faculties of the soul, for example, intellect. Even after the soul withdraws from the intellect, what has already been comprehended remains. This is not the case with will, from which nothing remains.
In the Human Body[edit | edit source]
In the human body, the order of drawing down life-force is in a manner where first there is a drawing down ('Mati') of life-force from the heart to the rest of the organs of the body, and immediately as it extends, it returns and withdraws ('Lo Mati') to be included in the heart, and this cycle repeats continuously.
World, Year, and Soul[edit | edit source]
'Mati V'lo Mati' is the first root of time, similar to the relationship of the "close encompassing light" to the concept of time.
For Further Reading[edit | edit source]
- Discourse beginning with 'Vayechulu' 5666 (printed in the series of Rosh Hashanah 5666, p. 41 and onward).