Yachid

Yachid is a title of HaKadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, Blessed be He) indicating that He exists alone in His world. This refers to the Ohr Ein Sof (Infinite Light) that existed before the Tzimtzum (contraction).

Yachid in Relation to Echad

The title 'Yachid' means that nothing else exists, He is the only one. This differs from the title 'Echad' (One) which designates something as one that could potentially have a second to be counted as two. However, unlike Yachid, Echad expresses the unification of all details within it. For example, when we say a certain reality is one, the description means this thing is entirely one reality.

This is why HaKadosh Baruch Hu's description in the verse "Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad" uses Echad and not Yachid. Although the title Yachid better expresses His exclusivity that there is nothing else, since the main emphasis is to say that He unifies the worlds with Himself (despite them appearing and feeling 'separate'), they are one reality with Him. This means they are nullified to Him and their entire existence comes from Him.

Indeed, Chassidus explains that this level (Echad) is how HaKadosh Baruch Hu constricted Himself to give life to the world. At these levels, it is appropriate to describe Him as Echad - that the worlds do not constitute multiplicity and are not separate, but are unified with Him. However, in G-dliness as it is in itself, separate from the worlds, there the title is Yachid - because from the perspective of His exaltedness above the world, they do not take up any space at all and are as if they do not exist.

Modes of Influence

In the mode of influence from the level of Yachid there are two approaches (which are also found in prayer):

• "Yachid Chai HaOlamim Melech" (in Baruch She'amar) - This mode of influence is that the Ohr Ein Sof is "Yachid," and "Chai HaOlamim" (Life of the worlds), meaning, the influence of vitality to the worlds is from the aspect of "Melech" (King), that is, Malchus of Ein Sof after the Tzimtzum.
• "Melech Yachid Chai HaOlamim" (in the blessing of Yishtabach) - This mode of influence is that the Melech, meaning, Malchus of Ein Sof is - Yachid - unified with Ein Sof Baruch Hu, and from it flows the vitality to the worlds.

See Also

• Echad and Yachid
• Ein Od Milvado (There is nothing besides Him)