Dirah B'tachtonim

Dirah B'tachtonim (Dwelling in the Lower Realms) is a major topic in Chabad Chassidus. The idea relates to Hashem's desire for created beings to transform this physical world, which is considered "lower" compared to the higher spiritual worlds, into a dwelling place suitable for Him. This concept was first mentioned in Midrash Tanchuma, later quoted by the Alter Rebbe in Tanya, and is considered the primary reason why Hashem created the world. This is essentially the purpose of creation and the reason for the soul's descent into this world.

Meaning of the "Dwelling"[edit | edit source]

A dwelling (dirah) is a place where the one who dwells there reveals their inner essence and true self. Just as a person behaves more authentically in their own home than when outside, where they might wear various "masks," the concept of Hashem's dwelling means that He reveals His complete essence and being there, without any concealment.

Hashem desired that a dwelling be made for Him here in this physical world, which is spiritually the lowest realm, where His presence is not tangibly felt and where one might even think (Heaven forbid) that He doesn't exist. This is because the divine reality present in the world is hidden, making it appear as if the world runs independently without divine guidance. It is specifically here that Hashem's presence is revealed through human service.

The Work of Creating the Dwelling[edit | edit source]

A Yid's role is to reveal in the world the truth that Hashem exists and directs everything. This is accomplished by bringing Hashem's light into the material world to illuminate its darkness, through utilizing the world's existing possibilities - in permissible ways - for Torah and mitzvos.

For example, animal hide can be used to make shoes or bags, but in that state, the hide remains disconnected from spirituality. However, when a Yid creates tefillin from this hide, they infuse it with spiritual light and make it holy. The hide undergoes a personal redemption, revealing its spiritual purpose in the world, thus becoming a dwelling place for Hashem.

Similarly, each mitzvah is a point of spiritual light. Together, these points of light combine into one great light that illuminates the entire world, sanctifying it and preparing it to become a suitable "home" for Hashem.

Creating the Dwelling Through Daily Life[edit | edit source]

The dwelling is created not only through mitzvos but also when a Yid reveals that their daily activities are connected to Elokus, as it says, "In all your ways, know Him." However, currently we don't see the results of these actions - only with the coming of Moshiach, when the purpose is completed, will the spiritual light be revealed in the world.

The Two Methods: Iskafya and Is'hapcha[edit | edit source]

The work of creating a dwelling must specifically be in the lower realms, implying that the required service from a Yid must involve these lower realms. The Zohar teaches that through "iskafya" (subjugation) and "is'hapcha" (transformation), we reveal Hashem throughout all worlds.

Iskafya means that despite the animalistic and egocentric desires of the nefesh habehamis (animal soul), a Yid forces themselves to fulfill Hashem's will.

Is'hapcha represents a higher level of service where a Yid doesn't need to force themselves but willingly desires to fulfill Hashem's will. The animal soul has been completely transformed to desire good.

These two types of divine service are specifically suited for the lower realms where the yetzer hara exists. (In truth, the emphasis in creating a dwelling in the lower realms is particularly on iskafya, which truly emphasizes the action of the "lower" realm.)

Creating an 'Illuminated Dwelling'[edit | edit source]

Until now, it has been explained that the emphasis in creating a 'dirah b'tachtonim' (dwelling in the lower realms) is on the lower realms. A Jew's divine service needs to be with simple things that belong to our lower world. However, there is another emphasis in the dirah b'tachtonim (as mentioned above, that in a dwelling the one who lives there reveals their entire essence), which is to cause the Creator to be revealed in the world. That the world should feel the revelation of the Creator. To create an 'illuminated' dwelling.

For this, the Jew needs to work on themselves, to refine themselves, to increase the revelation of their connection with the Creator. As well as to spread light throughout the world around them, until the world will be ready for the Geulah - in which we will merit the prophecy 'And the glory of Hashem will be revealed and all flesh will see', meaning that the entire physical world will be completely illuminated with divine light. And as it is written 'And the earth will be filled with the knowledge of Hashem as the waters cover the sea' - meaning that the world will be 'flooded' with G-dliness, like an ocean that is filled with water.

Specifically in the Lower Realms[edit | edit source]

Since the creation of the higher worlds does not touch the essence of the Creator (their creation is only from the 'revelations', His divine lights and not from His essence), therefore it cannot be said that the purpose for which all the worlds were created is somewhere in these worlds. The concept of 'dirah' is too lofty to relate to external worlds.

Specifically the creation of our world, which feels its own existence and is not nullified to G-dliness, is from the essential and internal power of the Creator (see entry Yesh Me'ayin. Na'atz Techilatan B'sofan). Therefore, it must be said that specifically in this world lies the purpose of the creation of the worlds and in it a dwelling for His essence is made.

Specifically a Desire[edit | edit source]

There are several explanations for the reason for creation, one of them being that Hashem wants to show His ability and His powers, which is why He created beings that are (so to speak) separate from Him, that they should recognize His greatness.

However, all these explanations are external. The true reason for which the world was created is: because this is what He desired. Without any explanation. There is no logical explanation for the Creator's need to create a world that is spiritually dark, only if it is a desire which means a hidden will that cannot be understood. Since any other explanation requires that He has some deficiency that the world completes. And since the Creator is inherently perfect, He does not need anything.

The Creator's desire that divine light should break through and be revealed specifically from spiritual darkness is like the pleasure a person has from something unexpected and illogical.

Dirah B'Tachtonim in the Seventh Generation[edit | edit source]

The Rebbe explains in his first maamar (Chassidic discourse) "Basi L'Gani" that our generation - the seventh generation - has the task of completing the making of a Dirah B'Tachtonim (dwelling place in the lower worlds) and bringing Moshiach.

The centrality of this concept can be learned from the fact that the Rebbe established two quotes from the Tanya about Dirah B'Tachtonim as part of the twelve pesukim (verses) that Jewish children recite at every opportunity.

A Beautiful Dwelling in the Lower Worlds - The Women's Mission[edit | edit source]

In addition to every Jew's mission to make a dwelling place for the Creator in the lower worlds, the women and daughters of Israel have a special mission to make a "beautiful dwelling" with "beautiful vessels." In a regular home, the main beauty and aesthetics of the home - both physically and spiritually - depends on the woman, as it is known that the concept of beauty (and the power to make things beautiful) exists especially in women. This descends from spirituality, where in the work of making a dwelling place for the Creator in the lower worlds, a main part of the work - making the dwelling "beautiful" with "beautiful vessels" - depends on the women and daughters of Israel.