Koach HaSechel
Koach HaSechel SheBenefesh, the power of intellect in the soul, is a manifestation of the soul that gives a person the power of intellect.
This power reveals in stages and thus has various froms.
As it is concealed within the essence of the soul, it is called hiyuli[1] (and sometimes by the name av [father]), as it extends to become a source for intellection it is called koach hamaskil (the power that intellectualizes, which is the source and root of all intellectual concepts), and when it comes to expression during actual thought it is called revealed intellect.
Its Nature
A person has the ability to engage in intellectual conceptualization. From the perspective of this abilities highest form—its source and root which is merely an abstract potential with no means of manifestation — every person at every moment has the potential to be as wise as King Solomon. But as it extends to become a "source for powers of understanding" (even before there is actual intellection), there are differences between individuals capacity depending on age, fatigue, etc.
The actual revelation of intellect depends on the physical brain. A person whose brain matter is more refined and delicate will understand more quickly and with greater depth, and when, Heaven forbid, a human soul is reincarnated[2] into an animal, the intellectual power within it cannot be expressed at all (since the animal brain lacks an appropriate vessel to bring forth the powers of this soul). Therefore, a human soul clothed in an animal can direct the animal what to do and where to go, but cannot express activities that belong only to humans.
An example of this is a person writing words of wisdom. Among human organs, only the brain is a vessel capable of processing intellect, and the writing hand has no vessel to understand the power of intellect. It is understood that the hand itself does not comprehend what it must do, rather the brain extends into the fingers through the nervous system, but this does not transform the hand into a brain[3].
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- ↑ = Abstract potential intellect before manifestation (Infinite potential). In Kabbalistic terminology, it is called chochmah stimaah (concealed wisdom—beyond conscious grasp), in the language of the Geonim sechel muflah ("wondrous" intellect—intellect distant and foreign), and it is the power of hiyuli intellect (Sefer Maamarim 5689, "Bayom HaShemini," sec. 52).
- ↑ The life-force in an animal is only capable of receiving the power of the "living being" level but not at all the power of the "speaking being" level.
- ↑ Maamarei Admor HaZaken 5568, pp. 115-116.