I mentioned on Facebook that my most recent two posts raised some very fundamental points. I wanted to spend some time elaborating on one of those points. This is my understanding and not from Yichud HaHisbodidus. CL
The Baal HaSulam writes in his introduction to the Zohar that those behaviors in which we engage that are most Godlike are the behaviors that we find most comfortable. He utilizes this principle to explain why it is more satisfying to give than it is to receive. This is because Hashem is only a giver and not a recipient. Receiving (necessary as it may be within Creation) is an un-Godly activity and as such is not as satisfying as giving which is emulating God. Taking this one step further, Hashem created the world because He desired to give to others. Therefore when giving we are connecting ourselves to the very fundamental forces of Creation which makes it a very satisfying activity.
I have found this principle reflected in other areas of Jewish thought, but this is not the place to elaborate on them.
The Ariza"l as he explains the reasons for Creation lists one reason as being that prior to Creation all of Hashem's goodness was only latent within Him. It was hidden inside and not brought forth and revealed and there was no arena within which to reveal it. By creating the Universe Hashem had a forum in which to reveal that which was previously hidden about Himself. This is why bringing about an awareness of Hashem within Creation is a central part of Judaism. Finding Hashem within Creation is a central part of our service to Hashem. According to this Hashem's revelation of the self which was previously hidden is the fundamental power of Creation.
How many of us spend much of our lives hiding ourselves? Hiding ourselves from others and hiding ourselves from ourselves. Each person engages in hiding to whatever degree he or she feels comfortable. But doing so goes against one of the fundamental forces of Creation. Just as Creation entailed Hashem's self-revelation, so too, the more we engage in self-revelation, the more we connect to the very fundamental forces of Creation.
The Baal HaSulam writes in his introduction to the Zohar that those behaviors in which we engage that are most Godlike are the behaviors that we find most comfortable. He utilizes this principle to explain why it is more satisfying to give than it is to receive. This is because Hashem is only a giver and not a recipient. Receiving (necessary as it may be within Creation) is an un-Godly activity and as such is not as satisfying as giving which is emulating God. Taking this one step further, Hashem created the world because He desired to give to others. Therefore when giving we are connecting ourselves to the very fundamental forces of Creation which makes it a very satisfying activity.
I have found this principle reflected in other areas of Jewish thought, but this is not the place to elaborate on them.
The Ariza"l as he explains the reasons for Creation lists one reason as being that prior to Creation all of Hashem's goodness was only latent within Him. It was hidden inside and not brought forth and revealed and there was no arena within which to reveal it. By creating the Universe Hashem had a forum in which to reveal that which was previously hidden about Himself. This is why bringing about an awareness of Hashem within Creation is a central part of Judaism. Finding Hashem within Creation is a central part of our service to Hashem. According to this Hashem's revelation of the self which was previously hidden is the fundamental power of Creation.
How many of us spend much of our lives hiding ourselves? Hiding ourselves from others and hiding ourselves from ourselves. Each person engages in hiding to whatever degree he or she feels comfortable. But doing so goes against one of the fundamental forces of Creation. Just as Creation entailed Hashem's self-revelation, so too, the more we engage in self-revelation, the more we connect to the very fundamental forces of Creation.
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