Rav Baruch Shalom HaLevi Ashlag (1907 - 1991)
The Rabash

Explanation of the Article, Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah - 2

Writings of The Rabash

PART TWO OF FOUR

The Line and the Zivug de Hakaa

Thus far, we have discussed three states:

  1. The will to receive that was created in the world of Ein Sof, and which received all the Light.

  2. In the world of Tzimtzum, it became apparent that the will to receive must be corrected for the purpose of decoration.

  3. In the line, it is apparent that the Kli must be corrected due to the deficiency. Otherwise, the Light does not expand to it.

And now we shall speak of the line. We have already learned that the line has Above and below in importance, since Malchut of the line was forbidden to receive because she is regarded as receiving in order to receive. The rule is that in all the degrees, Malchut’s name was not changed, which is “receiving in order to receive.” And her Light is Ohr Hozer, meaning she wishes to bestow upon the Upper One.

And when the Light extends to Malchut, she made a Zivug de Hakaa, a Masach, which implies ending the Light and making calculations. For example, she assumed that she could receive only twenty percent of the Light in order to bestow. Hence, she decided to clothe only that much Light.

However, she felt that there was too much pleasure in the remaining eighty percent, and if she were to receive it, it would be in order to receive. Hence, she decided to not receive that part of the Light. So what is the difference between a Tzimtzum and a Masach (screen)?

  • A Tzimtzum occurs through choice, as we learned that Malchut had all the Light and she chose to not receive it.

  • A Masach is the domination of the Upper One on it. Thus, even if the lower one wished to receive, the Upper One would not let it.

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Explanation of the Article, Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah

Writings of The Rabash

PART ONE OF FOUR

Four Phases of Direct Light

The learning begins with a discernment called “The connection between the Creator and the creatures,” since we do not speak of the Creator Himself and we cannot attain Him. Instead, “By Your actions we know You,” meaning the attainment is only in the operations extending from Him.

This connection is also called “the purpose of Creation.” Our sages perceived that His wish and goal were to benefit His creations. Hence, the order of evolution begins from this discernment until it reaches the souls, whose root is the soul of Adam ha Rishon, which extends from the internality of the worlds BYA.

Allegorically speaking, when the Creator wished to benefit His creatures, He wanted to give them 100 kilograms of pleasure. Hence, He had to create such creations that would want to receive it. We learned that the desire to receive delight and pleasure is the very essence of the creature and the reason why Creation is called “existence from absence.” And He created it so His Thought of delighting His creations would be realized.

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Rav Baruch Shalom HaLevi Ashlag (The Rabash)


The Golden Lineage

In many ways, the Rabash was the last of a “golden lineage,” the final link in the chain of the greatest Kabbalists. This line started with Abraham the Patriarch and ended with Rabash’s father, Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag, followed by Rabash himself. His role in this line is perhaps the most significant for us, as he connects us to all those great Kabbalists. With his works, he adapted the method of Kabbalah to our generation.

Although he was at the apex of the spiritual ladder, the Rabash was very well connected to ordinary folk who simply wanted to know if there was something higher than this world could offer. Because of his high spiritual degree, the Rabash understood why those of us living at the close of the 20th century needed to discover life’s secret. He was able to adapt the wisdom of Kabbalah in a comfortable, straightforward, appropriate language for our generation. In doing so, he introduced us to a wondrous, eternal world, and paved the surest way for us to get there.

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BS"D - בסיעתא דשמיא