In the Beginning

In the beginning there was only the infinite void – darkness, chaos, tohu v’bohu – the unchanging, perfect, balanced. This was the absolute totality of the infinite of infinities, Ein Sof Aur. Perfection reigned, endless peace and harmony, no disturbance, no ripple... a state of complete nothingness, an infinite ocean of bliss.

Upon this background nothing can be depicted, there is nothing to say or describe for nothing existed independent of this perfect sublime light of existence. Anything said about it, any characteristics describing it, can never express this inexpressible state – for it is unmanifest and thus indescribable.

This was what was before there was anything. It is something that is not something, yet also not nothing. It has been described as the Void or Infinite Light. It is only described as infinite from a finite perspective. How would the infinite describe itself to us? “I am that I am” or “I will be what I will be”... or is it “I was what I will be” or “I am what I was never”?

At some point, something changed, something shifted, something happened to disturb this endless emptiness, and we say that "a point emerged" ex nihilo - out of nothing. We call this "the beginning". Out of this infinite, endless nothingness the something arose. Because the Void is perfect and balanced—all human terms—this emanation occurred in all directions simultaneously – which created a "space". This beginning, we call an ‘agol’, a circle. This is is also known as the centre - or middle point, the point of origin.

It is possible that many (perhaps an infinite amount of) points arose simultaneously. However, one of them is the point of origin of whatever space is under investigation. Mathematics uses different language. It states (and proves) that it if there are many points, it is unimportant which point is chosen, and refers it as the axiom of choice.

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The texts say that this event occurred many times over at the same time. Infinite points spreading out equally from the middle point. It was once thought the there were areas where the universe was being created, and others were it was being destroyed, constantly. There is a cosmological explanation from science that speaks of the hyper-inflationary universe. This universe emerges (is emerging?) in the same fashion.

However that may be, it is certain that there was not a single event.

Another way to think of this, is that until there are more than one event, and these events interact in some form or fashion, there is nothing that can happen. Thus although there might be information contained in this single event, unless there is another event interacting with it, this event will have absolutely no effect on anything, except itself! narcissism

NOTE: Thus we have 3 identifiable things - 2 events & some sort of interaction between the two. Then that interaction can affect one (or both) of these events. We could say we have two points and a line between them. That "line", if itself represented as a point (of notice), a triangle (or triplet) would be a clearer symbol to represent that situation with. However, one could say that that triangle needs to be situated in a space that is not quite this space. It extends along a different dimension or axis as is more commonly known. If another event emerged out of two, or more,connected, or more events, would we then have a triangle emerging.

The point of origin

Imagine this spot of density – the middle point.

What is that point? It is a point of finity – the emergence of which takes an infinite amount of “energy”. One could say that it takes a infinity to produce a single finite point, and the mystery of the circle – which could be thought of as an expanded point (or a point could be thought of as a tiny circle – which is close to what we observe, as the particles that make up our world are not points at all, but “fields of influence”. This mystery of the circle speaks of the mystery by which the unbounded infinite becomes the bounded finite – creation ex-nihilo. The emergence of something from other; the source is different from the result, there being no correlation between cause and effect.

From the middle point the universe emerged. We refer to it as the ‘big bang’. There is a version of this creation story that speaks of many big bangs occurring simultaneously.

Emergence from Infinity

As it takes an infinite amount of energy to produce one finite point. Now let’s enter into this paradoxical state of infinity, and infinities. One can remove an infinite amount of energy from the infinite repository of energy, and still have an infinite amount of energy remaining.

The analogy is a candle that can be used to light many candles without diminishing the light of the original candle one iota. So, even if I say that it used an infinite amount of the energy of the Omnipotent, it did not diminish the “amount”, infinite, of energy of the Omnipotent in any way. And, if it takes an infinite amount of energy to create a single finite point, then, taking into account the Creation, which to all intents and purposes (unless proven otherwise) is infinite, or at least consists of an infinite (or almost) amount of points, it would take an infinity of infinities to create this universe… and any other unseen universes that are connected to this one, without diminishing the Infinite Light of the Creator one iota.

It took billions of years to create this space and by saying that in the Realm of the Divine (or whoever else) there is no time, does not in any way negate the fact that there are also billions of years that happened apparently to our “rational” minds – which need to count and measure such things.

The starting point

Everything starts of as a ‘point’. A point just represents presence and thus position. Nothing has yet ‘manifested’. It is just ‘in position’. Similar to voltage, which is ‘potential’ energy, and is ready to manifest as soon as it is hooked up to a circuit. Thus the energy of the point is potential, and it too waiting to be ‘connected’.

Let us for a moment look at everything from this point of view. We can think of everything as consisting of points, but it is the middle point, the point of origin that we could look at, and reduce an event to a ‘point’. In order to be connected, and thus flow, the point needs to recognise or acknowledge some other point. Think of it like a goal. One has to have somewhere one desires to go, in order to move. {lech lecha} [However, in Abram’s case, before he had been given the place to go, he was told by G-d to “lech lecha”.] It is like imagining some other point, and then heading in that direction. In a sense you could say that you created a line of energy between your present point, and some future point. The line that emerges to connect the two points is two dimensional, or binary. It could be looked at as the relationship between the two points. Like a vector, which is a line that has direction.

Now these two points could replicate or connect to many other points, creating patterns and objects of immense complexity and beauty, but they would only be able to interact in 2d. How then, does it manifest in 3d, I ask. Is it just a miracle, or magic, evolution or chance? It is, indeed, a mystery.

On one hand, in order for a 3d point to be expressed, there has to have already existed the 3d space. Which makes complete sense. If the Void emanated in all directions simultaneously, there has to be it has to have an infinite amount of dimensions. Now perhaps to manifest this existence in which we all find ourselves, it may have only required 10 or 11 dimensions, and so the rest are irrelevant to us, but they still exist in the ‘mind of God’, or, in our modern and more ascetic language, as ‘potential'.

Whereas 2d can easily be expressed in terms of length and breadth, there is some impetus that enabled these points to plumb the depths of their existence, and discover 3d.

It is lovely to see, in the history of art, where most ancient art had a 2d, or flat, perspective.

Ohr Ein Sof

• Filled entire reality
• No vacant place (empty Air or Space)
• Everything filled with an Upper Simple Light
• Boundless
• All was One
• Perfect & balanced
• No beg. nor end
  → restricts itself => First Constraint
  → emanations & creatures
  → reason: revelation of Its Names & Appellations

Anything we do not attain, we do not know the name of!

Upper Simple Light

• Light that expands from the Atzmut – Vitality, strength, power, force, of the Creator.
  {NOTE: Does not refer to actual Atzmut_, but only the Light that expands from the Atzmut.}

• “Upper Light filled the entire reality”
  → the entire reality relating to their existence in the void.
  → the Upper Light filled them (souls & worlds) entirely

  • → no vacant place
    A place that would not qualify for correction Because the Supernal Light (Ohr Elyon) filled that place completely No room for the Tachtonim, or lower beings.
  • Before the worlds were created there was only Void
    → where correction & perfection could be added

Worlds & Souls:

  All the worlds & souls
    That exist
    And are destined to be created
      With all their incidents
      Until the end of their correction.
    Are included in the Void (Ein Sof)
and existed before creation that the Upper Light could fill.

1. Fixed & Exist in the Void/Presence/Ein Sof in all their measure and glory.
2. How they are arranged/hang down/innovate

After the First Constraint in the five worlds:

World	Soul
Divine Template	Adam Kadmon
Emanation	Atzilut
Creation	Beria
Foundation	Yetzira
Action/
The manifest realm/Kingdom of Heaven	Assiya

אור Spiritual Light

Empty Air (אויר ריקני)

• Not corporeal air, but spiritual light, Ohr.
  Every Partzuf – Expression or face
  2 aspects:
• Ohr de Hochmah (Wisdom) - Vitality
• Ohr de Chassidim (Mercy) - clothing
  [Y”mba: So the light is no longer Simple]

First Constraint (Constraint of the Light):

• Occurred around middle point
• Space that emanated was a circle (meaning perfect & balanced)
• Introduced a wanting and a vacant place for the corrections
  (Not speaking of a corporeal place)

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Invitation

This is an invitation to take a walk with me into one of the hallowed pathways of ancient wisdom. Remember that these wisdom texts do not speak of a world that is subject to change, a world that takes up time or space (as we know it), but another world, the Olam Ha’ba, the World to Come, a “spiritual” realm. I hesitate to call it a “realm”, as it is not another place, but one that already exists, waiting for us to claim it and thus change the world we now live in – the World to Come!

It is difficult for those unfamiliar with this territory, as they perceive matters by means of corporeal boundaries of time and space, change and exchange, cause and effect. However, in this text, the authors only use these concepts as signs (or symbols) to point to their “Upper Roots”, their higher spiritual manifestation.

“Higher” here only meaning “closer to the Source”. It could also mean “higher”, or more subtle, vibrations or frequency – pointing out that higher and lower are in relation to an agreed upon measurement. Whereas in the spiritual sense, higher would mean closer to the Truth – and that would translate to mean having more information (and intelligence to receive this information) regarding the real nature of existence and life.

This then is my attempt to render what has been spoken in a different language, at a different time, and in a different cultural milieu into this time and with the concepts and symbols that we have available at this present time – many of which have been carried from the shoulders of our ancestors.

References, not real

Before we begin, it is important to underline the fact that all of this is based on spiritual matters that do not take up space and time. Bear in mind, that the entire wisdom of Kabbalah is founded on spiritual matters that do not take up time or space. They are not subject to change or absence and all the changes that are spoken of in this wisdom do not imply that the first form becomes absent and is replaced by a different form. The above change rather implies an additional form, while the first does not move from its place, as absence and change are corporeal conducts.

For that reason I will make an effort to give every word its spiritual identity, detached of space, time and change. It is upon the readers to memorize the meaning of these words thoroughly, for it is impossible to repeat them every time.

We begin with the Tzimtzum Aleph, the First Constraint, which occurred when the Infinite Supernal Presence restricted itself in order to enable the Emanation and thus create creation. Now, before this occurred, there only existed the Void, Ein Sof, which filled everything, everywhere, all the time. That was all there was. This creation/constraint occurred around a single point, which we call the middle point, producing a space that emanated after that was circular, because Ohr Ein Sof, the Infinite Presence, is perfect and balanced, thus the Constraint was also even. This is meaning of Agol, the Circle.

In all of this resides a mystery for it says that the reason for all of this, for all of creation, was “the revelation of Its Names and Appellations!" Why would It need us to “reveal” Its names and appelations? What does it really mean, for the Upper Simple Light to “reveal”? Is it by us “revealing” Its names, It is revealed? Is it like a marriage? As you spend more time together, you understand the other, and thus your spouse is “revealed” in the same way?

1. Know, that before the Emanations were emanated and the Creations created, an Upper Simple Light^[1] had filled the entire reality.^[2] There was no vacant place,^[3] such as empty Air^[4] or a Space,^[5] but everything was filled with that simple, boundless Presence of Light.[^6] There was no idea of the Beginning nor of the End.[^7] All was One, Simple Light,[^8] completely balanced,[^9] called the Infinite Light, Ohr Ein Sof. [^10]

Here we are describing in more detail what actually occurred at this momentous event, the one we might today know as the Big Bang Theory of Creation. It begins by emphasizing the fact that before anything emanated, or was created, there was only the Upper Simple Light, אור עליון פשוט, which filled everything, leaving no space vacant. This light expanded from the Vitality (strength, force, power) of the Creator.

Let me remind you that all the names and appellations used in the wisdom of the Kabbalah are never referring to the Vitality of the Creator but only to the Light that expands (or emanates) from Its Vitality. We are unable to utter a single word regarding Its Power, for the rule is that anything we do not attain, we do not know its name. Remember that and you will not fail!

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There are two rudiments concerning these Worlds and Souls, we should discern in reality before us:

1. They are fixed and exist in the Presence, Ein Sof, in all their measure and their glory.
2. How they are arranged and hang down and innovate before us after the First Constraint, Tzimtzum Aleph, in the five Worlds: the Divine Template, Emanation, Creation, Foundation and Action - the Manifest Realm, Kingdom of Heaven – Adam Kadmon, Atzilut, Beria, Yetzira and Assiya.

The Upper Light that extends from His Will, also known as his Vigour, or Power - Atzmut - “had filled the entire reality.” This refers to the entire reality relating to their existence in the Void, Ein Sof, before the Constraint occurred. The Upper Light filled them entirely, until they had no vacant place left where correction and perfection could be added whatsoever.

Because of the Tzimtzum there came about a wanting and a vacant place for the corrections. However, do not be mistaken to think that this book speaks of a corporeal place.

The Light of Wisdom is the expression of the vitality of the Face. The Light of Mercy only operates as a clothing or veiling over this Light, since the Light of Wisdom cannot permeate the Partzuf if it does not wear the Light of Mercy first.

However, sometimes, when this Face is constricted, it only has Ohr de Hassadim. You should know that that the Light of Mercy is called Air, or sometimes Wind – Avir, or Ruach. When it is by itself, without the Light of Wisdom, it is called “empty Air”. Then it waits for the Light of Wisdom to fulfil it.

Before the Worlds were created such empty Air did not exist in reality at all, because there was not any earth there.

Know, that the amount of that Desire and yearning is the entire substance that exists in the Ne’etzal. Thus, everything that exists in the Ne’etzal that is not that substance, no longer relates to its substance, but to the Abundance that it receives from the Ma'atzil.

Furthermore, this substance determines the Importance, Gadlut [greatness, eminence, importance], and the level of each Ne’etzal, each Partzuf, and each sefirah. The Dissemination of the Supernal Light from the Ma'atzil is certainly immeasurable, but it is the Ne’etzal that limits the Flow, for it receives no more and no less than its measure of desire to receive. This is the criterion in spirituality, because there is no coercion there; it depends entirely on the Desire to Receive..

For that reason we call this will to receive the “Vessel of Reception” of the Ne’etzal. It is regarded as its substance and the reason that it stopped being regarded as a Ma'atzil and was denominated as a Ne’etzal. The Ne’etzal is defined by a substance that does not exist in the Ma'atzil whatsoever, for there is absolutely no will to receive in the Ma'atzil.

There are four degrees in this substance, from Smallness, Katnut [smallness, insignificance] to Greatness, Gadlut of reception. The fourth degree, being the Greatness of the reception, is complete only in the Void, Ein Sof, before the Worlds were created. It is the only one that was subject to the Constraint, Tzimtzum, and we will clarify henceforth that it was emptied of every Flow that it had from the Void, Ein Sof, and remained a vacant Space. This is what the Sage means when he says that before the World was created this vacant Space did not exist.

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Wave of consciousness

Because we awaken here, in this wave, we can only begin to work from this space. Just as G!d started from a point, and expanded equally, producing the sphere, so we “start” from a point in G!d’s consciousness, except that we are not so fortunate as to expand equally from the centre, but expand according to environmental and inherited conditions, but expand we do, nevertheless.

In the Divine realm, it could be said that the point and the circle emerged simultaneously, for it occurred in a place without time nor space.

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Footnotes

1. Upper Simple Light: אור עליון פשוט. It refers to the Light that expands from the Vitality, [Strength, power, force] of the Creator. ↩︎

2. What reality exist here, before any World had been created, that the Upper Light could fill? All the Worlds and all the Souls, that exist and that are destined to be created with all their incidents until the end of their correction, are all included in the Void, Ein Sof, in their full measure and glory. ↩︎

3. There was no vacant place לא היה שום מקום פנוי. It means that before the Worlds were created there was only the Void, Ein Sof. There was no “vacant space,” meaning a place of dearth that would qualify for corrections because the Supernal Light, Ohr Elyon, filled that place. It left no room for the lower Beings, the Tachtonim [the ones below], to distinguish themselves and add something to His completeness. ↩︎

4. … empty Air אויר ריקני This does not refer to corporeal air whatsoever but is talking of a spiritual Light, Ohr, that is called by that name. There are two aspects of this Light present in every Expression or Face, Partzuf. They are referred to as the Light of Wisdom, Ohr de Hochma, and the Light of Mercy, Ohr de Hassadim. ↩︎

5. Space חלל: To understand that word, you must first know the essence of a spiritual Vessel, Kli (Instrument, Vessel). Since the Lower Realm, Ne’etzal נאצל [to be delegated, to be inspired, noble], receives its sustenance from the Upper Realm, Ma'atzil מאציל [delegate, inspiration, aristocrat], it necessarily implies that it has a Desire, Ratzon (desire, vitality), and yearning to receive that Abundance Flow, Shefa, from Him. ↩︎