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Ohr (Hebrew:אור,romanized: ʾor,lit. 'Light', plural:אורותʾoroṯ) is a centralKabbalistic term inJewish mysticism. The analogy of physical light describesdivine emanations.Shefa "flow" (שפעšep̄aʿ) and its derivative,hashpaʾa "influence" (השפעהhašpāʿā), are sometimes alternatively used inKabbalah and medievalJewish philosophy to mean divine influence, while the Kabbalists favourʾor because itsnumerical value equalsר״ז, a homonym forרזrāz "mystery".[1]ʾOr is one of the two main Kabbalistic metaphors for understandingGod, along with the other metaphor of the human soul-body relationship for thesefirot.[2]
The metaphorical description of spiritual divine creative flow, using the term for physical light perceived with the eye, arises from analogy. These include the intangible physicality of light, the delight it inspires and the illumination it gives, its immediate transmission and constant connection with its source. Light can be veiled (tzimtzum) or reflected. White light divides into seven colours, yet this plurality unites from one source. Divine light divides into the seven emotional sefirot, but there is no plurality in the Divine essence. Ohr is contrasted withma'or "luminary" andkli, the spiritual vessel for the light.[citation needed]
As a metaphor, it also has its limitations. Divinity can only be understood from analogous comparisons to the spatial and temporal phenomena we understand. Once these images are grasped, Kabbalah stresses the need to attempt to transcend them by understanding their deficiencies. Among the limitations of the central metaphor of "light" are the physical inability of the luminary to withhold its radiance, the fulfilment of purpose the light gives the luminary, and the categorical differentiation between the source and its light. For God, the Creation metaphorically "arose in the Divine Will"[citation needed] and was not impelled. The emanation of Creation fills no lack in the perfection of God. The distinction between the Divine light (beginning with theOhr Ein Sof - the primordial "Infinite Light", and subsequently the ten sefirot emanations) and the DivineEin Sof or divine source appears only relative to Creation. From God's perspective, Scripture states "For I, the Eternal, I have not changed".[3] From the perspective of God's self-knowledge, the emanations remain completely united and nullified to their source. This answers early Rabbiniccriticism of dualism in Kabbalah. The term inKabbalah andHasidic philosophy for this nullification isbittul. Indevekut or daily spiritual life, it inspires the mystical humility of nullification of the ego.[citation needed]
Ein Sof is the Kabbalistic term for theGodhead or "Luminary". Kabbalah describes ten sefirot that reveal the unknowable Godhead to the creations and channel the creative life force to all levels of existence. However, Kabbalists differentiated between the manifestations of God and their origin in the Divine essence. This difference overcame the criticism that they were introducing plurality into the pure Monotheism of Judaism.Kabbalistic texts take great care to emphasize this difference and warn against anthropomorphizing the subtle descriptions of Kabbalah in human terms. To avoid such heresies, the historical transmission of Kabbalah was traditionally restricted to direct teaching in close circles.
In addition to the ten sefirot, Kabbalah also describes a more primordial light that shines directly from the Ein Sof. This light, the origin of all Creation and all lower lights, is called theor ein sof or "Light of the Infinite." Kabbalistic and Hasidic masters ask how there could be a revelation of the Infinite Light before Creation if there were no beings to behold it. The Infinite Light is a form of divine self-knowledge, and through God knowing Himself, He created everything.
As theor in sof is itself infinite, it could not itself directly be the source for the creation of theFour Worlds andseder hishtalshelut or "Chain of Progression." Any direct creations of the Infinite Light would be of infinite number and would not be actual creations at all, as they would remain nullified (bittul) to the Infinite Light and would have no independent self-awareness. Only through the restrictions of the sefirot and the descending Chain of Progression could the Worlds unfold. In the descending chain of Worlds from the Infinite to our finite realm, the creative flow of divine light encapsulated in the sefirot undergoes countless restrictions, diminution, and veilings to hide divinity progressively. In Kabbalah, these are calledtzimtzum.
AfterIsaac Luria, this innumerable tzimtzumim of the descending chain of Worlds are called the Second Tzimtzum. Luria taught that the First Tzimtzum was the Creation in theZohar. As Lurianic Kabbalah became much more broadly accepted, the term "tzimtzum" now refers to this.
In this radical concept of Luria, at the beginning of Creation, the Divine "withdrew" (a complete tzimtzum) from ahalal ("Vacated space") to allow Creation to take place. The interpretation of this forms a central concern of subsequent Kabbalah (seeTzimtzum), and the "withdrawal" of God is interpreted only as a concealment from the perspective of the Creation, and only to apply to His light, not His Essence, as that would imply heretical limitations to the Divine. In Lurianic Kabbalah, the Tzimtzum concealed theOhr Ein Sof, which resolved the dichotomy between the Infinite Light and the possibility of creating finite Worlds. Without this radical leap of concealment of theOhr Ein Sof, even with the progressive, gradual concealments of the Chain of Worlds, the problem would not properly be overcome. Only a second, new light, immeasurably diminished and of a different quality than theOhr Ein Sof, could become the creative source of all reality. This new light, a "thin" illumination from theOhr Ein Sof, called the "Kav" ("Ray"), shone into the "Vacated Space", and was a light that was adapted to the perspective of the subsequent creations on their terms. It could relate to finite creation (Divine immanence), rather than the infinite Primordial light (the ultimateDivine transcendence).
Interpretations of this inKabbalah andHasidic philosophy, are careful to avoid literal, spatial, geometric understandings of the Vacated Space and theKav, as such dimensional understandings relate only to our physical world. Nonetheless, circular diagram representations of this, strictly metaphorical, are used in Kabbalah to represent the process. In the first, a black circle is broken only by one thin, vertical, straight line that descends from the surrounding white into the centre of the black circle from the top. Here the surrounding white represents theEin Sof, the black circle represents theChalal vacated "space", and the thin white line represents the "thin" illumination of theKav, derived from theOhr Ein Sof, but able to illuminate into theChalal on its terms.
This representation is then augmented by a second, similar diagram, where the successive, unfolding Five Worlds, each with ten successive sefirot, are shown within the original circle as a series of concentric circles. Thedescending chain of Worlds proceeds in the diagram towards the circle's centre, representing our lowest physical realm. Each successive World and Sephirah is a successively smaller concentric circle, representing diminished, more constricted Divinity. The sameKav line still connects the outerEin Sof to the circle's centre, as the light of theKav is the origin of all Creation after the Tzimtzum. However, its light undergoes innumerable second tzimtzumim, toward the circle's centre. The utilisation here of concentric circles, or spheres is also significant, as with each subsequent lower step, the light encompasses" (sovev - "surrounds") that level of "immanent" (mimalei"-"filled") creation. Each of the Sephirot comprises both an encompassing light vested in its immanent vessel. Each World similarly incorporates its own relative level ofDivine transcendence, illuminating its own level ofDivine immanence.
The ten sefirot describe the emanations or attributes of God in Kabbalah. The Ein Sof is the unknowable, undifferentiated, infinite Divine essence. The ten sephirot enable the Creation to know God and become God's attributes that reveal Divinity. They are also the channels through which all of Creation is continuously sustained from nothing, as in the Kabbalistic scheme, Creation is continuous, and God is the only true existence. A Chain of Progression of descending Worlds, including the Four Worlds, links the Ein Sof with our physical realm.
Each of the Sephirot is said to consist of a "light" vested in a "vessel" (akliHebrew:כלי; plural:keilimHebrew:כלים). Generally speaking, the light is simple and undifferentiated, as it stems originally from theOhr Ein Sof ("The Light of the Ein Sof"), God's infinite light. It represents Divine revelation in the world. It is associated with the Kabbalistic Divine Name ofBan. The differentiation between the 10 Sephirot, each with its particular characteristic, arises from each of their different spiritual vessels. The light adapts itself to each vessel, to express the particular nature of each vessel.
Kabbalists read their mystical teachings intoexegetical interpretations ofScripture andRabbinic literature. This arose from their belief that Kabbalah forms part of theOral Torah inherent in the revelation atMount Sinai. Accordingly, in Jewish tradition, each verse and concept can be interpreted in the fourfold Jewish method ofPardes, with themetaphysical interpretations ofKabbalah andHasidic philosophy forming a secret level of meaning. In this way, Kabbalah interprets a second meaning inTalmudic legislation and use of the term for "vessel" ("kli"). In theHalachic sense a vessel is an object that can serve a useful purpose, even if it may not resemble a physical receptacle. This term is used frequently in discussion of the laws ofShabbat. In Jewish mysticism, typically, these narratives are given metaphysical interpretations, which relate "kli" to its Kabbalistic meaning. InHasidic philosophy, the plural fourfold levels of meaning are viewed as uniting in a higher essential source of explanation that describes Divinity. Jewish mysticism views such alternative, spiritual interpretations of Torah as stemming from more revealed Divine realms in theChain of Worlds.
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More generally,Ohr also refers to the revelation and expression of any particular spiritual level which descends from that level and enclothes itself in a vessel (Kli). ThisOhr is typically in a state of "Bittul" ("nullification") vis-a-vis the level from which it stems. Therefore, even when it descends to lower realms, it possesses a characteristic of "Ratzo" ("Run"), the desire to ascend and return to its source. Correspondingly, theKli persuades theOhr to descend through impressing upon it the need forShuv ("Return"), the acknowledgment of the necessity of descent in order to fulfill the ultimate supernatural will.
The purpose of Creation was not for the sake of the higher spiritual Worlds. In relation to the infiniteEin Sof, their great revelations of Divinity are a concealment, and have no comparison. Instead, the ultimate purpose of Creation in Kabbalah is for the sake of the lowest World, our physical realm. The Divine Will was to have a dwelling place in this World, made by man, which will be achieved in the Messianic Age.[4] In higher spiritual Worlds (Seder hishtalshelus), the souls and angels sense this, and seek to channel Divine flow down the chain of Worlds. Therefore,Shuv, even though it is an exile for the light to descend into the vessel, is the ultimate purpose of Creation. The terms "Ratzo" and "Shuv" come from the Biblical description of the angels in the vision ofEzekiel (1:4-26), when he beheld the Divine chariot (Merkavah). These angels "ran and returned". In this explanation, they desired to ascend to God, but returned down to their station, to fulfil their purpose. In daily spiritual life too, man seeksdveikus (cleaving) with God, and then returns with this inspiration to fulfil his or her tasks in the World. Here the human soul is the "ohr", the body the "kli", and this realm presently an exile for the soul.
The dynamics ofRatzo andShuv are felt by the angels and man, but also apply to any spiritual emanation. The "Seder Histalshelus" describes the continuous descending chain from the Infinite to our finite World. In each World, the 10Sephirot shine. Each World unfolds from the previous, with the lowest Sephirah (Malchut-"Kingship"-fulfilment of the plan in reality) of one World, becoming the highest Sephirah (Keter-"Crown"-the supernal Will of the plan in that World) of the next, lower World. Within each World too, the spiritual chain descends down the 10 Sephirot, with the illumination of one giving birth to the next, lower Sephirah.
The "Ohr" ("Light") stems from the "Ma'ohr" ("Luminary"), the source of the light. Traditionally, theMashal (parable) given to explain this relationship, is the relationship between the sun and the light that it gives off. However, technically speaking, the light that comes from the sun is not the perfect example for theOhr, since it has already passed through a "Nartik" ("Sheath/Shield"), a level that reduces the intensity of the revelation of the sun. In truth, theOhr that exists in the parable of the sun is the light of the sun that exists in the sun itself. The light that we see from the sun has already been limited in its quality and therefore lacks the "Bittul" ("nullification") of the trueOhr to its origin. Rather, thisOhr, being that it has been limited by theNartik, is calledOhr HaNartik (the light of the sheath), for although it does not actually come from theNartik, since theNartik limited it in such a way that it no longer possesses a connection with its ultimate source, we associate it with theNartik.
In Kabbalah, the level of theMa'ohr is represented by the higherHebrew name of God, theTetragrammaton, and theOhr is the revelation of that level. Similarly, the lower name of God,Elohim, represents theNartik, and the light that stems thereof is theOhr HaNartik, and as such, it lacks a higher level of nullification, enabling it to create the Worlds. If the light of the Tetragrammaton were to create the Worlds, they would not exist as creations with independent self-awareness. The immense revelation of the Divine would nullify them in their source, as the light of the sun inside the sun itself.
| TheFour Worlds inKabbalah |
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In the second section of theTanya bySchneur Zalman of Liadi, theHasidicPanentheism of theBaal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism, is systematically explained in philosophical terms. Two levels of Divine Unity are explained, that paradoxically are both true perspectives. From God's perspective, in comparison to the unchanging Divine Infinity, all of Creation is literally as if it did not exist (Acosmism). This is represented by aHigher Bittul-"Bittul Hametsiyas" ("Nullification of Essence") of the light of the sun inside the orb of the sun itself. This is called the "Upper Divine Unity". The "Lower Divine Unity" describes the Unity of God from the illusory self independent perspective of the Creations. From this perspective, Creation does exist, but is continuously dependent on receiving its Divine lifeforce that constantly brings it into being from nothing. In our World, this constant, total dependence for the existence of everything on the Divine creative light is hidden. In the spiritual Worlds of Creation, it is revealed, but they still lack true "Bittul" (nullification), as the souls and angels in those realms have some self-awareness, albeit totally nullified to God. ThisLower Bittul-"Bittul Hayesh" ("Nullification of Ego") is represented by a light of a candle on a sunny day. In the Chain ofFour Worlds, the first realm, the World ofAtzilus, is not yet considered a Creation, but rather an emanation of supernal Divinity. It is characterised by the higher Nullification of Essence. The three lower realms ofBeriah,Yetzirah andAsiyah are considered created realms as they only possess different levels of the lower Nullification of Ego.
This explanation of the spiritual meanings of the differentHebrew names of God of theTetragrammaton and Elohim, gives the Kabbalistic reason why Elohim is universally used in theGenesis creation narrative.
Going back to theScriptural commentary ofNachmanides, the seven days of creation are understood to symbolically refer to the seven emotional revelations of the sefirot, each one called a "day". These Hebrew sayings themselves, are explained in Kabbalah to be the creative channels of the Sephirot in activating Creation. Only after Genesis recounts its first narrative of Creation, with the beginning of its second account, does it use the higher, essential, Divine name of the Tetragrammaton. Here it combines both names, as both are involved in Creation. Later on, when God speaks to Moses, the name of God used is only the transcendent Tetragrammaton. In the second account of Creation of Genesis 2:4, the ability to createex nihilo can only come from the Ein Sof, which is referred to by the Tetragrammaton. Nonetheless, the light to create existence must be constricted through the name Elohim. This process is referred to in this second account of Creation.
Sovev means "surrounding" andMimalei means "filling". The geometric associations of these adjectives are metaphorical. Kabbalah describes two types of light that emanate in Creation. One, called "Sovev Kol Olmin" ("Surrounding All Worlds"), is the Divine light oftranscendence, rooted in theOhr Ein Sof (primordial "Infinite Light") before theTzimtzum ofLurianic Kabbalah. It descends through theSeder hishtalshelut (Chain of Worlds), representing Divine transcendence in each level. It could be revealed in a blessing or miracle above the vessels and limitations of that realm. Souls in their essence transcend the body and all the Worlds. Similarly, as theZohar states that God is totally united with hisTorah, the Torah is inherently transcendent in all Worlds, and each World studies it according to their mystical level of perception.
The other light, calledMimalei Kol Olmin ("Filling All Worlds") is the Divine light ofimmanence, rooted in theKav (first "Ray" of light) after the Tzimtzum in Lurianic Kabbalah. This is the light that descends immanently to every level of the Chain of Worlds, itself creating every spiritual and, ultimately, physical vessel of each World. It undergoes the innumerable concealments and contractions of the second Tzimtzumim.Hasidic thought sees the ultimate advantage of this lower light, because the ultimate purpose of Creation lies in this lowest realm. Hasidism therefore rejectedJewish asceticism, seeking to utilise and mystically transform the physical into spirituality, throughdveikus cleaving to God. Hasidic thought likewise describes another, higher type of miracle that is immanently invested within the physical laws of this World, without breaking them. Only a higher source rooted in theDivine essence, beyond infinite-finite duality, could unite the infinite encompassing light ofSovev within the limited invested light ofMimalei.
These terms are equivalent to the parallel notions ofMakif ("Outer") andPnimi ("Inner"), taught inHasidic philosophy. In the words of theAlter Rebbe:
...Ohr Pnimi is that which enters and abides in the vessel, in an aspect ofyosher and descent from above to below, ChaBa"D, ChaGa"S, NaHi"Y. And the aspect ofOhr Makif is that which is unable to enter into the vessel at all because of the greatness of its light, and remains above the vessel, in an aspect ofmakif. And it is also the aspect ofigul, as it surrounds the head and the feet as one (and this is the aspect of directmakif that never enters the vessel).
— RabbiSchneur Zalman of Liadi,Likkutei Torah, Parshat Korach, end of page 52a
Hasidism relates the esoteric spiritual structures of Kabbalah to their inner dimensions in the consciousness and perception of man. This is found in the Hasidic idea ofdveikus (mystical fervour). It seeks an inner response to the Jewish mystical tradition. In theSephirot, for example, Hasidic thought focuses on the inner motivational soul within each Sephirah, and its parallel in the spiritual psychology of man.
A descending light is a Divine emanation "from above". It is metaphorically called "masculine waters" and "an arousal from Above" in Kabbalah, based on the verses inGenesis 1:6-8 about the Upper and Lower Waters:
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
The descent of masculine waters can be a free expression of theSephirah ofHesed (Kindness), which has the essential nature to give Divine blessing in an unlimited way, without considering whether the vessels of the Creation are worthy.Hesed is counterbalanced byGevurah (Judgement), that measures and withholds the blessing according to the worth and capacity of the vessel.
More commonly, the descent of direct light is in response to the ascent from below of reflected light. This "arousal from below", the ascent of "feminine waters", is the spiritual illumination created by each person through meritorious ethical or ritualmitzvot (Jewish observances). WhileKabbalah offered radical theosophical cosmic explanations ofJudaism, it remained inherently conservative. Themetaphysical doctrines of Kabbalah support and deepen normative Jewish observance. Kabbalah, especially the new teachings ofIsaac Luria in the 16th Century, taught the cosmic power of each person to affect and rectify the Divine scheme of Creation. In Lurianic Kabbalah, the ultimateTikkun is dependent on each individual fulfilling their own unique tasks in Creation, through the mitzvot. This affect would occur whether the person was aware of the deeper meanings or not. The great delight the illumination of the ascending feminine waters causes in the Heavenly realms (Four Worlds), leads to the reciprocal Divine response of descending blessing and light in the Masculine waters. This gives the inherent metaphysical Kabbalistic structure of the traditional Jewish belief of "Reward and Punishment", incorporated inMaimonides'Jewish Principles of Faith. The Kabbalistic explanation puts these external categories in an inner scheme of Divine loving-kindness.
An example given in Kabbalah of the dynamics of "masculine" and "feminine" waters, is found in theyartzheit (date of passing) and birthdays of three central figures in the Jewish mystical tradition.Judah Loew ben Bezalel (the Maharal) died on the 18th day (18 means "Chai"-"life" inGematria) of theHebrew month ofElul in the year 1609 (17 September). The 18th of Elul, 12 days beforeRosh Hashanah, is a central mystical date in the personal preparations ofteshuvah (return to God) for the upcoming "Days of Awe". A central component of the teachings of the Maharal was the concept of Divine paradox, above intellect. This prepared the way for theHasidic movement, that sought the inner expression inHasidic philosophy of the Kabbalistic tradition. The founder of Hasidism, IsraelBaal Shem Tov was born on the 18th of Elul in 1698 (August 27), and the founder ofHabad intellectual expression of Hasidism,Schneur Zalman of Liadi, was born on the 18th day of Elul in 1745 (September 4). Kabbalah teaches that the yarthzeit of aTzaddik (righteous person) causes the spiritual revelation and ascent of their life's spiritual service, the ascent of the "feminine waters" the Tzaddik illuminated. Anyone who attaches themselves to the teachings and influence of the Tzaddik receives from their illumination and blessing on the yartzheit. In the Kabbalistic scheme, this "arousal from below" elicited the "arousal of God from above" to descend "masculine waters" by the descent of the souls on this date, later on, of the Baal Shem Tov and Schneur Zalman of Liadi. Kabbalah finds an allusion to the deeper aspects of this structure, including the essence of the different spiritual teachings of these three figures, in a Scriptural verse that relates to the mystical meaning of the 18th of Elul.[5]
![Latin translation of Shaare Orah שערי אורה "The Gates of Light", one of the most influential presentations of the Kabbalistic system, by Joseph Gikatilla in the 13th century[6]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aTree_of_Life%2c_Medieval.jpg)
The mystics have a special affinity for the term Or because its numerical value (gematriya) is equivalent to that of raz (mystery): "'Let there be light' (Gen. 1:3)-i.e., let there be Raz (Mystery; Concealment); for Raz and Or are one thing"; Zohar I:140a andZohar Chadash, Bereishit:8d; see Tikunei Zohur 21:53b, and cf. R. Moses Cordovero, Or Ne'erau (Fuerth,1701),111:ch.4.
