That feeling, that elusiveness, might actually be built into the very fabric of reality, at least according to some profound mystical teachings.
We're going to delve into a passage from the Preface to the Zohar as explained by Baal HaSulam, a giant in Kabbalistic thought. It's a passage that wrestles with the biggest questions of all: What is essence? What is form? And how do they relate to the divine?
Before we dive in, let's lay some groundwork. The Zohar, meaning "splendor" or "radiance," is a foundational text of Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism. It's written in a cryptic, poetic Aramaic, and it's not always easy to decipher. That's where commentators like Baal HaSulam (Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag) come in. He helps unlock its secrets for us.
So, what's this particular passage about? It begins by reminding us of something fundamental: we can’t truly grasp the Atzmut, the "Essentially Existing One." This isn't just about God being beyond our understanding. It's about the very nature of "essence" itself. Baal HaSulam argues that we can't even fully grasp the essence of physical things, or even our own selves! Think about it: can you truly define what makes you you? It's slippery, isn't it?
If we can't grasp even our own essence, how much more so the divine essence, the Atzmut?
Now, here's where it gets interesting. The text goes on to describe the different spiritual worlds, each with its own role in the unfolding of creation.
Specifically, it speaks of four worlds: Atzilut, Beria, Yetzira, and Asiya. (Don’t worry, we won't get too bogged down in jargon.) Think of them as different dimensions or planes of existence, each further removed from the divine source.
According to Baal HaSulam, the world of Atzilut is the mystical meaning of "form." And the three lower worlds – Beria, Yetzira, and Asiya – are the mystical meaning of "substance."
What does this mean? Well, imagine a sculptor. The sculptor has an idea, a form, in their mind (Atzilut). Then, they take a block of clay, a substance (Beria, Yetzira, Asiya), and mold it into that form. The form is what gives the substance its shape and meaning.
But there's one more layer. The text says that the "illumination" of Atzilut (the form) within Beria, Yetzira, and Asiya (the substance) is the mystical meaning of "form enclothed in substance." In other words, the divine light and influence permeates the lower worlds, giving them life and purpose. It's like the sculptor breathing life into their creation.
So, what's the takeaway here? It's a reminder that reality is multi-layered. There's the surface level, the "substance" that we perceive with our senses. But there's also a deeper level, the "form" that gives meaning and shape to that substance. And ultimately, both are rooted in something beyond our grasp, the unknowable essence of the divine.
It’s a beautiful and complex idea, isn’t it? It suggests that even in the most mundane aspects of our lives, there's a spark of the divine, a hidden form waiting to be revealed. Maybe, just maybe, by contemplating these ideas, we can get a little closer to understanding the great mystery of existence.