We've all been there. And it's a question that's echoed through the ages, finding its way into the heart of Jewish thought.
The question of a Manhig, a Ruler, is central to Jewish theology. Can the world, in all its complexity and chaos, truly be without one? The Beur Eser Sefirot, a profound work of Kabbalah, tackles this very question head-on. It argues, in no uncertain terms, that just as a ship needs a captain, so too does the world need a Ruler.
But what is this Ruler? It's not a simple answer. The text equates the Ruler with the Ein Sof, the Infinite One, for God's honor and God's word. Think about that for a moment. The Infinite, without beginning or end, without limitations, is the ultimate source of all things. It’s described as "without end or beginning, and without detail and without anything outside of it." The sages agree, it's "a thing without end and without detail and without border, the causes of all causes, and the reason behind all reasons." This concept is a tough one to wrap your head around, isn't it?
The scriptures themselves hint at this unknowable aspect of the Divine. As it's written in Ecclesiastes (3:11), "God hath set the world in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end." And further, "though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it" (Ecclesiastes 8:17). We're given a glimpse, a taste, but the full picture remains elusive, hidden from our grasp.
This idea of the hiddenness of God's actions is echoed throughout Jewish tradition. We see the results, the effects, but the how and why often remain a mystery.
So, what does this mean for us? The Beur Eser Sefirot cautions us against thinking we can fully grasp the Infinite. Deuteronomy (29:17-18) warns against those who "bless himself in his heart, saying: 'I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart...'" In other words, don't assume you have all the answers.
True belief, the text implies, lies in acknowledging the Infinite and drawing strength from it. It's not about invoking a name or a specific image, but about connecting with the boundless source of all being. Conversely, denying the Ruler, claiming the world is degraded and happens by chance, is a grave error. Leviticus (26:21, 28) warns of the consequences of walking contrary to God. “If you walk contrary to me...then I will walk contrary to you in fury.”
The Beur Eser Sefirot suggests that our relationship with the Divine is reciprocal. "Each and every person is measured by God in the same measure of desire, and in him is the path which is established for him." Think about it: the more we seek connection, the more we open ourselves to the Divine, the more we find ourselves on a path that is uniquely ours.
Ultimately, the text invites us to contemplate the nature of belief, the immensity of the Infinite, and our own place within the grand scheme of things. It's a reminder that while we may never fully understand the mysteries of the universe, the very act of seeking, of questioning, of believing, is a sacred act in itself. So, the next time you look up at those stars, remember the Ein Sof, the Infinite One, the Ruler of the world, and the path that is waiting for you.