It suggests that during our period of "service" – our time here on Earth, striving to connect – the Divine emanation is, in a sense, clothed. Clothed in what? In the world around us, in the very fabric of existence, perhaps even in our own actions.
But what happens when that period of service ends?
Da'at Tevunot tells us that at the end of this period, the Divine emanation is “disrobed” from these garments. Think of it like removing a costume after a performance. The actor remains, but the persona they inhabited for a time is shed.
And that shedding isn't a simple, quiet affair. The text states, "great happenings and revolutions" are put in place by God to bring this disrobing about and to reach the purpose of it all. Big changes, dramatic shifts – all part of the process of revelation.
Why all this dressing and undressing? What’s the point of these cosmic costume changes?
Here’s where it gets interesting. According to Da'at Tevunot, the key to understanding these changing periods in the world lies in the way God’s emanation progresses. It's a journey, a constant movement from one elevation to the next. It progresses and changes "from elevation to elevation, until it reaches the essence of its matter."
Imagine climbing a mountain, each step taking you higher, revealing a broader and more breathtaking view. Each of these elevations, each change in the Divine emanation, shapes the world we experience.
The ultimate goal? To reach the essence of its matter, described as “the Holy of Holies.” Think of the Kodesh Hakodashim, the innermost sanctum of the Temple in Jerusalem. A place of ultimate holiness, representing the closest possible connection to the Divine. This implies that the only thing truly new, truly innovative, within existence is this Holy of Holies – this direct, unmediated Divine presence.
So, what does all this mean for us? It's an invitation to see the world – and our place in it – as part of a grand, unfolding drama. Our actions, our struggles, our strivings, all contribute to this process of revelation. We are, in a sense, helping to peel back the layers, to reveal the Divine essence that lies at the heart of everything.
It’s a reminder that change, even upheaval, can be a sign of progress, a step towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and our connection to something far greater than ourselves. What "garments" do you feel called to shed? And what "elevation" are you striving for?