In Kabbalah, the mystical tradition of Judaism, we grapple with this very idea when we talk about Ḥokhma, often translated as wisdom. But it's not just any wisdom; it's a specific kind, a divine emanation, and its flow is… complicated.
We've been circling around this concept of Ḥokhma for a while now, exploring its different facets. And here's a crucial point: the Ḥokhma on the "right" side doesn't actually emanate its own light of Ḥokhma. Instead, it shines with the light of giving, of pure bestowal. Why? Because, as we've discussed before, Abba (Father) and Imma (Mother), these higher, archetypal forms, don't receive Ḥokhma themselves. They are beyond that initial spark.
Think of it like this: imagine a brilliant light source, so intense you can't look directly at it. That’s akin to the Ḥokhma in the head of Arikh Anpin, the "Long Face" or the "Vast Countenance" – a supreme, patient expression of the Divine. According to the Sulam Commentary, this direct light doesn't shine beneath that head. It remains sealed, inaccessible. That’s why it’s even called "sealed Ḥokhma".
So, where does the illumination of Ḥokhma actually become revealed? It's in the Ḥokhma of the "left." But hold on! This isn’t the full, unadulterated Ḥokhma either. It’s more like… Bina (Understanding) receiving Ḥokhma and then passing it on. It’s being filtered, adapted, for Ze’er Anpin (the "Small Face," representing the son) and Nukva (the daughter) – which are lower levels of reality (as explained in the Sulam Commentary).
Out of the three types of Ḥokhma we've been examining, only this Ḥokhma of the left makes its way down to these lower levels. It's the only one that's accessible, even if it's not the "real deal."
The key takeaway here? This Ḥokhma of the left isn’t the direct light of Ḥokhma. It's a reflection. A reflection of that true, sealed Ḥokhma. It’s reflected through those higher levels – Abba and Imma – and even through intermediate levels like Yisrael Sabba (the grandfather) and Tevuna (the grandmother), all within the realm of Bina. And ultimately, that reflection descends to Ze'er Anpin and Nukva of Atzilut, the world of emanation.
Think of it as a prism. The pure white light of Ḥokhma enters, and is refracted, broken down into its constituent colors, becoming something we can perceive and interact with.
So, what does this all mean for us? Well, it suggests that true, unadulterated wisdom may be ultimately beyond our grasp. But reflections, echoes, filtered versions… these are what illuminate our path. It's in the process of receiving, understanding, and then passing on that we truly engage with the Divine wisdom, even if we can never fully contain it. Perhaps the journey toward wisdom is more important than the destination itself.