When we talk about God, about HaShem, the Name, we're talking about ultimate unity. But what does that even mean? The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, a profound work of Jewish thought, dives headfirst into this very question.
It starts with a deceptively simple statement: there is one Emanator, blessed be His Name, who is oneness and unity in all respects. Okay, got it. But the text doesn't let us off that easily. It immediately insists that if we accept this, we must also understand that His power is equally unified. Why? Because, logically, it's impossible for two independent powers to be in complete control simultaneously. There can only be one supreme will, one ultimate authority.
Think about it. If two wills were truly absolute, they could contradict each other. One might want to create rain, the other sunshine. Chaos would ensue. The very idea of an ordered universe hinges on the existence of a single, unified source of power.
Now, this doesn't mean that nothing else exists. We, the universe, all of creation—we're here! The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah makes it clear that acknowledging the existence of other beings doesn't diminish the power of the First Existent. He creates, and we exist only through Him. Our existence is contingent, dependent on that primary source.
But here's where it gets tricky. What if we argued that another absolute will exists alongside the Supreme Will? Even if we acknowledge that this other will is derived from the Supreme Will, that its existence isn't necessary in itself... would that be a problem?
According to the Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, the answer is a resounding yes! Even a derivative absolute will, a secondary supreme power, would negate the absolute power of the original. Because, again, two powers simply cannot both be in complete control. The text emphasizes this point: If we say that the first absolute power made another absolute power, neither the original power nor the new one are in complete control. It's a zero-sum game.
So, when we affirm that the First Emanator alone has power, it's inconceivable that there could be any other absolute power. The concept of absolute unity demands a single, undivided source. It’s a challenging idea, pushing us to really grapple with the implications of monotheism, the belief in one God. It's not just about counting to one; it's about understanding the fundamental nature of reality itself.
What does it mean for us, then, to live in a world seemingly full of competing wills, conflicting desires, and fragmented realities? Perhaps, it's a constant invitation to return to that central point of unity, to recognize the source from which all things flow, and to align our own wills with the One Will that governs all.