Jewish mystical tradition takes us on a journey into the very structure of reality to explore this question. We delve into the complex realms of the Partzufim (divine personas or faces) and the unfolding of creation itself.
Specifically, we're looking at a concept from the Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, which translates to "138 Openings of Wisdom." This text explores how the divine attributes of wisdom (Chochmah) and understanding (Binah) are built and interact.
Think of it like this: first there's Atik Yomin (the Ancient of Days), the most hidden and primordial aspect of the Divine. Then from Atik, flow other emanations. The text tells us that Abba (Father) and Imma (Mother), also called Israel Sabba (Venerable Old Man of Israel) and Tevunah (Understanding), are constructed. How? Chochmah and Binah – when they themselves become Partzufim – receive a kind of radiant energy.
Where does this energy come from? It flows from the Chessed (Kindnesses) and Gevurot (Strengths) of Atik. It's like a divine inheritance, a flow of grace and power that shapes the very essence of wisdom and understanding. Now, these Chessed and Gevurot aren't just floating out there; they emerge from the Yesod (Foundation) of Atik.
Imagine this Yesod extending down into the chest of Arich Anpin (the Long Visage or Patience), another key Partzuf. It’s a connection, a lifeline. The text describes Abba and Imma as being positioned against the chest of Arich Anpin, like clothing that extends down to the navel.
But here’s where it gets even more fascinating. It's through the power of those very Chessed and Gevurot of Atik that Abba and Imma divide further, into four distinct Partzufim. These are the first and second Israel Sabba and Tevunah. The specifics of this division? The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah promises to delve into that later (in "Opening 128").
Why is this important? Because according to the text, the ending of Yesod of Atik in the chest of Arich Anpin is a vital point in the developmental chain, a cosmic domino effect. It's because of this connection that Chochmah and Binah can divide into these four Partzufim, shaping the entire structure of the Partzufim themselves.
So, what does this all mean for us? Maybe it's this: Even the most profound wisdom, the deepest understanding, doesn't arise in a vacuum. It's built, layer upon layer, through connection and interaction. It's shaped by the flow of divine attributes, by the interplay of kindness and strength. And perhaps, just perhaps, it suggests that our own journey towards wisdom is also a process of building, connecting, and allowing ourselves to be shaped by the forces around us. Are we open to that flow?