And it suggests this government isn’t some monolithic entity, but a complex, multi-layered system.
The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, a Kabbalistic text whose title means something like "48 Doors of Wisdom," hints at just that. It speaks of a "governmental order" that flows down to us, to the "receivers," through key players – archetypal figures, really.
Think of Zeir and Nukva, often understood as the masculine and feminine aspects of the divine. Or Jacob and Leah, biblical figures embodying those same principles of balance and relationship. They’re the main Partzufim involved. Partzufim? Imagine them as divine personas or faces, each with its own role in the cosmic drama. They act as primary channels, directing the flow of influence.
But what about those forces that don't quite fit the direct line? The "diagonals," as the text calls them. These are the other radiations, the influences that come in at an angle, seemingly less direct. The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah makes it clear that these "diagonals" are subordinate, meaning they are of secondary importance and ultimately under the authority of the primary Partzufim.
Do they matter? Absolutely!
Even these tangential forces have consequences. They might not be in the spotlight, but they still play a role in how the "government" operates.
Why?
The text suggests there's a reason, "some particular reason," why these aspects emerge. They have a "unique function" to fulfill in the grand scheme of things. Perhaps they address imbalances, offer alternative perspectives, or handle specific tasks that the main channels aren't equipped for.
It’s like a company, really. You have your CEO and main leadership, but also departments working independently with their own specializations.
This idea, of a multi-faceted divine administration, invites us to consider the complexities of influence. Not everything comes directly from the top. Sometimes, change happens at the edges, through unexpected avenues. It suggests that everything, even the seemingly peripheral, has a purpose in the unfolding story of creation.
So, the next time you sense a shift, a subtle change in the atmosphere, consider the diagonals. Maybe, just maybe, you're witnessing the work of those unsung forces, quietly shaping the world from the sidelines.