Jewish mystical tradition, specifically the Kabbalah, grapples with this very question. And, believe me, it gets deep.
We find ourselves in the text Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, exploring the nature of primordial light. It's not just any light, but a light emanating from Eyn Sof, the Infinite One. Think of Eyn Sof as the ultimate source, beyond comprehension, beyond definition. It's from this unfathomable source that everything springs.
But here’s the twist: the light we perceive, the light that fills our world, isn’t the full, unadulterated light of Eyn Sof. According to Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, what we experience is a diminished version, a toned-down radiance. How did that happen?
The answer lies in the concept of Tzimtzum. Tzimtzum, a Hebrew word meaning "contraction" or "self-limitation," is a foundational idea in Lurianic Kabbalah. It describes how Eyn Sof, in order to create space for the universe, contracted within itself. Imagine an infinite ocean somehow making room for a tiny cup. That's Tzimtzum in a nutshell.
Now, before Tzimtzum, the way of boundaries and limitations was already held within Eyn Sof. However, Eyn Sof's limitless aspect caused the light to expand beyond all limits. When the aspect of limitlessness was removed, the light remained, but with reduced power. So, while the light originates from the very essence of Eyn Sof, the Tzimtzum reduced and limited its power. It’s like a dimmer switch on the divine light.
The text goes on to say that, in prophetic vision, this appears as a new light generated from the concealed Source. This new light is referred to as the light of the Reshimu. Reshimu, meaning "residue" or "trace," refers to the remnant left behind after the Tzimtzum. Think of it as the faint echo of the infinite light.
So, what does this all mean for us? It suggests that the light we see in the world, the beauty and goodness we experience, is both a reflection of the divine and a testament to the divine's self-limitation. It reminds us that even in a world of boundaries and constraints, there is still a spark of the infinite within everything. And perhaps, it encourages us to seek out that spark, to connect with the source from which all light originates.
Ultimately, pondering the nature of primordial light and the mystery of Tzimtzum invites us to contemplate the nature of creation, the divine will, and our own place within the grand cosmic tapestry. It’s a journey into the heart of Jewish mystical thought, a journey that can illuminate our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.