But within Jewish mystical thought, particularly in works like Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, we find a fascinating perspective: that the very existence of evil ultimately serves to reveal God's oneness.
Think about it. The text suggests that His oneness, His absolute unity, isn’t just a static fact. It’s something that's actually revealed, unveiled, like a masterpiece slowly being uncovered. And this unveiling, this revelation, can only truly happen when evil itself is brought into the light, when it reverts back into good. It couldn't come about until evil was actually revealed in the lower realms.
Now, why is this revelation of oneness so important? Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah tells us it's because this revelation is profoundly precious. So precious, in fact, that when we, His creatures, attain it, we experience the greatest delight. It’s the ultimate reward, the culmination of our spiritual journey.
But there's a catch, isn’t there always? This revelation, initially concealed, provides a space for service. A place where we can actively work to reveal His oneness in the world. And when that oneness is finally attained, there's reward aplenty.
The beauty of this perspective is that it reframes evil not as an eternal, insurmountable force, but as a temporary phase. A necessary step in the process of revealing God's unity. As the Talmud (Eruvin 22a, commenting on Deut. 7:11) puts it, "‘Today to do them’ – and tomorrow to receive their reward.” Our service, our efforts to combat evil and bring light into the world, doesn't need to last forever.
Why? Because as soon as His oneness is revealed, there’s no further need for service. The revelation itself becomes the ultimate fulfillment. Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah emphasizes that this revelation of His unity is precisely the goodness that He wants to bestow upon us. It’s the delight of the souls.
So, the next time you grapple with the existence of evil, remember this teaching. Remember that within the deepest darkness lies the potential for the greatest revelation: the unveiling of God's oneness, a revelation so profound that it brings ultimate joy and fulfillment. Isn't that a comforting thought?