That feeling, that endless process of sorting and discarding, might give us a tiny glimpse into a profound concept in Jewish mystical thought.
The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, a Kabbalistic text, uses a powerful analogy to describe the ongoing work of separating good from evil in the cosmos. Imagine existence as layered, one level emerging beneath the other. Each level, in turn, needs to be “repaired.” But what does that mean, "repaired"?
Well, each level is like a room that needs cleaning. In the process of creation, according to this idea, each realm contains the potential for both good and evil. The work of "repair," or Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">tikkun, involves sifting through everything, separating out the good, and rejecting the bad. But here's the kicker.
Each time a level is cleansed, the "root" of evil remains. It's not completely eradicated. Think of it as the stubborn stain that just won't come out, no matter how hard you scrub. And not only that, the residue – the "rejected" bits from the previous cleaning – gets mixed in with the new mess!
The text uses the image of a "grainpile." This isn't just some random pile of wheat; it's a symbol of the totality of existence, all mixed together. Each time, we take a little more, sifting out the good. The refuse, that which is rejected, gets thrown aside. But here’s the thing: it all remains part of the larger pile until everything is finally sorted.
So, what does this image of the grainpile and the layered cleansing process tell us? It suggests that the work of separating good from evil is not a one-time event. It's an ongoing, iterative process. We keep cleansing, keep sifting, keep striving to refine ourselves and the world around us. And, perhaps most importantly, it acknowledges that the potential for evil never truly disappears. It remains, a constant reminder of the work that still needs to be done.
It’s a somewhat daunting thought, isn't it? The idea that the struggle is perpetual, that the rejected bits of the past keep re-emerging. But maybe there's comfort in it, too. It means we're all in this together. We’re all part of the same grainpile, striving to sift, to cleanse, and to bring more light into the world. And even when we stumble, even when we find ourselves wrestling with the same old "stains," we can take solace in knowing that the process itself is what matters. The striving, the intention, the constant effort to separate the good from the bad – that's where the real work lies.