Jewish mysticism has a name for that "wall": it's the force of separation itself.

The ancient text, Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, delves into this very concept. It paints a picture of a force whose entire raison d'etre, its reason for being, is to create division. It's not some active, malevolent entity necessarily, but rather a principle, a cosmic function. Its nature is simple: to cause separation.

But why? What purpose could separation possibly serve? Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah explains that its function is to withhold. To keep the "active source of influence" from reaching those who are meant to receive it. Think of it like a dam holding back a river, preventing the life-giving waters from flowing freely.

This separation, this withholding, isn’t just a general phenomenon. It thwarts the "supernal lights" – those divine emanations, both in general and in their specific manifestations. It closes off their light, preventing them from illuminating our lives.

Now, this was especially true, the text emphasizes, "during the time when the judgment was unmitigated." What does that mean? Imagine a time when divine justice was absolute, unyielding, without the tempering influence of mercy. In such a time, the force of separation would have been at its peak, severely restricting the flow of divine influence. : Can there truly be a flow of influence, of connection, in a state of separation? Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah says no. It’s impossible. Separation, by its very nature, implies a withholding. If there's a wall, a barrier, the flow simply stops.

This idea, though abstract, has profound implications for how we understand the world and our place in it. It suggests that the challenges we face, the obstacles we encounter, aren't always random. They may be manifestations of this fundamental principle of separation, a cosmic force that seeks to limit the flow of goodness and connection in our lives.

So, what can we do about it? Perhaps the first step is simply recognizing its presence. Understanding that this force of separation exists, that it's a fundamental aspect of reality, allows us to approach our challenges with a different perspective. Instead of succumbing to frustration and despair, we can see our struggles as opportunities to overcome separation, to break down the walls that prevent us from receiving the divine influence that is always, ultimately, available to us.

And maybe, just maybe, by understanding the nature of separation, we can begin to cultivate connection, to bridge the divides that separate us from each other and from the divine source of all being.