The ancient Kabbalists, those mystics who delved into the deepest secrets of the universe, felt that too. And they believed they knew how to fix it. The answer? Balance. But not just any balance – a very specific kind, described in a text called Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, "One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Openings of Wisdom."
This text lays out a proposition in two parts. The first part? The repair of the world, the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">tikkun olam we often hear about, hinges on a delicate equilibrium. It's a general statement, a foundational idea.
Think of it like this: a seesaw. If one side is too heavy, the whole thing is out of kilter. The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah calls this balance matkela (מתקלא), a term evoking the mystery of Male and Female – the divine masculine and feminine energies. This balance, this interplay, is what, according to the Kabbalists, brings about the tikkun, the repair of the worlds. It's not just about fixing what's broken; it's about restoring harmony to the cosmos.
The second part of the proposition offers further explanation. It's not enough for each individual element to be whole on its own. Everything – and everyone – must take each other into account during this process of repair.
Why? Because true order, according to this ancient wisdom, emerges from consensus. No single force, no single power, can act in isolation. Each must consider the needs and desires of the others. This reminds me of the Talmudic idea of Eilu v’Eilu Divrei Elohim Chayim—"These and these are the words of the living God." Even opposing viewpoints are part of the same Divine truth.
Imagine a complex machine. Each gear, each lever, has its own function. But if one gear is out of alignment, the whole machine grinds to a halt. Similarly, each element in the universe, each individual in society, has a role to play in the overall harmony. Each power has to look toward its fellow powers.
It’s not enough to just focus on our own needs. We also have to consider what others need to thrive, to contribute, to be part of the whole. We are even given what is necessary for the others in order to join with them!
This is a powerful message, isn’t it? A reminder that we are all interconnected, that our actions have consequences, and that true repair comes from a place of mutual understanding and support.
So, how can we bring this ancient wisdom into our own lives? How can we strive for balance, not just within ourselves, but in our relationships, our communities, and the world at large? Perhaps by asking ourselves, "What does the world need from me today?" And then, just as importantly, "What do I need from the world?"
Maybe, just maybe, by striving for that matkela, that divine balance, we can all play a part in repairing the world.