Jewish mystical tradition explores something similar about the very nature of the Divine.
We're diving into a concept from the Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, a text that unlocks "76 Chambers of Wisdom." It's a deep dive into the Kabbalah, and the passage we're looking at today deals with the "backpart" of Atik, also known as Atik Yomin ("Ancient of Days"), one of the most hidden and primordial aspects of God in Kabbalistic thought.
Now, hold on. Does God have a "back"? The text states that Atik has no actual "back." So, what’s going on?
Here’s where it gets interesting. The text immediately throws us a curveball: "Except that there is a face... Nevertheless, there is an aspect of 'back.'"
Think of it like this: imagine a human face. It looks outwards, engages, radiates. Now imagine the back of a person. It's turned away, less expressive, not directly engaging with the world.
That's the analogy the Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah uses. It says that the "backpart" is where the lights are darkened. And it can be understood by considering the human form. We have a face that's directed towards others, and a back that's turned away. The lights (divine emanations) also have an aspect through which they intentionally direct themselves, while other aspects are inferior to the "face" inasmuch as they lack this radiation and are subordinate to the main lights.
Viewing the face, one finds a strong radiation powerfully directed towards the spectator, while looking at the backpart is like standing behind a person’s shoulders.
In other words, some aspects of the Divine are more readily accessible, more outwardly directed. They shine brightly. These are the "face." Other aspects, though no less divine, are more hidden, less directly revealed. These are the "back." It's not that they are negative; it's that they are less immediately apparent.
It's a powerful image, isn’t it? It reminds us that there are depths to the Divine that we may not always perceive, aspects that are veiled, awaiting deeper understanding. It invites us to consider not just what is revealed, but also what remains hidden, and to find holiness in both.