The Structure of the Divine According to Ramchal

Jewish mysticism has something to say about that, especially when it comes to understanding the very structure of the Divine.

We're diving into a concept from Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, a text dealing with profound secrets of Kabbalah, about SAFE1 – the "Long Face" or "Vast Countenance," one of the primary configurations of the Divine in Kabbalistic thought. This isn't about faces in the literal sense, of course. It’s a way of describing aspects of God’s emanation into the world.

Now, imagine a cosmic being, Arich Anpin. The text talks about its "legs." But why legs? And why are they so important?

According to the Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, the legs of Arich Anpin were where the vessels were initially rooted during their descent. Think of these "vessels" as containers meant to hold the Divine light. But these vessels, for reasons we won't get into right now, were flawed.

The text emphasizes that there is nothing lower than the legs. Ouch. So, why were these flawed vessels rooted in such a "lowly" place? The text is blunt: because of their own lowly status! It’s a stark reminder that sometimes, our starting point reflects our own imperfections.

But here's where the story takes a hopeful turn.

The text goes on to say that afterwards, through a process called "the folding of the legs," these vessels became rooted in higher aspects of Arich Anpin: in Chessed (loving-kindness), Gevurah (strength/judgment), and Tiferet (beauty/harmony). These are three of the sefirot (divine attributes), and they represent a significant step up the cosmic ladder.

What does this "folding of the legs" actually mean? It's a complex Kabbalistic concept, but essentially, it represents a process of refinement and repair. Through this process, the vessels were elevated and became connected to these higher, more balanced attributes of the Divine. The Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah credits this concept to the teachings of the ARI, Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534-1572), a towering figure in Kabbalistic history, particularly as found in his work Etz Chayim, specifically in Shaar Zeir Anpin chapter 2.

The key takeaway? Even when we start in a "lowly" place, with imperfections and limitations, transformation is possible. Through effort, refinement, and perhaps even a bit of Divine grace, we can become rooted in higher, more harmonious aspects of ourselves.

So, next time you feel like you're starting from the bottom, remember the legs of Arich Anpin. Remember that even from the lowest point, there's always the potential for ascent, for repair, and for connection to something greater.

The legs were the part of Arich Anpin in which the vessels were rooted during the time of their descent. There is nothing lower than the legs, and during the time of their descent, the vessels were rooted only in such a lowly part because of their own lowly status.

Then afterwards (as a result of the folding of the legs) they also became rooted in Chessed-Gevurah-Tiferet as the extent of their repair increased. This was what was gained from the folding of the legs – that the vessels also became rooted in Chessed-Gevurah-Tiferet of Arich Anpin, as explained in the writings of the ARI (Etz Chayim, Shaar Zeir Anpin ch. 2).