Search Results for: Hishtalshelus

Roots, Sources, and Hishtalshelus

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There is a general principle regarding roots, sources and their place in existence. The lower something finds itself on the Hishtalshelus hierarchy, the higher its source before Hishtalshelus, that is, in Tohu and the like. For example: someone maybe the the student and another the teacher and although in our experience of things, the teacher is higher ranking, the student’s source is higher which is why the teacher gains more than the student. Another example is when Chassidus peaks about…

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Kesser/ Kotzo Shel Yud (the thorn on the yud)/ Hishtalshelus HaK’ssorim

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Kesser means “crown” and is defined as: 1. The initial revelation of light after the tzimtzum. This means, the initial point where we’re no longer in essence or core, but in expression or extraversion. It is the skull, or cranium (from the word crown) relative to the brain. 2.Kesser creates, so to speak, something from nothing. Kesser takes the initial expression which is beyond recognition and brings it into a recognizable state. Imagine your mind is blank cleared of all…

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Tikkun / Seder Hishtalshelus

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A characteristic of Tikkun, is Hishtalshelus. Hishtalshelus is related to the word, “shalsheles,” or “chain.” This refers to the process of organization, distribution and hierarchy of revelation of G-dly Light. The process of cause and effect; one spiritual rung leading into the lower and thereby becoming more and more limited and coarse (on the surface). When you see “Hishtalshelus,” think, “limitation,” “order,”“Tikkun,” “memale kol almin,” and the like.

Forgiveness

Is it ever too late to resolve personal differences? What would you do if someone had done something to hurt you and then asked for forgiveness? What if someone you care deeply about did something to you that hurt you? Would you forgive them? How many times?   This is Part One of the Rebbe’s ma’amer Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li, 5732 (1972). Find Part Two here. “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine,” the first letter of each word…

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Elul—Being Proactive

Have you ever experienced difficulty feeling inspired on the High Holidays? The entire month before Rosh HaShanah, Elul is traditionally known as the time to spiritually ready ourselves for the Days of Awe. In this ma’amer, the Rebbe sets forth a clear plan to develop a relationship with G-d during Elul, so we feel ready when the High Holidays come around.   Part one of five of the ma’amer Ani L’dodi, 5726 (1966) Part Two: He Doesn’t Wake You, He Waits…

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Why Daven?

Likkutei Torah: Parshas Chukas Vaya’as Moshe Part Three: Why Daven? וְזֶהוּ עִנְיָן הַתְּפִלָּה שֶׁבְּגוּף הָאָדָם בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶה,   What is the point of davening? As  a soul in a body? In this world? שֶׁהַנְשָׁמָה בְּתוֹךְ הַגוּף סוֹבֶלֶת צָרוֹת וִיסוּרִים, שֶׁרְצוֹנָה לִידָבֵק בְּיוֹצְרָהּ וְהַגוּף אֵינוֹ מַנִיחָה, In this world, the soul in the body goes through hardship and pain, when all she wants is to attach herself to her Maker and the body won’t let. וּכְמוֹ גָלוּת הַשְׁכִינָה שֶׁמוּכְרֶחֶת לַהַחֲיוֹת גַּם הַרְשָעִים, The soul is forced…

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We Daven to Transform Evil

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Likkutei Torah: Parshas Chukas VaYa’as Moshe: Part 2 We Daven to Transform Evil. What Is Evil? ,וְהִנֵה מְבוּאָר בְּזֹהַר The Zohar  tells us, מַאן דְלֹא מְהַפֵּךְ מְרִירוּ לְמִתְקָא, לֵית לֵיהּ חוּלְקָא בְּהַאי עַלְמַא כְּלוּם (עַיֵין בְּזֹהַר בְּרֵאשִׁית דַף ד’ עָמוּד א׳ וּבְּפִּירוּשׁ הַרַמַ”ז שָׁם “One who hasn’t transformed bitterness into sweetness has no portion in this world [the world to come].” כְּי זֶה כָּל הָאָדָם לֹא נִבְרא אֶלָא בִּשְׁבִיל זֶה, שֶׁהַרֵי בְּבַּית רִאשׁוֹן לֹא הָיוּ מִתְפַּלְלִין כְּלַל גַּם בְּבַּית שֵׁנִי…

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Y’hi Hashem Elokeinu Imonu: Part Two; The Possuk, Its Meaning, Hashem’s Relationship “With” Us

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Part Two:  Conceptual Background to Part Two: I. Elokeinu means, “our G-d.” In Chassidus, “Elokeinu” also is the type of relationship G-d has with us. He chooses to relate to the world as a king, i.e., Melech Ha’Olam (King of the universe), He chooses to relate to us as a father as well. As a general principle, in Chassidus, “Elokeinu” means “our strength and our vitality.” In Hebrew it’s “kocheinu v’chayuseinu,” which connotes our physical life itself, our energy, enthusiasm, life dedication, etc., as explained at…

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Z’eir Anpin (Z”a)

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Z’eir anpin literally means “small face,” and refers to the six emotions. That is, after the intellectual attributes: chochma, binah and da’as, there are six emotions until malchus. They are chessed (loving kindness), g’vura (severity, discipline, strength), tiferes (beauty, compassion, sensitivity), netzach (victory, perseverance) hod (glory, loyalty), and yesod (foundation, attraction). The first three or higher emotions (chagas) are pure emotions and are the motivators behind the second/lower three (nehi). The lower three are more concerned with practical application and…

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Shviras Hakeilim / Shattering of the Vessels / What’s With Physicality?

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Shviras HaKeilim, or the Shattering of the “Vessels,” refers to the shattering of the vessels of Tohu, chaos. Before the state of being we are in now, namely all of Hishtalshelus, there was (and because it transcends time, it still is) the world of chaos. In Tohu, everything exists in extremes; chessed exists as a polar opposite to g’vura and so forth. The issue with is they can’t exist at all. The reason is the “light,” or energy pumped into the “vessels”…

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