{"id":136,"date":"2016-12-25T00:55:29","date_gmt":"2016-12-25T00:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/?p=136"},"modified":"2016-12-25T00:55:29","modified_gmt":"2016-12-25T00:55:29","slug":"daat-tevunot-115-48-middle-50","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/2016\/12\/25\/daat-tevunot-115-48-middle-50\/","title":{"rendered":"Da\u2019at Tevunot 1:15 (# 48 middle – 50)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Preview of Da\u2019at Tevunot<\/em> 1:15 (# 48 middle – 50)<\/p>\n

1.<\/p>\n

Despite the daunting reality of G-d\u2019s seeming absence in this world, bear in mind that His ultimate aim is to disclose His presence and sovereignty, and to make it clear that His having concealed it in the first place was a means to reveal it in the end 1<\/sup>. For, though His hiddenness allowed for the system of right and wrong 2<\/sup>, G-d will ultimately bring everything to a state of perfection 3 <\/sup>and shower all<\/em> with His beneficence 4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

And so eventually the whole murky system of right and wrong that G-d established here for the meanwhile will be undone, and all will be set right; for the 6,000 year-long period of spiritual trial and error will have played itself out, and G-d\u2019s presence will be manifest along with all the perfection that will follow in its wake. In fact, G-d is consequently always affecting, shifting, and arranging things and circumstances here and now to bring that day about, and every single day brings us closer to it 5<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

As the prophets affirmed, \u201cYou have (always) done great things \u2026 O L-rd my G-d. For Your wonders and Your thoughts are for (i.e., directed toward) us\u201d (Psalms 40:6), \u201cYou (G-d) have dealt wondrously; (You have conjured) devices (for the revelation of Your Yichud<\/em>) from long ago\u201d (Isaiah 25:1), and \u201cG-d \u2026 devises means so that anyone who is banished (as a consequence of his sins) will not be cast from Him (in the end)\u201d (2 Samuel 14:14).<\/p>\n

Understand though that the whole process — G-d\u2019s hiddenness and His eventual revelation — had to follow a measured course of action. For as Ramchal puts it, \u201cG-d certainly didn\u2019t want to adopt a system of right and wrong for a certain amount of time, then abandon it and set up another one in which His sovereignty would reign in one fell swoop, like someone who regretted what he\u2019d done (and seemed to have changed his mind)\u201d.<\/p>\n

Instead, G-d wanted to bring the change about from \u201cwithin\u201d in such a way that His sovereignty would simply evolve<\/em> out of the system of right and wrong we experience now. And then the experience of perfection and G-d\u2019s Yichud<\/em> would be revealed, and the two eras 6<\/sup> will stand in clear contradistinction to each other, as we\u2019ll see later on.<\/p>\n

3.<\/p>\n

The truth is that G-d interacts with us even now both ways at the same time<\/em>. As we all know, He now allows for reward and punishment 7<\/sup>, and thus judges and rules accordingly; yet at the same time He unobtrusively and covertly allows His inherent benevolence that will eventually lead to perfection to permeate the world as well 8<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Interestingly enough, G-d seems to allow Himself to be swayed by, or to even be subservient to our actions and ethics in the here and now, and to thus reward or punish in reaction to us<\/em> rather than His own penchants 9<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

But know that while G-d certainly judges our actions and responds to them measure for measure, and He has innumerable ways and agents to administer justice10<\/sup>, nevertheless He is still in actual fact bringing everything to the state of perfection 11<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to deny the fact that He still-and-all has purposely held back His sovereignty from the world, created us imperfect, and has us endure more darkness than light in a world of wrong and injustice. It\u2019s just that the fact remains that He will manifest His full benevolence and sovereignty in due course and will bring us to the state of perfection that is our destiny.\u00a0 For, the revelation of G-d\u2019s Yichud<\/em> is the truth that simmers beneath the surface of things that roils more and more resoundingly and comes closer and closer to the top 12<\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Footnotes:<\/p>\n

1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>That is, G-d purposely hid His presence, which then has us yearn for it, which makes its appearance the greatest favor He in His beneficence can grant us. As there\u2019s no greater gift than a need fulfilled; and there\u2019s no greater need than the one for G-d\u2019s manifest presence.<\/p>\n

See Clallim Rishonim<\/em> 6 for a discussion of the Kabbalistic themes underlying this chapter. In short, after G-d hid His presence as a consequence of the Tzimtzum<\/em> (see note 7 to 1:1, note 6 to 1:3) He left a mere \u201cTrace\u201d of His presence behind (see note 7 to 1:14). At a certain point He reintroduced a fuller stream of His presence termed the Kav<\/em> (or \u201cLine\u201d) which enables more and more of His presence to appear, so as to affect the perfection referred to in this chapter. The interplaying of the Kav<\/em> and Reshimu<\/em> is what\u2019s depicted here, and it\u2019s a central theme in Ramchal\u2019s thoughts. See his Assarah<\/em> Orot<\/em> 7.<\/p>\n

2\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>Within which some enjoy and deserve G-d’s favor and others don’t.<\/p>\n

3\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>See 6:6 below for discussion of the state of perfection.<\/p>\n

4\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sub>Let’s clarify this. We all see the need for reward and punishment in this world, given that there’s right and wrong which should be reacted to appropriately. But there simply won’t be a role for any of that once everyone is dazed and stunned by the stark reality of G-d’s presence and sovereignty: that reality will simply undo wrongdoing (and thus punishment). And that is what we’re heading toward .<\/p>\n

5\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>That’s to say that every seeming impediment, every “sideswipe” and “curve ball”, will prove to have been perfectly timed, fully appropriate, on-target, and imperative. For it will be found that absolutely nothing<\/em> was independent of the process of revelation, nothing irrelevant to it; everything said, thought, done, and planned was a part of it all, along with each nuance and shade-of-a-nuance. The underlying point is that the great redemption and revelation of G-d’s sovereignty is indeed on its way, whether we know it or not. Have faith, for the great mystery will be solved, and the knottiest of puzzles will be unraveled right before your eyes.<\/p>\n

6\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>I.e., \u201cbefore\u201d and \u201cafter\u201d the revelation of G-d\u2019s sovereignty.<\/p>\n

7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>Ramchal terms this His \u201cvalues-based rule\u201d (G-d\u2019s other means of interaction is termed His \u201cYichud<\/em>– and perfection-based rule\u201d as we\u2019ll see in the note 12 below).<\/p>\n

8\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>We could perhaps liken G-d’s Yichud<\/em>-mode to our autonomic nervous system and His values-based mode to our voluntary movements. The autonomic nervous system controls various vital bodily functions on its own and without our input, and sees to it that we thrive (sometimes even despite ourselves). Our voluntary movements, on the other hand, follow our dictates, right or wrong, and can either better or even undo us. In much the same way, it’s G-d’s Yichud<\/em>-mode that always sees to it that we thrive — more so, that we perfect ourselves; while His values-based mode allows us the freedom to better or harm ourselves.<\/p>\n

9\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>Ramchal remarks in the text here that this in fact explains statements that seem to deny G-d\u2019s sovereignty such as Psalms 68:35, Deuteronomy 32:18, (see Eicha<\/em> Rabbah<\/em> 1:33 about these two verses), Zachariah 3:9, and Jeremiah 50:20.<\/p>\n

His point seems to be that it\u2019s as if G-d wasn’t G-d at all so much as a servant to a higher force than Himself whom He’s to answer to, if you will — right and wrong. But the truth is that G-d does indeed work on two levels at the same time: He allows Himself to \u201cacquiesce\u201d to His own creation’s demands on the one hand, but He also sees to it that His own will is the last word, as the mode of acquiescence will eventually be undone and G-d’s sovereignty will indeed manifest itself — as soon as G-d decides it should.<\/p>\n

10\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>In fact, that goes far to explain the odd and surprising roles we find ourselves in from time to time as we act as G-d\u2019s agents for others, unbeknownst even to ourselves; and it also accounts for the utterly unexpected appearance of so many things in our life.<\/p>\n

11\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>Ramchal also remarks in the text that all of this explains the statements, \u201cI, G-d, do not change\u201d (Malachi 3:6) and \u201cI have never changed\u201d (Zohar 3:281a), which mean to say that even though G-d may seem to acquiesce to others\u2019 wishes now, nonetheless His native sovereignty will be apparent in the process of time.<\/p>\n

12\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/sup>The Neshama<\/em> asks the Sechel<\/em> at this point in the text to encapsulate his main points here. We\u2019ll present his words in this note rather than above to avoid redundancy.<\/p>\n

\u201cG-d manifests two traits in this world: a values-based rule and a Yichud<\/em>-and-perfection-based one. The values-based rule necessitates (the existence of both) right and wrong which all good and bad phenomena depend on, and it\u2019s rooted in G-d\u2019s hiddenness and (innate) benevolence, and in His concealed perfection.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Yichud<\/em>-and-perfection-based rule (on the other hand) is the trait that will (eventually) bring on the perfection of all created things (even when they don\u2019t deserve it) and is rooted in G-d\u2019s inherent benevolence. (The latter) functions regularly though clandestinely in the presence of the values-based rule so as to bring everything to perfection (in the end), and it\u2019s rooted in G-d\u2019s inherent pure benevolence. Despite its hiddenness it never fails to shine goodness upon us. (In short,) while His values-based rule is (now) manifest and outright, (G-d\u2019s full and perfect) sovereignty is hidden and concealed (though certainly with us all along).\u201d<\/p>\n

(c) 2016 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman<\/p>\n

Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org<\/a><\/p>\n

———————————————————-<\/p>\n

AT LONG LAST! Rabbi Feldman’s translation of Maimonides’ “Eight Chapters” is available here<\/a> at a discount.<\/p>\n

You can still purchase a copy of Rabbi Feldman’s translation of “The Gates of Repentance” here<\/a> at a discount as well.<\/p>\n

Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has also translated and commented upon “The Path of the Just” and “The Duties of the Heart” (Jason Aronson Publishers).<\/p>\n

Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled “Spiritual Excellence<\/a>\u201d and \u201cRamchal<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Preview of Da\u2019at Tevunot 1:15 (# 48 middle – 50) 1. Despite the daunting reality of G-d\u2019s seeming absence in this world, bear in mind that His ultimate aim is to disclose His presence and sovereignty, and to make it … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2,3,4,5,6,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-hashkapha","category-jewish-thought","category-kabbalah","category-luzzatto","category-ramchal","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7iqo7-2c","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=136"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139,"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/136\/revisions\/139"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rabbiyaakovfeldman.aishdas.org\/daattevunot\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}