Here\u2019s what he offers in this section (in Petach<\/i> 52) about the Shechina<\/i>, and it\u2019s a nuanced and complex vision. It\u2019s also a rather arcane one, so we\u2019ll need to explain it as we go along.<\/p>\n
He says that \u201c<\/b>the greatness of the Shechina<\/i> (the female aspect) <\/i>lies in its enabling the male (aspect) to achieve perfection\u201d. That\u2019s to say that the Shechina<\/i> has a specific and vitally important — albeit supportive — role in things, while Zeir Anpin<\/i> (the male aspect) has the main role, to be sure, but it\u2019s still and all dependent upon the Shechina<\/i> to achieve it [1].<\/p>\n
And he then makes the point there in explanation that \u201cthe mystical principle behind this is that Imma<\/i> only rests upon Zeir Anpin<\/i> when Nukveh<\/i> is with him.\u201d Let\u2019s explain that.<\/p>\n
Recall that Imma<\/i> is analogous to Binah<\/i>, Zeir Anpin <\/i>is analogous to Yesod<\/i>, and Nukveh<\/i> is analogous to Malchut<\/i>. But, what has Binah<\/i> to do with the Shechina<\/i>, you might ask? The Zohar speaks of two Shechina<\/i>s: an \u201cUpper Shechina<\/i>\u201d which is Binah<\/i>, and the more familiar \u201cLower Shechina<\/i>\u201d which is Malchut<\/i> (1, pp. 159b-160a). They\u2019re both \u201cShechinas<\/i>\u201d because both Binah<\/i> and Malchut<\/i> are female aspects, and (in keeping with our point) they both hold sway over realms lower than themselves (Binah <\/i>holds sway over the Sephirot<\/i> beneath her, and Malchut<\/i> holds sway over the lower worlds) yet both are subservient to realms higher than themselves. (Binah<\/i> is subservient to Keter<\/i> and Chochma<\/i>, and Malchut<\/i> is subservient to Yesod<\/i> especially as well as all the other Sephirot<\/i> above them).<\/p>\n
His point is that Malchut<\/i> only enables Yesod<\/i> to achieve its lofty goal when Malchut<\/i>\u2019s upper counterpart, Binah<\/i> or Imma<\/i>, plays an active role as well. Thus, Ramchal presents us here with multifarious Shechina<\/i> that\u2019s active yet passive, vital yet accessory, male- yet female-like aspects of the Shechina<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Note:<\/p>\n
[1]\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Also see Iggerot Pitchei Chochma v\u2019Da\u2019at<\/i> 44 and Adir Bamarom<\/i> p. 4 (at end).<\/p>\n
(c) 2013 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":" Here\u2019s what he offers in this section (in Petach 52) about the Shechina, and it\u2019s a nuanced and complex vision. It\u2019s also a rather arcane one, so we\u2019ll need to explain it as we go along. He says that \u201cthe … Continue reading