We start off with a definition of terms and listing of some details. A Partzuf<\/i> comes about by a single light<\/b>, i.e., Sephira<\/i>, expanding outward and revealing all of its aspects as a single order<\/b> i.e., in human configuration, in which certain parts remain interior <\/b>aspects, i.e., the Mochin<\/i> (\u201cminds\u201d), others remain exterior<\/b>, i.e., the vessels, some <\/b>parts are high, and others are low. <\/b>Then we determine they\u2019re interconnected thusly: All of them are connected into a single order in order to be joined to one another and to be governed by one overarching <\/b>form of governance, each <\/b>part in accordance with its own function. There are 613 parts <\/b>to each Partzuf<\/i> all in all, each of which is then comprised of several smaller parts needed for its perfection <\/b>(Petach<\/i> 70).<\/b><\/p>\n
There\u2019s a discussion of anthropomorphism beginning with the statement that the arrangement of the lights<\/b>, i.e., the Sephirot<\/i>, of the Partzuf<\/i>, their interconnections and everything about them are just like the arrangement of the limbs and organs of a human body. <\/b>That\u2019s to say, everything that exists in man<\/b> i.e., when it comes to his organs, has a corresponding aspect in the lights in the Partzufim<\/i> above <\/b>(Petach<\/i> 71).<\/b><\/p>\n
And we learn that the anthropomorphism also touches on gender (and subtler-yet differences where that\u2019s concerned), as we\u2019re told that some of the Partzufim<\/i> are \u201cmale\u201d and others \u201cfemale\u201d. That is, some of them<\/b>, the \u201cmale\u201d ones, act as a conduit for Chessed<\/i> and others<\/b> i.e., the \u201cfemale\u201d ones, act as a conduit for Gevurah<\/i>. But when they conjoin, both forms of conduction combine and \u201cgive birth\u201d to the desired action, as there\u2019s nothing that isn\u2019t a combination of the two qualities of Chessed<\/i> and Gevurah<\/i>. Yet there are certain differences between the lights <\/b>of \u201cmale\u201d and \u201cfemale\u201d as well as real differences in their processes. But when it comes to differences in form, there are<\/i> real differences indeed, but only in the lights that are involved in the conduction process, namely the <\/b>two respective Yesod<\/i>s. Since they act as conduction agents, as all the different<\/b>, i.e., other, parts of the Partzuf<\/i> are drawn to them<\/b> i.e., the respective Yesod<\/i>s, in order to act as conduits in keeping with their own processes <\/b>(Petach<\/i> 72).<\/b><\/p>\n
Then we\u2019re instructed in the essential role played by gender in all this, given that perfection is <\/b>achieved with the conjugation of \u201cmale\u201d and \u201cfemale\u201d <\/b>aspects, and with the conduction of the <\/b>Divine flow through that conjugation. As such, when \u201cmale\u201d and \u201cfemale\u201d are close to each other, that indicates a level of perfection that requires no service on the part of the lower entities. And when they are further apart from each other, that indicates a need for<\/b> i.e., <\/b>or a lack of, perfection and for the need for service on the part of the lower entities <\/b>(Petach<\/i> 73).<\/b><\/p>\n
We’ll explore all of this, point by point.<\/p>\n
(c) 2014 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":" We start off with a definition of terms and listing of some details. A Partzuf comes about by a single light, i.e., Sephira, expanding outward and revealing all of its aspects as a single order i.e., in human configuration, in … Continue reading