Daily Tanya Thursday 20th Adar Chapter 35 Part 5: The Shechina surrounds every Jew upon doing Torah and Mitzvos

20^th Adar

3.      The essence of the animal soul still retains its evil characteristics:

• Despite the above, the core and essence of the animal soul which is in the heart still retains its bad character traits and is not incorporated within holiness.

4.      The evil of the animal soul does not prevent the Divine presence from resting on the body:

• This essential evil of the animal soul does not prevent the Divine presence from residing on the body, being that at the time of the fulfillment of the Mitzvah the animal soul is completely subjugated to holiness, being forced to answer Amen and agree with the fulfillment of the Mitzvah due to the G-dly soul that is in the mind which overcomes and controls the heart.
• The evil is in a state of sleep in exile: During the time that the person performs the Mitzvah, the essential evil of the animal soul is in a state of sleep and exile [as explained above in chapter 12], and hence this evil does not prevent the residence of the Divine presence upon the body of the person at this time.

5.      The order of how G-dliness is drawn to the body of the animal soul:

• The energy of the animal soul is incorporated in G-dliness: The energy of the G-dly soul which is invested within the fulfillment of the Mitzvah becomes completely incorporated in the light of G-d and becomes completely united with it.
• Encompassing ray surrounds the body: This then draws down an encompassing ray of G-dliness onto the animal soul that is found within the entire body, as well as onto the body itself, from his head to his toe.
• Resting on the head: On this it states that the Divine presence rests on the head of the person, emphasizing the term on [as opposed to within]. This is because the Divine revelation surrounds the person in an encompassing manner.
• Resting on the forum of 10 Jews: Likewise, it is due to this reason that it states the Divine presence resides on any group of 10 Jews, [as opposed to within]. [This is because the Divine revelation surrounds the Minyan in an encompassing manner.]

6.      Why this dwelling of G-d on man does not cause a change in G-d:

• Anytime the light of the Divine presence resides on an item, which is a revelation of the infinite light of G-d on a certain item, this is not considered a change or plurality within G-d, heaven forbid, and is similar to the sun which can shine through many windows simultaneously without it causing any change in the sun itself. This indeed is recorded in the Talmud regarding a certain heretic who questioned Rabbi Gamliel regarding how the Divine presence can rest on every quorum of 10 men, unless one concludes that there are many Divine presences. Rabbi Gamliel responded to him with the above parable of the light of the sun which enters through many windows, and those who are wise will understand.