Igeres Hakodesh 17

24^th Elul

Charity as a Vessel for Infinite Divine Light

🌍 Awakening Compassion Below Awakens Mercy Above

When a person arouses within themselves the attribute of kindness and compassion toward those in need, this act of spiritual awakening below causes a corresponding awakening above. It draws down abundant mercy from the Source of Compassion, resulting in blessings both in this world (“the fruits”) and in the World to Come (“the principal”).

🍇 What Are “Fruits” and “Principal”?

The “fruits” refer to Divine influence that flows from the Source of Life, descending through the spiritual worlds until it becomes manifest in this physical world as children, health, and livelihood.
The “principal” refers to the eternal reward in the World to Come, as hinted in the verse “Your commandment is exceedingly broad”—interpreted here as referring specifically to the mitzvah of charity.

💎 Charity: A Divine Act

Charity is not just a human act—it is God’s own mitzvah. Just as God constantly sustains all worlds, so too will He do so in the future with even greater strength. The verse “They shall keep the way of God to do charity” teaches that charity is the path through which Divine light travels, like a road from city to city.

🌟 Charity Reveals Infinite Light

Charity reveals the light of the Infinite One—“Sovev Kol Almin,” the transcendent Divine light that surrounds all worlds. Through acts of charity and free kindness, this light will be revealed even in this physical world, especially in the future during the resurrection of the dead.

🕊️ The Future Revelation: Beyond All Limits

The revelation of Divine light in the resurrection will be from the level of “Sovev Kol Almin,” which is beyond all limitation, measure, or contraction. Unlike the light in Gan Eden, which is measured and filtered through spiritual levels, this future light will be boundless and direct.

🌳 Gan Eden: Measured Divine Insight

Currently, souls in Gan Eden experience Divine pleasure through understanding the secrets of Torah they studied in this world. This light is from the level of “Memale Kol Almin”—the immanent Divine light that fills all worlds through a process of contraction and descent.

🧠 Wisdom as the Root of All Worlds

The light in Gan Eden is rooted in Divine wisdom, called “Upper Eden,” which flows into all worlds. As the verse says, “You made them all with wisdom,” and “Wisdom gives life.” In Gan Eden, each soul receives revelation according to its spiritual capacity and Torah study.

🌅 Resurrection: A Higher Revelation

In contrast, the revelation during the resurrection will be from the level of “Sovev Kol Almin”—a light that is not enclosed or limited, but infinite and transcendent. This is explained in Tanya, Chapter 48, where it is clarified that “Sovev” does not mean circular or distant, but rather a light that is beyond being enclosed within creation.

🪙 Short Takeaway:

Giving charity doesn’t just help others—it opens the gates of infinite Divine mercy, bringing blessing now and eternal light in the future.