17th Sivan
1. The Unity of Havayah and Elokim
- Havayah which represents chesed and revelation, while Elokim which embodies gevurah and concealment, despite their opposing qualities, are unified in essence, forming a complete oneness.
- This mutual inclusion of attributes shows that Hashem and his attributes are One.
- Hence, these two Names are essentially one.
- Even the name Elokim, which obscures and restricts the light of the Divine life-force responsible for creation, embodies an attribute of chesed, similar to the Name Havayah.
2. Concealment does not affect G-d
- Elokim conceals the Divine light to create an illusion of independent existence for creation. However, in truth this concealment does not affect G-d, as He and His Name Elokim are one.
3. The Nullified Existence of Creation
- All creation is utterly nullified in relation to G-d, similar to how sunlight is nullified within the sun.
- The material world only appears to have independent existence due to the concealment by Elokim.
4. The Relationship of Body and Soul is not like Hashem and creation
- The soul provides life to the body, making the body secondary to the soul.
- Unlike the soul, which animates, G-d creates all existence ex nihilo, making all things nullified in relation to Him.
| Topic | Key Idea | Explanation |
| The Unity of Havayah and Elokim | Opposites unified | Havayah (chesed and revelation) and Elokim (gevurah and concealment), though opposite, are unified in essence and form complete oneness. |
| Hashem and attributes are One | Their mutual inclusion shows that Hashem and His attributes are completely unified. | |
| Names are essentially one | Despite their differences, the Names Havayah and Elokim are fundamentally one. | |
| Elokim as hidden chesed | Even Elokim, which conceals divine light, ultimately expresses chesed, similar to Havayah. | |
| Concealment Does Not Affect G-d | Illusion of independence | Elokim conceals divine light so creation appears independent. |
| No real change in G-d | This concealment does not affect G-d Himself, since He and the Name Elokim are one. | |
| The Nullified Existence of Creation | Creation is nullified | All existence is completely nullified relative to G-d, like sunlight within the sun. |
| Appearance vs. reality | The material world only appears independent due to the concealment through Elokim. | |
| Body and Soul vs. Hashem and Creation | Soul animates body | The soul gives life to the body, making the body secondary. |
| Creation ex nihilo | Unlike the soul-body relationship, G-d creates everything from nothing (ex nihilo). | |
| Complete dependence | Therefore, all existence is totally nullified in relation to G-d, far more than a body to a soul. |