Daily Tanya Shabbos 14th Nissan Chapter 40 Part 2: The reason Torah not Lishma is rejected from the upper worlds

14^th Nissan

1. The reason Torah not Lishma is rejected from the upper worlds:

• Although the Torah and Hashem are one, as He and His will are one, [nonetheless, its ability to enter the spiritual realms through one’s study is still affected by one’s level of intent and concentration]. The reason for this is because in truth the entire world is filled with G-d’s glory, and nonetheless we still find that there is a difference between the various worlds.
• This difference is not due to the G-dliness itself, but rather due to those who receive the G-dliness.

2. The differences between the various worlds:

• The difference between the various worlds is in two aspects.
• First-Greater revelation: The first aspect of difference is that the upper worlds receive an infinitely greater revelation of G-dliness than do the lower worlds.
• Second – Less concealment: The second aspect of difference is that the upper worlds receive the revelation without the many garments of concealment that filter the G-dliness given to the lower worlds.

3. This physical world is the lowest in both aspects:

• This physical world is the lowest world in both of the above aspects. First off, the Divine revelation that is within it is very contracted to the utmost extreme, and for this reason this world is course and physical. Furthermore, even this contracted revelation is concealed with many garments and screens to the point that the G-dly revelation is able to be invested within the Kelipas Noga.
• The purpose of this concealment: The purpose of the above extreme level of contraction and concealment is for the sake of enlivening all of the pure items of this world which come from Kelipas Noga. Amongst these items, is also the speaking soul which is in charge of giving life and vitality to man [i.e. the animal soul].

4. The contrast in concealment of G-d in words of vanity versus words of Torah:

• No concealment of G-d’s holiness from letters of Torah and prayer: Even though these letters of Torah prayer are holy, and the level of Kelipas Noga that is within the animal soul does not conceal or separate at all between it and this holiness, to cover or conceal the holiness of G-d that is invested within it, nevertheless, they cannot be elevated without concentration.
• The concealment within words of vanity: The above is in contrast to when a person speaks words of vanity in which case the holiness of G-d that is within the animal becomes concealed from these words.
• The concealment within the soul of animals: The same applies regarding the animal soul of all the other pure animals, that the G-dliness that is within it is in a state of concealment.
• How can G-d be concealed if He is everywhere: Although G-d is found everywhere and there is no place devoid of Him, nonetheless, He is referred to as the “Hidden of all hidden” and is hence referred to as a hidden G-d/Keil Mistater. Furthermore, not only is G-d Himself hidden, but even the Divine ray and energy which is diffused from G-d is concealed in many powerful garments and screens to the point that it is able to become invested and concealed within the Kelipa of Noga.
• Why G-d is not concealed in the words of Torah and prayer: The above is all in contrast to the holy letters of Torah and prayer in which on the contrary, the Kelipas Noga itself is transformed into good and becomes incorporated within the side of holiness, as explained above in chapter 37.

5. The reason Torah not Lishma is rejected from the upper worlds:

• Returning to our original point, we can now explain why when a person studies Torah or prays without concentration, it does not become elevated even though we just finished explaining how the holiness of G-d is not concealed at all from the letters of Torah and prayer.
• The reason for this is because the Divine ray that is found within the spoken letters of Torah and prayer is in a state of contraction to the ultimate degree being that these letters are being recited with a physical sound and voice. [Hence, since the physical words said by a person contain concealment of G-dliness, therefore even words of Torah and prayer cannot be elevated without proper concentration, even though they intrinsically do not contain any concealment of G-dliness.]