Daily Tanya Friday, 3rd Teves: Chapter 6 Part 2 – How the Sitra Achra, and evil, is created and energized

3^rd Teves

• That which is not nullified does not receive its energy from internal holiness: Whatever is not nullified to G-d in actuality or potential, as stated above, and considers itself to be separate and independent from G-d, does not receive its vitality from G-d’s holiness in an internal manner, from G-d’s essence.

1. How the Sitra Achra, and evil, is created and energized:

• External side of holiness: Whatever is not nullified to G-d, as stated above, receives its vitality and energy from the external side of holiness.
• The contracted holiness which is responsible for creation of evil: The way this works is as follows: The holiness of G-d descends from one level to another through a myriad of levels in the chain descent of the worlds, and goes through many contractions as it descends until its light and energy is so minute that it is able to be invested in a form of exile within the aspects of evil which consider themselves separate from G-d. This exiled form of contracted holiness is then responsible for energizing and giving existence to evil so that it does not return to its state of nonexistence as it was before creation.

2. Why there is so much evil and tragic occurrences in this world:

• It is due to the above reason that this physical world is called the world of evil, [being that it is filled with entities that view themselves as independent from G-d, due to the contracted state of the holiness that is found within them which energizes them in a form of exile].
• Likewise, it is for this reason that the dealings of this physical world are filled with difficulty, evil and tragedy, and those who are wicked have power to govern.

3. Gloss-In truth, G-d fills even this world:

• Even this world contains the 10 Sefiros of Atzilus: Although on a conscious level, the G-dliness that is found within the creations of this world is in state of exile, in truth it contains within it the 10 Sefiros of the world of Asiyah, which in turn contains within it the 10 Sefiros of the world of Yetzirah, which in turn contains within it the 10 Sefiros of the world of Beriyah, which in turn contains within it the 10 Sefiros of the world of Atzilus.
• Even this world contains G-d’s infinite light: Now, within the Sefiros of Atzilus resides the infinite light of G-d. It is thus found that even this world is filled with the infinite glory of G-d, as His infinite light is invested within the 10 Sefiros of all the worlds.

4. The two levels of Kelipos-The completely evil Kelipos:

• The side of evil contains two different levels, one lower and more severe than the other.
• The lowest and most severe level of evil-Gimel Kelipos Hatmeios: The lowest and most severe form of evil consists of the three completely unclean and evil Kelipos which do not contain any goodness at all.
• These three evil aspects are mentioned in the prophecy of Ezekiel regarding his vision of the chariot of G-d.

5. What derives from the completely evil Kelipos:

• All of the following items are rooted in and derive from this lowest level of evil known as the three unclean Kelipos which contain absolutely no good in them:
  • Gentiles: The souls and bodies of all the idolatrous nations of the world.
  • Non-Kosher animal products: The souls and bodies of all the non-Kosher animals and living creatures which are forbidden to be eaten.
  • Non-Kosher vegetative products: The energy of all forbidden vegetation, such as Arla and Kileiy Hakerem.
  • 365 negative commands: The energy of all forbidden thought, speech, and action of the 365 negative commands and their offshoots.