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

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20th 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.

Concept / Topic

Core Idea Explained

Essential nature of the animal soul

The inner essence of the animal soul, which resides in the heart, fundamentally retains its negative character traits and is not transformed into holiness, even when a person serves G‑d properly.

Subjugation versus transformation

Although the animal soul is not intrinsically refined, it can be fully subdued at the time of a Mitzvah. The G‑dly soul in the mind overpowers the heart, forcing the animal soul to consent and respond “Amen” to the act of holiness.

Evil as dormant during a Mitzvah

When a Mitzvah is being fulfilled, the essential evil of the animal soul is considered to be asleep and in exile. In this state, it is inactive and therefore unable to interfere with holiness.

Divine presence despite remaining evil

Because the animal soul’s evil is subdued and dormant during a Mitzvah, it does not prevent the Divine presence from resting upon the person’s body at that time.

Union of the G‑dly soul with G‑dliness

The spiritual energy of the G‑dly soul invested in the Mitzvah becomes completely united with the Divine light, achieving full incorporation into G‑dliness.

How G‑dliness reaches the body

This union draws down an encompassing ray of Divine light that surrounds both the animal soul and the physical body, extending from head to toe.

Encompassing rather than internal revelation

The Divine presence is described as resting on the person rather than within them, indicating that the revelation is surrounding and encompassing, not internally absorbed.

Divine presence and a group of ten

For the same reason, the Divine presence is said to rest on a quorum of ten Jews, as the revelation surrounds the group collectively rather than entering each individual internally.

No change in G‑d through revelation

The manifestation of Divine light upon people or groups does not imply change, division, or multiplicity in G‑d.

Analogy of the sun’s light

Just as the sun shines through many windows simultaneously without being altered, so too the Divine presence can rest in many places at once without any change in G‑d’s essence.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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