Daily Tanya Tuesday, 30th Kisleiv: Chapter 5 Part 1 – The Unique unity with G-d experienced during Torah study

Chapter 5: The Unique unity with G-d experienced during Torah study

1.       The term “grasp:”

• The following chapter will come to explain the wording of “grasp” used by Eliyahu regarding G-d, that no mind can grasp Him [as seemingly, the term grasp is used when referring to physical and tangible objects, and the term “comprehension” and the like seemingly would have been better to be used in this context.]

2.       The intellectual experience-The unity of the mind with a comprehended subject:

• Mind grasps and encompasses subject: When any intellect perceives and understands an intellectual subject, the mind grasps that subject and encompasses it, and the subject is grasped, encompassed and clothed within the mind that understood and perceived it.
• The subject grasps and encompasses the mind: In addition, at the time of intellectual comprehension and grasping of the subject by the mind, the mind and its intellect are enclothed within the subject.

3. The unity experienced with G-d when learning Torah

• The intellectual experience when studying Halacha: For example, when a person clearly and thoroughly comprehends a certain Halachah in the Mishnah or Gemara, his intellect grasps and encompasses that Halachah, and his intellect is also clothed within that Halacha at the time that he strives to understand it.
• The comprehended law is the will and wisdom of G-d: Now, this Halachah that the person has comprehended is the wisdom and will of G-d, as it is G-d who has willed and desired this law that he comprehended. The fact that the law may never have been manifested in this physical world due to never occurring before and due to not occurring in the future, does not take away from the fact that it is the will and wisdom of G-d.
• The unity with G-d experienced as a result-Grasping G-d and being grasped by Him: Accordingly, when a person comprehends this law from the Mishnah or Gemara he actually grasps and encompasses in his mind and intellect the will and wisdom of G-d. This is what is unique about Jewish law, as it is the only possible method for a creation to grasp the will and wisdom of G-d which is otherwise not attainable. Likewise, man’s intellect is also invested within this will and wisdom of G-d.
• An unprecedented form of unity: This form of unity is unprecedented in this physical world and there is nothing like it that can be found within the physical creations, for a matter to be one and united from every side and angle.