A.    What is the Or Ein Sof, and is it G-d Himself?

The essence of G-d is called the infinite One, Ein Sof, and is not the light of the Ein Sof which is known as Or Ein Sof, as mentioned in books. Light represents a revelation and illumination from the essence of G-d. This is similar to the difference between the body of the sun, which is known as the Maor or luminary, versus its light which is known as the Or. Hence, the Or Ein Sof is a ray that derives from the essence of G-d while the essence of G-d itself cannot be called at all by the term light.

Or Ein Sof cant be internalized: Now, since this ray derives from the essence of G-d it is therefore infinite and thereby it is not possible for the world’s to internalize it and it rather encompasses them in the form of Makif and Soveiv. If this ray were to be internalized by the world and its creations, then the world and his creations would simply cease to exist as they would become nullified in their very existence to this infinite light. However, a very contracted ray does shine from this infinite ray and then become internalized within the creations.

Why call it Or: Based on all the above it is understood why the Kabbalists coined the energy that comes from the essence of G-d as the light of the infinite One. Now, although there are many reasons behind this, one of the reasons are because just as light encompasses an item and does not penetrate it, so too infinite light of G-d does not penetrate the worlds and their creations, but simply encompasses them.