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Surrounded by Light
From Likutei Torah 38d;
selected and translated by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan  | | " Before the soul comes into the world... love and fear are limited by the amount of perception that the soul has..." | | |
Before the soul comes into the world, it is in a state
of "standing". It is thus written, "As G-d lives, before whom I stood" (Kings I
17:1). It is likewise written, "I will give you a place to walk among those who
are standing here" (Zachariah 3:7). It is only through the commandments that one
observes in this world that one can attain a state of motion and walking, and
the prophet was thus told, "I will give you a place to walk."
The concept of standing is that of, "[You shall love
the Lord your G-d...] with all your soul". (Deut. 6:5) In this state, love and
fear are limited by the amount of perception that the soul has, as well as by
its attachment to the Living G-d.
Angels are therefore said to be standing, as it is
written, "Serafim standing" (Isaiah 6:2). The reason for this is because
angels permanently stand on one level. Thus, for example, the archangel Michael
is always on the level of Love, while Gabriel is on the level of Fear. This love
and fear depend on their level of perception, this being the Light of the
Infinite that fills all universes. This light fills each universe according to
its level and status.
This is also the state of souls before they come to
the world. They are also said to be standing, since during this entire period
they constantly stand on one level, depending on their intrinsic level and
status in each world. In this state, they only have access [to the Light that]
"fills all worlds", each according to its particular status. | | " The physical world is a world of action where a person can change his nature..." | | |
The physical world is a world of action where a person
can change his nature from evil to good, and bring his heart from one extreme to
the other, "transforming darkness into light". On a physical plane, the world
(in Hebrew, "olam") hides and conceals (also in Hebrew, "olam")
G-d's light which fills all worlds, so that it is not revealed as it is on high.
Therefore, the Light of the Infinite which "surrounds all worlds" must rest upon
the soul, enveloping it from above...
The power of this enveloping light, derived from the
aspect where it "surrounds all worlds", is very great, and it can alter and even
reverse man's nature and essence on high. Through this, the soul can progress in
its perception and attachment to the Living G-d. It can transcend the state in
which it was originally created, which only included the aspect [of Light that]
"fills all worlds".
The concept of illumination that emanates from the
enveloping light, which is in a state that "surrounds all worlds", is called
"moving". It moves and progresses from one level to another, drawing the concept
of enveloping Light which depends on the observance of the Torah and
Commandments.
["The Chasidic Masters", Moznaim Press]
Visitor Comments: 3
Anonymous, 2/8/2008
Thanks for bringing this<Kenneth Kafoed, from U.S., Louisiana, New Orleans12/31/2007
This article is very accessiblMap Map, from Suomi, 9/11/2006
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