צמצם את עצמוThe Withdrawal

tzimtzumIn Gamatria ↗

To make room, the Infinite drew back from its own center.

Vital opens by asking why worlds exist at all. His answer: God's powers and names, such as Merciful or Lord, are complete only when acted out on created beings. He cites the Zohar (Pinchas, Bo). Before anything was made, one simple supernal light filled all reality, with no head, no end and no empty space. When the simple will arose to create, the Infinite (Ein Sof) withdrew itself from the exact middle point toward the sides. That left a vacant space, perfectly round, because the light was equal on every side. A gloss adds that this withdrawal uncovers the root of judgment.

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