Questions for today:
Yesterday we learned that in our source we are stronger, yet nullified – but our source, the Creator, is everywhere – so where can we ‘be’?
We are analyzing a complex foundation of Jewish faith. On the one hand, the world is real and multifaceted. At the same time, there is nothing besides a singular, undivided Creator.
We need to find an example of something that is complex from one angle, while humble and singular from another angle.
Think of an idea.
Where was that idea before you thought it? It existed within your brain, but it wasn’t detectable until you singled it ‘out’.
The Tanya uses the example of a ray of sunlight. Within its source, the sun, it contains its maximum energy. However, it's only distinctive as a ray when it leaves the sun. The ray certainly exists before it leaves the sun as sunlight, but before it leaves its source, it has no identity or definition.
While this example does paint a good image of something that both has, and does not have, an identity, it raises a tremendous question. Since the Creator is everywhere, then how can a complex world take shape?
Join us as we grapple with this huge question. The question is not whether there is a Creator; the question is how could there be a world?
170 08 Tanya Sivan 11 ~ m197 m10
Tanya book 2, Ch 3, Pt 2
To explain how there can be a complex world and at the same time nothing but the One Creator, we use an example.
Sunlight certainly exists before it is "Sunlight" - when it is in its source, the sun. But while there it has no identity or definition at all, there is only the source.
That same energy, formerly one with the sun, has distinction as a ray, when independent, outside the sun.
While this example does paint a good image of something that both has, and does not have, an identity, yet is does raise a question:
If the Creator (like the sun in the example) is everywhere, how can a world exist
Study today’s Tanya in full:
https://www.chabadmed.com/dailystudy/tanya.asp?tdate=6/11/2022
See today’s video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNIjzFppHZw&list=PLFZQPK6u-zSC7FvXJfcTF6vOd_JEAABrJ&index=8