Chapter 1 - Part 3 Daas (Kesser)

Unlike Hokhma and Binah, the 3rd faculty, called Daas (also called Kesser - Crown - The Crown is referred to as the Upper Daas) is the faculty of concentration and is actually not in itself a faculty of intellect, but is rather more like an accessory to the intellect. The Daas is the concentration or focusing of the other faculties (Hokhma and Binah) that enables one to get the best use of those faculties. As always, we have an allegory for this one too. Professor A & Professor B are experts in metallurgy. They were taught in the same school, by the same teacher, got the same grades and (for the sake of this allegory working) are both exactly as smart and as talented as each other. The Dept. of Defense has contracted each of them to create a metal that would be stronger, lighter, and more flexible, etc. than any metal currently in existence. Professor A, who has been obsessed since childhood by anything military related, really gets into this project and focuses all of his efforts, intellect and capabilities into finding the formula for this new metal. So consumed is he by his new pet project, that at times he may work for hours on end, and may even forget to eat or sleep for extended periods of time. The only thing he can think of is this project and all his energy and his whole being is focused on it.

Professor B, on the other hand, doesn’t really care much for this project. He really wanted a project on biodegradable steel and only accepted this contract because at this point it’s all he was offered. He is not nearly as focused as Professor A and at times during his research; his mind wanders to other subjects (like his true lovechild, biodegradable steel). Now who do you think has a better chance of success with this project? Obviously Professor A! Now bear in mind that at the start they were holding in the same place, they knew the exact same amount of information, their Hokhma and Binah were equal. However Professor A had a more present Daas, and was therefore better able to focus his Hokhma and Binah and therefore get a much better end product. And it is this complete focus and concentration of the faculties that is called the power of concentration or Daas.

What is the root of Daas? What is the source of the powers of concentration? Passion! Let’s look at our allegory again. We know that Professor A has a higher level of concentration, as a result of which his intuitive and comprehensive faculties are better put to use and that because of this he is more likely to have a better end product. Why is his concentration so focused where professor B’s is not? Because, unlike professor B, Professor A has great PASSION for this project! So we see that the quality of concentration depends directly on the quantity of passion and, thus, passion is the root of concentration or Daas. Passion is of course the Inner Kesser (Crown) also called Taanug or Delight.

The external Kesser - Arich - is Will. The Daas which originates from Arich is concentration which is born of will power.

The internal Kesser - Attik - is Delight or Pleasure. The Daas which originates from Attik is Passion for the subject. One can see this kind of intense concentration born of Delight in little kids who are watching their favorite action hero cartoons.

It is of course obvious that the connection of Daas which comes from Attik is stronger than that which comes from Arich. It is also effortless and more permanent.