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This series is a continuation and should be read in order. If you are not familiar with previous posts you may have trouble understanding later ones.
And now Chapter 14 Summary
At first glance it would appear that the reshimu (Impression) and the kav (Line) are complete opposites. The reshimu is completely self contained and seemingly negates the possibility of extension via the kav. However, in truth this is not the case, for the kav comes out from the reshimu and the reshimu is like a heyuli for the revelation of the kav. This is comparable to the relationship between a line and a point. Just like a line is made from a series of points and even though unlike a line a point itself is the opposite of an extension to any dimensions, yet this does not prevent the possibility of such an extension. This is because this self-contained nature of a point is only representative of its elemental nature, that it is like a basic building block that precedes any particular structure and, yet, from it specifically, all structures are made. The same is true with the simple matter of which everything is made. This simple matter has no form only because it precedes form, but not that it precludes its existence, for we see that everything is made from it and yet does possess form. This is the case with any type of heyuli, as with the examples previously given, such as the soul’s heyuli life force, the soul’s heyuli power of movement, the ground’s heyuli power of growth or the soul’s heyuli power of intellect. In all of these instances the essential heyuli power remains in its original infinite spiritual state even when a particular revelation extends from it. So we see that a heyuli’s lack of extension below does not negate the possibility of a particular revelation - just the opposite - it is particularly this quality of the heyuli that allows it to reveal infinitely, for its potential is not effected or lessened by its revelation.
The kav itself is described as a "short line" - this is because, though it may represent an emanation and extension relative to the reshimu this is still only a heyuli emanation including all of the particular emanations that can be brought out of the reshimu. The central accomplishment of the kav being that it establishes the existence of an "up" and "down" - a giver and receiver relationship. It allows for two levels to be compared and ordered so that one is higher than the other, creating a measurement, which puts everything in proportion. This is why the kav is referred to as the measuring rod. This is analogous to a builders measuring rod, which is not meant to be a particular measurement itself so much as a means of measuring any length desired. So that, the measuring rod is like a type of heyuli in relation to a buildings particular measurements of length, width and height. Similarly, a drawn line is like a heyuli form of which all other forms may be made. For, example the form of particular letters such as Beis c or N are formed out of the same line repeatedly placed in various arrangements.
Based on these analogies it is understood how the kav is still a heyuli emanation or issuance, possessing unlimited potential for particular issuances and revelations. In fact, the kav’s ability is rooted within the Essence of the Infinite Light as it precedes the tzimtzum (lessening) and the reshimu (impression) and the Kav/line it is, therefore, able to bring about any revelation - even the revelation of the entire Infinite Light hidden within the reshimu as It is essentially can be brought out by the Kav. This is why the kav is able to serve as the heyuli source for all of the issuances and revelations to the recipients, for it contains the infinite power for revelation inherent within the Infinite Light, only that in the kav this Light comes into revelation according to the level of the recipients. So, being that the recipients are limited, the revelation of the kav is likewise so, however, were the recipients to be infinite the revelation would again be on the infinite scale of the Infinite Light as it is essentially
Furthermore, the reason for the lessenning of the Infinite Light and the giving over a limited light to the recipients is not in order to hide it from the recipients but rather to prepare them for more and more light until they can receive the original Light
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The material in this series is copyrighted by Rabbi Yossi Markel