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Tanya As Divided for a Leap Year Tanya for 29 Tishrei
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Now, though [34] "G-d is one and His Name is one," i.e., [though] His speech and the "breath of His mouth," which in the sacred Zohar [35] is referred to as His Name, is singularly and uniquely one, nevertheless, the radiation and efflux of life- force which issues forth from His mouth, divides into four different levels. These are the Four Worlds - Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah. [36]The difference is due to [25] (many) contractions and screens that veil and obscure the light and the life-force, so that it will not radiate in the World of Beriah as much as in the World of Atzilut; and in the World of Yetzirah [the opaqueness is thick-ened] by means of further contractions and screens; and so on, [i.e., how much more so in the World of Asiyah].
Nevertheless, there is no change whatever, heaven forfend, in the essence of the Shechinah, which is the "word of G-d" and the "breath of His mouth."
Also, as regards the radiation and efflux of life-force [that issues from the "word of G-d]," the radiation which is in [the World of] Atzilut pierces the screen and vests itself in [the World of] Beriah. Likewise from [the World of] Beriah to [the World of] Yetzirah, and from [the World of] Yetzirah to [the World of] Asiyah.
Hence the [infinite] Ein Sof-light which is in [the World of] Atzilut is also present in [the World of] Asiyah, and [even] in this material world, by being invested in the [Sefirah of] Malchut of [the Worlds of] Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah, as fully explained in the writings of R. Isaac Luria, of blessed memory. [37]
Notes:
- (Back to text) Parenthesis in Original Text.
- (Back to text) Zechariah 14:9.
- (Back to text) See Tikkunei Zohar, Tikkun XXII (66b).
- (Back to text) In the original, the names of the Four Worlds (in descending order) are often telescoped into the acronym, pronounced ABiYA.
- (Back to text) See Etz Chayim, Shaar 42, sec. 4; et al.
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