The Journey: The Paradox
Before birth: in Olam HaEmet, everything is given freely, but the soul can neither build itself nor earn: this is the bread of shame (Zohar).
The descent: a world of lack, where one must earn. Without Torah: destruction; with Torah: life takes on its full meaning.
The Star of David: a finite (material) triangle and an infinite (spiritual) one. Joined by the Torah, they make enjoyment here infinite and eternal.
Final phase: becoming a giver, in the image of G-d.
In Olam HaEmet, the world of truth: everything is given freely, no lack, absolute perfection, no separation, no death, no difficulty.
But it is impossible to build oneself, impossible to earn. It is like a spoiled child who has everything: impossible to ask him to tidy his room.
Birth is a fall into lack. The soul leaves perfection. It enters a body that is constantly dying, it lacks everything, it desires what it sees. Two paths are possible.
Path 1: without Torah. “I want everything I see!” In every direction, without limit, without direction: I take, I take, I take. Life has no meaning. Result: destruction.
Path 2: with Torah. At first it is constraining: one must think (“I don’t like thinking!”), it is difficult. But when you master it, the Torah becomes natural, life takes on its full meaning, and you discover the paradox.
The Star of David is two triangles.
Triangle pointing down: the material world, finite. It begins wide and ends in a point. Youth: all the senses, eyes to see the world, ears for all the music, a nose for all the perfumes. Old age: glasses, deafness, lost teeth, a cane. The finite world narrows down to death.
Triangle pointing up: the spiritual world, infinite. It begins in a point and widens infinitely. The child: a tiny knowledge; the more he takes in, the fuller he is, the more he takes in. How far? An infinite world. The infinite world grows without limit.
If the infinite triangle (from above) is plugged into the finite triangle (from below), it makes enjoyment here infinite and eternal. This is the secret of the people of Israel. How are these two triangles joined? Through the Torah.
Final phase: parenthood. You create life, like G-d. You give without expecting anything in return, like G-d.
You give as G-d gives, you give life as G-d gives life. “In the image of G-d”: the lesson specifies, with Maimonides, that this means character traits, not a physical image. G-d gives and sustains the world; you too must give and sustain.
The finite world can bring infinite pleasure. By plugging the spiritual world (infinite) into the material world (finite), you turn your finite life into a source of infinite joy. This is the secret of the Star of David.
Did you follow the lesson?
Five questions on the sixth chapter.