Tzimtzum Tzimtzum Universal server Category="Hebrew words"Category="Jewish mysticism"In Jewish Mysticism, Tzimtzum (םוצמצ Hebrew: "contraction" or "constriction") refers to the notion in the Kabbalistic theory of creation that God "contracted" his infinite essence in order to allow for a "conceptual space" in which a Finite, independent world could exist. This contraction is known as the Tzimtzum. The function of the Tzimtzum was "to conceal from created beings the activating force within them, enabling them to exist as tangible entities, instead of being utterly nullified within their source" . The tzimtzum produced the required "vacated space" (chalal panui ללח יונפ, chalal ללח), devoid of direct awareness of God's presence.

In Rabbinic literature, God is often referred to as "Ha-Makom" (םוקמה lit. "the place", "the omnipresent") as the Tzimtzum resulted in the conceptual "space" in which the physical Universe and free will could exist. Further, olam - the Hebrew word for "world" or universe - is derived from the root word םלע meaning "concealment". This Etymology is complementary with the concept of Tzimtzum, in that the Physical universe conceals the Spiritual nature of creation.

It is understood that the concept of Tzimtzum contains a built-in Paradox, requiring that God be simultaneously transcendent and immanent.

In a well known articulation, Rabbi Nachman of Breslav discusses the inherent paradox as follows: "Only in the future will it be possible to understand the Tzimtzum that brought the 'Empty Space' into being, for we have to say of it two contradictory things... [1] the Empty Space came about through the Tzimtzum, where, as it were, He 'limited' His Godliness and contracted it from there, and it is as though in that place there is no Godliness... [2] the absolute truth is that Godliness must nevertheless be present there, for certainly nothing can exist without His giving it life." (Likkutei Moharan I, 64:1)

The paradox is deepened in that the Tzimtzum results in a simultaneous perception of the world being imperfect despite God's presence being everywhere. As a result, most Kabbalists see the Tzimtzum as a cosmic illusion. Furthermore, since man is an Olam katan, a "world in miniature", this same process of tzimtzum is said to be replicated within each person.

See also

External links and references