Chapter Two

The relationship between Israel and G-d through the medium of our religion is explained in the Zohar1 as follows:

Three are interlocked together: Israel, the Torah and the Holy One, blessed be He, and all are on different planes, one higher than the other, partly hidden, partly revealed.

The meaning of this saying is that the three-Israel, Torah and G-d-are linked together like a chain of three rings. The upper part of the bottom ring is held by the lower part of the middle ring, and the upper part of the middle ring is held by the lower part of the top ring.

In each of the three rings there is a hidden part, and a disclosed part. Similarly, there are apparent qualities and latent qualities in each of the three: Israel, the Torah and G-d.

Among the apparent qualities of Israel may be mentioned the intelligence and inherent character of the Jew, in the very nature of which he is distinguished from other peoples.

To the latent qualities of Israel belong the original and hidden intellect lying in the very depth of the soul, and the pure, simple and refined faith (alive at the bottom of the heart of every Jew), in the One and only Creator.

As to the Torah, the part that is apparent is to be found in the logical interpretation of all the subjects of the Torah, embracing not merely all interests of man, from his very birth until his last breath, even to the manner of his return to the earth whence he came, but also a full account of the Creation and the progress of the world.

The latent part of the Torah, on the other hand, lies in its Divine intellect, which differs essentially from the human intellect, and therefore cannot be fathomed.