Chapter One

The correspondent’s assumption that only G-d’s existence can be termed primary, needs elucidation. Certainly, pre-existence properly refers only to G-d All else is His production, either as emanations or as creatures.1 This pertains, however, only to the more profound implications of the absolute adjective, pre-existent. In general usage though, the adjective may have varying applications, e.g., Adam Kadmon2 [Primordial Man],3 or the expressions primary of all primaries 4and primary thought.5

Adjectives can be truly understood only in terms of their respective subjects. For example the adjective echod [one] is not constant in every context; it varies with its subject. “The L-rd is One,”6 is hardly synonymous with “one day.”7 “One day” means first day, “one” being an enumeration, followed by “second day”; “one G-d” means sole G-d, the absolute One, or yachid.

Why then is He spoken of as One (Echod) rather than Sole (Yachid)? Echod indicates the unity and oneness of all beings in their source, the Almighty. This is indicated in the very letters of the word echod: heaven and earth, which include all (spiritual and material) creation, are nullified before the Master of the Universe.8

Every adjective must similarly be examined for definition in accordance with its subject. Primary may thus refer to anything antecedent. If secondary subjects are in turn antecedent to tertiary subjects, the first may be called primary of primaries to indicate precedence to the next class, which is primary in terms of its successor, the third class.