Chapter II

Just as hishtalshelus exists in Sefiros, it is also found in the three worlds of Beriah (Creation), Yetzirah (Formation) and Asiyah (Action). These worlds too are comparable, and because of this similarity, the olul the created level comes seemingly as a matter of course from its creator, the ilah.

This will be better understood by considering the powers of intellect and emotion, which are called ilah and olul, respectively. Intellect is the ilah, the cause, and emotions are alulim, the conclusions or results. Emotions arise as a matter of course from the intellectual ilah. When the latter exists within a person's mind in a luminous fashion, i.e., with clarity and in an orderly manner, then almost as a matter of course the heart's emotions will be aroused and revealed, in consonance with the content of the intellect which bore them.

We find this to be so regarding matters both physical and spiritual.

Regarding physical matters: when one understands and is thoroughly convinced that something is truly good for him, he develops a desire for it, and in his heart will be born a feeling of love and attachment to the object of his affection.

So too with the comprehension of spiritual matters. For example, a person comprehends that G-dliness is the source of life for everyone and everything. He then proceeds to ponder this concept until he feels it with every fiber of his understanding. When he does so, his understanding of this spiritual matter G-dly wisdom will be as clear to him as his understanding of natural wisdom.

Human intellect can readily comprehend matters of natural wisdom, as well as concepts relating to business. This is because a person's business is close to his heart. He therefore comprehends such matters very clearly, entertaining no doubts about even the most minor detail. Since the matter is extremely close to him, he finds himself strongly drawn and attached to it.

When a person comprehends a spiritual concept with the same degree of comprehension as a physical matter, and is drawn and attached to it, his comprehension becomes palpable. There will be awakened within his heart a wonderfully warm emotional response.

Thus, both in matters material and spiritual, the ilah of intellect reveals and creates the olul of emotion.

The reason is as follows: Emotion is a result of the spreading forth and drawing down of the ilah of intellect so that it can create the olul of feelings. In other words, intellect must be diffused before it can fashion a consonant emotion. Only such diffused intellect, i.e., the external level of intellect, can create emotion, since the essence of intellect1 is so lofty that it has no connection to emotion, and thus cannot possibly serve as its ilah. Only from the external levels of intellect do emotions arise as a matter of course, since the two [the external level of intellect and emotion] are comparable.2

In summary: Hishtalshelus is also found in the Worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah. This is similar to the relationship between intellect and emotion, which are termed ilah, creator and cause, and olul, created and effect. The emotional olul automatically comes into being from the intellectual ilah. When a person studies and comprehends G-dly concepts, love and fear of G-d are awakened within him.