G-d Within

Before the Baal Shem Tov, people thought of G‑d as the One who directs all things from above and beyond. The Baal Shem Tov taught that the vital force of each thing, the place from which comes its personality, its sense of pain and pleasure, its growth and life—that itself is G‑d.

Not that this is all of G‑d. It is less than a glimmer of G‑d. Because G‑d is entirely beyond all such descriptions.

But that life force is G‑d as He is found within each creature He has made.

Tanya, part 2, chapter 1.

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4 Comments

Howard C. Wasserman May 22, 2017

Some further thoughts of mine on this: The very first and highest element of creation is Ohr Elohim, the light of G-d, that which came into being when G-d said (so to speak) "Let there be light". That infinite, holy light lies at the core of creation, underlying all the rest. It is the aspect of creation 'closest' to G-d, and it possibly corresponds to Keter, the highest sephira. But it is not itself G-d. And being within creation, and not being Adonai Himself, it can have "parts". Within each soul, a part of the Ohr Elohim might be the "spark of G-d" often referred to, and it would serve in each of us as entry way to Ein Sof. So, by turning our attention within and reaching that core of our mind, that portal, we may come to G-d. This "divine spark" within, is our internal doorway to G-d. It is not that an alleged part of Adonai lies within, but that a gateway to the Infinite One does! Reply

Brenda Toronto, Canada May 12, 2017

Spiritual Light Within

This tiny glimmer of G_d's Light is a given for all matter in our physical world. It is given to merely sustain the life of the person or matter. No effort is required from us for it's presence.

If we want to receive the higher lights to be able to understand the upper reality - then this requires much effort. Together a group of those aspiring to reveal spirituality need to rise above their egoistic inclinations, feel internal connection with their friends. Then gradually, step by step they will receive the higher levels of the Light in which G_dliness will be revealed. Reply

Howard C. Wasserman NY May 12, 2017

The paragraph "Not that this is all of G‑d. It is less than a glimmer of G‑d. Because G‑d is entirely beyond all such descriptions." concerns me a bit. It seems to me that 'the G-d within', i.e., that which is real in each of us and not just appearance or function, must be G-d entire. I say this because "Hashem echad," and so, G-d doesn't come in pieces. Just sayin'! :-) Reply

Hana September 19, 2014

right on! you know what! Thanks for that one... especially resonates...was waiting for someone on this side of the fence to say it that way (the other side is the consciousness movement)...I always felt so far from Hashem, that He is so beyond and I am nothing! But it has to be emphasized more to our generation that He is as well filling us all inside and that is where He is to be found too, not just out there! It makes me feel that I have a wellspring inside that will never dry out and that is so much more powerful in my life than my quirky personality and the tags of my yetzer hara...Keep up the good work! You are doing spreading the wellsprings in a grand way! Reply

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