G‑d is not just big—He is infinite.
If He were only big, then those things that are small would be further from Him, and those things that are big would be closer.
But to the Infinite, big and small, far and near are irrelevant terms.
Nothing is too small for His concern; no place is too far that He cannot be found there.
He is everywhere, and He is found wherever anyone will seek Him.
Infinite vs infinitive
Dear Tzvi
Love you but disagree with the application of the word infinite to HaShem.
A late comer to our vocabulary. And not in use in the time of our classic literature.
It seems to me the proper word to use is infinitive, one, unique not part of a series.
infinite refers to a number series or that which is measurable. HaShem is the one and only and has no measure in space or time which are worldly concepts and of his creation😏
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"Infinitive" is interesting. That seems an appropriate description of what the Tikunei Zohar means when it says that "You are one, but not numerically." As you say, not part of a series, but as absolute oneness.
Nevertheless, "Ein Sof," meaning "Without End" is certainly a part of our classic vocabulary, as it is used in classic works such as Sefer Yetzirah and the Zohar.
On the other hand, one of the deepest contributions of Hassidus to Kabbalah is the idea that G-d Himself ("Atzmuto yitbarech") is beyond, and unlimited by, being infinite. The Infinite Light, at its very core, is still only a manifestation of Him. He Himself is beyond infinite and finite, and therefore can harmonize the two.
This idea is explained at length in the second series of maamarim of 5666.
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Reply to Tzvi Freeman's response
Tô my earlier remark;
There is a difference between
infinite and "boundless" which is the proper term and certainly historically the earlier term consonant with Kabbalah and probably Tanya
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Great German-Jewish mathematician Georg Cantor identified the Absolute Infinite with God, and he considered his work on transfinite numbers to have been directly communicated to him by God, who had chosen Cantor to reveal them to the world. Reply
Again, a good insight. Two separate terms are used: Ein Sof and Bli Gvul. One means "without end," the other "without bound."
We have several articles on the site concerning "Infinite" and "Ein Sof." You might want to do a keyword search and look at some of those. This one is just a brief encapsulation.
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Infinite vs infinitive
Dear Tzvi,
Love the discussion this topic has stimulated. It is óbvious. That we are all students of the one and only even if we differ ever so slightly
Will certainly seek out the articles you mentioned
Keep up the good work
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One of the best teachings on this subject I ever received comes from a Hanukkah song.
"Eight is the number of infinity. One more than you know how to be."
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Infinate
G-D is not only infinite but omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, these three words help to sum up something about G-D is.
We are finite here on earth for a moment, we are but a vapor, we exist for only a small point in time. so as human if we can learn something it would be that G-D exists, G-D is love, we must learn to love one another and if G-D's exists in us then we upon our death have something in us that belongs to G-D for him to reclaim with our soul and spirit. Heaven.
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The Holographic us
Quantun Physics informs that particles are an illusion - nothing is separate - we are all 'entangled' in one gigantic hologram. When illuninated by a laser beam the object of focus is projected upon the illusionary stage of this world.
The holpgraphic principle demonstrates we are not individulal entities but are really extensions of some fundamental structure. Even if a part is extracted from hologram that part still contains all the inforamation from the entire hologram!
This provides the clue that G_d is in us and we are in Him and we are all part of each other and contain the other within us too. Our task is to regain our consciousness and sensation of our infintite connectedness - One Soul.
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Gd, Infinity and us FYI, infinity is a set of "numbers" all of which are large (some larger than others). Is the Gd the largest infinity, the smallest, or somewhere between (silly question)? As finite things, why does Gd bother with us at all (not so silly)? Conceptually, Gd may interact with many sets of finites; maybe we can be the favorite (at least on Shabbat)? Reply
Our soul is a part of infinite HaShem, mathematically, that means that our soul is infinite too!
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G-d is Infinite! G-d's love is indeed infinite! He is everywhere, and wherever you go, G-d will always be with you,and bless his people forever! Reply
Very Interesting Subject To address the comment about Spinoza. The difference between Spinoza's belief system and what the Rebbe addresses is the foundation of their assertations. It is obvious from Spinoza's writings that he is very busy defending his point of view and his right to say it. If it were the truth, "Why doest thou protest too much?" However the Rebbe, the Previous Rebbe, and the Alter Rebbe before them quite simply quote the Torah, the foundation of all truth, and Lurianic Kabbalistic literature, to prove that two of the names of G-d formed in the tetragramaton, Havayah and Elokim are both infinite in their scope and magnitued. As in the Tanya it says "He pervades all worlds equally." Also in the Tanya it says that which is commonly known needs no approbation. As an added note, I find it quite interesting that the tone of the discussions of the Rebbe's writing come on the very date in which we read in the parsha Shelach of Israel's less then enthusiastic reception of the news from the spies. Reply
For Simon
Spinoza was not condemned for saying G-d is infinite--this is a standard teaching of the Kabbalah, which was extremely popular at that time. Neither was he condemned (by Jews) for saying that G-d is everywhere. Such statements abound in mainstream Jewish literature of the period. The Christians may have had other issues, but the Jewish issue with Spinoza was not (principally) his theology, but his approach to the Biblical text. His particular form of pantheism was objectionable because it rendered G-d entirely impersonal, but then Gersonides' G-d is yet more so, and yes he has often been called all sorts of names--and yet his commentaries are still studied.
As for the excommunication--considering the reaction of the Christian church to Spinoza's heresies, the Jewish community had little choice but to disassociate themselves from him.
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Rabbi Tzvi, thank you so much for your thoughtful response. Reply
G-d is not just big -- He is infinite. What the difference between your statement about G-d (who is “not only big, but Infinite, and is everywhere”) and Spinoza point of view, which was condemned (and still is) by orthodox Judaism. Reply
Concept of G-d!
The concept of G-d is beyond human perception. G-d is great. Thanks for sharing!
Regards.
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Infinite Oneness Today's lesson reminded me of one I learned in law school about the limitations of secular, manmade laws. Our tax professor asked which investment was worth more: one that paid 5% interest in perpetuity or one that paid 10% in perpetuity. "Perpetuity" is a term used in law to mean "forever." The professor and the class agreed that the one paying 10% was more valuable because the returns were greater during a lifetime. I disgreed; they are equal. If both pay "in perpetuity," that is, forever, then both are equal. They have no endpoint, no point of termination, so any difference is eliminated. This is the nature of the infinite and so, the beginning of understanding. Man's finite perspective creates the illusion of differences. We are all one entity within G-d's Oneness of creation. I learned a real lesson about the limits of man's laws and man's ability to understand G-d. Reply
Good Morning, Richard [2010]
The Torah tells that in getting wisdom, get understanding. Acquiring knowledge is fruitless without comprehension [Proverbs 4:7]. Thank you for sharing this valuable wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
Best wishes,
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Our hearts are infinities...
Our hearts are infinities, we can not say how much love is inside of them, but we can love G-d forever and feel his eternal love.
His love is Infinity as the universe he has created. It is a reason why, "Wherever you go, G-d is with you"
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Infinite Pleasue Our broken connections result in our limited, transient pleasures in this corporeal world, our current state.
After we effort to correct our relationships with our yearning and His Help we will see a new world.
The final state for us is a single, interconnected system in which every part passes the abundance and joy perpetually. All receive and give in mutual reciprocity. Then we have a state of infinite joy flowing between between us forever.
We will experience Infinite abundance!