What Is Bittul?

Wow. You took us an incredible journey exploring bittul. Thank you Rabbi Tzvi Freeman.

Only good news.

May you continue to go from strength to strength. Reply

Wow this is incredibly written up. I just had one follow up question. Why is learning the Torah and doing mitzvot a way to connect to bittul. (understanding that the concept of bittul is that we are one with the Origin- Hashem.) Is Torah separate from God or is Torah actually God? I always thought the Torah is just a channel to reach God and spirituality.
Also does doing His will out of love and joy make a difference to how we make ourselves bittul? Reply

It is manifested when one's consciousness opens up to a continuous flow of Divine wisdom. Reply

Thank for you for a fascinating discussion. I'm reminded of Kant's attempt to grapple with the theme of essence versus existence in his terms noumenal versus the phenomenal.

An image that helps me: if you light a match, at the heart of the burning there is no visible light. Yet from that "dark" burning core (so bright it cannot be seen) and the flame then emerges and illuminates the room.

Or, a plant: the green leaves emerge out of the unseen metabolic darkness of the soil as the plant consumes organic matter. Do the leaves preexist in the soil? Yes and no, as potential energy, yes, as leaves we'd recognize? Of course not. Reply

Very good explanation about a complex concept, that can be very confusing indeed it’s easy to say “ look how buttel I am “ and call it true bittul Reply

Shalom Reb Tzvi: Yesterday I was asked if "nullification to G-D" is an appropriate translation for "bittul metziut lifnei Hashem." I replied that it is the literal translation, but (except for those people who reflexively translate it back to bittul metziut) it is not appropriate, especially in this decade of 'Cancel Culture.' Even before then, if you said to someone not among the initiated, "Mr. Ploni nullified himself," they would understand that he committed suicide, r'l.
But what in English does convey "bittul l'Hashem"? I had a wild idea, but I am not that comfortable with it yet. But I'll lay it out here for your (and your faithful readers') feedback. Yesterday I thought:
"Mind-meld with the Creator" (Thank you, Mr Spock). Today it occurred to me it is more like Mind-melt!
I welcome criticism, and of course, superior suggestions. I'm not so happy with mine because 'mind' in English doesn't denote brain-heart like it can in Hebrew. Reply

A very artistic and beautiful take
Thank You Reply

Bittul: So we don't really exist. We just think we exist. 1) The only thing that truly exists is haShem. 2) We only think we exist because haShem has chosen to hide Himself in order to give us the illusion of existence. 3) Thus, we are all just a part of haShem. (This is called entanglement in quantum mechanics). 4) The closer you get to haShem, the more you lose your individual identity (bittul). 5) This means that souls should not be able to exist outside the body, since the presence of haShem would be more obvious to them, so their degree of bittul would be greater. Reply

Bittiful - an example was given of hamburger having a drop of milk. But what if instead of milk it’s cheese. A slice of cheese. Will this apply. Reply

Dear Rabbi:
I have a question: do you think the manner in which G-d created living organism's is an example of real life Bittul? I believe that in nature, G-d created a "first draft" of each organism. Thereafter G-d modernized or morphed the original to create modified or new organisms. I believe G-d, not evolution, "built" all the creatures in their final form.
Please let me know.... Reply

I have been struggling with my place in this world as I get older. The kids are grown, but one still needs me because of some disabilities. I ponder what else should I be doing. This was a timely and very well thought out essay on our relationship to everything. The artwork was beautiful too, thank you for this, it's appreciated. Reply

How does one come out of a fractured universe into a harmonious one where one finds greatness within a greater whole? Reply

Amazing, this really clarified a lot on the topic.

I just need some clarification, in your article "man as verb" it seems the ideal is to totally not deal with yourself and just do want you need to, because it's not about you. but here it seems you are dealing with yourself just it's your ultimate self, so it only seems you are losing your identity but in reality it's my true reality. So the question is, is serving G-d about you or not? Reply

How do we know OR find what our mission is? I think my mission was to be a good wife for my Moshe Hillel. He is no longer here. HaShem called him back to where his neshuma came from. What’s next? I wish I could join him, but think I have some more work here. I am very sad. What’s next? Reply

Thank you Tzvi Freeman for sharing such deep Mysticism in such a relevant down to earth style!
I look forward to your articles!! Reply

Wow this is so incredibly written up. A long read but one in which each word led me jumping to the next… a magnificent job as usual! Thank you Rabbi Freeman! Reply

the article states:
'Or I can find my glorious place within the Infinite Light, my true context where I as a discrete, autonomous entity cease to exist. And there find eternal meaning and true greatness'
I don't understand there seems to be an internal contradiction, if you ceased to exist as an autonomous entity, then who exactly is finding eternal meaning and true greatness? Reply