Infinite and Finite - Kabbalistic Cosmology

Autoplay Next

Infinite and Finite: Kabbalistic Cosmology

A kabbalistic answer to the age-old philosophical question, "How can a finite creation come into existence from an infinite Creator?" A basic introduction to the esoteric doctrines of "tzimtzum" and "hishtalshelut."

Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	Creation ex nihilo, Infinity, Hishtalshelut, Tzimtzum, Kabbalah

By Eli Brackman

Rabbi Eli Brackman and his wife Freidy (nee Loewenthal) are directors of the Oxford Chabad Society. He gained his Rabbinical Diploma (Semicha) at the Central Lubavitch Yeshiva, and is close to completing a postgraduate diploma which will qualify him to act as Dayan. He is also adept at Scribal art.

More in this section

21:40
Key Principles of the Kabbalah
6:20
The History of Kabbalah
44:17
Breaking the Barrier between Tradition and Modernity

Join the Discussion

Sort By:

NewestOldest

3 Comments

Hilda Zeigler Gales Ferry July 1, 2015

Infinite and finite Julie I am not qualified to answer your questions. Maybe there are no terms to describe the mystical experience you had because it is beyond words and it is an understanding that does not derive from the rational mind. I have experienced similar things and I have come to treasure them and believe that our own essence is part of that light that is concealed when occupying physical bodies. Reply

IamJoseph May 9, 2012

FINITE & INFINITE IS DEFINED ONLY IN TORAH VERSE. "I have not changed"

Infinite is that which is not subject to 'change'.
Finite is that which is subject to 'change'.
The definition is fully scientific with no alternatives or qualifications applying. Reply

Julie Durham, UK March 10, 2012

When I was giving birth to my first child, I entered into a spiritual space where a great pillar of light which had no beginning or end flowed. I entered into the pillar of light and met my son and knew him, his soul, his essence. Then the birth happened within minutes. I felt that if I were to enter that pillar of light at any other time I would have disintigrated into the light and become part of it. Only during the birth was this entering into the pillar possible. Please can you tell me what this was? What terms can I use to discribe it and come to understand it? Thank you Reply