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The Holy Zohar says: “He is Shochen (lit. Dweller), and She is
Shechina (lit. Divinity). We should interpret its words: It is
known with regard to the Upper Light, that they say that there is no change,
as it is written, “I the Lord change not.” All the names and appellations
are only with respect to the Kelim, which is the will to receive
contained in Malchut, being the root of creation, and from there
it hangs down to this world, to the creatures.
All these discernments, beginning with Malchut, being the root of
the creation of the worlds through the creatures, is called
Shechina. The general correction is that the Upper Light will
shine in them in utter perfection, and the Light that shines in the
Kelim (lit. Vessels) is called Shochen, as it dwells
inside the Kelim. In other words, the entirety of the Kelim is
called Shechina.
The time before the Light shines in them in utter wholeness is called
“A Time of Correction”. This means that we make corrections
so that the Light will shine in them in wholeness. The state until then is
called “Divinity in Exile”.
It means that there is still no wholeness in the Upper Worlds. Below, in
this world, is a state where there should be an instillment of the Upper
Light within the will to receive. This correction is deemed
receiving in order to bestow.
Meanwhile, the will to receive is filled with ignoble and foolish things
that do not make a place where the glory of Heaven can be revealed. This
means that where the heart should be a Tabernacle for the Light of God, the
heart becomes a place of waste and filth. In other words, ignobility
captures the whole heart.
This is called “Divinity in Exile”. It means that it is lowered to the
ground, that each and every one loathes matters of sanctity, and there is
no desire whatsoever to raise it from the dust. Instead, ignoble things are
chosen, and this brings on the Affliction of Divinity, because she is not
given a place in the heart to be a Tabernacle for the Light of God.
Divinity in Exile
He is Shochen (lit. Dweller) and she is Shechina (lit.
Divinity). It is known, regarding the Upper Light, that it is written, “I
the Lord change not.” All the names and appellations relate only to the
receivers, namely the will to receive incorporated in Malchut,
which is the root of creation. It hangs down to this world, to the
creatures, and all these discernments, from the root of the creation of the
worlds through the creatures, is called Shechina.
The general correction is that the Upper Light will shine in them in utter
wholeness. At that time the Light is called Shochen, and the
Kelim are generally named Shechina. It means that the
Shochen dwells inside the Shechina, being the Light that
dwells inside the Kelim (lit. Vessels).
Hence, it turns out that the Kelim are generally called
Shechina. The time before the Light shines in them in utter
wholeness is called “Corrections”. In other words, we make corrections so
that the Light will shine in them in wholeness.
Until then, it is called “Divinity in Exile”, meaning that there is still
no wholeness in the Upper Worlds as well as below in this world, where
there should be the instillment of the Upper Light within the will to
receive. At that time the will to receive is filled with foolish and
ignoble things that do not bring the Glory of Heaven.
In other words, where the heart should be a Tabernacle for the Light of
God, it is a place of filth; and each and every one loathes matters that
belong to Kedusha (lit. Sanctity). They lower it to the ground and
there is no yearning and desire to raise it from the dust. Instead, they
choose the ignoble things. Thus, there is Affliction of Divinity in that
it is not given a place where the Upper Light might dwell.
Author: Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag
Translation: C. Ratz
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