The Gate of Unity – Chapter 18

[1] As explained in the previous chapter, this Primal Desire (Ratzon Kadoom) is the desire and thought of the pleasure of the Self, before any particular desire for anything external to the self becomes revealed at all.  It is for this reason that it is called “the Primal Desire for the Self – Ratzon Kadoom L’Atzmo”.

[2] In other words, the desire to actualize (Malchut) the Primal Desire is the most final and innermost circle of desire of the ten sefirot of the Primal Desire.  This is the desire to actualize the pleasure of the Self.

[3] This was mentioned in previous chapters.  The general analogy for this is that the speech of the King, which is his most external level, becomes the inner motivation of his servants.

[4] This is to say that the last level (Malchut)of the Ratzon Kadoom-Primal Desire, which is the desire to actualize His pleasure, becomes the first and highest level (Keter)of Adam Kadmon-Primordial Man (which will soon be explained).

[5] The chaining down of the worlds (Seder Hishtalshelut) is a system which repeats itself, both in general and in particular.  For example, the ten sefirot of every world also subdivide into ten sefirot, which further subdivide into ten sefirot, ad infinitum.  This creates infinite worlds and realms, each different from the other, in that it is either more particular or more general.  Likewise, the chaining down of the worlds repeats itself, so that there are general worlds and particular worlds, which although are different, possess similarities and likenesses to the qualities they correspond to.  In the “General Worlds-Olamot D’Klalloot”, there is also a scheme of the four worlds; Atzilut-Emanation, Briyah-Creation, Yetzirah-Formation and Asiyah-Actualization. The Essence of the Infinite Light which radiates within the Kav-Line and Ratzon HaKadoom-the Primal Desire (which, as explained previously, is a “duplicate” of the Ratzon HaPashoot HaMoochlat BaAtzmoot-“The Simple Determined Desire of the Essence”) is compared to the world of Atzilut-Emanation, which is not yet considered to be a creation of “something from nothing”, but is, rather, an emanation of the Essential Light of G-d.  In contrast, Adam Kadmon-Primordial Man is considered to be the general world of Briyah-Creation, and is thus called “Man of Creation – Adam D’Briyah”, and corresponds to the garment of “thought” (as will later be explained).  This is because, as will be explained in this chapter, the existence of Adam Kadmon comes about as a creation of something out of nothing.  Atik Yomin and Arich Anpin which are the two aspects of Keter of Atzilut (as will be explained in later chapters) are called “Man of Formation-Adam D’Yetzirah”, which corresponds to the garment of “speech”.  Zeir Anpin and Nukvah of Atzilut (which also will be explained later) are called “Man of Actualization-Adam D’Asiyah”, and correspond to the garment of “action”.

[6] The term “desire for desire – Ratzon L’Ratzon” must be thoroughly comprehended in order to understand the rest of this chapter.  In order to understand the existence of the “desire for the desire”, let us return to the concept of the Primal Desire (Ratzon HaKadoom).  It was previously explained that the Primal Desire is like the primordial thought of the pleasure that He will derive at the end of Creation.  This was compared to one who has a desire for the pleasure in sitting as opposed to the desire for a chair, which is a particular desire which comes out later.  Or, another analogy of this is like when one desires to eat a particular food at a particular restaurant.  His original, most “primal” thought of this is not of the food itself, nor is he thinking of getting his keys and wallet and driving to the restaurant.  Rather, his first thought is of himself, deriving pleasure from this etc.  The last circle of his Ratzon HaKadoom-“Primal desire” is the desire to actualize (Malchut)his pleasure.  The ten general circles of the Primal Desire can be understood as follows: The first circle is the thought of the pleasure itself, the second circle is the thought of the pleasure of “Insight”-Chochmah, the third circle is the primal desire and thought of the pleasure of “Understanding”-Binah etc.  Now, what comes out of the last “circle” of the “Primal Desire”, which is the thought of the pleasure in actualization or communication (Malchut), is not yet a particular desire for something outside of himself.  Rather, once a person’s primal desire comes to the final primal desire to bring his pleasure into actuality, he formulates a “desire for a desire-Ratzon L’Ratzon”, which is a new desire based on how the primal desire will relate out, to others.  This secondary desire may be seen as “self-perception”.  This is how he perceives himself as being for the entire duration of his life span.  For instance, because of his primal desire for honor (Hod), he may perceive himself as being a very wise person.  This desire is “created”, so to speak, to facilitate the primal desire to be honored.  Now, this “self-perception”, likewise, is a general desire which encompasses many particular desires.  This is to say that because he perceives himself as a wise person, he has particular desires, such as the desire to study profound books on many important subjects.  He will want to be well versed in all the arts and sciences, as well as history, philosophy, law, great literature etc.  On the other hand, if he would be offered a pulp romance or a comic book to read, he would reject it with disdain, since it does not fit in with his self-perception.  Another example of this is a person who sees himself as a kind person.  This self-perception includes every kind act he will ever do.  Because he sees himself as kind, he will despise cruelty and callous behavior.  This is what is called a “desire for a desire”.  That is, it is the general desire for his entire life span, which includes every particular desire that will ever come out into actual revelation.  Similarly, Adam Kadmon is often referred to as the “seventy years” of lifespan.  This is because it is the self-perception, the general desire for the whole, which is the source of all of one’s particular desires.  However, although this “desire for a desire” is a creation of something from nothing and is therefore subject to being changed, this desire usually remains concealed, in one’s subconscious, as opposed to the actual specific desires for various particular things which actually become revealed, out of this “desire for a desire”.  For this reason, Adam Kadmon (the “desire for the desire”) is referred to as the “concealment of the ten sefirot of the world of Atzilut (the specific revealed desire).  The Rebbe will now explain this further, and He will explain how the “desire for the desire” is created as “something from nothing”.

[7] The Yechidah of the soul.

[8] That is to say, he will have a primal pleasure and desire in kindness (and a distaste in its opposite).

[9] In other words, this primal thought is for the pleasure that he will derive, and is not yet a thought of anything outside of the self, whatsoever.  An analogy to understand this can be seen from a newborn infant.  When a child is born, he does not yet know what food is, and when he cries, he is not actually crying for food.   Rather, he simply cries out of the pangs of hunger, and the desire and pleasure of being sated.  We see from this that the primal desire of the child has not yet become invested in any actual desire for the food itself, but rather, he only desires the pleasure of being sated (the equal opposite of which is the pain of hunger).

[10] In other words, when a person has a primal pleasure and desire for honor, his “self-perception” of what he thinks will bring him honor is an entirely new creation.  That is, how he will perceive himself to be or how he will relate to the world in order to achieve honor is like a new creation.   Now, in human beings, this is not really an entirely new creation, but is rather shaped by the outside influences of the world.  For example, if he lives in a society where money and riches are honored, he will form a self perception of himself as wealthy.  If he lives in a society where wisdom is honored, he will form a self perception of himself as wise, and have particular desires for wisdom etc.  If he moves to a different society where something else is respected, his self-perception may change to conform to that.  We see that the existence of this secondary desire is not truly intrinsic to the essence of his soul, but rather, it is an entirely new creation which is subject to change.  Now, the fact that below, in man, there is an “outside influence” which helps to form this self-perception does not effect the essential point that the self-perception itself does not have intrinsic value, but derives its existence only because the Primal Desire is invested within it and vitalizes it.  However, above, in relation to G-d, there are no “outside influences”.  Rather, the opposite is true. Because G-d desired to create the world to be something that has the appearance of being “outside” of Himself, He therefore created the “desire for a desire” for the world.

[11] This is to say that the existence of the particular desires is not intrinsic or essential, for if this was the case, they would be constantly desirable and pleasurable.

[12] In other words, since they are not intrinsic or essential, they obviously are created.

[13] It is the “desire for the desire”, the “self-perception”, from which the particular desires come forth into revelation.  As mentioned previously, one who perceives himself as “wise” will have particular desires for the study of particular fields of wisdom, while he will have no desire for “unwise” or “shallow” things, such as comic books.  This is true even though his Primal Desire may not be for wisdom at all, but rather for honor.

[14] In other words his “self perception” and ambitions do not always shine with the same strength.  This is because they are not intrinsic or essential, but are rather the result of constant creation, and are therefore subject to change and exchange.

[15] The literal translation here is “reaches”.

[16] In truth, all “desires for desires” (or self-perceptions, if you will,) are created by a “bribe”.  That is to say, they are created by the essential Primal Desires, which are the primal desires for his own pleasures and self interests.  It is the primal desire for the self which creates and animates one’s general self-perception and all his particular desires.  This, then, is the explanation of the statement that “a bribe reaches the essence of the soul, thereby constantly drawing forth a desire for a desire towards the briber”.  This is to say that the “bribe” is “what is in the self interest and pleasure of his Primal Desire” and therefore constantly brings forth a “desire for a desire” according to that.  The opposite is true of things that are not in his self interest or pleasure.  In such a case, a “desire for a desire” will be constantly drawn forth as well, but in opposition to the object of his displeasure.  We see from all of the above that the “desire for the desire” (or self-perception) is like a completely new creation which does not “exist” intrinsically, but must be constantly brought forth from the Essential Primal Desire.  (This is why Adam Kadmon, which is the “desire for the desire”, is called Adam D’Briyah-Man of Creation, because it, literally, is created from the “Nothing” of the Essential Light of the Kav-Line and of the Essential Primal Desire for Himself).

[17] The above example of how it is in a human being.

[18] In other words, the entire concept of Adam Kadmon is the “self-perception” and “desire for the desire” for the whole of Creation.  It includes, albeit in a concealed manner, every particular desire that will come out in the rest of Creation, from the beginning of creation, until the very end of creation at the end of the world of Asiyah-Actualization.

[19] The “desires for desires” of Adam Kadmon (Primordial Man).

[20] For example, one’s revealed desires are a revelation of how he perceives himself subconsciously.

[21] In other words, the source of the particular desire for a specific intellectual wisdom is in his “desire of the desire/self-perception” of himself as a wise person.  Likewise, the desire to do a particular kindness comes from his self-perception of himself as being a kind person.

[22] This actually refers to the Primal Desire-Ratzon HaKadoom, as mentioned previously (in chapter 17).

[23] In this particular way.

[24] In other words, the Primal Desire for the Self is essential and comes from the simple predetermined desire of His Essence, as it radiates within the light of the Kav-Line (which is drawn from the Light of the Essence, as explained before).

[25] In this paragraph the Rebbe brings out the difference between the analogy of the human being below, and G-d above.  That is, by a human being his “self-perception” and “desire for desire” is affected by outside influences. However, above, the “desire for desire” of Adam Kadmon is created according to how G-d, in His Essence, desired to create the world.  In regard to a human being below, he must formulate a “desire for a desire”, because there are obstructions to the immediate fulfillment of his Primal Desire for his Pleasure.  However, in regard to G-d, above, there is no such obstruction.  Rather, it is necessary to say that He created the “desire for the desire” because, in Essence, He desired that the world should be created in such a way, i.e. that there should be obstacles to overcome in fulfilling our essential desires.

[26] Refer to footnotes 2 & 6 of this chapter.

[27] In other words, the sefirot of Adam Kadmon are the “self-perception” for the entirety of Creation from which all particular revealed desires throughout Creation are drawn.  Now, in comparison to the revealed desire (the sefirot of Atzilut – Emanation), which is for the external “object” of the desire itself, the desires of Adam Kadmon are still for the Self, i.e. “self-perception”.  Nonetheless, the “self-perception” is the perception of how the self will relate outward, to the external world.  Therefore, in comparison to what is above it, the Primal Desire and Pleasure which is entirely for the self, it is considered to be a completely new creation, as explained above.  The concept of “the revelation of the concealment” will be explained in the next chapter.

[28] As explained above, the existence of the “self-perception” is not essential or intrinsic, but is subject to circumstances and social influences.  An analogy for this is like the difference between the desire to live and the desire to work and spend money in order to live and eat.  The difference in comparison between them is clearly understood.  The desire to eat and live is intrinsic, essential and constant in comparison to the desire to work.  The desire to work is only created by the desire to eat and live, and is entirely dependant upon this desire for its existence.

[29] The comparison to thought is that thoughts are fluid and constantly changing.  They are not essential and intrinsic but are rather created, by the desire, as “something” (the tangible) from “nothing” (the intangible).  This is likewise the relationship between the Primal Desire for the Self (Ratzon Kadoom L’Atzmo) and Adam Kadmon – the “self perception” or “desire for desire”.  (Moreover, it is specifically thought, which limits, defines and contains the desire, thus giving it form etc.  Likewise here, it is specifically the intellectual Sefirot of Adam Kadmon which define and create the “image” of the self, i.e. the self-perception etc. albeit, according to how G-d in Essence desires it.)

[30] In other words, it is the first intellectual sefirot of Adam Kadmon which give definition and limitations to the light of the desire, to create and form a self-image and self-perception.

[31] Jeremiah 26:3, 36:3

[32] This will be explained at great length in chapter 40.

[33] The “hidden thought” is to make a distinction between actual revealed intellectual thought, and the hidden “subconscious” thoughts of Adam Kadmon (as will be explained later in great detail).

[34] This refers to the Primal Desire (Ratzon Kadoom), as mentioned previously, in chapter seventeen.

[35] The analogy for this was given previously as the difference between the desire and pleasure to sit, (for the self) and the desire for a chair, (something external to the self).

[36] Because he knows what his self pleasure is, he also knows what the external desire for it is.  So, as in the above analogy, the person who desires to sit, also desires a chair, and will even know which type of chair will bring him the most pleasure, as well.  Nonetheless, the desire for the external chair is, thus far, totally concealed within the desire of the self, to sit.  Likewise, the Primal Desire and Thought is the Self Knowledge of G-d, of what His Essential Desire and Pleasure is. It includes everything that will come into revelation, albeit, as of yet it is totally concealed.

[37] See Rambam, Hilchot Yesodot HaTorah, Chapter 2, Halachah 9 and 10.