Q&A: Tzimtzum
Tzimtzum
Question
Hello and blessings,
I asked several times about tzimtzum and was also answered,
but I still did not merit to understand.
If the Rabbi has the strength, perhaps he can answer me this time as well.
The question is this: in your book I saw that you bring an answer to the question of tzimtzum, namely, that the world and God are two different dimensions, and therefore the world is not a contradiction to God.
My question is whether you think this idea also applies to human free choice—that is, the very possibility for a person to choose, which is seemingly the greatest tzimtzum of all.
Can one say there too that human choice and God are different dimensions? Because that sounds less understandable.
Because, granted, with the world—which is material—and God—which is spiritual—the idea is more understandable.
Assuming that this answer does not fit this issue, then another answer is needed—what is that answer?
I understood that you have another answer on this matter.
Does that other answer also address the question of tzimtzum in relation to the creation of the world?
And if so, then there is no need for his words?
Answer
I did not understand the implication regarding free choice. What do dimensions have to do with it? When you are talking about different objects, you can say that object A is three-dimensional and object B is two-dimensional, and therefore the presence of B does not contradict the existence of A in the same place. How does that relate to the question of free choice and God? If you want an answer to that question (unrelated to dimensions), see here on the site the series on knowledge and free choice (from column 299 to 303).
Discussion on Answer
Why is the fact that a person chooses a tzimtzum of the Holy One, blessed be He? Because God does not know what he will choose? And again I will say that there is no connection here at all to dimensions.
As I understand it, the very fact that a person chooses evil is a contraction of God’s power, even if He knows the possibilities.
The fact that there is a power that can act without operating instructions.
I see that the Rabbi keeps repeating that this has nothing to do with the theory of dimensions, and I do not understand.
And I will explain my words, because I understood that the world is material and God is spiritual, so that really is two dimensions that do not need to clash.
But human choice is truly a spiritual dimension—a small god that creates worlds.
Therefore I had difficulty understanding that what Rabbi Shem Tov Gefen says would answer this.
Thank you very much for the answer and for the great patience to answer every person.
Unfortunately, my patience has run out. You are using words without thinking about them. I explained that the issue of dimensions applies only to the relation between physical objects.
Forgive me, Your Honor, and I will try one more time.
My intention is exactly what the Rabbi wrote:
dimensions apply only to physical things.
And therefore this answer of dimensions does not answer the fact that man is a choosing being.
By way of analogy, let us say that if God were to create another god, you have no greater tzimtzum than that.
If so, it is difficult—what is the answer regarding this tzimtzum of the creation of man?
And more briefly:
assuming that angels have free choice,
does that count as a tzimtzum in God’s power?
Assuming it does,
then as the Rabbi wrote, the words of Rabbi Shem Tov Gefen do not resolve this.
Thank you very much,
but the columns the Rabbi is referring me to deal with the question of knowledge and free choice,
and that is not my question. Regarding the question there, I understood that the answer is that there is no knowledge.
But my question is that creating a choosing human being
is a tzimtzum of God.
And as I understand it, you cannot say about this that they are different dimensions, because a choosing being and God are the same kind of thing.