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Divine Intellect represents the most profound mystery in spiritual philosophy. When we try to grasp the nature of the Divine, we face our mind’s limits. How can we understand One who completely transcends all thought? Let’s explore how our wisdom concepts relate to the Creator’s true nature.

Human Wisdom vs. Divine Intellect – The Enormous Difference

For humans, wisdom stands at the pinnacle of our abilities. It guides thoughts, forms decisions, and directs actions. But Divine Intellect is something entirely different.

The Tanya makes a remarkable statement: “In relation to the Holy One, blessed be He, the level of wisdom—which in all created beings is the beginning of thought—is for Him the final stage of action.” This means that what we consider the height of intellectual capability compares to a simple physical action for the Creator. He transcends our conceptions to such an extent!

Consider this: the gap between human wisdom and Divine Intellect exceeds the gap between our physical actions and our highest thoughts.

Why We Cannot Say God is “Impossible to Comprehend”

Here’s an interesting thought: we cannot even say that Divine Intellect is “impossible to comprehend.” Why? Because the very concept of “comprehension” applies only to what belongs to the realm of intellect and wisdom.

The author of Tanya gives us a clear example. Saying we can’t comprehend Divine Intellect due to its depth is like saying we can’t touch a philosophical concept with our hands. This makes no sense. Touch applies only to physical objects, not to ideas.

Similarly, comprehension belongs to the realm of intellect, while the Divine infinitely transcends this realm.

The Paradox of Divine Intellect: Why Do We Call God Wise?

If Divine Intellect is beyond all definitions and categories, why then in prayers and sacred texts is He called “wise,” “merciful,” and attributed other human qualities?

The answer is both simple and profound: we call Him so because He is the source of these qualities. All attributes, including wisdom, mercy, and kindness, proceed and emanate from Him. When we say that God is wise, we mean that He is the source of wisdom, giving rise to all its manifestations in the world.

Divine Intellect and Contraction – How Infinity Manifests in the World

For the Creator’s infinite light to enter our limited world, Kabbalah describes a process called “tzimtzum” – divine contraction. Through several such contractions, God’s light decreases until it can clothe itself in the “vessels” of the ten sefirot. These divine attributes then enable creation and world governance.

Only after this contraction process can we apply Maimonides’ words: “He is the Knower, and He is the Knowledge, and He is the Known.” Before this, we cannot apply knowledge categories to God at all.

The Unity of the Creator and His Attributes – A Matter of Faith, Not Reason

The author of Tanya emphasizes a key truth: “He and His attributes are one.” His will, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge unite with His essence. Yet He still transcends them infinitely.

How does God unite with His attributes? This mystery escapes our reason. The Zohar calls divine attributes “Raza d’meheimanuta” – the secret of faith that goes beyond reason.

Approaching Divine Intellect: Humility and Wonder

When we grasp Divine Intellect’s incomprehensibility, we gain two insights. First, we develop humility – we see how limited our minds are before the Infinite. Second, we feel wonder before the Creator who far exceeds our understanding.

This doesn’t distance us from God. Instead, it inspires us to seek Him with greater diligence. We recognize that only through faith, which goes beyond reason, can we truly approach Divine Intellect.

This article is based on the ninth chapter of the book “Tanya – Part 2 – Shaar HaYichud VehaEmunah” by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, one of the greatest Hasidic thinkers and the founder of the Chabad movement.

Afterword: The text of this article has not been approved by any sage, Torah scholar, or rabbi and is merely a simplified adaptation of the sacred text for general understanding. For comprehension of true wisdom and a deeper understanding of the original text, you should refer to the sources.

This and all other article texts of the Mega-Charity.Org resource express only the personal opinions of the authors who compiled them. They are intended only for general and superficial understanding of the real sources of wisdom. References to which are provided.