Derech Hashem

Chapter 2 – 02

Hashem designed this world with both chesronos and shelaimus, perfection and failings. The way Hashem designed it is, that any aspect of perfection that can be found in this world has its root in connecting to Hashem. Every aspect of failing in this world, of chisaron, is equivalent to it’s measure of being disconnected from Hashem, hester panim. Everything we see in the world as wonderous and perfect and amazing, both in a physical sense and a spiritual sense, is a reflection, or better, a branch of the totality of perfection of Hashem.

Think of it this way. In terms of a man-made structure, if we see a beautiful building, with awesome architecture, and are amazed by it, overcome with awe, it connects us to the building. The building has made an imprint upon us. In truth, the building isn’t a thing for itself, but it is an expression of the designer and the builders of the structure. Their ideas, their inspiration, their imagination and vision, are all incorporated into the beautiful work of art you are witnessing. You are connecting to them through their work. Now, if their work doesn’t represent anything in particular, then that connection won’t amount to much, other than you will feel a certain respect and awe for the designers. When you meet them, you will appreciate them, and feel connected in a limited way. But if their design has a deeper meaning, and connects you to something spiritual or emotional, you will feel a much deeper connection to them. That might happen when someone reads a book, which is a man-made creation, and it invokes powerful emotions in the reader – that reader will feel deeply connected to the author – because he has connected through a part of the author – his book.

This is just a superficial example to the world and Hashem. When we witness an amazing part of creation, we see a waterfall or an awe-inspiring mountain, we are witnessing Hashem’s creation. But it’s more than that. Hashem relates to us, He connects to us through His creation. He is actively creating, mechadesh bichol yom tuvo. It’s as if Hashem is broadcasting an image directly to you when you see that part of the world. The more we are inspired and understand what we are really looking at, the greater connection we form with Hashem. 

This is part of what the Ramchal means that every aspect of this world, every iota of perfection that exists, is a branch of the root perfection, the ultimate perfection, which is Hashem Himself. Connecting to it, appreciating it, is benefitting from Hashem’s shelaimus.

Every opportunity to connect to Hashem in this world is an aspect of Hashem’s lighting up this world. Every instance where a person chooses not to see Hashem’s hand, is a moment of hester panim, of chisaron. This takes us farther away from perfection. Every person is always between two choices. He can utilize the world around him to connect to Hashem, to move from the outward display of perfection closer to the true inner meaning of it, which is Hashem’s presence. Or he can choose to ignore Hashem’s presence, to attribute what he sees to chance, and thereby ‘turn off the light’ of creation, and by doing so, he is actively distancing himself from Hashem, and from his chance to achieve perfection, and enjoy the only good thing there is to enjoy in the world.