Shevirat Ha-Kelim (Shattering of the Vessels)
- Following the act of Tzimtzum, the divine emanations, known as the Sefirot, began to flow into the empty space created by the contraction.
- However, the vessels (Kelim) that were meant to contain these divine energies were unable to withstand the intensity of the divine light.
- the vessels shattered, leading to a cosmic catastrophe known as the Shevirat Ha-Kelim, or the Breaking of the Vessels. This event symbolizes the fragmentation and disorder introduced into the world as a result of the imperfect vessels' inability to contain the divine light.
- The shattered vessels scattered sparks of divine light throughout the cosmos, creating a world imbued with both divine presence and brokenness. This condition forms the basis of human existence and the ongoing process of spiritual rectification (Tikkun).
- when God began to pour his Light into the vessels they were not strong enough to hold the power of God's Light and shattered (Shevirat)
- Tikkun, is the process of gathering together, and raising, the sparks of God's Light that were carried down with the shards of the shattered vessels.
The Soul
- Nefesh (basic life force)
- Ruach (spirit or breath)
- Neshamah (higher spiritual essence)
Fragmentation of the Soul
- the soul becomes fragmented or damaged as a result of the Shevirat Ha-Kelim, the shattering of the vessels during the process of creation.
- This fragmentation manifests as spiritual impurities, negative traits, and disconnection from the divine.
Tikkun Ha-Nefesh - Rectification of the Soul
- Through spiritual purification, moral development, and alignment with the divine.
- Repentance
- Atonement
Tikkun Olam - Repairing the World
- the restoration of harmony and balance to the universe as a whole.
Shevirat Ha-Kelim (Shattering of the Vessels):
Following the act of Tzimtzum, the divine emanations, known as the Sefirot, began to flow into the empty space created by the contraction. However, the vessels (Kelim) that were meant to contain these divine energies were unable to withstand the intensity of the divine light. As a result, the vessels shattered, leading to a cosmic catastrophe known as the Shevirat Ha-Kelim, or the Breaking of the Vessels. This event symbolizes the fragmentation and disorder introduced into the world as a result of the imperfect vessels' inability to contain the divine light. The shattered vessels scattered sparks of divine light throughout the cosmos, creating a world imbued with both divine presence and brokenness. This condition forms the basis of human existence and the ongoing process of spiritual rectification (Tikkun).
Arbre des séfirot - Tree of Sefirot / Life BnF Hébreu 865, Samuel Gallico. Le jus des Grenades (עסיס רמונים), 1582
"The matter is that the breaking of the vessels and the sin of Adam are one and the same matter—except that from the perspective of the existence of the worlds it is called “the breaking of the vessels,” while from the perspective of the souls it is what took place in the sin of Adam. And it is known that the breaking of the vessels ruled in eight kings: the “king of Da‘at (Knowledge)” and the seven lower sefirot (Ḥesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod, and Malkhut). In each king there are forty aspects—namely, the ten sefirot within each sefirah, in four aspects (Ḥokhmah, Binah, Tiferet, and Malkhut). Thus eight times forty equals 320 aspects. These are called the 320 sparks, which were “cast to every side” at the time of the breaking of the vessels. And the meaning of repentance (teshuvah) is that through the raising of MAN (mayin nukvin—a kabbalistic term for an “arousal from below”), we raise these sparks from the klipot (“husks/shells”) back to their place in Atzilut (the world of “Emanation”), as they were before the sin of Adam. However, we have no power to “clarify/sift out” (levarer) the Malkhuyot (the “kingdom” aspects) that are in these eight kings, because their damage is completely beyond our ability. Therefore, we are permitted to clarify only 288 sparks through our repentance—i.e., nine times thirty‑two. But the thirty‑two aspects of Malkhut among them are forbidden even to touch, and this is what is called “Lev HaEven”—the stony heart (“the 32/lev of stone”). Because of this, the upper three (GAR) of Abba ve‑Imma (Father and Mother—partzufim in Kabbalah) were concealed; these are called the “inner Abba and Imma.” For these thirty‑two sparks belong to them for the completion of their ten sefirot, and as long as they are missing them, they have no zivug (spiritual “coupling/union”). But after the clarification of all 288 sparks is completed, the above “stony heart” will be found to be clarified by itself, and it does not require our action. Then it will be said: “And I will remove the stony heart from your flesh” (Ezekiel 36). Then the inner Abba and Imma will attain their mochin (higher “mind/lights”), which will be at the end of correction (gmar ha‑tikkun). But before the end of correction, these “back aspects” (achoraim) of Abba and Imma cannot receive any correction through our repentance."