Service of the Heart

Notes by the Rayatz of a response from his father the Rashab. Part of the response was published in Igros Kodesh Admur Rashab vol.3 p.53. The complete note was published in Bais Moshiach #92 – June 28 1996. The various references are in the Hebrew version and to them can be added Sefer Hamaamorim Adhaz vayikro bamidbor devorim p. 796 – 801.

The heart perceives the truth as it is, without any veil. This is because the essence of the soul is in the heart, (this is the concept of the center point of the heart).

To fully understand an intellectual concept, its essence must be felt in the heart, (this is the kabbalistic concept of knowledge which when enlightened by essence becomes beauty).

In Ecclesiastes (1:15) it states:

“My heart saw much wisdom”.

The Zohar (2:115b) comments on this:

“With the eye of the intellect in the heart, a person can see everything”.

This is precisely because of the fact that the heart feels the aspect that is being presented for comprehension. Then the knowledge of an aspect perceived from the intellect of the heart is on a much more elevated level than the knowledge of a concept perceived by the intellect alone.

It is also known that comprehension is called hearing, as it says (Job 12:11), “An ear discerns words, speak for your servant comprehends (hears).”

The difference between hearing and seeing is that, hearing is only the external or extension of a matter, while seeing is in the very essence of the matter. This is based upon a known rule that the essence does not subdivide.

Therefore it is impossible for the intellect or the comprehension to grasp the very essence of a matter. The intellect grasps details, and this can only be applied in the expression not in the essence that does not subdivide. Thus it states in Tikkunei Zohar, “No thought can grasp you”, thought is wisdom, and in the level of essence, wisdom has no grasp.

Seeing refers to seeing the essence of a matter. This is sight of intellect that is higher than comprehension. For example when a person hears from a friend about a beautiful painting or such like, and based upon what the person hears, a vision of the painting is formed in the persons mind, nonetheless the person has not seen the essence of the painting, yet with sight a person can see the essence of the painting. It could be that the person heard all the details of the painting and had a vivid picture in their mind, yet is more profoundly affected upon seeing the painting, even though, the seeing did not add any more details.

Why is a person more affected by the actual sight? It is because there is an added dimension, seeing the essence of the matter, an aspect that was not known by hearing the details alone.

Likewise it can be understood in intellectual matters, that there is seeing and hearing. Hearing is those details that are understood with reason. Seeing is the essence of the matter beyond details or the attitude of the soul in the essence of the matter. Thus it is written (Isaiah 40:20),”Raise your eyes above and see who created these”. This is the aspect of seeing and recognition in the power of the Creator and then it divides into detailed powers in the creation.

It is known that the soul divides into nefesh, ruah, neshomoh, chaya and yechidah. Nefesh, ruach and neshomoh whose origin is in Chochmah clothes itself internally within the person. Chaya and yechidah are beyond that and are called makifim.   

The essence of the soul that is beyond being divided into specific powers - sees essence; and that is what it says, ”My heart saw much wisdom”, with the eye of intellect in the heart he saw. That, which the heart sees, is feeling the essence beyond the comprehension of the details, (and it is possible that in the feeling of the heart in the essence of the matter, is included the movement to, and the bond with the matter). This comes from the power of the soul that is higher than being divided into details.

For this reason the heart feels matter which is concealed from the intellect, and that which will be in the future, because nothing is concealed to the essence of the soul. It knows something before it happens as if it has happened already and it is felt in the heart. Yet the action becomes manifest through the specific powers which divide.

It is felt specifically in the heart because the heart is the main general place of life. (That which the mind is the main place of the soul refers to the general shine of the soul, but the bond of the essence of the spirit of the soul is in the heart). The matter of life is beyond the intellect and therefore the emotions that are mainly beyond logic and reason reside in the heart.