Basic Concept in the Kabbalah
Only at this one point,that of the fire or Severity within God,is there any mention of an exterior outburst of power,Tokpa de-Dina.This is no doubt connected to characteristic Zoharic notions of the Godhead as an organism.In numerous passages and in the most divers images,evil is conceived of as a product of seperation and excretion,facilitating the maintenance of the organism in its original structure.The fire of divine severity melts and refines the power of judgment,known as the sacred gold;however,the dross is externalized,becoming the "shells" (kelippoth) in which the holy is either nonexistent,or present only as a spark,concealed and glowing within the dross.In the language of the Zohar,this is the Sitra Ahra,the "Other Side",which is the opposite of the holy and schemes to seize it and draw it over to its own side.Thus,both the nature and the origin of evil are explained in term of one unified view.The Other Side is the fire of divine severity,externalized and made independent,where it becomes an entire hierarchical system,a counterworld ruled by Satan.
Basic Concept in the Kabbalah
Only at this one point,that of the fire or Severity within God,is there any mention of an exterior outburst of power,Tokpa de-Dina.This is no doubt connected to characteristic Zoharic notions of the Godhead as an organism.In numerous passages and in the most divers images,evil is conceived of as a product of seperation and excretion,facilitating the maintenance of the organism in its original structure.The fire of divine severity melts and refines the power of judgment,known as the sacred gold;however,the dross is externalized,becoming the "shells" (kelippoth) in which the holy is either nonexistent,or present only as a spark,concealed and glowing within the dross.In the language of the Zohar,this is the Sitra Ahra,the "Other Side",which is the opposite of the holy and schemes to seize it and draw it over to its own side.Thus,both the nature and the origin of evil are explained in term of one unified view.The Other Side is the fire of divine severity,externalized and made independent,where it becomes an entire hierarchical system,a counterworld ruled by Satan.