can someone help explain Pnimiyus

ruth

Tue, May 23 2006, 10:17 pm

I would like further clarification and discussion on the Alter Rebbe's passage below by someone who has deeply studied chassidus.

The following d'var torah is for Parshas Truma .

I'm I correct in understanding the following: 1) that is the reason vessels, which are recepticles (something which [b]receives[/b]) are equated with Torah because Torah is a container of Hashem's communication with us, so to speak; and because Torah is an intellectual (thus inner experienc?) 2) Mitzvot are an "outter" expression of our connection to Hakodesh Barechu?

The Alter Rebbe
“And they shall make for Me a Mikdash and I will dwell within them.” Hashem’s Shechina dwells within the soul of every single Jew through the medium of involvement in Torah and mitzvos, which correspond to the vessels of the Mishkan and its curtains… The vessels of the Mishkan in general stand for pnimiyus (inwardness), alluding to Torah, which is the pnimiyus and “food” for the soul (as it is grasped by man’s intellect in an internal way). The curtains of the Mishkan, which are “makifim” (surrounding), allude to mitzvos, which surround and envelop the soul (I.e., by doing a mitzva, a garment is made for the soul).

Just as Hashem’s Shechina was drawn down through the vessels and curtains of the Mishkan, so too the Shechina in the personal Mishkan of every single Jews is drawn down through both the “vessels,” meaning Torah study, and “curtains,” the fulfillment of mitzvos.

(Torah Ohr)

I would like to further compare this with HaRav Soleviechick's take on Pnimiyus, which I can post later.

also: kavanah & Pnimiyut as a test of authenticity of experience.

Thanks

Motek

Wed, May 24 2006, 7:41 am

I've studied some Chasidus, don't know that it's that deep, but I'll try.

Quote:

1) that is the reason vessels, which are recepticles (something which receives) are equated with Torah because Torah is a container of Hashem's communication with us, so to speak

well, if by that you mean that Torah is the vehicle through which Hashem communicates His Will

Quote:

and because Torah is an intellectual (thus inner experienc?)

yes

Quote:

2) Mitzvot are an "outter" expression of our connection to Hakodesh Barechu?

mitzvos are done through action, the lowest of the three "garments of the soul" (which are thought, speech, action) so that Moshe Rabeinu and the simplest, most ignorant Jew, put on tefillin the same way and perform the identical mitzva (even though Moshe has lofty kavanos and understands the deep significance of a mitzva and of tefillin in particular)

Quote:

also: kavanah & Pnimiyut as a test of authenticity of experience.