## The Gate of Unity Chapter 18

###### The Gate of Unity 18:1
[The Gate of Unity 18:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:1)

והנה בחינת רצון הקדום לעצמו, כל מה שיהיה בהשתלשלות, שכלול מי' עד בחינת סוף מעשה שעלה ברצון קדום זה, שהוא בחינת אחרונה שבו

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Now, [regarding] the aspect of the Primal Desire to Himself, of everything that will be in the [whole] chaining down [of the worlds] (*Hishtalshelut*), it includes ten [*sefirot,* or “circles”] until the “end action” that arose in this Primal Desire, which is the last aspect within it.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:2
[The Gate of Unity 18:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:2)

הרי מבחינת מלכות שבעליון נעשה כתר לתחתון כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Now, the *Keter* of the lower [world] comes about from the aspect of *Malchut* of the upper [world].


###### The Gate of Unity 18:3
[The Gate of Unity 18:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:3)

והוא בחינת כתר דאדם קדמון, להיות ידוע דבחינת אדם קדמון נקרא אדם דבריאה דרך כללות, והוא בחינת המחשבה

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is the aspect of *Keter* of *Adam Kadmon* (Primordial Man). Moreover, as known, in [regard to] the general manner [of the chaining down of the worlds], the aspect of *Adam Kadmon* (Primordial Man) is called “*Adam D’Briyah*-Man of Creation,” which is the aspect of Thought (*Machshavah*).


###### The Gate of Unity 18:4
[The Gate of Unity 18:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:4)

ועתיק יומין ואריך אנפין דאצילות נקרא אדם דיצירה, וזעיר אנפין ונוקבא אדם דעשיה כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
*Atik Yomin* and *Arich Anpin* of [the world of] *Atzilut* (Emanation) are called “*Adam D’Yetzirah-*Man of Formation.” *Zeir Anpin* and *Nukvah* [of the world of *Atzilut*] are called “*Adam D’Asiyah*-Man of Action.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:5
[The Gate of Unity 18:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:5)

וכמו שהבריאה היא התהוות יש מאין ממש כידוע, כך גם בחינת כתר דאדם קדמון זה נקרא בריאה יש מאין האמיתי דאור אין סוף עצמו שבקו הנזכר לעיל הנקרא רצון קדום לעצמו כו'.

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Just as the [particular] world of *Briyah-*Creation is, literally, a creation of “something from nothing,” as known, so too, the aspect of *Keter* of *Adam Kadmon* is considered to be a creation of something from nothing. [This is to say that it is created] from the **true** “*Ein-*Nothing” of the Light of the Unlimited One Himself, which is in the aforementioned *Kav-*Line, which is called the Primal Desire to Himself (*Ratzon Kadoom L’Atzmo*).


###### The Gate of Unity 18:6
[The Gate of Unity 18:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:6)

וביאור הדברים ידוע, להיות מבואר למעלה דרצון קדום הנזכר לעיל הוא הנקרא מקור כל הרצונות

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Now, as known, the explanation for this is [as follows]: It was explained above that the aforementioned Primal Desire (*Ratzon Kadoom*) is called “the source of all desires.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:7
[The Gate of Unity 18:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:7)

שהוא בחינת רצון ההיולי להיות ממנו נמצא מקור לכל רצון לרצון

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
It is the aspect of the *Heyulie* desire, which is the source from which all “desires for desires” find [their existence].


###### The Gate of Unity 18:8
[The Gate of Unity 18:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:8)

ויובן זה על דרך דוגמא מבחינת יחידה שבנפש האדם, כשעצמיות חפץ חסד שבה, שבהתכללות בבחינת היולי כולל כל מה שעתיד לחפוץ ברצון של חסד פרטי כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This can be understood by way of analogy from the aspect of the *Yechidah* of the human soul. The essential *Heyulie* desire for kindness, which is included in it in an aspect of a *Heyulie,* includes every particular desire for kindness that he is destined to desire.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:9
[The Gate of Unity 18:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:9)

כאשר בא ונמשך בדרך פרט לדבר א' ויוצא מבחינת העצמיות להיות לו רצון עצמי הנעלם שהוא בחינת רצון קדום הנזכר לעיל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
When [this *Heulie* desire for kindness] comes to be drawn forth in a particular manner for a specific matter, it comes out of the aspect of the essence [of his soul] so that he will have an essential and concealed desire, which is the aspect of the aforementioned Primal Desire (*Ratzon Kadoom*).


###### The Gate of Unity 18:10
[The Gate of Unity 18:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:10)

אבל עדיין בלתי מלובש באותו הדבר כלל, רק שהרצון הוא לעצמו עדיין כנזכר לעיל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, [this Primal Desire] has not yet become invested within that thing [which he desires at all], but is rather still [completely] to himself, as mentioned previously.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:11
[The Gate of Unity 18:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:11)

אך כאשר מלובש ופועל רצון לרצון בדבר הפרטי הזה, כמו שמתלבש ופועל רצון לרצון בשכל ומחשבה בדבר פרט הזה, הרי התהוות זה הרצון שבשכל ומחשבה לדבר זה הוא כמו התהוות בריאה חדשה ממקורו

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, when [the Primal Desire] becomes invested [within] and affects a “desire for a desire” for this particular matter, such as becoming invested within the intellect and thought, to cause a “desire for a desire” for this particular thing, the existence of this desire for this thing within the intellect and thought is like an entirely new creation from its source.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:12
[The Gate of Unity 18:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:12)

והוא מפני שבחינת רצון קדום הנזכר לעיל הוא המקור להתהוות הרצון לרצון הזה שבשכל כו', ונקרא רצון לרצון זה בריאה

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is because the aforementioned aspect of the Primal Desire is the source for the creation of this “desire for the desire” of the intellect, and this “desire for the desire” is called a [new] creation.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:13
[The Gate of Unity 18:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:13)

שהרי אנו רואים שלא בכל העתים יהיה לאדם רצון לרצון פרטי, כמו הרצון במסחור או בלימוד

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
For, we observe that it is not at all times that a person has a desire for a specific desire, such as the desire for business or for study.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:14
[The Gate of Unity 18:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:14)

שבהכרח יש מקור המהווה לרצון זה הפרטי

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
It is [therefore] necessary [to state] that there is a source that creates this specific desire.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:15
[The Gate of Unity 18:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:15)

ונקרא רצון לרצון זה, וממילא מובן מאחר שלא בכל העתים נמשך הרצון לרצון זה, וגם לפעמים יאיר אור רב ותקיף ולפעמים יאיר במיעוט וחלישות כו', נמצא מוכרח שגם המקור העושה ומהוה לרצון זה, הנקרא רצון לרצון, הוא גם כן בא בבחינת התהוות יש מאין

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
[This source] is called “the desire for this [specific] desire.” It automatically [follows] and is understood, that since the desire for this [specific] desire is not drawn forth at all times, and furthermore, at times it will radiate with great strength and light, while at other times it will radiate in a diminished and weak [fashion], therefore, it must be said that even the source which makes and brings about this [specific] desire, which is called the “**desire** for the desire,” also comes about in an aspect of “something” coming into being from “nothing.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:16
[The Gate of Unity 18:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:16)

כמו השוחד, שיעשה רצון לרצון ושכל לזכות תמיד

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is comparable to a bribe, which brings about a constant “desire for a desire” to merit [the briber].


###### The Gate of Unity 18:17
[The Gate of Unity 18:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:17)

מפני שהשוחד מגיע בעצמות נפשו, שמחמתו יומשך תמיד התהוות רצון לרצון של חסד וזכות

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is because the bribe touches the essence of his soul. Because of this, it is constantly drawn out, bringing into being a “desire for a desire” of kindness and merit [towards the briber].


###### The Gate of Unity 18:18
[The Gate of Unity 18:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:18)

ולהיפך לשונאו יתהווה תמיד רצון לרצון של דין כו' וכהאי גוונא ודי למבין.

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The opposite [is true] in regard to his enemy. A constant “desire for a desire” of judgment will be brought about [towards him], and the like. This will suffice for those of understanding.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:19
[The Gate of Unity 18:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:19)

וידוע דכל רצון גלוי כלול מי'. אם כן גם הרצון לרצון זה כלול מי'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Now, as known, every revealed desire includes ten [*sefirot*]. This being the case, this “desire for the desire” also includes ten [*sefirot* within it].


###### The Gate of Unity 18:20
[The Gate of Unity 18:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:20)

ויש י' כחות, ממילא יש י' מיני רצון לרצון, שמתהווים כולם בבחינת יש מאין כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Moreover, [being that] there are ten powers, it automatically follows that there are ten types of “desire for desire,” all of which come into being in an aspect of “something” from “nothing.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:21
[The Gate of Unity 18:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:21)

וכל זה דוגמא להבין בבחינת עשר ספירות דאדם קדמון, שכללותם ענין רצון לרצון לבד

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
All this is an example, in order to understand the aspect of the ten *sefirot* of *Adam Kadmon* (Primordial Man), which is entirely just the matter of “a desire for a desire.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:22
[The Gate of Unity 18:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:22)

שהרי הן בחינת ההעלם דעשר ספירות דאצילות שבגלוי כידוע

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is because they are the aspect of the concealment of the ten *sefirot* of [the world of] *Atzilut* (Emanation) [whereas the ten *sefirot* of *Atzilut*] are revealed [desires], as known.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:23
[The Gate of Unity 18:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:23)

וכמו כתר דחכמה דאצילות שהוא הרצון שבשכל כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
For example, *Keter* (desire) of *Chochmah* (insight) of *Atzilut* is the desire for intellect.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:24
[The Gate of Unity 18:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:24)

שרשו בכתר שבחכמה דאדם קדמון שנקרא רצון לרצון זה

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Its source is in *Keter* (desire) of *Chochmah* (wisdom) of *Adam Kadmon*, which is called “the [hidden] desire for this [revealed] desire.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:25
[The Gate of Unity 18:25](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:25)

וכן כתר שבחסד דאצילות מכתר שבחסד דאדם קדמון כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Likewise, [the revealed] *Keter* (desire) of *Chessed* (kindness) of *Atzilut* comes from [the concealed] *Keter* (desire) of *Chessed* (kindness) of *Adam Kadmon* etc.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:26
[The Gate of Unity 18:26](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:26)

ואמנם התהוות עשר ספירות דאדם קדמון עצמו, הכל נמשך מבחינת הקו שנקרא מקור התהוות כל הרצונות לרצונות כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, the coming into being of the ten *sefirot* of *Adam Kadmon* itself, is all drawn from the aspect of the *Kav-*Line, which is called “The Source of the Coming into being of all Desires for Desires.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:27
[The Gate of Unity 18:27](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:27)

להיותו עצם הרצון הפשוט שקדם בעצמו שיהיה כך כנזכר לעיל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is because it is the essential simple desire, which originated within Himself that it should be thus, as mentioned previously.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:28
[The Gate of Unity 18:28](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:28)

על כן הוא פועל ועושה רצון לרצון בדרך פרט

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
It therefore causes and makes the “desire for desire” [to be] in a particular way.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:29
[The Gate of Unity 18:29](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:29)

והוא מבחינת כתר דאדם קדמון עד בחינת מלכות שבו, שהוא בחינת רצון לרצון דמלוכה כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
[This principle applies] from the aspect of *Keter* of *Adam Kadmon* until the aspect of *Malchut* [of *Adam Kadmon*], which is the aspect of the “desire for the desire” for Kingship.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:30
[The Gate of Unity 18:30](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:30)

ואמנם רק מבחינת אחרונה שברצון הקדום ההיולי הנזכר לעיל נעשה בחינת כתר דאדם קדמון

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, the aspect of *Keter* of *Adam Kadmon* only comes about from the last level of the aforementioned *Heyulie* Primal Desire (*Ratzon HaKadoom HaHeyulie*).


###### The Gate of Unity 18:31
[The Gate of Unity 18:31](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:31)

שהוא רצון לרצון הנעלם שלמעלה מחכמה שברצון לרצון הנעלם כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
[*Keter* of *Adam Kadmon*] is the “desire for the concealed desire” which is higher than the aspect of *Chochmah-*Wisdom of the “desire for the concealed desire.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:32
[The Gate of Unity 18:32](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:32)

ועל דרך זה כל עשר ספירות דאדם קדמון, הכל בבחינת ההעלם

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
In this manner, all the ten *sefirot* of *Adam Kadmon* are in an aspect of concealment.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:33
[The Gate of Unity 18:33](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:33)

ורצון לרצון לכל עשר ספירות דאצילות שבא בבחינת גלוי, כמו שיתבאר ודי למבין:

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
[The *sefirot* of *Adam Kadmon*] are all the [hidden] “desires for the desires” for all the ten *sefirot* of *Atzilut*, which [themselves] come in an aspect of revelation, as will be explained. This will suffice for those of understanding.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:34
[The Gate of Unity 18:34](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:34)

וזהו שבחינת אדם קדמון נקרא אדם דבריאה כו', כמו בחינת התהוות יש מאין

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This then, is the [reason why] the aspect of *Adam Kadmon* is called “*Adam D’Briyah*-Man of Creation,” [for] it [comes into being] similar to the aspect of the coming into being of “something” from “nothing.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:35
[The Gate of Unity 18:35](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:35)

כנראה בחוש שהתהוות הרצון לרצון לעתים מיוחדים הוא בא, כשאר התהוות איזה מציאות כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
We clearly observe that a “desire for desire” comes into being at specific times, similar to how all other created entities come into being.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:36
[The Gate of Unity 18:36](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:36)

והוא כמו התהוות המחשבה, שהיא התהוות יש מאין לגבי עצמיות הרצון שבנפשו

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is similar to the coming into being of thought, which is a creation of “something” from “nothing” in comparison to the essential desire in [a person’s] soul.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:37
[The Gate of Unity 18:37](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:37)

כנראה בחוש שהרצון לרצון הבא בבחינת התהוות כנזכר לעיל, תחלת התהוותו במחשבה דוקא

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
We [also] clearly observe that [in regard to] the “desire for the desire” which comes into an aspect of being, the beginning of its coming into being is specifically in thought.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:38
[The Gate of Unity 18:38](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:38)

כי המחשבה בחינת כלי לרצון, שהרצון מתלבש במחשבה, כמו וחשב לעשות כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is because thought is an aspect of a vessel for the desire, since the desire becomes invested in the thought, as in the verse,¹ “As I have thought to do.”

footnotes:
¹ Jeremiah 26:3, 36:3


###### The Gate of Unity 18:39
[The Gate of Unity 18:39](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:39)

וכן תחלת התהוות רצון לרצון במחשבה, הוא שנקרא רצון שבמחשבה כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Similarly, the first existence of the “desire for the desire” is [also] within thought, and is called “the desire which is within thought.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:40
[The Gate of Unity 18:40](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:40)

וזהו כללות ענין כח''ב דאדם קדמון שהוא בחינת התהוות פעולת אור רצון לרצון דרך פרט שבא במחשבה סתימאה כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is the general [explanation] for the matter of *Keter* (Desire)*, Chochmah* (Insight) and *Binah* (Comprehension) of *Adam Kadmon*. That is, this is the aspect of the coming into being and actualization of the light of the “desire for the desire” in a specific manner, as it comes in the “hidden thought” [of *Adam Kadmon*].


###### The Gate of Unity 18:41
[The Gate of Unity 18:41](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:41)

מה שאין כן בבחינת הקו עצמו שלמעלה מבחינת פעולת התהוות רצון לרצון לדבר פרט במחשבה סתימאה גם כן כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
In contrast, the aspect of the *Kav-*Line is higher than the actualization of the existence of a “desire for desire” for a particular thing, even in the “hidden thought.”


###### The Gate of Unity 18:42
[The Gate of Unity 18:42](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:42)

רק לעצמו עדיין חושב כל מה שיהיה כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Rather, the thought of everything that will be, is still entirely to Himself.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:43
[The Gate of Unity 18:43](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:43)

שכולל במחשבת עצמו עדיין ולא בהתהוות רצון במחשבה שחוץ ממנו כלל ודי למבין

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is to say that it still includes [everything] in the thought for Himself, and is not an existence of a desire within a thought for anything outside of Himself whatsoever. This will suffice for those of understanding.


###### The Gate of Unity 18:44
[The Gate of Unity 18:44](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/18:44)

(ובלשון הרמב''ם היינו בידיעת עצמו ולא בידיעה שחוץ ממנו וכו' וכמו שכתוב במקום אחר):

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
(In the words of Maimonides,² this is “the knowledge of Himself, rather than a knowledge which is outside of Himself etc.,” as explained elsewhere.)

footnotes:
² Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah, 2:9-10.