## The Gate of Unity Chapter 5

###### The Gate of Unity 5:1
[The Gate of Unity 5:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:1)

והנה אחר שנתבאר שצריך להתבונן דרך פרט דוקא, הרי מן ההכרח לידע כל פרטי חילוקי המדריגות בכל פרטי סדרי ההשתלשלות דאבי''ע, להתבונן בהם

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
After having explained the need to contemplate specifically in a manner of particulars, it follows, of necessity, that one must know all the particular levels in all the details of the chaining down of the worlds (*Seder HaHishtalshelut*) of *Atzilut, Briyah, Yetzirah,* and *Asiyah,* so that one may contemplate them.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:2
[The Gate of Unity 5:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:2)

אשר אינם מובנים לכל מכללי התורות כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
These particulars cannot be understood by everyone through the general teachings [of Kabbalah and Chassidus].


###### The Gate of Unity 5:3
[The Gate of Unity 5:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:3)

ויבוארו כולם בקונטרס מיוחד, מן הצריך מכל פרט, וממילא יובן למבין ויודע כמה פרטים אחרים

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Therefore, whatever needs explanation in each detail, will be explained in a special pamphlet,¹ so that a person of understanding will automatically understand them and will come to know many other details.

footnotes:
¹ That is, from chapter 10 and on of this book.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:4
[The Gate of Unity 5:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:4)

אך תחילה צריך להקדים באיכות ההתבוננות גם בדרך פרט, עוד ענין אחד הצריך ביותר לכל החפץ באמת בקרבת אלהי״ם ואינו רוצה לצאת ידי חובתו להטעות את עצמו כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, it first is necessary to introduce one more point (which also will be explained in detail) of how *Hitbonenut* contemplation should be done. This is extremely necessary for all those who truly desire closeness to *HaShem*-יהו״ה and do not seek to merely fulfill their obligations and deceive themselves [that they thereby are truly serving Him] etc.


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

והוא בהיותו ידוע שבכל התבוננות בענין אלה״י דהתהוות יש מאין בכל מקום לפי מה שהוא, הרי כולל ב' ענינים

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
As known, every contemplation upon the Godly matter of the coming into being of something from nothing, each contemplation, according to its place [in the order of things], includes two matters;


###### The Gate of Unity 5:6
[The Gate of Unity 5:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:6)

הא' בחינת ביטול היש לאין, שזהו השגת ערך הבעל גבול תחילה באיכות אופן התהוות מציאותו מאין כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The first is the aspect of the nullification of the “something” to the “nothing.” This begins with the comprehension of the relativity of limited beings, by understanding how their existence is derived from the “nothingness.”


###### The Gate of Unity 5:7
[The Gate of Unity 5:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:7)

שזה קרוב אל השכל ביותר על ידי כמה מיני הסברים ודמיונות המשלים, וכהאי גוונא עד שנתאמת במוח היטב

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is brought close to the intellect through various explanations and analogies and the like, until the truth of it becomes well settled in his mind.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:8
[The Gate of Unity 5:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:8)

והב' ענין בחינת האין האלה״י המהווה אותו ואיך שהוא נבדל בערך, להיותו בלתי בעל גבול כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The second matter is the aspect of the Godly “nothingness” that bring him into being, and how *HaShem*-יהו״ה, blessed is He, is totally separate, relative [to created beings], since He has no limitations.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:9
[The Gate of Unity 5:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:9)

וזהו הנעלם מעיני השכל בהשגה גמורה

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This matter is concealed from the eyes of the intellect and cannot be fully grasped.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:10
[The Gate of Unity 5:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:10)

רק מכל מקום יוברק כמו ברק בסקירה בעלמא במוחו אמיתת ענינו כמו שהוא

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, the truth of it will, nonetheless, flash like lightning in his brain, so that he will glimpse the truth of the matter, as it is.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:11
[The Gate of Unity 5:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:11)

אבל הוא בבחינת ההעלם כאילו נתאמת הדבר בראיה חושיית

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, although it is in an aspect of concealment, it will be as true for him as if he saw it with physical sight.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:12
[The Gate of Unity 5:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:12)

והוא ההפרש בין בחינת ראיה דחכמה כח מ''ה שבנפש, שרואה ולא בראיה חושיית כי אם ראיה שכליית בהברקה למעלה מן השגה הגמורה

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is the difference between the aspect of the “sight” of *Chochmah*, [and the aspect of the “hearing” of *Binah*]. The sight of *Chochmah*, the *Koach Ma”h*² (חכמה) can be rearranged to spell *Koach Mah* (כח מה), meaning “the power of ‘what’.” This represents the aspect of the sublimation to *HaShem*-יהו״ה of *Chochmah*, as in the verse (Ex. 16:7-8), “*V’Nachnu Mah* – and what are we.” (the power of “what”), is the sight of the soul that sees, but not with tangible sight. Rather, it is a flash of intellectual sight which is beyond full comprehension.

footnotes:
² The letters of Chochmah


###### The Gate of Unity 5:13
[The Gate of Unity 5:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:13)

ועל כן ההתפעלות מזה אינו רק בחינת הביטול שהוא רק העדר הרגשת עצמו מכל וכל כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Therefore, the arousal that results from this is nothing but the aspect of nullification, which is the complete absence of awareness of self.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:14
[The Gate of Unity 5:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:14)

ובין בחינת שמיעה דבינה, שבאה בהשגה גמורה ממש, שהוא באיכות התהוות היש מאין כנזכר לעיל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The aspect of the “hearing” of *Binah*, on the other hand, comes with full comprehension, literally. This is to say that he comprehends how the “something” comes into existence from the “nothing,” as explained above.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:15
[The Gate of Unity 5:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:15)

שההתפעלות מזה הוא השמחה במורגש וטוב לב

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The resulting arousal is a tangible feeling of joy and good-heartedness.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:16
[The Gate of Unity 5:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:16)

כל שמשיג יותר, יותר טוב לו, וכל שמעמיק יותר, יותר משיג

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The more he grasps, the better he feels and the more he delves into it, the more he grasps.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:17
[The Gate of Unity 5:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:17)

ובבחינת הראיה דחכמה הוא להיפוך, כל שיעמיק יותר, יותר יפלא ממנו מהות בחינת האין האלה״י המהווה כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
In contrast, the aspect of the “sight” of *Chochmah* is the opposite. The more he delves into it, the more the Godly “nothingness” that creates, becomes removed and astounding to him.


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

בהפלאת הערך יותר ויותר כו' עד שיצטער וידאג כו' (כמו שמבואר בכתבים)

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This astonishment over the awesome gap and absence of any comparison [between *HaShem*-יהו״ה, blessed is He, who is beyond all limit, and himself], grows and grows, until he is bewildered and consternated over it etc., (as it is written in the Chassidic manuscripts).


###### The Gate of Unity 5:19
[The Gate of Unity 5:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:19)

ולפי זה הרי בכל מעיין בדרך פרט יבוא לכלל ב' ענינים האלה בהתבוננות, בהעלם וגילוי

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Accordingly, all those who contemplate in a manner of particulars [rather than a general manner] will become [aware of] these two aspects through their contemplation; the concealed aspect and the revealed aspect.


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

והתפעלות הנולד ב' הפכים הם, לבו דואג בקרבו על עוצם הפלאת ההשגה באין האלה״י המהווה כו', והשמחה מהשגתו בכי טוב באיכות התהוות המתהווה כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Accordingly, the arousal that is born of it [is comprised of] two opposites; “His heart is worried within him”³ because he comprehends the astounding greatness of the Godly “nothing” that brings [everything] into being, and he is [simultaneously] joyful because of his thorough grasp of how all that exists comes into being.

footnotes:
³ See Tractate Chagigah 13a


###### The Gate of Unity 5:21
[The Gate of Unity 5:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:21)

כמו על דרך דוגמא המתבונן דרך פרט בהתהוות הגלגלים מאין האלה״י שהיא מבחינת כלים חיצונים דמלכות דמלכות דעשיה

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This may be understood by example of one who contemplates in a manner of particulars into the coming into being of the planetary orbits from the Godly “nothing,” which comes about from the aspect of the external vessels of *Malchut* of *Malchut* of *Asiyah*.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:22
[The Gate of Unity 5:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:22)

שהוא רק מבחינת כלי חיצוניות, הארה דהארה לבד, המאיר בנפש של זה הגלגל בהשגה במהווה אותו

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
In other words, he comprehends how it is only from the external vessels and is merely a glimmer of a glimmer, which radiates within the soul of the celestial orb⁴ as it grasps that which gives it its existence.

footnotes:
⁴ That is, a star or planet


###### The Gate of Unity 5:23
[The Gate of Unity 5:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:23)

ועל דרך זה גם במלאכים דבריאה דאימה מקננא כו' שמשיגים כח האלה״י דמלכות דמלכות דאצילות כו' המהווה אותם

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Likewise, he understands how the angels of the world of *Briyah,* (“In which *Imma* (*Binah* of *Atzilut*) resides”), comprehend the Godly power of *Malchut* of *Malchut* of *Atzilut* which brings them into existence.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:24
[The Gate of Unity 5:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:24)

הרי זהו המושג בהשגה, ויתפעל מגדולת הבורא ואיך שהמה בטלים בתמידות, כמו שכתוב וצבא השמים לך משתחווים, בסיבובם כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
He grasps these concepts in a way of comprehension, and he becomes aroused by the greatness of the Creator, and how they [the angels, stars and planets] are constantly sublimated [to Him], as stated, “And the hosts of the heavens bow down to You,” in their orbits etc.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:25
[The Gate of Unity 5:25](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:25)

אבל בחינת האין האלה״י דמלכות דעשיה המהווה, נעלם מהותו מן ההשגה

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, the aspect of the Godly “nothingness,” the essential creative force of *Malchut* of *Asiyah*, is concealed from his grasp.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:26
[The Gate of Unity 5:26](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:26)

רק שממילא הוא מוכרח בהשגה, אחר התאמת אופן הענין של ההתהוות היש כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, it is automatically forced into his comprehension, because the understanding of how the “something” comes into existence has become true for him.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:27
[The Gate of Unity 5:27](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:27)

ובבחינת ההעלם לבד הוא מושג, ובהפלאת הערך נבדל דוקא

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Furthermore, it is only comprehended in a concealed way, specifically because of the astonishment over the total absence of comparison.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:28
[The Gate of Unity 5:28](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:28)

וכך הוא בהתבוננות פרטיות באצילות באורות וכלים, כמו באצילות אור חסד שבמלכות או באצילות אור חסד שבחכמה ואיך שנאצל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is likewise so in the contemplation of the particulars of the world of *Atzilut*, in its lights and vessels. For example, the contemplation on the light of *Chessed* of *Malchut* of *Atzilut*, or the contemplation on the light of *Chessed* of *Chochmah* of *Atzilut*, to understand how they were emanated.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:29
[The Gate of Unity 5:29](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:29)

יושג על דרך דמיון מאור הנאצל למטה בגילוי מהעלם העצמות

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This can be comprehended by way of analogy from how light is emanated into revelation from its concealment in the essence [of the luminary], here below [in the physical world].


###### The Gate of Unity 5:30
[The Gate of Unity 5:30](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:30)

כמו ויאצל מן הרוח דמשה כו' וכהאי גוונא

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is also similar to how Moshe, “emanated from his spirit,”⁵ and the like.

footnotes:
⁵ Numbers 11:25


###### The Gate of Unity 5:31
[The Gate of Unity 5:31](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:31)

ויושג גם כן בענין התהוות מדות דאצילות גם שהן בחינת מקוריים נבדלים מן השפעה האלהי״ת בנבראים כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Furthermore, although the emotive qualities (*Midot*) of the world of *Atzilut* are only in the aspect of sources, and are separate from the Godly influence as it is within creation, he nonetheless will comprehend how they come into being.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:32
[The Gate of Unity 5:32](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:32)

אבל בחינת אין האמיתי המאיר עליהם מאור עצמות המאצילם, לא יושג אף בדמיון שכל כי אם בהעלם לבד, והוא בבחינת ראית השכל שלמעלה מן השגה ותפיסא ממש

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
However, the aspect of the true “nothingness” that shines upon them from the light of the Essential Self of *HaShem*-יהו״ה, blessed is He, who emanates them, cannot be grasped even through intellectual comparisons. Rather, it may only be [grasped] in a concealed fashion, which is the aspect of the intellectual sight, which is higher than actual comprehension and grasp.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:33
[The Gate of Unity 5:33](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:33)

וכמאמר לית מחשבה תפיסא בך כו', שהוא מחשבה דבינה כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is like the saying, “No thought can grasp You,” which refers to the thought of *Binah*.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:34
[The Gate of Unity 5:34](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:34)

דהיינו שזהו היפך ההשגה, כי כל שמעמיק יותר, יותר מופלא הימנו עצמיות אור המאציל כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
In other words, this is the opposite of comprehension, for the more he delves [into it], the more astounding will the essential light of the Emanator be for him.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:35
[The Gate of Unity 5:35](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:35)

והסימן לזה הוא הנולד מזה, בחינת הביטול ביותר כנזכר לעיל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The indication of this [type of arousal] is that a very great aspect of nullification is born [in him].


###### The Gate of Unity 5:36
[The Gate of Unity 5:36](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:36)

ונמצא בחינת הביטול והשמחה שמסתעפים ונולדים מחכמה ובינה שבכל פרט, בהכרח שבאים כאחד דוקא

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
[From all the above] we find, that of necessity, the [opposite] aspects of nullification and joy, which branch out and are born of the *Chochmah* and *Binah* [that is, the contemplation] of each particular, specifically come together, as one.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:37
[The Gate of Unity 5:37](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:37)

בכל התבוננות בכל פרט ופרט דווקא

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is true of all *Hitbonenut-*contemplation of each particular detail, specifically.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:38
[The Gate of Unity 5:38](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:38)

והא בהא תליא, ואם לא השמחה ביש מההשגה בטוב, לא יבוא להפלאת וריחוק ההשגה באי''ן

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
These two aspects are interdependent. If he has no joy from the thorough comprehension of the “something,” then he will also not come to the astonishment and sense of distance in his inability to grasp the “nothingness.”


###### The Gate of Unity 5:39
[The Gate of Unity 5:39](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:39)

ולפי ערך השמחה כך ערך הביטול ממש, כי כפי ערך ההשגה במתהווה, כך ערך ההפלאה בהבדל המהווה כו'

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
The degree of his joy is, literally, commensurate to the degree of his nullification, for his comprehension of the created is commensurate to his astonishment at the separateness of the Creator.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:40
[The Gate of Unity 5:40](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:40)

וזהו כלל גדול בכל ההתבוננות בפרט ובכלל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is an important principle [that applies to] every *Hitbonenut*-contemplation, whether general or particular.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:41
[The Gate of Unity 5:41](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:41)

(מה שאין כן מי שנדמה לא שתופס היטב ההתהוות ואין לו בחינת ביטול מצד המהווה, לא השיג כלום בוודאי בלי ספק

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
(In contrast, if it appears to someone that he thoroughly grasps the aspect of creation, but he lacks the aspect of nullification to the Creator, then, without a doubt, it is a certainty that he has not grasped anything.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:42
[The Gate of Unity 5:42](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:42)

ומי שידמה לו בחינת הביטול בעצמו מצד הפלאת ערך המהווה כו' ולא השיג בכי טוב לאופן המתהוה כו', דמיון שווא הוא ואין לו בחינת ביטול כלל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
Likewise, if someone imagines that he possesses the aspect of nullification through the realization of the wondrousness of the Creator, but does not thoroughly comprehend the manner of how [everything] comes into being, it is a false imagination and he has no nullification whatsoever.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:43
[The Gate of Unity 5:43](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:43)

כי הא בהא תליא לפי ערך דווקא מטעם הנזכר לעיל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
These two are interdependent and commensurate to each other, for the above-mentioned reason.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:44
[The Gate of Unity 5:44](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:44)

וכידוע לכל טועמי טעם בהתבוננות באמת ואינם מטעים את עצמו כלל

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is known to all who have tasted true *Hitbonenut*, and do not at all delude themselves.


###### The Gate of Unity 5:45
[The Gate of Unity 5:45](https://torahapp.org/share/book/The%20Gate%20of%20Unity/r/5:45)

וכאשר יובן כל זה לרגילים בדברי חסידות מנעוריהם כו' ורבים מאד יטעו בעצמם בכל זה בכמה אופנים שונים וכו'):

**Translated by Rabbi Amiram Markel, 2023:**
This is likewise understood by those who are accustomed to the teachings of *Chassidut* from their youth. However, a great many people delude themselves in all this, in many different ways etc.)