[Avodah] ain Od Milvado v. Bechira

[Hankman]

RMB wrote:

>From what I understand (with that disclaimer in mind), in this system
of thought, tzimtzum /is/ bechirah chafshi /is/ the illusion that I'm
a distinct being living amongst distinct objects. Bechirah was created
by giving us an opportunity to see the Divine within creation or not.

: If so, how can we be punished for choosing badly, when the bechira and the 
: result of the bechira, were to begin with really part of Hashem?

What does it mean to be "part of" HQBH Who is Absolutely One?

I would focus the question slightly differently: If all of creation if
Hidden Divinity, isn't everything perfect, and thus my choices compelled
by the logic of what best fits the Divine Plan?

In Izhbitz thought the only bechirah we have is whether we interpret
our decisions as being in concert with that Plan, or in rebellion. But
given this notion in the Tanya, even that is problematic. Because the
interpretation too is being performed by something that only /thinks/
it's an independent entity.

CM wonders:

Frankly this is all as clear as mud to me (and I suspect to [most] everyone else as well). The bigger question throughout this line of thought is not so much how do "you" have bechira, but even more troubling is who is the "you"?  In this line of thought you are some sort of (for lack of a better way to express this)  chelek of HKB"H, so there is no "you"! (No Id). The whole thing is a stage with HKB"H playing all the parts. Then there IS no me. There is no one to reward or punish, nor anyone who desires reward (there is only G-d), nor any bechira etc. In fact the isur of avoda zara needs biur, as everything, including you and me, is a manifestation of HKB"H! I fail to see how tsimtsum helps answer anything, all it does is add another turtle ( it's turtles all the way down ).

Kol Tuv

Chaim Manaster
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