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<DIV><FONT face=Calibri>RMB wrote:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>From what I understand (with that disclaimer in mind), in this system<BR>of
thought, tzimtzum /is/ bechirah chafshi /is/ the illusion that I'm<BR>a distinct
being living amongst distinct objects. Bechirah was created<BR>by giving us an
opportunity to see the Divine within creation or not.<BR><BR>: If so, how can we
be punished for choosing badly, when the bechira and the <BR>: result of the
bechira, were to begin with really part of Hashem?<BR><BR>What does it mean to
be "part of" HQBH Who is Absolutely One?<BR><BR>I would focus the question
slightly differently: If all of creation if<BR>Hidden Divinity, isn't everything
perfect, and thus my choices compelled<BR>by the logic of what best fits the
Divine Plan?<BR><BR>In Izhbitz thought the only bechirah we have is whether we
interpret<BR>our decisions as being in concert with that Plan, or in rebellion.
But<BR>given this notion in the Tanya, even that is problematic. Because
the<BR>interpretation too is being performed by something that only
/thinks/<BR>it's an independent entity.<BR><BR><FONT face=Calibri>CM
wonders:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Calibri>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 (<SPAN
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class=Apple-style-span><SPAN class=Apple-converted-space> </SPAN>it’s
turtles all the way down ).</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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class=Apple-style-span>Chaim Manaster</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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