FRESH OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEK – What is the Meaning of “K’v'yachol”?
Bs"d
"So-to-Speak"
Since the word "K’v'yachol" comes up very many times in our studies of Toras HaRamchal zy"a, it seems only fitting that we take out the time to explain the concept.
Literally translated, the word "K’v'yachol" means "As if it were a possibility"; figuratively it means "So-to-speak". But what is the deeper understanding that is behind these translations?
The Ramchal writes in Ma’amar Havikuach1:
"Behold, in [regard to] the Essence of the Ma’atzil (Imbuer) may His Name be blessed, it is prohibited for us to speak in [regard to], and we do not even have a need to go into this at all, because it is enough for us that we know its existence. And when we know that He is the goal of all completeness, that He is "kol yachol" (able to do anything/everything) – we already know what is needed for us [to know] in this area; and outside of this it is prohibited for us even to speak. Therefore we will not speak anymore from (in regard to) His Essence, but rather from (in regard to) His Will, because this [level] is closer to us and is permissible to us."
In his Peirush L’ Ma’amar "Areimis Yadai B’Tzlosin" , the Ramchal explains more2:
"Who can understand this topic, since [we] do not know the [things that are] infinite, and therefore we should not inquire about this [matter]. Rather, just after [the fact] that we know that this is [the way] the Ma’atzil (Imbuer) may His Name be blessed created [it], then we can ponder in this that He created".
The Ramchal teaches us that whenever we speak about Hashem, we must realize that Hashem in His Essence, is far far beyond any of our possible grasp or understanding.
Filed under Fresh Outlook for the Week | Comment (0)FRESH OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEK- Writings of the Ramchal zy”a
Unique Approach of the Ramchal
Perhaps the Jewish leader whose writings help us the most to tangibly sense Hashem’s Wisdom radiating through creation and hashgacha, is the Ramchal zy"a. The intuitively logical organization of the deepest ideas in Torah that the Ramchal has set forth in his holy writings, gives us the ability to understand much more clearly a great deal of Hashem’s hashgacha, even at the end of days.
The ability to view the events in our lives with the proper hashkafic perspective, gives us the confidance and conviction to redouble our efforts to strengthen our emunah, and thus to merit a Fresh Outlook on everything that transpires in our times.
The Next Step to "What is the Goal?"
Until now in our study of the writings of the Ramchal zy"a, we have learned the answer to the question: What is the goal of everything in creation?:
"Infinite Pleasure Eternally"1.
Now the next question is:
What is this state of "Infinite Pleasure Eternally"?
- This is stated here as review. For the initial explanation please see "Fresh Outlook for the Week" posted on March 23/09. ↩
FRESH OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEK – Writings of the Ramchal zy”a
Bs"d
Emunah at the End of Days
In the generation prior to the coming of Moshiach, we know that a large part of the avoda will be dependent upon emunah – pure belief and trust in Hashem. The Braisah at the end of Gemora Sotah1, when describing this generation says explicitly: "And upon Whom can we rely? Only upon Avinu ShebaShomayim".
In order to increase and enhance one’s level of emunah, my Rebbe in Mussar ybchl"ch, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe zt"l, has written2:
"In order to acquire a true acquisition of emunah in one’s heart, we must constantly renew [the] images that strengthen and deepen all of the branches of emunah. The oved Hashem finds this constant renewal in the creation, until the point where it becomes revealed to him – in accordance with the words of the Ramban (mentioned above) – that the entire natural world is [really] one large image that reveals [what's beyond it] – the Creator and His Middos. Every form and every natural process, hints to His Wisdom, to His Chesed, to His Hashgacha and to His Unity."
When a person recognizes that Hashem’s Wisdom radiates through the hashgacha of this world, it increases the level of emunah that a person can acquire in his heart.
Unique Approach of the Ramchal
Perhaps the Jewish leader whose writings help us the most to tangibly sense Hashem’s Wisdom radiating through creation and hashgacha, is the Ramchal zy"a. The intuitively logical organization of the deepest ideas in Torah that the Ramchal has set forth before us in his holy writings, gives us the ability to understand much more clearly a great deal of Hashem’s hashgacha, even at the end of days.
The ability to view the events in our lives with the proper hashkafic perspective, gives us the confidance and conviction to redouble our effortsto strengthen our emunah, and thus to merit a Fresh Outlook on everything that transpires in our times.
The Ultimate Goal of Our Lives
One of the major keys of understanding that the Ramchal offers us to unlock the mystery of our lives, is the definitive answer to the question of: What is the goal of everything in creation?. Without knowing the answer to this question, even after having learned extensively, a person will most likely find himself still "in the dark" as to where any given element of hashgacha is headed to in his life. By clearly knowing the answer to this question, a person will most likely find himself feeling reassured that all the elements of hashgacha in his life are headed only toward good.
When we ask ourselves the question: "What is the goal of everything?", we are generally at a loss to put the answer into a few succinct words. But the Ramchal does this for us in Sefer Daas T’vunos3:
"…behold, at the end, he (man) will be the completer (of himself and everything that was created for him), and [then] he will receive pleasure in a good way – eternally".
In Sefer Mesilas Yesharim4 the Ramchal further describes this pleasure:
"… that this is the true pleasure and the greatest enjoyment from all the enjoyments that can possibly exist".
The description of "all the enjoyments that can possibly exist" – by definition includes every enjoyment that exists in the finite creation. If the ultimate reward and pleasure is even greater than that, this pleasure must "border" on the level of infinite5.
The Key Words
So if we want to summarize the answer to the original question – what is the "goal of everything" – according to the Ramchal, it is6:
"Infinite Pleasure Eternally"
That is the "goal of everything", and this is ultimately what Hashem wants to give to us. Mind boggling when you consider it.
This is the first major introduction that the Ramchal presents us, in order that we begin to approach a greater understanding of Hashem’s Benevolent hashgacha in our daily lives.
[To be continued B'ezras Hashem Yisborach, Tuesdays.]
- 49b. ↩
- Sefer Alei Shur, Chelek Rishon, Shaar 2, Perek 19. ↩
- Ois 14. ↩
- Beginning of Perek Alef. ↩
- Even though it is not possible to say that the ultimate reward is ultimately infinite – because then we as finite beings would not have the capacity to receive it – we can say that it "borders on the infinite", meaning that it includes as much a level of infinity as we could possibly experience. ↩
- This is how I heard it defined by Rabbi M. Kessin shlita, Dean of Tiferes HaRamchal Institute. ↩
Bs"d by Rabbi Nachum Chaimowitz Another statement that one should just never say: 3. Never compare yourselves to any other couple. The person that Hashem has introduced and ultimately united you with, is someone who is exactly what you need in order for you to reach your highest level of completeness. Realize that [...]