"The Way of G-d"

Part 1: "The Fundamental Principles of Reality"

Ch. 3: "Mankind"

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Let it be said from the outset that we're discussing the cosmic *ideal* this week. The sort of cosmic reality that was to apply before Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge. Reality as we know it has been affected deeply and fundamentally as a consequence of that error.

In the ideal pre-Adamic cosmic state, we were to be drawn utterly *equally* to both spirituality and materiality. A full half of our beings was to be spirit-centered; and the other full half of us was to be material-centered. And neither half was to hold an unfair advantage over the other.

After all, if we were fully spirit-centered from the first, we’d never opt to be material-centered. And while that might seem like a good thing (after all, it would allow us to arrive at wholeness effortlessly and quickly), it actually wouldn't be. Since it would detract from our freedom to *choose* to be spirit-centered, and would cheapen our spirituality in the end. So we were to be granted an equal share of spirit-centeredness and material-centeredness on a silver platter so as to be able to choose spirit-centeredness for ourselves.

It’s important to note, though, that the World to Come (also known as the World of Reward) experience will be otherwise. Allow us a few moments now to explain the difference between reality as we know it now, and The World to Come.

Ramchal refers to the experience of the World to Come later on (in 2:2:3) as "a continuous and eternal attachment onto G-d".

What that speaks to on one level is the utter melding of the self with G-d Almighty’s Being and the consequent loss of self, which is often likened to the melding of a single waterdrop with the sea.

On another level though it points out that while this world is defined by change and an equal measure of attraction and repulsion (toward and away from materiality or spirituality), the World to Come is defined by blissful and holy utter stasis and equipoise. As such, there couldn't be any attraction whatsoever to materiality in the World to Come.

Nonetheless, the equal push and pull to and away from materiality that was to define this world changed when Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of Knowledge. The equation was altered, and the delicate balance of power between spirit and matter shifted.

We'll explain that shift next time.

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