Ein Sof – The Infinite Hidden G - d

B"H

One of the basic principles of Judaism is the concept of an incomprehensible G – d. In Kabbalah G – d is called Ein Sof. For the first time, the name Ein Sof appeared in the writings of Rabbi Azriel of Gerona (1160 – 1238). From the year 1300, the name Ein Sof became very common among the Kabbalists.

Even if the name Ein Sof was introduced much later, it does not mean that this concept did not exist in Judaism before. In fact it did all the time. According to Kabbalah, we never speak about G – d and His inner essence but only about His will. With our human way of understanding we would never be able to comprehend G – d. It is completely beyond our human mind to grasp Him and His being. Ein Sof is an absolute perfect being without any definition. He shows Himself in a way which is beyond nature. Only through His finite creation we are able to know that there is a G – d. The creator of everything from nothing (Yesh Mi Ein). And only through His creation we can estimate the time He is there. This, however, does not mean that G – d wasn't there before His creation. Of course He was, as he has no beginning and no end.

The great kabbalistic master Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (1534 – 1572) even made a distinction between the different kinds of Ein Sof within the Ein Sof.

According to author of the famous kabbalistic work "Maarechet HaElohut" (approx. 13th century), the hidden side of G – d could not be called G – d but only the revealed side of Him. This extreme claim caused a lot of harsh criticism in the Jewish world, as the hidden G – d Ein Sof is seen as absolute reality.

The Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria) developed a complete new kabbalistic terminology. He identifies the Ein Sof with the Or HaEliyon. Before the creation of the world, only G – d and His inner light existed and filled out everything. The hidden G – d existed before any existence. He neither has a beginning nor an end and will exist forever.


Those kabbalistic concepts are to be understood as metaphors and not to be taken literally !!!