Tzimtzum
Tzimtzum (Hebrew: צמצום, “contraction/withdrawal”) is the founding cosmogonic act in Lurianic Kabbalah: the voluntary self-contraction of Ein_Sof (the Infinite) to create a tehiru — a primordial empty space within which finite creation could exist. Without this withdrawal, the infinite divine light would overwhelm and negate all limitation, making distinct existence impossible.
Significance
Tzimtzum resolves the fundamental paradox of creation in a monotheistic infinite God: how can a finite world exist within an infinite Being? Answer: God withdraws to make room. This divine self-limitation is a cosmic act of love — and also of sacrifice.
In Jungian terms, Tzimtzum parallels the necessary withdrawal of the Self to allow the ego to develop autonomous consciousness. The Self must “contract” — withholding its totality — so that a limited, individual center of consciousness can emerge and eventually find its way back to the Source through Individuation.
The Lurianic Sequence
- Tzimtzum — God contracts, creating the empty space
- Shevirah — The vessels shatter under the pressure of divine light
- Tikkun — The scattered sparks are gathered and restored
See Also
- Ein_Sof — the Infinite from which Tzimtzum contracts
- Kabbalah — the mystical tradition of Tzimtzum
- Shevirah — the shattering that follows Tzimtzum
- Tikkun — the repair that follows the shattering
- Sefirot — the emanations created within the Tzimtzum-space
- Jungian_Self — the psychic totality whose “contraction” enables ego development
- Individuation — the return journey from ego to Self