The Mystical Synthesis of the Divine: Exploring the Concepts of “Mi” and “Eleh” in Kabbalistic Thought
The rich tapestry of Kabbalistic thought offers deep insights into the nature of the divine, often blending the abstract with the mystical. One of the most intriguing aspects of this mystical tradition is the exploration of the divine name Elohim (אֱלוֹהִים) and how it embodies both the hidden and revealed aspects of God. The interplay between the words “Mi” (מי), meaning “who,” and “Eleh” (אלה), meaning “these,” forms a central motif in understanding the divine nature, creation, and humanity’s relationship to God. This essay delves into the profound symbolism behind these terms, the significance of Hebrew letters in Jewish mysticism, and the ultimate synthesis of the hidden and revealed within the name Elohim, as well as the consequences of misusing this sacred knowledge, as seen in the Golden Calf incident.
The Name Elohim: A Fusion of Hidden and Revealed
In Kabbalistic thought, the name Elohim, one of the most frequently used names for God in the Hebrew Bible, is not merely a linguistic designation. Instead, it represents a complex and dynamic expression of the divine that incorporates both “Mi” (who) and “Eleh” (these)—two terms that signify the hidden and revealed dimensions of God, respectively.
The term “Mi” (מי) symbolizes the mystery and transcendence of God, representing what is beyond human comprehension. This aspect of God is the source of creation, yet it remains concealed, residing in the depths of divine thought and intention. In contrast, “Eleh” (אלה) signifies what is revealed, the manifest aspects of God that are accessible to human perception. In creation, “Eleh” represents the tangible and knowable aspects of the divine, those that are expressed in the physical world and can be recognized through God’s actions, such as His justice, mercy, and creative power.
The Kabbalistic idea that Elohim is the fusion of “Mi” and “Eleh” suggests that God’s name is not only a title but a profound mystery that connects the unseen divine essence (Mi) with the visible, created world (Eleh). This combination reflects the dual nature of God as both hidden and revealed. God is both a transcendent mystery and an immanent presence who acts within creation.
Letters as Sacred Forces in Creation
The Hebrew alphabet holds a unique position in Kabbalistic thought, where each letter is considered more than a mere symbol; it is a mystical force that contributes to the structure of reality itself. In the creation narrative, God is said to have spoken the world into existence, implying that divine speech, formed by these sacred letters, is the blueprint of creation.
In this context, the letters Aleph (א), Lamed (ל), and Hei (ה), which form the word “Eleh” (these), represent the revealed aspects of divine energy that manifest in the world. These letters symbolize the part of God that can be discerned in creation, the part that humanity can grasp through observation, revelation, and the natural world.
On the other hand, the letters Mem (מ) and Yud (י), which form the word “Mi” (who), stand for the hidden aspects of God, those elements of the divine that remain beyond comprehension and reside in the unknown. These letters symbolize the transcendent nature of God that cannot be fully understood or expressed.
When these two sets of letters combine, they form the name Elohim, a name that encompasses the entirety of divine reality, both the hidden and the revealed. This is a deeply symbolic act, where the divine name itself becomes a manifestation of the tension between mystery and revelation. In this way, the letters themselves are vehicles for divine expression and keys to understanding the nature of God.
Creation as Divine Revelation
The passage emphasizes that before the “Eleh” (the revealed) was created, the full name of Elohim had not yet ascended or taken its final form. This suggests that creation is the means through which God reveals Himself. The world itself is a manifestation of the divine, where the previously hidden aspects of God (Mi) are made visible through the tangible realities of the universe (Eleh).
This concept reflects a fundamental belief in Jewish mysticism: the world is not an accident, nor is it separate from God. Instead, creation is an act of self-revelation, through which the hidden divine mysteries become apparent to humanity. The act of creation is God clothing Himself in a “precious, radiant garment”—an image of the divine light descending into the material world.
The process of combining the hidden (Mi) with the revealed (Eleh) can also be understood in the context of the Sefirot, the ten divine emanations through which God interacts with the world. The upper Sefirot represent the hidden, ineffable aspects of God’s will, while the lower Sefirot represent the more accessible aspects of God’s interaction with creation. Together, these emanations form the divine structure that governs reality.
The Golden Calf: A Misuse of Divine Knowledge
The passage concludes by reflecting on the Golden Calf incident, where the Israelites, after losing faith in Moses’ return from Mount Sinai, proclaimed, “This is your Elohim, Israel” (Exodus 32:4). In Kabbalistic terms, the sin of the Golden Calf was more than mere idolatry; it was a misuse of mystical knowledge. The Israelites attempted to force the revelation of God into an image they could control and manipulate, violating the true nature of the divine.
The error of the Golden Calf is understood as a misapplication of the hidden and revealed aspects of God. By trying to encapsulate God’s mystery (Mi) into a tangible object (Eleh), the Israelites ignored the delicate balance between the hidden transcendence of God and His manifest presence. They attempted to fix the infinite within the finite, an act that violated the sacred unity of the name Elohim.
Conclusion
The mystical understanding of Elohim as a fusion of “Mi” (who) and “Eleh” (these) offers a profound lens through which to view God’s nature. The divine name represents the synthesis of the hidden and revealed, the unknowable and the manifest. Through this name, Kabbalistic thought teaches that God’s nature is a dynamic interplay between what is concealed in the depths of divine mystery and what is revealed in creation.
The letters that form this name are not arbitrary; they are sacred forces that structure reality, linking the spiritual and material worlds. The delicate balance between the hidden and the revealed, between transcendence and immanence, is central to understanding God’s relationship with the world and humanity.
The misuse of this knowledge, as exemplified by the Golden Calf incident, serves as a reminder of the dangers of attempting to control or confine the divine. True wisdom lies in recognizing the dynamic tension between God’s hidden mystery and His revealed presence, honoring both the unknowable depths of “Mi” and the manifest reality of “Eleh” in the name Elohim.