Berudim (ברודים) — The Spotted

Core definition

Berudim — "the spotted" (from בָּרֹד, spotted, dappled) — is the third of the three "general worlds" of Tohu: Akudim, Nekudim, Berudim [15911/maamar_007 :: עב׳ 127]. In the Chassidic usage, the three names mark three stages of the lights' relation to their vessels: Akudim — bound in one vessel; Nekudim and Berudim — ten sefiros in division, "each light in its vessel, separate from the light in another vessel" [15911/maamar_010 :: עב׳ 140–142]. Berudim's signature is inter-inclusion (התכללות): "Tikkun is the world of the spotted, which is the level of inter-inclusion" [31626/maamar_016 :: עב׳ 24].

How the Rebbeim develop it

The three levels in order. In the rungs after the tzimtzum, the first rung coming in revelation is Akudim — the first level to emerge from Adam Kadmon; from Akudim are drawn and revealed Nekudim and Berudim, though the two revelations happen "in an entirely other manner" from one another [31675/maamar_018 :: עב׳ 30–39]. Akudim is "bound in one vessel" — the true private domain, above number ("before One, what do you count?") [15911/maamar_010 :: עב׳ 141–145].

Tohu and Tikkun as Nekudim and Berudim. The decisive Chassidic equation: "it is known that Tohu and Tikkun are nekudim (points) and berudim (spotted)" [31626/maamar_016 :: עב׳ 19]. The world of Tohu was in the level of "general points, designated and divided one from the other" — separate, un-inter-included lights, each middah absolute and unable to bear its opposite [31626/maamar_016 :: עב׳ 20]. Tikkun, the world of the spotted, is the level of inter-inclusion — the lights mixed and connected, each including its fellow [31626/maamar_016 :: עב׳ 24].

The paradox of precedence. Although in the order of hishtalshelus Tohu is earlier than Tikkun, "in the Ohr Ein Sof that is above Tohu and Tikkun, the root of Tikkun is earlier than the root of Tohu" — as Yackov, who emerged last in the birth-order, was in truth the firstborn, by the parable of the tube: "the first to enter is the last to exit" [31626/maamar_016 :: עב׳ 30–34]. Tikkun's inter-inclusion is thus the deeper intent, even though it appears later in the chain.

The Torah's root above all three. "The Torah — its root is from the level of Akudim… from the level of Adam Kadmon, which is above Tohu and Tikkun; and therefore from there is drawn to be life to Israel and death to the idol-worshippers" [31626/maamar_016 :: עב׳ 25–28]. The souls likewise divide into three kinds — akudim, nekudim, berudim — with akudim in bitul and mesirus nefesh [57653/maamar_092 :: Intro].

Yackov's flocks. The names originate in Vayeitzei: Yackov's wage was the sheep that were akeidim, nekudim, berudim — bound, speckled, spotted — and the maamar reads this as the birur of the sparks: from them he "made" these three kinds [19803/maamar_002 :: Summary]. The spots of the berudim-sheep are the sign of inter-included lights drawn down into Tikkun.

Key distinctions

Related concepts

Sources