Chochmah Stimah (חכמה סתימאה) — Concealed Wisdom

Core definition

Chochmah Stimah ("concealed wisdom") is the wisdom of Keser: the second of the "heads" (ראשין) of Arich Anpin, called mocha stimah — the concealed brain — and defined as "the concealed Chochmah — Chochmah in Keser" [15962/maamar_010 :: עב׳ 46]. It is wisdom not as it is revealed in thought, but wisdom as it stands hidden in the will and delight that precede all cognition.

How the Rebbeim develop it

Etz Chaim (Heichal HaKesarim, Shaar Arich Anpin, ch. 3) enumerates three heads: "Keser is the supernal head; the second head is the adra; the concealed brain is the third head — besides Radla, called Atik" [15962/maamar_010 :: עב׳ 49]. The first head is Keser of Keser, called ratzon (will) in the language of Chassidus [15962/maamar_010 :: עב׳ 45]; the second head is Chochmah Stimah — Chochmah within Keser; the third head is the Da'as of Arich, in which shines from Radla, the pure air (avira dachya) [15962/maamar_010 :: עב׳ 46–51].

Chochmah Stimah is the root of all revealed wisdom. The maamar traces a chain of descent: physical wisdom (like the wisdom of surgery) descends from above from Ayin to yesh — "from the aspect of the Chochmah in the Malchus of Asiyah, in which is clothed the Chochmah in the Malchus of Atzilus, in which is clothed the Chochmah of the light of Aba, receiving from the aspect of the concealed Chochmah of Arich Anpin" — "and wisdom — from Ayin it is found" (והחכמה מאין תמצא, Iyov 28:12) [15962/maamar_010 :: עב׳ 592–596]. Every wisdom, even the most physical, is ultimately drawn from the concealed wisdom of Keser.

In avodah, the concealed level is drawn through the intellect into the heart. The Zohar's phrase "כד עתיקא סתימאה אנהיר" (when the concealed Ancient One shines) is expounded: when Atika Stima'a shines in the brain (mocha), and the brain shines to the heart — "in the way of Havayah's pleasantness" (בדרך נועם ה׳) [15911/maamar_013 :: עב׳ 269, 275]. The Torah scholar's illumination comes from the concealed level, not from ordinary intellect.

Chochmah Stimah is the level that gives room to what revealed wisdom cannot contain. On the dictum "שתוק, כך עלה במחשבה" (be silent — thus it arose in thought): the meaning is not that there was no reason at all, but that there was a hidden reason (טעם הכמוס) that did not enter revealed grasp. Revealed Chochmah asked: "this is Torah and this its reward?" — yet in Chochmah Stimah He gave room for this [15962/maamar_021 :: summary]. The concealed wisdom contains the answer that the revealed mind cannot ask for.

The Zohar teaches that "קוב״ה אתכליל באתר עילאה סתימאה" — the Holy One is included in the supernal hidden place — identified with Keser's level (the secret of the hundred blessings) [15962/maamar_029 :: עב׳ 6]. The hundred is Keser: "in the Zohar it is taught — the Holy One, blessed be He, is included in the supernal hidden place — this is the secret of the hundred blessings... the number a hundred is in Keser" [15962/maamar_029 :: עב׳ 6].

Key distinctions

Related concepts

Keser, the three heads (ראשין), Mocha Stimah (the concealed brain), Atika Stima'a, Ratzon (will), "והחכמה מאין תמצא," Radla.

Sources