אין

אין (Ayin, lit. "nothingness") is a concept referring to the source of existence, which is categorized as either the "nothingness" of the created something or the "nothingness" of the True Something/

Definition

The concept of אין is central to understanding creation ex nihilo(יש מאין), the bringing into existence of something from nothing. The flow of life-force and power from the attributes of the Holy One, blessed is He, to create something from nothing is designated as an "utterance" (מאמר) and a combination of letters. For instance, the creation of light from nothing is indicated by the flow of action and life-force called the "utterance" of "Let there be Light."

Chassidus explains that there are two general categories of אין: the "nothing" of the created something (יש הנברא) and the "nothing" of the True Something (יש האמיתי).

The "Nothing" of the Created Something (יש הנברא)

This level of "nothingness" is the source for created existence. Even the lofty world of אצילות (עולם האצילות), the world of Emanation, is generally included in this category. This is for two reasons:

1. The ten Sefirot of אצילות exist for the purpose of the lower worlds of Briyah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah.
2. אצילות itself is referred to as "the emanated something" (יש הנאצל), indicating it is a form of "something" (יש).

Furthermore, the vessels (כלים) of אצילות are in a state of limitation, which places them in the category of "an existent something" (יש הנמצא). Consequently, the light (אור) that manifests within these limited vessels is also considered the "nothing" (אין) of the "existent something" (יש הנמצא), because every manifestation of light that comes into vessels does so with measure and limitation.

The "Nothing" of the True Something (יש האמיתי)

This is a higher level of "nothingness" that is relative to the True Existent Being Himself. This concept is found within the Sefirah of כתר, which serves as an intermediary between the Emanator and the emanated. Keter possesses both aspects of אין:

1. The Lower Half: As the head and source of the emanated, its lower half is the "nothing" (אין) of the created something (יש הנברא).
2. The Upper Half: As the lowest aspect of the Emanator, its upper half, known as the Ancient One (עתיק), is the "nothing" (אין) of the True Something (יש האמיתי). This is because any glimmer of radiance (הארה) is considered "nothing" relative to the level that transcends it, and the highest level of Keter is but a mere glimmer relative to the Emanator.

It is also noted that while the external aspect of wisdom (חכמה) is the "nothing" of the created something, its inner aspect is indeed the "nothing" (אין) of the True Something (יש האמיתי).