סטרא אחרא (Sitra Achra) is a term from the Zohar literally meaning "the other side," referring to the realm of anything not enveloped within the divine and not surrendered to G-d.[1]
Etymology
The term סטרא אחרא is Aramaic for "the other side." It signifies the side that is not the side of קדושה (holiness).[2] Entities from this realm are also called "other gods" (אלהים אחרים) because their nurture and life are not from the "Countenance" (פנים) of holiness, but from the "hinder-part" (אחוריים).[3]
Definition
The Opposite of Holiness
The side of קדושה is defined by complete self-abnegation (ביטול) to the Holy One, blessed is He.[4] In contrast, the סטרא אחרא is that which does not surrender itself to G-d, but is a separate thing by itself.[5] The essence of this realm is arrogance, which is comparable to idolatry, as it asserts, "I am, and there is nothing besides me."[6] For this reason, they are called "peaks of separation" in the holy Zohar.[7]
Source of Vitality
The סטרא אחרא does not receive its vitality from the inner will of G-d, but rather from the "hinder-part" (אחוריים) of the Supernal Will, in a manner akin to someone reluctantly throwing something over his shoulder to an enemy he hates.[8] This life-force is received after many powerful contractions and concealments of the divine light, which allows even unclean things and קליפות to come into being.[9] The small amount of light and life it receives is in a state of actual exile (גלות) within it, which is an aspect of the exile of the Shechinah.[10] Because its vitality is so concealed, the סטרא אחרא is the "abode of death and defilement."[11]
Manifestation
The soul derived from the סטרא אחרא of kelipat nogah is clothed in a person's blood.[12] This world, with all its contents, is called the world of קליפות and סטרא אחרא, and therefore all mundane affairs are severe and evil.[13] Anything that is forbidden (assur) is held captive in the power of the סטרא אחרא of the three unclean קליפות.[14]
Teachings of the Rebbeim
The Alter Rebbe explains that the סטרא אחרא is so named because קליפות conceal the truth that nothing exists outside of Hashem.[15] He teaches that when something is forbidden (assur), even if one uses it for a holy purpose, such as eating non-kosher food to gain strength for learning, it remains spiritually bound and held captive in the power of the סטרא אחרא.[16]
References
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 6.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 6.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 22.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 6.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 6.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 22; Isaiah 47:8; Zephaniah 2:15.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 22; Zohar I:158a.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 22.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 22.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 22; Tanya, Iggeres Hatshuvah, Ch. 6.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 22.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 6.
- ↑ Tanya, Ch. 6; Etz Chaim, Portal 42, end of ch. 4.
- ↑ Tanya, Perek 8.
- ↑ Tanya, Perek 6.
- ↑ Tanya, Perek 8.