Class 12- Inner Fire- Kuntres Hahislaalus- Chapter 2

Summary Paragraph 2
This paragraph describes the first and lowest level of spiritual arousal, called “hearing from afar.”- Shmia Merachok

At this level, a person intellectually recognizes and accepts the truth of G-dliness- that Hashem is the root of all worlds and that everything before Him is as nothing. This truth settles firmly in the mind, but it remains distant.
The awareness does not become internalized in a revealed way in either intellect or emotion. Instead, it exists only as acknowledgment (hoda’ah) in the mind- an intellectual concession to a higher truth- rather than lived closeness.

As a result, there is only a partial bitul in the heart, expressed practically rather than emotionally. This produces a strong resolution (heskem) to turn away from evil and do good, but without love or fear, and without emotional excitement.

This level belongs to someone who possesses primarily Nefesh of Asiyah, lacking the capacity for true experiential closeness to G-dliness (which belongs to Beriah). Nevertheless, the Koach Mah within every Jewish soul shines even here, allowing the person to “see the truth,” though only from afar and in an encompassing (makif) way.

Because the person senses the loftiness of G-dliness and simultaneously his own distance, feelings of shame, smallness, and concern arise- not as emotional arousal, but as existential awareness. This gap motivates practical commitment: since closeness cannot be achieved internally, the person chooses to create a dwelling for Hashem through action.

Although this level is not love or fear, it is genuine G-dliness, and therefore the Torah and mitzvos performed from this place ascend at least to Gan Eden HaTachton, corresponding to Asiyah.