A Reflection on the Concepts of Tsimtsum, Shevirat ha-Kelim, and Tikkun in Lurianic Kabbalah and Their Manifestation in the Ethical–Mystical Thought of Moses Ḥayim Luzzatto.

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student, Department of Comparative Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Comparative Religions and Mysticism, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

This study offers a focused examination of how Moses Ḥayim Luzzatto (1707–1746) reinterprets three foundational doctrines of Lurianic Kabbalah—tsimtsum (divine contraction), shevirat ha-kelim (breaking of the vessels), and tikkun (cosmic restoration)—within his ethical–mystical system. In classical Lurianic cosmology, creation begins with the withdrawal of divine light and the subsequent shattering of primordial vessels, which scatter divine sparks throughout the cosmos. Humanity’s sacred task is to recover and elevate these sparks to restore cosmic harmony. Yet the precise degree of human participation remains ambiguous within the original Lurianic framework.
Luzzatto’s major innovation lies in transforming the human being from a passive element in the divine drama into an active partner in the work of cosmic repair. Drawing on works such as Derekh Hashem, Mesilat Yesharim, and 138 Openings of Wisdom, he systematises Lurianic metaphysics into a rational-ethical structure in which every human action—fulfilling commandments, engaging in prayer, studying Torah, and cultivating moral character—becomes a metaphysical act that advances tikkun.
In his conception, tikkun is both a cosmological process and an ethical obligation that shapes individual spiritual growth, collective moral development, and the historical unfolding of redemption. Through this synthesis of ethical praxis and cosmic myth, Luzzatto offers a coherent and dynamic model of mystical thought. His reinterpretation redefines Kabbalistic tradition and significantly influences later Jewish movements, including Hasidism and the Mussar movement.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

Religions and Mysticism

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 25 February 2026

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