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Glossary
Foundational Concepts of Pre-Prophetic Cinema
This glossary serves as a map and guide for those wishing to delve into the unique language and ideas presented by the Pre-Prophetic Cinema movement.
I. Core Concepts (מושגי ליבה)
Pre-Prophetic Cinema (קולנוע קדם-נבואי) A movement aiming to cultivate a new, revolutionary Israeli creation rooted in the prophetic origins of Hebrew culture. It seeks to shatter conventional modes of thought and renew the paradigms of wisdom and consciousness, drawing its creative source from soulic revelation. The goal is to establish a New Israeli Wave, transforming Israel into a global center of pioneering and avant-garde creation, paving the way for the revival of a modern prophetic Israeli culture. It opposes enlisted art, sectarian art, and religious art in the narrow sense of "Jewish folklore."
The Creating Soul (הנשמה היוצרת) A foundational concept in Rav Kook's thought, describing the inner, inexhaustible source of inspiration. Contrary to waiting for an external "muse," "the soul sings always." The creator's role is to ascend, listen to this inner song, and allow it to burst forth as pure, authentic creation, without toil or strain.
The Will (Ratzon) (הרצון) Not "willpower" in the sense of effort, but the innermost, primary essence that precedes language and intellect. According to Kabbalah, The Will (the Sefirah of Keter) is the highest source from which all reality emanates. Pre-Prophetic creation strives for the revelation of The Will—a process where the creator's private will meets and unites with the living Divine Will pulsing through the universe.
Creative Intellect / Depicting Intellect (שכל יוצר / שכל מצייר) A crucial distinction made by Rav Kook.
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Depicting Intellect (שכל מצייר): The power to observe, document, and reflect reality as it is (dominant in Western culture).
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Creative Intellect (שכל יוצר): The higher faculty, rooted in Hebrew prophetic culture, aspiring to generate new realities and create new worlds in partnership with the Creator.
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The Synthesis of All Songs (The Song of Songs Model) (שירת עולמים / שיר השירים) The supreme aspiration of Pre-Prophetic creation. Based on Rav Kook’s thought, this is a meta-creation capable of containing and unifying all levels of existence: the personal (Soul), the national (Nation), the human (Humanity), and the cosmic (World). It aims for a harmonious synthesis expressing the unity of all being.
Sacred Audacity (Chutzpah D'Kedusha) (חוצפה דקדושה) A Kabbalistic concept describing radical spiritual courage—the daring to ask radical questions and breach intellectual boundaries. It is the audacity to shatter conventional patterns of thought and form, drawing inspiration directly from the soulic source without the mediation of conventions.
The Imagination (הדמיון) The engagement with imagination in culture and art is seen as preparing the vessels for the renewal of modern Israeli prophecy. Imagination is a double-edged sword; when confronted with corrupted imagination, intellect alone cannot redeem it, only "Sacred Imagination" can.
II. Expanded Glossary (A-Z) (מילון מורחב)
A
Aesthetics, Hebrew (Its Exile and Redemption) (אסתטיקה עברית: גלותה וגאולתה) For millennia in exile, Judaism distanced itself from visual aesthetics as an ideological choice, viewing external beauty as potentially deceptive or inappropriate during mourning. The return to Zion initiates a healing process: the inner truth must find aesthetic expression, and the Sacred must extend into the realm of beauty. The mission is to revive the original Hebrew aesthetic.
"Air of the Land of Israel Makes Wise" (Avira D'Eretz Yisrael Machkim) (אווירא דארץ ישראל מחכים) An expression indicating that the physical return to the Land of Israel is a central condition and engine for the reawakening of the spiritual forces latent within the nation.
Alternative Imagination (דמיון אלטרנטיבי) See: Sacred Imagination.
"Ani" (The "I"), Redemption of (גאולת ה"אני") The redemption of the selfhood, the inner point of identity (both private and collective). The term "Ani" (I) means "my place" or "my point of view."
Anguish of Creation (Tza'ar HaYetzira) (צער היצירה) The inherent suffering in pure creation, stemming from the powerful clash between the material and the spiritual, and the "destruction of inner worlds" necessary to make room for new revelation. The greatest delight is concealed within the anguish itself.
Art as an Act of Exile / Initiated Exile (אמנות כמעשה גלותי / גלות יזומה) Based on Viktor Shklovsky's concept of "Defamiliarization," art's role is to make the familiar strange. Artistic creation serves as a "swift, initiated exile" (similar to Shabbat or Shmita) that takes the viewer from the familiar to a place of wonder and new knowledge.
Artistic Batei Midrash (Houses of Study/Creation) (בתי מדרש אמנותיים) A call to create new frameworks combining the active study of Kabbalistic and prophetic texts with vibrant artistic practice (poetry, painting, music, cinema).
Awe of Chaos (Yir'at Ha'Tohu) / Creative Anxiety (יראת התוהו / חרדת היצירה) The critical initial stage when a new idea arises in its raw, infinite potential (Tohu/Chaos) before crystallization. It is a profound anxiety facing this unformed potential. Overcoming this awe is an act of "Redemption," freeing the "imprisoned thoughts."
C
Call to the Esoteric (Sod) (קריאה אל הסוד) True creation cannot be satisfied with the revealed. The modern soul demands the "secrets" (Sod) to quench its spiritual thirst. Pre-Prophetic Cinema calls to liberate the "secret discourse" and express the hidden dimension of existence.
Chimney Sweeps (of Consciousness) (מנקי ארובות) Based on a metaphor by Rabbi Sherki, the role of the new creators is to act as "chimney sweeps" for the human imagination and consciousness, opening "blockages" and reopening the channel between humanity and God.
Cinema as a Temple Act (קולנוע כמעשה מקדש) The perception of cinematic creation as a sacred act, transforming the viewing experience into a sanctified encounter, similar to the experience in the Temple.
Creative Intellect (שכל יוצר) See: Core Concepts.
The Creating Soul (הנשמה היוצרת) See: Core Concepts.
Crowns for the Letters (Tagim La'Otiot) (תגים לאותיות) A Talmudic/Kabbalistic term describing the additional, hidden layers of meaning and mystery revealed during the creative process itself.
Cultural Revolution, A Great (מהפכה תרבותית גדולה) A daring and radical call for a new Jewish art—divine and prophetic—that shatters conventional thought patterns, transforming Israel into a pioneering, avant-garde, Jewish-Israeli, and universally human cultural center.
D
Defamiliarization (Hazara) (הזרה) A key concept in modern art (coined by Viktor Shklovsky), describing art's role in "making the familiar strange," thereby "de-automating" our stale perception of reality.
Depicting Intellect (שכל מצייר) See: Core Concepts.
E
Effortless Creation (יצירה ללא מאמץ כוחני) Creation should not be thought of as toil and labor, but as a process of natural flow and joy. The creating person resembles their Creator, who created the world without exertion.
Era of Prophecy (עידן הנבואה) The transition from the era of Wisdom (characterized by intellectual tools) back to the era of Prophecy (characterized by experiential revelation), catalyzed by the return to the Land of Israel (Zionism).
F
Film as PaRDeS (סרט כפרד"ס) A concept viewing the Pre-Prophetic film as a multi-dimensional structure, built layer upon layer of meaning, similar to the Jewish "PaRDeS" hermeneutic model:
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Pshat (Surface): The narrative layer, the visible plot.
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Remez (Hint): The symbolic layer.
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Drash (Interpretation): The human (psychological-moral) layer.
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Sod (Secret): The metaphysical layer, where the film becomes revelation.
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Freedom of Thought (Absolute) (חופש המחשבה) An essential condition for Pre-Prophetic creation. This refers not only to political freedom but to an absolute inner liberty of the spirit from the shackles of fixed thought patterns, allowing the imagination to soar into intuitive realms beyond ordinary logic.
H
Hidden Treasure (Otzar Ganuz) (אוצר גנוז) The unique, concealed, original Israeli talent from which a new Israeli wave and new forms of expression can emerge, bearing a significant message for the entire world.
Holiness (Kedusha) (קדושה) Not withdrawal from reality, but its opposite—the concentration of life, the very essence of being; diving into the deepest source of life.
I
Illegal Outposts in the Field of Creation (מאחזים בלתי חוקיים בשדה היצירה) A strong, provocative metaphor calling for radical, avant-garde action that breaks artistic conventions and forges new paths toward the sublime without waiting for establishment approval.
Imagination, The (הדמיון) See: Core Concepts.
Immanent Holiness / The Holiness within Nature (קדושה שבטבע) A hidden sanctity concealed within the depths of nature and reality (symbolized by the Leviathan), contrasting with transcendent religious holiness. It seeks to be revealed in the Land of Israel.
Inner Listening (הקשבה פנימית) The prerequisite for Pre-Prophetic creation. It begins by silencing the ego's "background noise" to hear the soul's own authentic voice. It is a process of ascension to meet one's soul.
Intuition (Direct Perception) (אינטואיציה) The central cognitive tool of the Pre-Prophetic creator. It is "Aural Logic" (as termed by the Rav HaNazir)—the ability to grasp deep truths directly, wholly, and immediately, beyond the logical-analytical thought process.
L
Ladder of Creation, The (סולם היצירה) Rav Kook's precise roadmap describing the correct order of approach to the Holy Spirit and prophecy: starting with the purification of the body, moving through the imagination, emotion, intellect, and finally, supreme listening.
Liberate the Hidden Discourse (Lehadrir et Hadibur) (להדריר את הדיבור) A call for creators to "give freedom" to the concealed, secret speech, and to express the hidden, inner dimension of existence; transforming "frozen text" into "living speech."
Liberty (Cherut) (חירות) Spiritual creation is free and does not consider external influences. It stems from the inner spirit and absolute freedom of thought.
M
Midrashic Cinema (קולנוע מדרשי) Cinema that seeks to break free from classical Western constraints. It uses multiple parallel languages, builds a multi-layered narrative structure, and employs radical montage (combining documentary, animation, narrative) to create an associative flow that conveys meaning beyond the literal text.
Moses' Journey (Archetype of the Prophetic Creator) (מסע משה) A three-stage journey serving as the training path for the prophetic creator:
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Egypt Stage ("Political Science"): Acquiring the tools of the world; awakening of cosmopolitan morality.
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Midian Stage ("The Message"): Inner purification; learning the "sciences of prophecy" from Jethro.
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The Burning Bush Stage ("The Mission"): Integration of the two worlds; the realization that Hebrew particularity is the path to true universality.
P
Poetics of Encounter (פואטיקה של מפגש) In contrast to Aristotelian poetics emphasizing conflict and catharsis, the Hebrew prophetic tradition offers a poetics of encounter. The goal is a comprehensive meeting between the Creator and the created, expressing harmony between values.
Pre-Prophetic Cinema (קולנוע קדם-נבואי) See: Core Concepts.
Prophecy (Nevuah) (נבואה) The core of Judaism, destined to return in a modern form. Not fortune-telling, but the expression of God's word in reality; a complete prophetic culture. It is the pinnacle of the connection between the creator and the divine source, harmoniously combining Intellect, Imagination, and Emotion.
R
Redeemed Gaze, The (Mabat Goel) (גאולת המבט) The ability to truly see the other and oneself with a comprehensive, deep, and loving gaze (combining an elevated viewpoint and an intimate perspective).
S
Sacred Audacity (חוצפה דקדושה) See: Core Concepts.
The Sacred Frame (פריים מקודש) The cinematic frame perceived as a consecrated space ("Inter-Soul Space") where an encounter occurs. The director acts as an "architect of souls."
Sacred Imagination (דמיון הקודש) See: Alternative Imagination.
School for Prophets (בית הספר לנביאים) A "creative house of study" (Beit Midrash Yotzer) aimed at training the creator's soul and refining their powers to translate spiritual ideas into contemporary creative tools (offering courses like Soul Architecture, Prophetic Gymnastics, etc.).
The Secret (Sod) as the True Literal Meaning (Pshat) (הסוד כפשט האמיתי) The ultimate goal is to understand that the deepest secret (Sod) is, in fact, the true literal meaning (Pshat). The highest revelation is seeing everyday reality in its infinite depth.
Sefirotic Editing / Soul Montage (עריכה ספירותית / מונטאז' הנשמה) A conception of film editing based on the structure of the Sephirot in Kabbalah (e.g., Hesed-flow, Gevurah-tension, Tiferet-harmony), aiming to create a spiritual experience (Soul Montage) rather than merely an intellectual idea.
Soul Alphabet (אלפבית נשמתי) The aspiration to create a new cinematic language where the image returns to its root—The Will of the soul—thereby creating a new spiritual alphabet, reuniting the signifier and the signified.
Synthesis of All Songs (שירת עולמים) See: Core Concepts.
T
Talmudic Directing (בימוי תלמודי) An approach influenced by the Talmudic discourse, which deliberately shifts focus from the center to the periphery. The camera might suddenly linger on a negligible object or a secondary character, imbuing the detail with central meaning.
The Third Protagonist (הגיבור השלישי) The missing archetype of the Jewish/Israeli hero, beyond the dichotomy of victim/oppressor. This figure is the Prophetic Creator (modeled after Moses and Herzl), who integrates practical knowledge with spiritual depth and bridges the universal with the national.
Time, The Hebrew Conception of (in Editing) (תפיסת הזמן בעריכה) Hebrew thought offers three concepts of time, applied to editing:
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Et (עת): The Moment/The Shot. The subjective present.
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Olam (עולם): Eternity/The Whole Narrative. The overarching structure.
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Moed (מועד): The Encounter/The Cut. The sacred meeting point where Olam meets Et.
Torah of Eretz Yisrael (vs. Exilic Consciousness) (תורת ארץ ישראל) The transition from a narrow, intellectual "Exilic" conception of Torah to a comprehensive, experiential, and prophetic understanding connected to the Land of Israel.
W
The Will (Ratzon) (הרצון) See: Core Concepts.
The Will that Precedes Language (רצון שקודם לשפה) The Will is the source of everything, preceding words. The word "Ot" (letter) in Hebrew stems from the root "Le'avot" (to desire/will), meaning letters are fragments of the primary Will.
Pre-Prophetic Cinema: Expanded Glossary (Part II)
This section expands upon the foundational glossary, delving deeper into the unique methodologies, spiritual psychology, and theological underpinnings of the Pre-Prophetic Cinema movement.
A
Aural Logic (Higayon Shim'i) (היגיון שמעי) A concept formulated by the Rav HaNazir (Rabbi David Cohen), defining the distinct Hebrew mode of understanding. It contrasts with Western "Visual/Observational Logic" (which is analytical and objective). Aural Logic is based on listening (Shema), receptivity, and dialogue. The prophet is fundamentally one who listens to reality.
ASHAN (Olam, Shana, Nefesh) (עש"ן - עולם, שנה, נפש) The three foundational dimensions of reality according to the Kabbalistic text, Sefer Yetzirah: World (Space), Year (Time), and Soul (Consciousness). They serve as the blueprint for cinematic creation:
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Olam (Space): Mise-en-scène, the architecture of the frame.
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Shanah (Time): Editing, rhythm, the temporal flow.
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Nefesh (Soul): Character, the human consciousness. Their acronym ASHAN (Smoke) alludes to the revelation at Sinai ("And Mount Sinai was altogether in smoke"), suggesting that profound revelation appears ephemeral yet powerful, much like cinema itself.
C
Catharsis vs. Encounter (קתרזיס מול מפגש) The fundamental difference between Aristotelian poetics and the Hebrew prophetic model. While Western drama aims for Catharsis (emotional purging through conflict), Hebrew poetics aims for Encounter (Mifgash)—a holistic meeting between the infinite and the finite, emphasizing partnership and harmony over conflict.
Cinematic Teshuvah (The Flashback as Return) (תשובה קולנועית) Derived from the Jewish concept of Teshuvah (Return/Repentance), which posits that time is not irreversible and the past can be rectified. In editing, the flashback transcends mere exposition; it becomes an opportunity to present a past event in a new light that transforms its moral significance and alters the meaning of the present.
"Crowns for the Letters" (Tagim La'Otiot) (תגים לאותיות) A Talmudic/Kabbalistic term describing the phenomenon where surplus meaning is generated during the creative process. As the creator's expressive capacity deepens, new layers of meaning and deeper mysteries ("crowns") are revealed through the artistic act itself, transcending the initial intention.
D
Divine Providence (God's Counsel from Afar) (עצת ה' מרחוק) Rav Kook's term describing the hidden divine strategy within history. It suggests that even seemingly chaotic cultural developments (like the current dominance of imagination over intellect) are part of a long-term, concealed plan to refine humanity's vessels for the renewal of prophecy.
E
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh (I Will Be What I Will Be) (אהיה אשר אהיה) The divine name revealed to Moses at the Burning Bush. It represents pure, unconditioned Will and Being, preceding all definitions and structures. It is the primordial Will that addresses the will of the other directly.
Era of Prophecy (Idan HaNevuah) (עידן הנבואה) The anticipated historical transition from the Era of Wisdom (characterized by intellectual tools) back to the Era of Prophecy (characterized by direct, experiential revelation), catalyzed by the return to the Land of Israel (Zionism).
Exile (as a "Cure for Lack of Knowledge") (גלות כתרופה לחוסר דעת) The perspective that displacement (exile) is not merely punishment, but a mechanism for expanding consciousness. The forced movement from the familiar to the unknown compels individuals or nations to ask fundamental questions about their essence.
F
Film as Offering (Korban) (סרט כקורבן) A perspective that views the film as a type of offering, in the original Hebrew sense of the word Korban—"to draw near" (Lekarev). It is an act intended to bridge the gap between the Creator and the created, spirit and matter.
The Fourfold Song (HaShir HaMeruba) (השיר המרובע) Rav Kook’s analysis of the four fundamental levels of consciousness that often conflict:
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Song of the Soul: The personal/individualistic.
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Song of the Nation: The collective/national.
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Song of Humanity: The universal/humanistic.
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Song of the World: The cosmic/existential.
G
Garments of Skin / Garments of Light (כתנות עור / כתנות אור) A mystical interpretation of Genesis. While the text reads "Garments of Skin" (Or-עור), Rabbi Meir's Torah read "Garments of Light" (Or-אור). This symbolizes the transformative potential of cinema: the moment 'skin' (the physical world/film emulsion) is exposed to light and becomes an image, revealing hidden divine sparks.
H
Hebrew Concepts of Time (Et, Olam, Mo'ed) (עת, עולם, מועד) The three distinct concepts of time in Hebrew thought, applied to cinematic editing:
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Et (The Moment): The present, subjective experience; the "now" of the individual shot.
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Olam (Eternity/The World): The overarching narrative structure, the timeless message.
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Mo'ed (The Encounter/The Appointed Time): The sacred intersection where Eternity meets the Moment; the cinematic cut itself, where new meaning is generated.
I
Inter-Soul Space (Merchav Bein-Nishmati) (מרחב בין-נשמתי) The perception of the cinematic frame as a sacred, intimate space where the soul of the creator meets the soul of the viewer—a meeting between "two pieces of eternity."
L
The Ladder of Creation (Sulam HaYetzira) (סולם היצירה) Rav Kook's precise roadmap for approaching inspiration and the Holy Spirit. It outlines a holistic progression: starting with the purification of the Body, moving through the Imagination, the Emotion, the Intellect, and culminating in Supreme Listening.
Land and Will (Eretz and Ratzon) (ארץ ורצון) The deep connection in Hebrew between "Eretz" (Land) and "Ratzon" (Will). This implies that the Land of Israel possesses its own inherent will and divine vitality. Filming the land is an encounter with this Will.
M
The Modern Prophet (HaNavi HaModerni) (הנביא המודרני) The archetype of the future creator who will reintegrate the three fractured components of the prophetic profile—Intellect, Imagination, and Emotion—in perfect harmony.
N
Niv Sfatayim (Expression/Prophetic Speech) (ניב שפתיים) Literally "fruit of the lips." This is the final stage of the creative process—the transition from receptive listening to active expression. It is the act of giving form and voice to the inner vision, bringing the revelation into the world.
P
The Parable of the Beloved (Saba D'Mishpatim) (משל האהובה / סבא דמשפטים) A central parable from the Zohar describing the Torah (or Truth/Art) as a beautiful, hidden beloved who reveals herself only fleetingly and through hints to her devoted lover (the seeker/creator). It illustrates the gradual, intimate process of revelation.
Preparation of the Vessels (Hachsharat HaKelim) (הכשרת הכלים) The comprehensive process of refining and expanding the creator's tools—imagination, emotion, intellect—so they become capable of containing and channeling the intense light of renewed prophetic revelation without shattering.
The Prophetic Profile (The Trio) (פרופיל הנביא - השלישייה) The splintering of the complete prophet archetype after the cessation of classical prophecy (Talmud) into its three components: Intellect (The Wise), Imagination (The Fools/Madmen), and Emotion (The Infants).
R
Radical Individuality (of the Soul) (אינדיבידואליות רדיקלית של הנשמה) The concept that each soul is utterly unique, irreplaceable, and a direct expression of the Divine. Perfection is achieved not through uniformity, but through the full expression of each soul's unique "letter" in the "Divine text."
Redemption of Aesthetics (Geulat Ha'Estetika) (גאולת האסתטיקה) The historical process of reclaiming beauty as a necessary expression of inner truth, moving beyond the exilic suspicion of the aesthetic. The paradigm shifts from the Western "Beautiful, therefore True," to the Hebrew "True, therefore it must be expressed Beautifully."
Revival of Imagination (T'chiyat HaDimayon) (תחיית הדמיון) A historical process identified by Rav Kook, where imagination ascends in culture, weakening the dominance of pure intellectualism. This is understood as the necessary refinement of the collective imagination to serve as a healthy vessel for future prophecy.
S
Secrets Explained by Secrets (Razim Mitba'arim B'Razim) (רזים מתבארים ברזים) A principle taught by Rav Kook: Profound mysteries (Sod) cannot be translated into logical, revealed language without losing their essence. They must be illuminated by other mysteries—image by image, revelation by revelation.
Shattering Paradigms (Shvirat Tavniot) (שבירת תבניות) A core mandate of Pre-Prophetic Cinema. It is the revolutionary act of breaking conventional modes of thought and renewing the fundamental structures of wisdom and consciousness.
The Speculative Worlds (Olamot Ha'Hash'ariim) (העולמות ההשעריים) A concept from the Zohar referring to pre-rational realms of pure intuition (Hesha'arah) transcending measured logic. These worlds are the infinite source material for the creative imagination, which the creator must freely explore.
Spiral Time (זמן ספירלי) The Hebrew concept of time, which is neither purely linear nor cyclical, but a spiral—progressing upwards with direction, hope, and the possibility of renewal and change. (The Hebrew "Shanah"/Year is related to "Shinui"/Change).
Supreme Listening (Hakshava Elyona) (הקשבה עליונה) The culminating stage of the "Ladder of Creation." It is the state of pure receptivity, achieved after the purification of all lower faculties, where the creator becomes a clear channel for the influx of the Holy Spirit.
T
The Taste of the Future (The Flashforward) (טעימה מהעתיד) The cinematic technique of the flashforward or foreshadowing, viewed as a way to bring a "taste of the future" (akin to the Sabbath experience of the World to Come) into the present narrative, creating a sense of prophecy waiting to be fulfilled.
Torah of the Land of Israel (Torat Eretz Yisrael) (תורת ארץ ישראל) A holistic worldview emerging with the return to the Land of Israel. It emphasizes a direct, experiential connection to the holiness inherent in nature and the land, utilizing imagination as a primary language, contrasting with the intellectual focus of the "Exilic perspective."
W
The Will that Precedes Language (רצון שקודם לשפה) The understanding that the fundamental essence (Ratzon/Will) is the source of all reality and precedes verbal or intellectual expression. The letters themselves are fragments of this primordial will.
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