The Ari, the greatest of the kabbalists, taught that the prerequisite for the creation of the cosmos was a complete and utter withdrawal of the primordial infinite light. Only then could a finite trickle of light return to generate and sustain a universe. All the light was withdrawn. There is no information, no revelation, no enlightenment, but for an infinitesimal afterglow attainable to those who toil for a lifetime. But the origin of light, the essential core of reality—that was never withdrawn. It is always accessible, everywhere, at all times, to all beings, in all things. What do we call that essential reality? We call it “You.” Torah Ohr, Parshat Vayera. Sefer Hakuntreisim Vol. II, pg. 592. See also P'lach Ha-Rimon of...