Actualisation and Transcendence



For those who are into self, there are two forms of doing it well: self-actualisation and self-transcendence. The former connotes a path of achievement, fine-tuning ones G-d given talents and developing new ones with perseverance, grit and determination. The latter describes a lifestyle focused upon the other – upon ones fellow, meaningful causes as well as cleaving to the Divine – in which ones own needs are made secondary to, or are perhaps fulfilled via, an outwards focus.

So, which is better? Can one have both?

When Moshe is born, the Torah describes how it was apparent to observers that “he was good” (Shemot 2:2). In Zohar a debate surrounds the nature of the ‘goodness’ that manifested itself before those who gathered around the young bub. Rabbi Chiya says that Moshe was born circumcised. Rabbi Yosi says the house was filled with light. Being a Kabbalistic work, the Zohar appears to be pointing us to a deeper debate. Circumcision is code for self-actualisation. Just as a man is born physically incomplete, requiring the removal of the foreskin to express the Divine image, so too every individual is born with certain excesses and deficiencies in their personality which require work if they are to improve. Moshe was born circumcised, a physical symbol of his unblemished character. ‘Filling the house with light’ is code for self-transcendence. Light is emitted, often at the expense of the source of light, to illuminate a space for those in need. Moshe was a born leader, focused outward, a guiding star from the get-go.

Rabbis Chiya and Yosi debate the essence of a good leader - must they be primarily actualised or transcendent?

While the balance may be matter of opinion, it is clear that both are required. A leader should be focused upon others, but in order to do so, one must first improve oneself.

Based on Lekkutei Sichot vol 16 pp20-28

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