This is analogous to the soul. When it enters the body, the revealed energy through which the soul animates the body is perceptible. However, prior to entering the body, even though the soul already contains the necessary energy to animate the body upon becoming invested in it, nonetheless, this energy and ability still only exists in a potential state, but do not actually animate the body, as long as the soul has not yet entered the body to animate it, thereby revealing this potential ability from its hidden state and actualizing it.
Similarly, regarding the wisdom of a wise man: When his wisdom is shared with others, or even with himself, when he is consciously involved in it (his own wisdom), then it is revealed, since his wisdom is seen and revealed, either to others or to himself. However, when he is not involved in utilizing his wisdom consciously, then his wisdom only exists in his soul in potential. Meaning, that he has the ability to understand if he will apply his intellect to understanding, but this ability is not realized from its potential state unless he actually applies himself to understanding some matter.
Similarly, regarding the ability to see with the eyes. Even if one closes his eyes, his ability to see remains perfectly intact. Nevertheless, this power of vision is not revealed so that the eye can actually see unless one opens his eyes. The same is true for the ability to walk that is invested in the foot, and with all other senses and abilities in each of the limbs of the body.
Similarly, this can be understood regarding the Tzimtzum of Hashem’s Infinite Light Above: The Light and revelation are retracted and concealed so that they remain only in a potential state within the Luminary, but are not actualized and revealed in the world. This is known as an “Empty space and void,” with respect to the Light, since there is no revealed Light apparent. Now, it is not a truly “empty space,” Heaven forbid, since the Luminary fills the entire void and is present despite the lack of revelation. This is because the Luminary cannot possibly undergo a tzimtzum or concealment, and the Light remains only in potential.
As mentioned above, not only is there no Tzimtzum at all regarding Hashem Himself, “the Luminary,” even in the Infinite Light of Hashem it is not an actual “removal” or cancelation of the Light. The Light exists just as strongly as it did before the Tzimtzum. All that happened is that it became hidden from our perspective. This is described as reverting to a potential state. The power of sight in the eye is just as strong when the eyelids are closed, it is just not noticeable. The wisdom in the mind of the sage is just as strong when he is temporarily involved in something else, it didn’t disappear. It just isn’t noticeable.
Similarly, Hashem’s Infinite Light is actually still here, in the place where we exist. It did not actually leave or go somewhere else. It just became unnoticeable, invisible, to us. That is most people don’t even know that the Infinite Light exists in the first place, since it became invisible to us. However, regarding Hashem Himself even that type of Tzimtzum did not take place. Hashem’s Essential Being is found and experienced here and now exactly as before. That is why everyone knows deep down that Hashem exists.
