''Dira Betachtonim'' ( he, דירה בתחתונים) is a concept in Chabad philosophy describing the process of manifesting the presence of God within the world. ''Dirah Batachtonim'' is discussed primarily by the fifth

Chabad Chabad, also known as Lubavitch, Habad and Chabad-Lubavitch (), is an Orthodox Jewish Hasidic dynasty. Chabad is one of the world's best-known Hasidic movements, particularly for its outreach activities. It is one of the largest Hasidic grou ...

Rebbe, Rabbi

Sholom Dovber Schneersohn Sholom Dovber Schneersohn ( he, שלום דובער שניאורסאהן) was the fifth Rebbe (spiritual leader) of the Chabad Lubavitch chasidic movement. He is known as "the Rebbe Rashab" (for Reb Sholom Ber). His teachings represent the emerg ...

, in his ''

Samech Vov ''Yom Tov Shel Rosh Hashana: 5666'' ( he, ספר המאמרים תרס״ו), or as it is known in Chasidic reference ''Samech Vov'', is a compilation of the Chasidic treatises by Rabbi Sholom Dovber Schneersohn, the fifth Rebbe of Chabad, from t ...

'' series of Hasidic treatises. In the Samech Vov series, this idea is pronounced as the ultimate purpose of creation.Paltiel, Yosef Y
Samech Vav.
''Inside Chassidus.'' insidechassidus.org. Accessed April 1, 2014. Central to the ''Dirah Betachtonim'' concept is the notion of sublimating the physical aspects of existence.

Attribution

The concept of a divine dwelling is attributed to a statement in '' Midrash Tanchuma'', an Talmudic book of homilies, “God had a desire to have a home in the lower world.”

As a theological system

The concept of ''Dirah Betachtonim'' is the central focus of the book ''Heaven on Earth'' by Rabbi Faitel Levin. According to Levin, ''Dirah Betachtonim'' is not a solitary concept in Chabad philosophy, but represents a complete theological approach to the practice of Judaism.

Comparisons

In Chabad philosophy, ''Dirah Betachtonim'' has been compared to the type of divine manifestation in the World of Atzilut. The divine presence in Atzilut is thought to be especially profound; ''Dirah Betachtonim'' is thought as the attempt to mimic that manifestation within the World of Assiah.Altein, Leibel
"Dirah Betachtonim"
Reshmos. ''Kovetz Haaros Ubiurim''. Oholei Torah. Brooklyn: New York. 1999. Accessed April 15, 2014.

References

{{Chabad , state=collapsed Chabad-Lubavitch (Hasidic dynasty) Chabad philosophy Chabad terminology Jewish philosophical concepts