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By Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui

In this article, I quote a portion of The Tanya, written by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812), the founder of Chabad Hasidism. The Tanya synthesizes foundational Jewish sources, including the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh), the Talmud, and, in particular, the teachings of Kabbalah, with a strong emphasis on the Lurianic Kabbalah of Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Ari) and his disciple, Rabbi Chaim Vital. These insights, as I will show, align precisely with what scientists are telling us today through the language of mathematics and the descriptions and imagery of quantum mechanics.

When you contemplate the world around you, you must realize that it is all G-d, Blessed be He. He is watching, He is listening, and He is always in complete control, as everything you see is a manifestation of this underlying reality: Him.

“Although G-d transcends space and time, He is also present within them, even as space and time—dimensions that constitute the world—exist, in their own perception, as independent entities. In other words, He unites with His attribute of “Malchut” (an attribute and tool created by G-d) – from which space and time derive and come into existence. This refers to Malchut after its descent through the various contractions and reductions. Yet, even this level of Malchut remains united with God. Therefore, God, who transcends time and space, is also present within them.”

“The reason created beings are unable to perceive Him is that Malchut (a mechanism created by G-d to produce space and time) conceals His Presence; thus, they see themselves as having independent existence, subject to the limitations and divisions of time and space.

His Essence and Being, known by the Name Ein Sof, “the Infinite One,” completely fills the entire earth both temporally and spatially. For in the heavens above and on the earth below and in all four directions, everything is equally infused with the Infinite-light, for G-d is found on earth below exactly as in the heavens above—for everything, including both heaven and earth, is within the dimension of space, which is utterly nullified in the Ein Sof-Infinite light that manifests itself through God’s attribute of Malchut, which is united with Him.”

So, Space and time, a creation of G-d, with the appearance of independence and separateness from anything spiritual or G-dly, in truth, contain all of the Infinite G-d. It is simply that, in space and time, God desires us to experience Him at this finite, limited level.

In quantum physics, everything begins with what is called “nothing.” In everyday language, “nothing” means a complete absence of anything. In physics, however, “nothing” is more akin to a quantum vacuum—a “state” with “no matter” but still governed by physical laws and filled with quantum fluctuations. The “nothing” from which our universe emerged is actually a bubbling, energetic quantum foam of unseen energy and mathematical equations, not an absolute void. In quantum physics, “nothing” isn’t truly empty. Even in a perfect vacuum, quantum fluctuations—tiny, random changes in energy—are always occurring.

These fluctuations can produce pairs of particles and antiparticles that emerge and then annihilate each other almost instantly. Sometimes, when gravity is involved, these fluctuations can be substantial enough to create entire universes. Physicists argue that the laws of physics predict that “something” will arise from “nothing”—that is, universes can spontaneously come into existence from this quantum foam, given the right conditions.

To further clarify, quantum physics describes the vacuum not as an empty void, but as a seething background of energy where particles and antiparticles constantly appear and disappear due to inherent quantum uncertainty. This is a consequence of the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, which states that certain pairs of physical properties, such as energy and time, cannot be precisely known simultaneously. As a result, for very short periods, energy can “borrow” from the vacuum, manifesting as virtual particles that pop in and out of existence. These quantum fluctuations are not just theoretical—they have observable consequences, such as the Casimir effect and the phenomenon of Hawking radiation at the edge of black holes. Thus, the “nothingness” of quantum physics is a dynamic, creative backdrop, not true emptiness, and it forms the foundation for the emergence of everything in our universe.

The obvious question for any thinking person is: Where did this “nothing” come from? Where did the elegant mathematical equations that govern and control the formation and outcome of this nothing originate? This “nothing” could never produce the so precisely orchestrated, organized quarks and then protons, neutrons, electrons, and neutrinos just randomly. This “nothing”, on its own, could never randomly create a living human being with trillions of highly organized atoms who dazzled the likes of Leonardo da Vinci.

Quantum mechanics, i.e. modern science, tells us that everything we see and experience is a manifestation of the “nothingness” of the brilliant quantum fields and fluctuations.  “Me ayin Yovoi Ezri” (Psalm 121-2). “It is out of the (infinitely intelligent) nothingness that my salvation will come”.

Now, reflect on the Tanya mentioned earlier. The actual underlying reality of everything, which is intriguingly described as space and time—with all due respect to Albert Einstein, whom we credit with “spacetime”—is the infinite G-d Almighty. G-d Almighty set some boundaries on Himself, so finite beings could relate to Him, and He created an expression of Himself that we understand as space and time. The truth is that space and time are finite expressions of an infinite undercurrent underlying our finite experience.

When we pray, G-d is right there before us (inside of us). We are expressions of Him. When we witness miracles happening, G-d does not need to change anything. He, Blessed be He, simply widens the boundaries in our minds and eyes. When Hagar prayed for her son Ishmael to be saved after being sent out of Abraham’s house, the Torah (Genesis 21:8-12) says, “and God opened her eyes,” and behold, she noticed what she hadn’t seen before. A well of water she had not seen before, but was always there!

Today, science, and more specifically, quantum mechanics, provides us with the tools to appreciate and relate to the words of our holy teachers more concretely. In today’s current situation in Israel, Iran, and around the world, we must pray and follow G-d’s commandments. It is specifically through these spiritual, G-dly actions that we will equip ourselves with the best and strongest means for protection and success.  Our success with our fighter Jets is rooted in the energy that governs those Jets and their pilots. You know why? Because it is He, Almighty, at the root of everything.

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Rabbi Shlomo Ezagui, director of Chabad of Palm Beach, Florida, since 1987, has authored two books: Maimonides Advice for the 21st Century and A Spiritual Soul Book, and is now working on a third book, Physics of the Mystics. Additionally, Rabbi Ezagui regularly contributes to his blog on the Times of Israel. Find him online at RabbiShlomoEzagui.com 

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