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Explaining the Discernment of Luck
92. Explaining the Discernment of Luck
I heard on Sivan 7, June 14, 1948
“Luck” is something that is above reason. That is, even though it was reasonable that it would be so and so, luck caused his actions to succeed. Reason refers to cause and consequence, meaning that a cause makes the result come out as it does. But above reason, when the initial cause is not the cause of the consequence, this is called “above reason.” We refer to it as luck causing the result.
It is known that all bestowals come from the light of Hochma [wisdom]. And when Hochma shines, it is called “left line” and “darkness.” The abundance is blocked, and it is called “ice.” This is called “merit” because he is rewarded. That means that the reason that causes the light of wisdom is called “merit,” which is cause and consequence.
But “sons, life, and nourishment do not depend on merit, but on luck.” This means that Hochma shines specifically through the middle line, where the Hochma is diminished, and specifically through the diminution, called Masach de Hirik. It follows that she does not shine with cause and consequence, meaning that Hochma shines through the left line, but precisely through diminution. This is called “above reason,” and this is “luck.”