Regarding the faculties of the soul, primary of primaries
refers to the source of will, i.e. essence-will.1 It precedes all powers, being the source of all, for
“nothing stands in the way of will.” Not only are emotion and intellect
controlled by will, but even delight is affected by will,
as is explained elsewhere at length, though it is inconclusive which is
superior. (The maxim,2 “There is none higher than delight,” seems to
conflict with “Nothing can obstruct will.”)
In view of the above, we can understand why essence-will is
called primary of primaries. For unlike an animal which stands on four
feet, man’s body is erect. The head is higher than the heart, and the heart and
respiratory organs are higher than the digestive system. Man may be divided into
three general categories: intellect, emotion and deed. Thought and speech are
auxiliary powers, thought serving intellect, speech serving emotion.
The faculties and senses follow a pattern of sequence:
emotion precedes speech, thought precedes emotion, and intellect precedes
thought. Since each is antecedent to another, all are called primary. The
beginning of the entire series is will, their antecedent and cause;
consequently, it is called primary of primaries.
We may now also understand the term Adam Kadmon, the
first visage3
emanating from G-d after the condensation. The words Adam Kadmon
are used deliberately, each word contributing to the description: Adam
(man) indicates order and system in composition, while Kadmon (primary)
indicates that this level precedes all subsequent ones in the creative process
as was explained above with regards to will preceding all else.
But all the foregoing refers to the definition of the
adjective primary as related to creatures, i.e. in a figurative sense.
True primary existence can refer only to G-d, the absolute Primary and
Eternal. This is in accord with the saying, “Every primary is eternal, but not
all eternals are primary.”4 Many beings, by decree of the Creator,
may be eternal, though not a single one of them is primary. The term primary
as used here refers to the absolute adjective, not to the variable meaning
adjectives may assume. In its absolute sense, we learn from the citation,
primary may be applied only to G-d
All adjectives, then, possess both an essential or absolute
meaning, and a figurative one. The essential meaning refers to G-d; its
figurative meanings apply to creatures. Essential and figurative adjectives are
found also in the sphere of intellect (wise, understanding, knowing), emotions
(merciful, gracious, kindly, mighty, awesome), and similarly regarding
adjectives describing unity, singularity and primacy: one, sole, and
primary.
