Understanding the Klippah
One useful but complex topic is known as the "klippah", which means "husk", or "shell" in Hebrew. Though esoteric, this work will make this complex idea simple enough to begin applying today.
The Kabbalah, though often misunderstood and maligned, seeks to understand the dynamics of how the Creator interacts with His creation. The benefit of this wisdom will help us learn to optimize our time on earth, applying the hidden dimensions of scripture to avoid the pitfalls that create a barrier between us and G_D.
The Gospels and Epistles employ many of these metaphors, though some can be challenging to comprehend. If we persist and grasp them at a simple level, we may find a practical way of perceiving the spiritual aspects behind world events and our own experiences - no matter how dramatic or mundane.
One useful but complex topic is known as the "klippah". However, this concept has become further developed through time, though it retains coherence with the original Biblical texts. Hopefully, this work will make this complex idea simple enough to begin applying today.
Klippah
The word Klippah (קליפה) simply means "shell", "husk", or "outer layer". One common metaphor likens the klippah to the shell of a fruit, which necessarily protects the edible inner portion. As we are familiar, one must remove the outer shell to reveal the fruit. A similar idea is read in John, when Jesus references the removal of the husk after physical death.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. - John 12:24
Other times we might envision the klippah as a container or a jar that holds a spark of light.
Generally, the klippah is seen as a negative entity associated with evil, and the human propensity for selfishness, also known as our evil inclination. Other metaphors are chaff, leaven (chametz), and straw¹.
Perplexingly, these are necessary conditions in our current reality, for if the potential for evil did not exist, free will would not either². A good decision can only be "good" when juxtaposed with a bad one.
Though the sin of Adam created an imbalance, a more favorable condition for evil, we should remember that our actions, words, and thoughts matter greatly, still.
