Q: In order to create the world, God had to will the concept of creation into existence. In order to do so, he had to create the concept of "will". This, of course, leads to the ultimate paradox, for if God is going to create "will", this in itself presupposes an act of will in itself.
A: Kabbalah explains that Will is God's Name . According to Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer, prior to the creation of the world, only God and His Name existed.
The Name is absolute nothingness in relation to the Essence. The creation ("ascent") of will for the creation of the world is through the means of sha'ashuim atzmi'im in the souls of Israel. These souls are the letters of the Primordial Torah. These letters "advised" God to will the creation of the world. Thus they reveal the root of the Absolute Essential Will of God in His Essence.
It takes many years of study and immersion in Chassidut to understand just a small part of the above and other complex concepts. Continue to study and you will understand ever deeper concepts in Kabbalah and Chassidut.
