Our holy Torah is eternal and unchanging – "This Torah shall not be replaced" – and yet we see that over the generations, the Torah continues to develop, with additional dimensions and new facets, and in certain respects even undergoes changes and revolutions from one extreme to the other. How can this be?
In truth, there are two dimensions in the Torah: Regarding the eternal and unchanging dimension of the Torah, it is said, "There is no 'truth' but Torah." Truth is fixed and eternal. Regarding the changing and developing dimension of the Torah, it is said, "There is no 'boldness' but Torah." To effect change, boldness is required. Holy boldness is infused with humility, and its primary expression is the courage to admit mistakes, change opinions, and progress.
The truth in Torah is revealed in the Written Torah, which was given sealed and has not changed. The boldness in Torah is revealed in the Oral Torah, which grows and develops from generation to generation. The eternal truth of the Torah is expressed primarily in the objective intellect of the Torah, while the boldness to change stems from the heart of the Torah, its subjective dimension, which is sensitive to changes in reality.
Both traits also appear in those who study Torah, the Jewish people, as full commitment to the eternal Torah alongside the boldness to rule according to their understanding of the Torah entrusted to them – and even to enact ordinances and bring about changes as needed (when the Holy One, Blessed be He, smiles and says, "My children have defeated Me, My children have defeated Me").
These two dimensions are expressed in two types of learners – "Sinai" and "Uprooter of Mountains." The "Sinai" is well-versed in the entire Torah as it is, without change, while the "Uprooter of Mountains" delves deeply, innovates, and brings about revolutions in Torah (as time passes, and the "Sinai" dimension of Torah becomes accessible and available to all – through various media – the "Uprooter of Mountains" dimension becomes more important).
"Israel, Torah, and the Holy One, Blessed be He, are all one" – if we find these two dimensions in Torah and Israel, it is fitting to seek them also in the Holy One, Blessed be He, as it were. About God it is written, "The Eternal One of Israel will not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man that He should change His mind." Yet sometimes we find in the Torah that God does change His mind like a "man." God has an aspect of unchanging intellectual truth, "He is the Knower, the Known, and the Knowledge itself." He also has an aspect of "Essential Goodness," Who has mercy on His creatures and benefits them according to their changing needs.
In Tikunei Zohar it is written that although "I, God, have not changed," – for sinners God does change and conceal Himself – clothing Himself within reality to reach their place and awaken them to repentance and change. "Face to face God spoke with you" – God speaks to us with two faces, the face of the unchanging "not man" and the face of "man" who responds to reality, brings about changes in it, and advances it towards its good purpose.
