Tzimtzum

with the proper background information. In The Life of Pi, religion is mentioned quite early in the book. Pi starts off by telling us that he majored in religious studies, and later explains how he practiced three religions at once. But where else does religion come into play? Why is it important? It’s important because, buried at the bottom of the ocean, hidden inside the name of the Tsimtsum, is a religious metaphor for Pi’s expedition. Tsimsum, more commonly spelled as tzimtzum, is a cabalistic term referring to Isaac Luria’s ideas about God and Creation. We can compare several of the events within the novel to the definition and description of Tzimtzum. In doing so, we find that…

created for the sole purpose of rejoicing in God, and deriving pleasure from the splendor of His Presence” (Luzzatto 25). In some sects of Judaism, it is understood that for man to have free will, they must have both inner free will and must also be in an environment that allows them to choose between obedience and disobedience. The Torah continues that “everything is foreseen; yet free will is given" creating the paradox that states that man has the ability to choose based on free will, but…