Let us take a man who appears sometimes as a father, sometimes as a craftsman, sometimes as a soldier.
While he identifies with each function, his self cannot be totally identified with anyone
role.
In each realm of function, he is whole and separate from the others, but at no point can we separate the man from what he is doing.
The man exists as himself, beyond any role or function, as a complete oneness.
In this sense, God exists beyond any characterization.
All categories are ways of His manifestation to us.
A person does not dress up to play the role of father or soldier; it is a real aspect of his existence.
At the same time, the man is not the same as father or soldier.
He remains the self beneath the outer garments, beyond the role or function.
–Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
From The Way of the Soul and Torah: Essence and Structure in The Candle of God by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz