Ha-Ilan (The Tree) (Illustrations and References)

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)

 

DIAGRAM 1

  • Item 1 depicts the RoshTochSof of Partzuf Keter de AK.
  • Item 2 depicts Partzuf AB de AK in RoshTochSof and how it clothes Partzuf Keter de AK from its Peh down.
  • Item 3 depicts Partzuf SAG de AK in RoshTochSof and how it clothes Partzuf AB de AK from its Peh down.

DIAGRAM 1, ITEM 1

This is Partzuf Keter de AK, the first ten Sefirot that expanded from Ein Sof into the space after theTzimtzum. Its Rosh touches Ein Sof, Above, and its Sium Raglin is in the middle, central point, which is this world. It contains three Behinot of ten Sefirot: ten Sefirot de (of) Rosh, ten Sefirot de Toch, and ten Sefirot de Sof.

The ten Sefirot de Rosh are called “the roots of the ten Sefirot,” since there is the beginning of their creation, through the meeting of the ten Sefirot de Ohr Yashar by the Zivug de Hakaa in the Masach in Malchut de Rosh, which raises ten Sefirot de Ohr Hozer that clothe the ten Sefirot de Ohr Yashar, which extend from Ein Sof (as it is written in The Tree of Life, Gate 47, Chapter 1). The ten Sefirot de Ohr Yashar are arranged from Above downwards, and their opposite is the Ohr Hozer, where they are arranged from below Upwards. Malchut of the ten Sefirot de Rosh is called Peh.

The ten Sefirot de Toch in the Partzufim of AK is called Akudim, in Partzuf Keter, in AB, as well as inSAG. Yet, in Partzuf Keter, the Upper Light was not yet distinguished in ten Sefirot, and the difference between them was only in impressions (as the Ari wrote in The Tree of Life, Section Present and Not Present, Chapter 1). Also, Malchut of the ten Sefirot de Toch is called Tabur.

The ten Sefirot de Sof are considered the Sium of each Sefira of the ten Sefirot through Malchut. ThePartzuf ends in the Sefira of Malchut, which is why she is called Sium Raglin.

DIAGRAM 1, ITEM 2

This is Partzuf AB de AK, the second Hitpashtut of ten Sefirot from Ein Sof into the space, after theTzimtzum. It begins from Hochma, and lacks the Light of Keter. It is emanated and comes out ofMalchut de Rosh of Partzuf Keter, which is called Peh. Hence, it clothes Partzuf Keter from its Pehdown to Tabur of Partzuf Keter.

Its ten Sefirot de Rosh are like the ten Sefirot de Rosh of Partzuf Keter de AK, except that it lacksKeter. The elicitation of these ten Sefirot is elaborated on in The Tree of Life, Section Present and Not Present, Chapters 1 and 2, as well as in Talmud Eser Sefirot, Part 5, where these words of the Ari are thoroughly explained.

Here, the ten Sefirot de Toch become more conspicuous than the ten Sefirot de Toch in Partzuf Keter, since here there were ten entrances and ten exits in the order of Present and Not Present (as it is written in The Tree of Life, Section Present and Not Present, and in Talmud Eser Sefirot, Part 5). In the Sefira Keter of the ten Sefirot de Toch, there are two Kelim, called Yod– Hey. This is so in theirSefira Hochma, too, but in the Sefira Bina, the Yod– Hey are only in one Kli, and the Vav is in the Kliof Yesod, and the bottom Hey is in Malchut.

The ten Sefirot de Sof are the same as in Partzuf Keter de AK, except its Sium Raglin is above theTabur of Partzuf Keter.

DIAGRAM 1, ITEM 3

This is Partzuf SAG de AK, the third expansion of ten Sefirot from Ein Sof into the space after theTzimtzum, in RoshTochSof. It is emanated and comes out of the Peh of Partzuf AB de AK. It begins from Bina and lacks the Lights Keter and Hochma, and clothes from the Peh of Partzuf AB de AKdownwards, although below it is longer than it, since it expanded downwards, to the same level as the Sium Raglin of Partzuf Keter de AK.

DIAGRAM 2, ITEM 1

This is the state of Partzuf SAG de AK during Tzimtzum Aleph. It is presented above, in Diagram 1, Item 3, but here there is the additional distinction of its own two PartzufimPartzuf Taamim, fromPeh to Tabur, and Partzuf Nekudim, from Tabur down. You will find their explanation in Talmud Eser Sefirot, Part 6, p 390.

Thus far, the three lower worlds BeriaYetzira, and Assiya did not come to any existence, since SAG de AK, too, extended through the point of this world. It follows that it was considered Atzilut down to the point of this world.

DIAGRAM 2, ITEM 2

This is the state of SAG de AK during Tzimtzum Bet, prior to the Zivug in Nikvey Eynaim, which was done in order to emanate the ten Sefirot de Nekudim. Because of the descent of SAG into the innerMA and BON de AKBina received the Behinat Malchut. Thus, the ending Malchut, which stood at the point of this world, rose to the place of Tabur, and the mating Malchut, which stood at Peh de Rosh de SAG, rose to the place of Nikvey Eynaim de Rosh de SAG, and the AwzenHotemPeh de Roshdescended to Behinat Guf de SAG. Also, the Light was emptied from Tabur down, and this, in general, is Partzuf SAG.

And there is RoshTochSof, called HBDHGTNHYM in its own Partzuf Nekudot de SAG, standing entirely below the Tabur (see above, diagram 2, Item 1). In it, too, as in general, it is considered that the ending Malchut rose to Bina de Guf, called Tifferet, in the place of its Chazeh, where the line ofEin Sof ended, and below it the Parsa was established, since this is where Behinat Atzilut ended.

From there down, it became the place of the three worlds BeriaYetzira, and Assiya. The world ofBeria was made of the two bottom thirds of Tifferet, down to its Sium. The world of Yetzira was made of NetzahHod, and Yesod, and the world of Assiya was made of Malchut. This is thoroughly explained in the words of the Ari, p 8, and in Ohr Pashut there.

DIAGRAM 2, ITEM 3

This is the state in SAG de AK during the Zivug that was made in Nikvey Eynaim: the AwzenHotem,Peh came out of Behinat Rosh and into Guf, below the place of the Zivug de Rosh. Yet, since there is no absence in the spiritual, two kinds of AwzenHotem, and Peh are discerned here: the first are theAwzenHotemPeh at their exit spot, their place at the Rosh, as in the beginning. The second are theAwzenHotemPeh that descended into actual Behinat Guf below Peh de Rosh de SAG. They are called AwzenHotemPeh not in the place of their exit. And all those are called “inner AwzenHotem,Peh.”

Here, the ten Sefirot de Toch through Tabur are called Akudim, as prior to Tzimtzum Bet, since the ten Sefirot that came out of the Zivug de Nikvey Eynaim could only manifest below Tabur. These are called “ten Sefirot de Nekudim,” and they came out primarily outside of Partzuf SAG, although their internality emerged in AK itself.

Also, they are called MA and BON de AK, since the internality of the Upper three of Nekudim is calledMA de AK and the internality of the lower seven of Nekudim is called BON de AK. They end at the point of Sium of Tzimtzum Bet, called “the Parsa between Atzilut and Beria.” Below it are the three worlds, lower BeriaYetzira, and Assiya.

DIAGRAM 2, ITEM 4

This is an external Partzuf AwzenHotemPeh de SAG de AK, through Tabur. From Tabur down, it isPartzuf of ten Sefirot de Nekudim, which end at the Parsa. Below Parsa stand the three worlds, lowerBeriaYetzira, and Assiya.

In the external ones, the AwzenHotemPeh are divided into two Behinot AwzenHotemPeh: external AwzenHotemPeh, at the place of their elicitation, standing above the Peh, and externalAwzenHotemPeh, not in their elicitation place, standing from below the Peh through Tabur. Their Upper three are attached to the bottom lip. It is called Shibolet ha Zakan (the bit of hair under the bottom lip), and the Upper three are primarily the Light of Awzen, but their Behinot HotemPeh are included in them, too. These are the roots of the Upper three of Nekudim.

Their lower seven, which are the actual Hotem and Peh, stand below Shibolet ha Zakan and spread through the Tabur. These external AwzenHotemPeh are also called Dikna (beard) de SAG de AK, and you will find a detailed explanation of them in Talmud Eser Sefirot, Part 6, p 409, Item 20.

The ten Sefirot de Nekudim stand from Tabur downwards. Their First three are in Tikkun Kavim and clothe MA de AK, and their bottom seven are one below the other, as in Tzimtzum Aleph, clothingBON de AK. Below them are the Parsa and the three worlds BeriaYetzira, and Assiya, under theParsa.

DIAGRAM 3, ITEM 1

This is the constant state of the five Partzufim of AK, from which the five Partzufim of the new MAemerged, called “the five constant Partzufim of Atzilut.” Once they were established, no diminution will ever occur in them.

It also explains the division of each Partzuf into KeterAtzilutBeriaYetzira, and Assiya, which are also called KeterABSAGMA, and BON, or YechidaHayaNeshamaRuach, and Nefesh. EachRosh, through the Peh, is called Keter or Yechida. From Peh through Chazeh in each of them, it is called Atzilut or AB or Haya. And from Chazeh to Tabur in each of them, it is called Beria or Neshama or SAG. And from Tabur down to each of them, it is called Yetzira and Assiya, or MA and BON, orRuach– Nefesh.

Additionally, it explains their clothing within one another. Each clothes its Superior from the Peh of its Superior downwards in such a way that the Rosh of each lower one clothes the AB and Atzilut of the Upper One, and AB and Atzilut of the lower one clothe the SAG and Beria of its Superior.

Also, SAG and Beria of each lower one clothe MA and BON, which is Yetzira and Assiya of the Upper One. Thus, the Peh of the Upper One is considered the Galgalta of the lower one, and the Chazeh of the Upper One is considered Peh of the lower one, and Tabur of the Upper One is considered theChazeh of the lower one.

Also, it explains the elicitation of the new MA in each of the five Partzufim of Atzilut, the MA in its corresponding Partzuf in AK.

DIAGRAM 4

The state of ZA during its ascension to obtain Neshama, with respect to the constant five Partzufim ofAK and Atzilut, and how it takes and nourishes off Beria de BON de AK—its corresponding Partzuf inAK.

DIAGRAM 5

The state of ZA during its ascension to obtain Haya, with respect to the constant five Partzufim of AKand Atzilut, and how it takes and nourishes off Atzilut de BON de AK—its corresponding Partzuf in AK.

DIAGRAM 6

The state of ZA during its ascension to obtain Yechida, with respect to the constant five Partzufim ofAK and Atzilut, and how it takes and nourishes off Rosh de BON de AK—its corresponding Partzuf inAK.

DIAGRAM 7

The states of the five Partzufim of Atzilut upon their ascent to obtain Neshama, with respect to the five constant Partzufim of AK, and how each takes and nourishes off its corresponding Partzuf in AK.

DIAGRAM 8

The states of the five Partzufim of Atzilut upon their ascent to obtain Haya, with respect to the five constant Partzufim of AK, and how each takes and nourishes off its corresponding Partzuf in AK.

DIAGRAM 9

The states of the five Partzufim of Atzilut upon their ascent to obtain Yechida, with respect to the five constant Partzufim of AK, and how each takes and nourishes off its corresponding Partzuf in AK.

DIAGRAMS 10, 11, 12

These depict how the ladder of degrees never changes, and the degrees, as a whole, always remain as they were in their beginning, at the time of the elicitation of the new MA, as in the constant state. This is so because when ZA ascends and obtains Neshama, all the degrees rise along with it—the fivePartzufim of AK and Atzilut—and each obtains the Behinat Neshama related to it. It is similar in obtaining Haya de ZA and obtaining Yechida de ZA.

Diagram 10 is the state of the five Partzufim of AK as they ascend to obtain Neshama. Diagram 11 depicts their state when they obtain Haya, and Diagram 12 is their state when they obtain Yechida.

Diagram no. 1

Diagram no. 2

Diagram no. 3

Diagram no. 4

Diagram no. 5

Diagram no. 6

Diagram no. 7

Diagram no. 8

Diagram no. 9

Diagram no. 10

Diagram no. 11

Diagram no. 12

Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)

 

While studying, it is recommend to examine the drawings at the end of the essay, HaIlan

THE THOUGHT OF CREATION AND THE FOUR PHASES OF DIRECT LIGHT

1) Rabbi Hanania Son of Akashia says, “The Creator wished to cleanse Israel; hence, He has given them plentiful Torah and Mitzvot (commandments), as it is written, ‘The Lord was pleased, for His righteousness’ sake, to make the teaching great and glorious’” (Makot, 23b). It is known that “cleansing” is derived from the (Hebrew) word, “purifying.” It is as our sages said, “The Mitzvot were only given for the purification of Israel” (Beresheet RabbaParasha 44). We must understand this cleansing, which we achieve through Torah and Mitzvot, and what is the Aviut(thickness/coarseness/will to receive) within us, which we should cleanse using Torah and Mitzvot.

Since we have already discussed it in my book, Panim Masbirot, and in The Study of the Ten Sefirot, I shall briefly reiterate that the Thought of Creation was to delight the creatures, in accordance with His abundant generosity. For this reason, a great desire and craving to receive His abundance was imprinted in the souls.

This is so because the will to receive is the Kli (vessel) for the measure of pleasure in the abundance, since the measure and strength of the will to receive the abundance precisely corresponds to the measure of pleasure and delight in the abundance. And they are so connected that they are indivisible, except in what they relate to: the pleasure is related to the abundance, and the great desire to receive the abundance is related to the receiving creature.

These two necessarily extend from the Creator, and necessarily came in the Thought of Creation. However, they should be divided in the above-mentioned manner: the abundance comes from His Essence, extending existence from existence, and the will to receive included there is the root of the creatures. This means that it is the root of initiation, that is, emergence existence from absence, since there is certainly no form of will to receive in His Essence.

Hence, it is considered that the above-mentioned will to receive is the whole substance of Creation from beginning to end. Thus, all the creatures, all their innumerable instances and conducts that have appeared and that will appear, are but measures and various denominations of the will to receive. All that exists in those creatures, that is, all that is received in the will to receive imprinted in them, extends from His Essence existence from existence. It is not at all a new creation, since it is not new at all. Rather, it extends from His Endlessness existence from existence.

2) As we have said, the will to receive is innately included in the Thought of Creation with all its denominations, along with the great abundance He had planned to delight them and impart to them. And know that these are the Ohr (Light) and Kli that we discern in the Upper Worlds. They necessarily come tied together and cascade together degree by degree. And the extent to which the degrees descend from the Light of His Face and depart from Him is the extent of the materialization of the will to receive contained in the abundance.

We could also state the opposite: to the extent that the will to receive in the abundance materializes, it descends degree by degree to the lowest of all places, where the will to receive is fully materialized. This place is called “the world of Assiya,” the will to receive is considered “man’s body,” and the abundance one receives is considered the measure of “vitality in that body.”

It is similar in other creatures in this world. Thus, the only difference between the Upper Worlds and this world is that as long as the will to receive included in His Abundance has not fully materialized, it is regarded as being in the spiritual worlds, Above this world. And once the will to receive has fully materialized, it is regarded as being in this world.

3) The above-mentioned order of cascading, which brings the will to receive to its final form in this world, follows a sequence of four discernments that exist in the four-letter-name, HaVaYaH. This is because the four letters, HaVaYaH (YodHeyVavHey), in His Name contain the whole of reality, without any exception.

In general, they are described in the ten SefirotHochmaBinaTifferetMalchut, and their Shoresh(Root). They are ten Sefirot because the Sefira Tifferet contains six internal Sefirot, called HGTNHY (Hesed–Gevura–Tifferet Netzah–Hod–Yesod), and the Root, called Keter. Yet, in essence, they are called HB TM (Hochma-Bina Tifferet-Malchut).

And they are four worlds, called AtzilutBeriaYetzira, and Assiya. The world of Assiya contains this world within it. Thus, there is not a creature in this world, which is not initiated in the world of Ein Sof, in the Thought of Creation to delight His creatures. Hence, it is innately comprised of Light andKli, meaning a certain measure of abundance with the will to receive that abundance.

The measure of abundance extends existence from existence from His Essence, and the will to receive the abundance is initiated existence from absence.

But for that will to receive to acquire its final quality, it must cascade along with the abundance within it through the four worlds — AtzilutBeriaYetzira, and Assiya. This completes the Creation with Light and Kli, called Guf (body), and the “Light of life” within it.

4) The reason why the will to receive must cascade by the four above-mentioned discernments inABYA (AtzilutBeriaYetziraAssiya) is that there is a great rule concerning the Kelim (plural for Kli):the expansion of the Light and its departure make the Kli fit for its task. This means that as long as the Kli has not been separated from its Light, it is included in the Light and is annulled within it like a candle in a torch.

This annulment is because they are completely opposite from one another, on opposite ends. This is so because the Light extends from His Essence existence from existence. From the perspective of the Thought of Creation in Ein Sof, it is all towards bestowal and there is no trace of will to receive in it. Its opposite is the Kli, the great will to receive that abundance, which is the root of the initiated creature, in which there is no bestowal whatsoever.

Hence, when they are bound together, the will to receive is annulled in the Light within it, and can determine its form only once the Light has departed thence once. This is so because following the departure of the Light from it, it begins to crave it, and this craving properly determines and sets the shape of the will to receive. Subsequently, when the Light dresses in it once more, it is regarded as two separate matters: Kli and Light, or Guf and Life. Observe closely, for this is most profound.

5) Hence, the four discernments in the name HaVaYaH, called HochmaBinaTifferet, and Malchut, are required. Behina Aleph (Phase One), called Hochma, is indeed the whole of the emanated being, Light and Kli. In it is the great will to receive with all the Light included in it, called Ohr Hochma (Light of Wisdom) or Ohr Haya (Light of Haya), as it is all the Hayim (life) in the emanated being, dressed in its Kli. However, this Behina Aleph is considered all Light and the Kli in it is barely noticeable, as it is mingled with the Light and annulled in it as a candle in a torch.

Following it comes Behina Bet (Phase Two), since at its end, the Kli of Hochma prevails in equivalence of form with the Upper Light in it. This means that a desire to bestow upon the Emanator appears in it, according to the nature of the Light within it—entirely to bestow.

Then, using this desire, which has awakened in it, a new Light extends to it from the Emanator, called Ohr Hassadim (Light of Mercy). As a result, it becomes almost entirely separated from the Ohr Hochma that the Emanator imprinted in it, since Ohr Hochma can only be received in its own Kli—a desire to receive that has grown to its fullest measure.

Thus, the Light and Kli in Behina Bet are utterly different from those in Behina Aleph, since the Kli in it is the desire to bestow. The Light within it is considered Ohr Hassadim, a Light that stems from theDvekut (adhesion) of the emanated in the Emanator, as the desire to bestow induces its equivalence of form with the Emanator, and in spirituality equivalence of form is Dvekut.

Next follows Behina Gimel (Phase Three). Once the Light had diminished in the emanated being into Ohr Hassadim without any Hochma, while it is known that Ohr Hochma is the essence of the emanated being, hence, at the end of Behina Bet, it awakened and drew within it a measure of Ohr Hochma, to shine within its Ohr Hassadim. This awakening re-extended a certain measure of the will to receive, which forms a new Kli called Behina Gimel or Tifferet. And the Light in it is called “Light ofHassadim in illumination of Hochma,” since the majority of that Light is Ohr Hassadim, and its lesser part is Ohr Hochma.

Following it came Behina Dalet (Phase Four), since the Kli of Behina Gimel, too, awakened at its end to draw the complete Ohr Hochma, as it occurred in Behina Aleph. Thus, this awakening is considered “craving” in the measure of the will to receive in Behina Aleph, and exceeding it, since now it has already been separated from that Light, as the Light of Hochma is no longer clothed in it, but craves it. Thus, the form of the will to receive has been fully determined, since the Kli is determined following the expansion of the Light and its departure from there. Later, when it returns, it will receive the Light once more. It turns out that the Kli precedes the Light, and this is why thisBehina Dalet is considered the completion of the Kli, and it is called Malchut (Kingship).

6) These four above discernments are the ten Sefirot, discerned in each emanation and each creature, in the whole, which are the four worlds, and even in the smallest part in reality. Behina Aleph is called Hochma or “the world of Atzilut”; Behina Bet is called Bina or “the world of Beria”;Behina Gimel is called Tifferet or “the world of Yetzira”; and Behina Dalet is called Malchut or “the world of Assiya.”

Let us explain the four discernments applied in each soul. When the soul exits from Ein Sof and comes into the world of Atzilut, it is Behina Aleph of the soul. Yet, there, it is still not discerned by that name, since the name Neshama (soul) implies that there is some difference between her [25] and the Emanator, and that through that difference, she departed Ein Sof and has been revealed as its own authority.

But as long as it does not have a form of a Kli, there is nothing to distinguish it from His Essence, to merit her own name. You already know that Behina Aleph of the Kli is not considered a Kli at all, and is entirely annulled in the Light. And this is the meaning of what is said about the world of Atzilut, that it is complete Godliness, as in “He, His Life, and His Self are One.” Even the souls of all living creatures, while traversing the world of Atzilut, are still considered attached to His Essence.

7) This above-mentioned Behina Bet rules in the world of Beria—the Kli of the desire to bestow. Hence, when the soul cascades into the world of Beria and achieves the Kli that exists there, it is considered a Neshama (soul). This means that it has already separated from His Essence and merits its own name — Neshama. Yet, this is a very pure and fine Kli, as it is in equivalence of form with the Emanator. For this reason, it is considered complete spirituality.

8) The above-mentioned Behina Gimel rules in the world of Yetzira, containing a little bit of the form of the will to receive. Hence, when the soul cascades into the world of Yetzira and achieves that Kli, it exits the spirituality of the Neshama and is then called Ruach. This is because here its Kli is already mingled with some Aviut, meaning the little bit of will to receive within it. Yet, it is still considered spiritual because this measure of Aviut is insufficient to completely separate it from His Essence and merit the name, “body,” which stands in its own right.

9) Behina Dalet rules in the world of Assiya, which is the complete Kli of the great will to receive. Hence, it obtains a completely separated and distinguished body from His Essence, which stands in its own right. The Light in it is called Nefesh (from the Hebrew word ‘rest’), indicating that the Light is motionless in and of itself. You should know that there is not a single element in reality that is not comprised of the whole ABYA.

10) Thus, you find that this Nefesh, the Light of Life that is dressed in the body, extends from His Very Essence, existence from existence. As it traverses the four worlds ABYA, it becomes increasingly distant from the Light of His Face, until it comes into its designated Kli, called Guf (body). This is considered that the Kli has completed its desirable form.

And even if the Light in it has so diminished that its origin becomes undetectable, through engagement in Torah and Mitzvot in order to bestow contentment upon the Maker, one purifies one’sKli, called Guf, until it becomes worthy of receiving the great abundance in the full measure included in the Thought of Creation, when He created it. This is what Rabbi Hanania meant by “The Creator wished to cleanse Israel; hence, He has given them plentiful Torah and Mitzvot.”

11) Now you can understand the real difference between spirituality and corporeality: anything that contains a complete desire to receive, in all its aspects, which is Behina Dalet, is considered “corporeal.” This is what exists in all the elements of reality before us in this world. Conversely, anything above this great measure of desire to receive is considered “spirituality.” These are the worlds ABYA—Above this world—and the whole reality within them.

Now you can see that the whole issue of ascents and descents described in the Upper Worlds does not relate to an imaginary place, but only to the four discernments in the will to receive. The farther it is from Behina Dalet, the Higher it is considered to be. And conversely, the closer it is to Behina Dalet, the lower it is considered to be.

12) We should understand that the essence of the creature, and of Creation as a whole, is only the will to receive. Anything beyond it is not part of Creation, but extends from His Essence by way of existence from existence. Thus, why do we discern this will to receive as Aviut (thickness) and turbidity, and we are commanded to cleanse it through Torah and Mitzvot, to the point that without it we will not achieve the sublime goal of the Thought of Creation?

13) The thing is that as corporeal objects are separated from one another by remoteness of location, spirituals are separated from each other by the disparity of form between them. This can be found in our world, too. For example, when two people share similar views, they like each other and the remoteness of location does not cause them to draw far from one another.

Conversely, when their views are far, they are hateful of each other, and proximity of location will not bring them any closer. Thus, the disparity of form in their views removes them from each other, and the proximity of form in their views brings them closer to each other. If, for example, one’s nature is the complete opposite of another’s, they are as far from one another as the east from the west.

Similarly, all matters of nearness and remoteness, coupling and unity that unfold in spirituality are but measures of disparity of form. They depart from one another according to their measure of disparity of form, and become attached to one another according to their measure of equivalence of form.

Yet, you should understand that although the will to receive is a mandatory law in the creature, as it is the essence of the creature and the proper Kli for reception of the goal of the Thought of Creation, it nonetheless completely separates it from the Emanator. This is so because there is disparity of form to the point of oppositeness between itself and the Emanator. This is because the Emanator is complete bestowal without a shred of reception, and the creature is complete reception without a shred of bestowal. Thus, there is no greater oppositeness of form than that. It therefore follows that this oppositeness of form necessarily separates it from the Emanator.

14) To save the creatures from this titanic separation, the Tzimtzum Aleph (First Restriction) took place. It essentially separated Behina Dalet from the rest of the Partzufim (faces/countenances) ofKedusha (holiness) in such a way that that great measure of reception remained an empty void, a space devoid of Light.

This is so because all the Partzufim of Kedusha emerged with a Masach (screen) erected in their Kli Malchut so they would not receive in this Behina Dalet. Then, when the Upper Light was extended and spread to the emanated being, this Masach rejected it. This is regarded as striking between the Upper Light and the Masach, which raises Ohr Hozer (Reflected Light) from below Upwards, clothing the ten Sefirot of the Upper Light.

That part of the Light that is rejected and pushed back is called Ohr Hozer (Reflected Light). As it dresses the Upper Light, it becomes a Kli for reception of the Upper Light instead of Behina Dalet, since afterwards the Kli of Malchut had expanded by the measure of Ohr Hozer—the rejected Light—which rose and dressed the Upper Light from below Upwards, and expanded from Above downwards, too. Thus, the Lights were clothed in the Kelim (plural for Kli), within that Ohr Hozer.

This is the meaning of the Rosh (head) and Guf (body) in each degree. The Zivug de Hakaa (coupling of striking) from the Upper Light in the Masach raises Ohr Hozer from below Upwards and dresses the ten Sefirot of the Upper Light in the form of ten Sefirot de (of) Rosh, meaning the roots of Kelim(vessels). This is because there cannot be actual clothing there.

Subsequently, when Malchut expands with that Ohr Hozer, from Above downwards, the Ohr Hozer ends and becomes Kelim for the Upper Light. At that time, there is clothing of the Lights in the Kelim, and this is called the Guf of that degree, that is, complete Kelim.

15) Thus, new Kelim were made in the Partzufim of Kedusha instead of Behina Dalet after Tzimtzum Aleph (first restriction). They were made of the Ohr Hozer of the Zivug de Hakaa in the Masach.

Indeed, we should understand this Ohr Hozer and how it became a vessel of reception, since initially it was but a rejected Light. Thus, it is now serving in an opposite role from its own essence.

I shall explain that with an allegory from life. Man’s nature is to cherish and favor the quality of bestowal, and to despise and loathe reception from one’s friend. Hence, when one comes to one’s friend and he (the host) invites him for a meal, he (the guest) will decline, even if he is very hungry, since in his eyes it is humiliating to receive a gift from his friend.

Yet, when his friend sufficiently implores him until it is clear that by eating he would do a big favor to his friend, he consents to eat, as he no longer feels that he is receiving a gift and that his friend is the giver. On the contrary, he (the guest) is the giver, who is doing his friend a favor by receiving this good from him.

Thus, you find that although hunger and appetite are vessels of reception designated to eating, and that that person had sufficient hunger and appetite to receive his friend’s meal, he still could not taste a thing, due to the shame. Yet, as his friend implored him and he rejected him, new vessels for eating began to form within him, since the power of his friend’s pleading and the power of his own rejections, as they accumulate, finally accumulate into a sufficient amount that turns the measure of reception into a measure of bestowal.

In the end, he can see that by eating, he will be doing a big favor and bring great contentment to his friend by eating. In that state, new vessels of reception to receive his friend’s meal were made within him. Now it is considered that the power of his rejection has become the essential vessel in which to receive the meal, and not the hunger and appetite, although they are actually the usual vessels of reception.

16) From the above allegory between two friends, we can understand the matter of Zivug de Hakaa and the Ohr Hozer that rises through it, which then becomes new vessels of reception for the Upper Light instead of Behina Dalet. We can compare the Upper Light, which strikes the Masach and wants to expand into Behina Dalet, to the pleading to eat, because as he yearns for his friend to receive his meal, the Upper Light desires to spread to the receiver. And the Masach, which strikes the Light and repels it, can be resembled to the friend’s rejection and refusal to receive the meal, since he rejects his favor.

And just as you find here that it is precisely the rejection and refusal that became the proper vessels to receive his friend’s meal, you can imagine that the Ohr Hozer, which rises by the striking of theMasach and the rejection of the Upper Light, becomes the new vessel of reception for the Upper Light, instead of Behina Dalet, which served as the vessel of reception prior to the first restriction.

However, this was placed only in the Partzufim (plural for Partzuf) of Kedusha (holiness) of ABYA, not in the Partzufim of the Klipot (shells), and in this world, where Behina Dalet herself is considered the vessel of reception. Hence, they are separated from the Upper Light, since the disparity of form inBehina Dalet separates them. For this reason, the Klipot are considered wicked and dead, as they are separated from the Life of Lives by the will to receive within them.

FIVE DISCERNMENTS IN THE MASACH

17) Thus far we have clarified the three basic elements in the wisdom. The first is the Light and theKli, where the Light is a direct extension of His Essence, and the Kli is the will to receive, which is necessarily included in that Light. One departs the Emanator and becomes an emanated being to the extent of that desire. Also, this will to receive is considered the Malchut discerned in the Upper Light. This is why it is called Malchut, by way of “He is One and His Name, One,” as His name in Gematria isRatzon (desire).

The second matter is the clarification of the ten Sefirot and four worlds ABYA, which are four degrees one below the other. The will to receive must hang down through them until it is completed — Kli and content.

The third matter is the Tzimtzum and the Masach placed on this vessel of reception, which is Behina Dalet, in return for which new vessels of reception were made in the ten Sefirot, called Ohr Hozer. Understand and memorize these three foundations and their reasons, as they had appeared before you, since without them there is no understanding of even a single word in this wisdom.

18) Now we shall explain the five discernments in the Masach, by which the levels change during theZivug de Hakaa performed with the Upper Light. First, we must thoroughly understand that even though Behina Dalet was banned from being a vessel of reception for the ten Sefirot after theTzimtzum, and the Ohr Hozer that rises from the Masach through the Zivug de Hakaa became the vessel of reception in its stead, it must still accompany the Ohr Hozer with its power of reception. Had it not been for that, the Ohr Hozer would have been unfit to be a vessel of reception.

You should also understand that from the allegory in Item 15. We demonstrated there that the power to reject and decline the meal became the vessel of reception instead of the hunger and appetite. This is because hunger and appetite, the usual vessels of reception, were banned from being vessels of reception in this case, due to the shame and disgrace of receiving a gift from one’s friend. Only the powers of rejection and refusal have become vessels of reception in their stead, as through the rejection and refusal, reception has become bestowal, and through them he achieved vessels of reception suitable to receive one’s friend’s meal.

Yet, it cannot be said that he no longer needs the usual vessels of reception, namely the hunger and the appetite, as it is clear that without appetite for eating he will not be able to satisfy his friend’s will and bring him contentment by eating at his place. But the thing is that the hunger and appetite, which were banned in their usual form, have now been transformed by the forces of rejection and decline into a new form—reception in order to bestow. Thus, the humiliation has been turned into dignity.

It turns out that the usual vessels of reception are still as active as ever, but have acquired a new form. You will also conclude, concerning our matter, that it is true that Behina Dalet has been banned from being a Kli for reception of the ten Sefirot because of its Aviut, meaning the difference of form from the Giver, which separates from the Giver. Yet, through correcting the Masach in Behina Dalet, which strikes the Upper Light and repels it, her previous, faulty form has been transformed and acquired a new form, called Ohr Hozer, like the transformation of the form of reception into a form of bestowal.

The content of its initial form has not changed; it still does not eat without appetite. Similarly, all theAviut, which is the force of reception in Behina Dalet, has come inside the Ohr Hozer, hence the Ohr Hozer becomes suitable for being a vessel of reception.

Therefore, two discernments must always be made in the Masach:

  1. Kashiut (hardness), which is the force within it that rejects the Upper Light;
  2. Aviut, which is the measure of will to receive from Behina Dalet included in the Masach. By the Zivug de Hakaa through the force of the Kashiut in it, its Aviut is turned to purity, meaning reception is transformed into bestowal.

These two forces in the Masach act in five discernments: the four Behinot HB TM and their root, called Keter.

19) We have already explained that the first three discernments are still not considered a Kli, but only Behina Dalet is considered a Kli. Still, because the first three discernments are its causes and induce the completion of Behina Dalet, once Behina Dalet is completed, four measures are registered in its quality of reception.

  • Behina Aleph in it is the slightest measure of the quality of reception.
  • Behina Bet is somewhat thicker (having more Aviut) than Behina Aleph in terms of its quality of reception.
  • Behina Gimel is thicker than Behina Bet in its quality of reception.
  • And finally, Behina Dalet is the thickest of all, and its quality of reception is perfect in every way.
  • We should also discern that the root of the four Behinot (plural for Behina), which is the purest of them all, is included in it, too.

These are the five discernments of reception contained in Behina Dalet, which are called by the names of the ten Sefirot KHB (Keter – Hochma – BinaTM, included in Behina Dalet, since the four phases are HB TM, and the root is called Keter.

20) The five discernments of reception in Behina Dalet are called by the names of the Sefirot KHB TM. This is so because prior to the Tzimtzum, while Behina Dalet was still the vessel of reception for the ten Sefirot included in the Upper Light by way of “He is One and His Name One,” since all the worlds are included there, its clothing of the ten Sefirot in that place followed these five Behinot. Each Behina of the five Behinot in her clothed its corresponding Behina in the ten Sefirot in the Upper Light.

  • Behinat Shoresh (Root Phase) in Behina Dalet clothed the light of Keter in the ten Sefirot;
  • Behina Aleph in Behina Dalet clothed the Light of Hochma in the ten Sefirot;
  • Behina Bet in her clothed the Light of Bina;
  • Behina Gimel in her clothed the Light of Tifferet;
  • And her own Behina clothed the Light of Malchut.

Hence, even now, after the first restriction, when Behina Dalet has been banned from being a vessel of reception, the five discernments of Aviut in her are named after the five Sefirot KHB TM.

21) And you already know that in general, the substance of the Masach is called Kashiut, which means something very hard, which does not allow anything to push into its boundary. Similarly, theMasach does not let any of the Upper Light through it and into MalchutBehina Dalet. Thus, it is considered that the Masach halts and repels the entire measure of Light that should clothe the Kli ofMalchut.

It has also been made clear that those five Behinot of Aviut in Behina Dalet are included and come in the Masach, and join its measure of Kashiut. Hence, five kinds of Zivug de Hakaa are discerned in theMasach, corresponding to the five measures of Aviut in it:

  • Zivug de Hakaa on a complete Masach with all the levels of Aviut raises sufficient Ohr Hozer to clothe all ten Sefirot, up to the level of Keter.
  • Zivug de Hakaa on a Masach that lacks the Aviut of Behina Dalet, and contains only Aviut of Behina Gimel, raises sufficient Ohr Hozer to clothe the ten Sefirot only up to the level of Hochma, lacking Keter.
  • And if it has only Aviut of Behina Bet, its Ohr Hozer diminishes and suffices only to clothe the ten Sefirot up to the level of Bina, lacking Keter and Hochma.
  • If it contains only Aviut of Behina Aleph, its Ohr Hozer diminishes even further and suffices only to clothe up to the level of Tifferet, lacking KHB.
  • And if it lacks Aviut of Behina Aleph, too, and is left with only Aviut of Behinat Shoresh, its striking is very faint and suffices to clothe only up to the level of Malchut, lacking the first nine Sefirot, which are KHB and Tifferet.

22) Thus you see how the five levels of ten Sefirot emerge though five kinds of Zivug de Hakaa of theMasach, applied on its five measures of Aviut in it. And now I shall tell you the reason, for it is known that Light is not attained without a Kli.

Also, you know that these five measures of Aviut come from the five measures of Aviut in Behina Dalet. Prior to the Tzimtzum, there were five Kelim in Behina Dalet, clothing the ten Sefirot KHB TM(Item 18). After Tzimtzum Aleph, they were incorporated in the five measures of the Masach, which, along with the Ohr Hozer it elevates, return to being five Kelim, with respect to the Ohr Hozer on the ten Sefirot KHB TM, instead of the five Kelim in Behina Dalet itself prior to the Tzimtzum.

Accordingly, it is clear that if a Masach contains all these five levels of Aviut, it contains the five Kelimto clothe the ten Sefirot. But when it does not contain all five measures, since the Aviut of Behina Dalet is absent in it, it contains only four Kelim. Hence, it can only clothe four Lights: HB TM, and lacks one Light—the Light of Keter—just as it lacks one Kli— Aviut of Behina Dalet.

Similarly, when it lacks Behina Gimel, too, and the Masach contains only three measures of Aviut, meaning only up to Behina Bet, it contains only three Kelim. Thus, it can only clothe three Lights:BinaTifferet, and Malchut. In that state, the level lacks the two Lights, Keter and Hochma, just as it lacks the two KelimBehina Gimel and Behina Dalet.

And when the Masach contains only two measures of Aviut, that is, Behinat Shoresh and Behina Aleph, it contains only two Kelim. Hence, it clothes only two Lights: the Light of Tifferet and the Light of Malchut. Thus, the level lacks the three Lights KHB, just as it lacks the tree Kelim, Behina Bet, Behina Gimel, and Behina Dalet.

And when the Masach has but one level of Aviut, which is only Behinat Shoresh of the Aviut, it has only one Kli. Hence, it can clothe only one Light: the Light of Malchut. This level lacks the four LightsKHB and Tifferet, just as it lacks the four Kelim, Aviut of Behina Dalet, Behina Gimel, Behina Bet, andBehina Aleph.

Thus, the level of each Partzuf precisely depends on the measure of Aviut in the Masach. The Masach of Behina Dalet elicits the level of Keter, Behina Gimel elicits the level of Hochma, Behina Bet elicits the level of Bina, Behina Aleph elicits the level of Tifferet, and Behinat Shoresh elicits the level ofMalchut.

23) Yet, we must still find out why is it that when the Kli of Malchut—Behina Dalet—is missing from the Masach, it lacks the Light of Keter, and when the Kli of Tifferet is missing, it lacks the Light ofHochma, etc. It would seem that it should have been to the contrary, that when the Kli of Malchut,Behina Dalet, is absent in the Masach, only the Light of Malchut would be missing in the level and it would have the four Lights KHB and Tifferet. Also, in the absence of two Kelim, Behina Gimel andBehina Dalet, it would lack the Lights of Tifferet and Malchut, and the level would have the three Lights KHB, etc.

24) The answer is that there is always an inverse relation between Lights and vessels. In the Kelim,the Higher Ones grow first in the Partzuf: first Keter, then the Kli of Hochma, etc., and the Kli ofMalchut grows last. This is why we name the Kelim by the order KHB TM, from Above downwards, as this is the order of their growth.

It is to the contrary with the Lights. In the Lights, the lower Lights are the first to enter the Partzuf. First enters Nefesh, which is the Light of Malchut, then Ruach, which is the Light of ZA, etc., and the Light of Yechida is the last to enter. This is why we name the Lights by the order NRNHY [26], from below Upwards, as this is the order by which they enter—from below Upwards.

Thus, when only one Kli has grown in the Partzuf, which is necessarily the Highest Kli— Keter—the Light of Yechida, ascribed to that Kli, does not enter the Partzuf, but only the lowest Light—the Light of Nefesh. Thus, the Light of Nefesh clothes in the Kli of Keter.

And when two Kelim grow in the Partzuf, which are the Highest two— Keter and Hochma—the Light of Ruach enter it, as well. At that time, the Light of Nefesh descends from the Kli of Keter to the Kli ofHochma, and the Light of Ruach clothes in the Kli of Keter.

Similarly, when a third Kli grows in the Partzuf—the Kli of Bina—the Light of Neshama enters it. At that time, the Light of Nefesh descends from the Kli of Hochma into the Kli of Bina, the Light of Ruachto the Kli of Hochma, and the Light of Neshama clothes in the Kli of Keter.

And when a fourth Kli grows in the Partzuf—the Kli of Tifferet—the Light of Haya enters the Partzuf. At that time, the Light of Nefesh descends from the Kli of Bina to the Kli of Tifferet, the Light ofRuach to the Kli of Bina, the Light of Neshama to the Kli of Hochma, and the Light of Haya to the Kliof Keter.

And when a fifth Kli grows in the Partzuf, the Kli of Malchut, the Light of Yechida enters it. At that time, all the Lights enter their respective Kelim. The Light of Nefesh descends from the Kli of Tifferet to the Kli of Malchut, the Light of Ruach to the Kli of Tifferet, the Light of Neshama to the Kli of Bina, the Light of Haya to the Kli of Hochma, and the Light of Yechida to the Kli of Keter.

25) Thus, as long as not all five Kelim KHB TM have grown in a Partzuf, the Lights are not in their designated places. Moreover, they are in inverse relation: in the absence of the Kli of Malchut, the Light of Yechida is absent, and when the two KelimTM, are missing, Yechida and Haya are absent there, etc. This is so because in the Kelim, the Higher ones emerge first, and in the Lights, the last ones are the first to enter.

You will also find that each new Light that reenters dresses only in the Kli of Keter. This is so because the receiver must receive in its purest Kli, the Kli of Keter.

For this reason, upon reception of each new Light, the Lights that are already dressed in the Partzuf must descend one degree from their place. For example, when the Light of Ruach enters, the Light ofNefesh must descend from the Kli of Keter to the Kli of Hochma, to make room in the Kli of Keter to receive the new Light, Ruach. Similarly, if the new Light is NeshamaRuach, too, must descend from the Kli of Keter to the Kli of Hochma, to clear its place in Keter for the new Light, Neshama. As a result, Nefesh, which was in the Kli of Hochma, must descend to the Kli of Bina, etc. All this is done to make room in the Kli of Keter for the new Light.

Keep this rule in mind and you will always be able to discern in each issue if it is referring to theKelim or to the Lights. Then you will not be confused, because there is always an inverse relation between them. Thus we have thoroughly clarified the matter of the five discernments in the Masach, and how, through them, the levels change one below the other.

THE FIVE PARTZUFIM OF AK

26) Thus we have thoroughly clarified the issue of the Masach that has been placed in the Kli ofMalchut—the Behina Dalet after having been restricted—and the issue of the five kinds of Zivug de Hakaa within it, which produce five levels of ten Sefirot one below the other. Now we shall explain the five Partzufim of AK, which precede the worlds ABYA.

You already know that this Ohr Hozer, which rises through the Zivug de Hakaa from below Upwards and dresses the ten Sefirot of the Upper Light, suffices only for the roots of the Kelim, called “tenSefirot de Rosh (head) of the Partzuf.” To complete the KelimMalchut of the Rosh expands from those ten Sefirot of Ohr Hozer that clothed the ten Sefirot de Rosh and spread from it and within it from Above downwards to the same extent as in the ten Sefirot de Rosh. This spreading completes the Kelim, called “the Guf of the Partzuf.” Hence, we should always distinguish two discernments of ten Sefirot in each PartzufRosh and Guf.

27) In the beginning, the first Partzuf of AK emerged. This is because immediately followingTzimtzum Aleph, when Behina Dalet was banned from being a receptacle for the Upper Light, and was erected with a Masach, the Upper Light was drawn to clothe in the Kli of Malchut, as before. Yet, the Masach in the Kli of Malchut halted it and repelled the Light. Through this striking in the Masach of Behina Dalet, it raised Ohr Hozer up to the level of Keter in the Upper Light, and this Ohr Hozer became a clothing and the roots of the Kelim for the ten Sefirot in the Upper Light, called “ten Sefirot de Rosh” of “the first Partzuf of AK.”

Subsequently, Malchut with the Ohr Hozer expanded from her and within her by the force of the tenSefirot de Rosh into ten new Sefirot from Above downwards. This completed the Kelim of the Guf. Then, the full measure that emerged in the ten Sefirot de Rosh clothed in the ten Sefirot de Guf, as well. This completed the first Partzuf of AKRosh and Guf.

28) Subsequently, that same Zivug de Hakaa repeated itself on the Masach erected in the Kli ofMalchut, which has only Aviut of Behina Gimel. And then, only the level of HochmaRosh and Guf, emerged on it, since the absence of the Masach in Aviut of Behina Dalet caused it to have only fourKelimKHB Tifferet. Hence, the Ohr Hozer has room to clothe only four Lights, HNRN(Haya,NeshamaRuachNefesh), lacking the Light of Yechida. This is called AB de AK.

Following, that same Zivug de Hakaa repeated itself on the Masach in the Kli of Malchut that contains only Aviut of Behina Bet. Thus, ten SefirotRosh and Guf, at the level of Bina emerged on it. This is called Partzuf SAG of AK. It lacks the two KelimZA and Malchut, and the two Lights, Haya andYechida.

Afterward the Zivug de Hakaa emerged on a Masach that has only Aviut of Behina Aleph. Thus, tenSefirotRosh and Guf, emerged at the level of Tifferet, lacking the three KelimBinaZA, andMalchut, and the three Lights, NeshamaHaya, and Yechida. It has only the Lights Ruach and Nefesh, dressed in the Kelim Keter and Hochma. This is called Partzuf MA and BON of AK. Remember the inverse relation between the Kelim and the Lights (as mentioned in Item 24).

29) Thus we have explained the emergence of the five Partzufim of AK, called GalgaltaABSAGMA, and BON, one below the other. Each inferior lacks the Higher Behina of its superior. Thus, Partzuf ABlacks the Light of YechidaPartzuf SAG lacks the Light of Haya, as well, which its superior, AB, has.Partzuf MA and BON lacks the Light of Neshama, which its superior, SAG, has.

This is so because it depends on the measure of Aviut in the Masach on which the Zivug de Hakaaoccurs (Item 18). Yet, we must understand who and what caused the Masach to gradually diminish its AviutBehina by Behina, until it divided into the five levels that exist in these five kinds of Zivugim(plural for Zivug—coupling).

THE HIZDAKCHUT OF THE MASACH TO THE ATZILUT OF THE PARTZUF

30) To understand the issue of the concatenation of the degrees by five levels one below the other, explained above concerning the five Partzufim of AK, as well as in all the degrees appearing in the five Partzufim of each world of the four worlds ABYA, through Malchut of Assiya, we must thoroughly understand the issue of the Hizdakchut (purification) of the Masach de Guf, implemented in each of the Partzufim of AK, the world of Nekudim, and the world of Tikkun (correction).

31) The thing is that there is no Partzuf, or any degree at all, that does not contain two Lights, calledOhr Makif (Surrounding Light) and Ohr Pnimi (Inner Light), and we shall explain them in AK. The Ohr Makif of the first Partzuf of AK is the Light of Ein Sof, which fills the whole of reality. FollowingTzimtzum Aleph and the Masach that has been erected in Malchut, there was a Zivug de Hakaa from the Light of Ein Sof on that Masach. And using the Ohr Hozer that the Masach raised, it redrew the Upper Light to the restricted world in the form of ten Sefirot of Rosh and ten Sefirot of Guf (Item 25).

Yet, this extension from Ein Sof in Partzuf AK does not fill the whole of reality, as prior to theTzimtzum. Rather, it is discerned with a Rosh and a Sof:

  • From Above downwards—its Light stops at the point of this world, which is the concluding Malchut, as in the verse, “And His feet shall stand… upon the Mount of Olives.”
  • And from within outwards, for as there are ten Sefirot KHB TM from Above downwards, and Malchut concludes the AK from below, there are ten Sefirot KHB TM from within outwards, called MochaAtzamotGidinBassar, and Or. The Or is Malchut, which ends the Partzuf from the outside. In that respect, Partzuf AK is considered a mere thin line compared to Ein Sof, which fills the whole of reality. This is so because Partzuf Or ends it and limits it from all sides, from the outside, and it cannot expand and fill the entire restricted space. Thus, only a thin line remains standing in the middle of the space.

And the measure of the Light received in AK, the thin line, is called Ohr Pnimi. The difference between the Ohr Pnimi in AK and the Light of Ein Sof from before the Tzimtzum is called Ohr Makif, since it remains as Ohr Makif around Partzuf of AK, as it could not clothe within the Partzuf.

32) This thoroughly clarifies the meaning of the Ohr Makif of AK, whose immensity is immeasurable. Yet, this does not mean that Ein Sof, which fills the whole of reality, is in itself considered the Ohr Makif of AK. Rather, it means that a Zivug de Hakaa was made on the Malchut of the Rosh of AK, thatEin Sof struck the Masach positioned there. In other words, it wished to dress in Behina Dalet de AK, as prior to the Tzimtzum, but the Masach in Malchut de Rosh AK struck it. This means that it detained it from spreading in Behina Dalet and repelled it (Item 14). This Ohr Hozer that emerged from the pushing of the Light back became Kelim for clothing the Upper Light, as well.

However, there is a big difference between the reception in Behina Dalet prior to the Tzimtzum and the reception of the Ohr Hozer after the Tzimtzum, as now it clothed only a thin line in Rosh and Sof. This is what the Masach did through its striking on the Upper Light. And the measure that was rejected from AK by the Masach, the full measure of Upper Light from Ein Sof that wanted to clothe inBehina Dalet—had it not been for the Masach that halted it—became the Ohr Makif surrounding AK.

The reason is that there is no change or absence in the spiritual. And since the Light of Ein Sof is drawn to AK, to clothe in Behina Dalet, it must therefore be so.

Hence, even though the Masach has now detained it and repelled it, it does not negate the extension of Ein Sof. On the contrary, it sustains it but in a different manner: through multiplication of Zivugim(plural for Zivug) in the five worlds AK and ABYA, until the end of correction, when Behina Dalet is completely corrected through them. At that time, Ein Sof will clothe in her as in the beginning.

Thus, no change or absence has been effected there by the striking of the Masach in the Upper Light. This is the meaning of what is written in The Zohar, “The Zivug of Ein Sof does not descend until it is given its pair.” Meanwhile, that is, until that time, it is considered that this Light of Ein Sof has become Ohr Makif, meaning it will clothe in it in the future. For now, it circles it and shines upon it from the outside with a certain illumination. This illumination accustoms it to expand by the right laws that will bring it to receive this Ohr Makif in the measure that Ein Sof was initially drawn to it.

33) Now we shall clarify the issue of the Bitush (beating) of Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif on one another, which yields the Hizdakchut (purification) of the Masach and the loss of the last Behina of Aviut. As these two Lights are opposites, yet connected through the Masach in Malchut of the Rosh of AK, they beat and strike one another.

Interpretation: The Zivug de Hakaa in the Peh (mouth) de Rosh de AK, in the Masach in Malchut de Rosh, called Peh, which was the reason for clothing the Ohr Pnimi of AK by the Ohr Hozer it raised, is also the reason for the exit of the Ohr Makif of AK. Because it detained the Light of Ein Sof from clothing in Behina Dalet, the Light came out in the form of Ohr Makif.

In other words, that whole part of the Light that the Ohr Hozer cannot clothe, like the Behina Dalet herself, came out and became Ohr Makif. Thus, the Masach in the Peh is the reason for the Ohr Makif, as it is the reason for the Ohr Pnimi.

34) We have learned that both the Ohr Pnimi and the Ohr Makif are connected to the Masach, but in opposite actions. And just as the Masach extends part of the Upper Light into the Partzuf through theOhr Hozer that clothes it, it drives the Ohr Makif away from clothing in the Masach.

And since the part of the Light that remains outside as Ohr Makif is very large, due to the Masach that stops it from clothing in AK, it is considered that it strikes the Masach that removes it, since it wants to clothe within the Partzuf. In contrast, it is considered that the force of Aviut and Kashiut in the Masach strikes the Ohr Makif, which wants to clothe within it, and detains it, as it strikes the Upper Light during the Zivug. These beatings that the Ohr Makif and the Aviut in the Masach beat on each other are called the Bitush of the Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimi.

Yet, this Bitush between them occurred only in the Guf of the Partzuf, since the clothing of the Light in the Kelim, which leaves the Ohr Makif outside the Kli, is apparent there. However, this Bitush does not apply to the ten Sefirot de Rosh, since the Ohr Hozer is not considered Kelim there whatsoever, but as mere thin roots. For this reason, the Light in them is not regarded as limited Ohr Pnimi, to the point of distinction between that and the Light that remains outside as Ohr Makif. And since this distinction between them does not exist, there is no beating of Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif in the tenSefirot de Rosh.

Only once the Lights extend from the Peh down to the ten Sefirot de Guf, where the Lights clothe inKelim, which are the ten Sefirot of Ohr Hozer from the Peh down, is there beating there between theOhr Pnimi inside the Kelim and the Ohr Makif that remained outside.

35) This Bitush continued until the Ohr Makif purified the Masach from all its Aviut and elevated it to its Upper Root in Peh de Rosh. This means that it purified all the Aviut from Above downwards, calledMasach and Aviut de Guf, leaving it with only the Shoresh (root) de Guf, the Masach of Malchut de Rosh, called Peh. In other words, it had been purified of its entire Aviut from Above downwards, which is the divider between the Ohr Pnimi and the Ohr Makif, leaving only the Aviut from below Upwards, where the distinction between the Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif has not yet taken place.

It is known that equivalence of form merges spirituals into one. Hence, once the Masach de Guf has been purified of all the Aviut de Guf, leaving in it only Aviut that is equal to the Masach of Peh de Rosh, its form was equalized with the Masach de Rosh. Thus, it was integrated and became literally one with it, since there was nothing to divide them into two. This is considered that the Masach de Guf rose to Peh de Rosh.

And since the Masach de Guf was integrated in the Masach de Rosh, it is re-included in the Zivug de Hakaa in the Masach of Peh de Rosh, and a new Zivug de Hakaa was made on it. Consequently, ten new Sefirot, at a new level, emerged in it, called AB de AK or Partzuf Hochma de AK. This is considered “a son,” an offspring of the first Partzuf of AK.

36) And after Partzuf AB de AK emerged, complete with Rosh and Guf, the Bitush of Ohr Makif andOhr Pnimi repeated itself there, too, as it was explained above concerning the first Partzuf of AK. ItsMasach de Guf was purified from all its Aviut de Guf, as well, until it equalized its form with itsMasach de Rosh and was then included in the Zivug in its Peh de Rosh.

Subsequently, a new Zivug de Hakaa was made on it, producing a new level of ten Sefirot at the level of Bina, called SAG de AK. This is considered a son and an offspring of Partzuf AB de AK, since it emerged from its Zivug in Peh de Rosh. And the Partzufim from SAG de AK downwards emerged in a similar manner.

37) Thus we have explained the emergence of the Partzufim one below the other by the force of theBitush of Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimi, which purifies the Masach de Guf until it brings it back to the state of Masach de Peh de Rosh. At that time, it is included there in a Zivug de Hakaa, which unfolds in thePeh de Rosh, and through this Zivug emits a new level of ten Sefirot. This new level is considered the son of the previous Partzuf.

In this manner, AB emerged from Partzuf KeterSAG from Partzuf ABMA from Partzuf SAG, and so on with the rest of the degrees in Nekudim and ABYA. Yet, we should still understand why the tenSefirot de AB emerged only on Behina Gimel, and not on Behina Dalet, and why was SAG only onBehina Bet, etc., meaning that each lower one is inferior to its superior by one degree. Why did they not all emerge from one another at the same level?

38) First, we must understand why the ten Sefirot of AB are considered an offshoot of the firstPartzuf of AK, since it emerged from the Zivug in Peh de Rosh of the first Partzuf, like the ten Sefirot of the Guf of the Partzuf itself. Thus, in what way did it come out of the first Partzuf, to be considered a second Partzuf and its offshoot?

Here you must understand the big difference between the Masach de Rosh and the Masach de Guf. There are two kinds of Malchut in the Partzuf:

  1. The Mating Malchut—with the Upper Light—by the force of the Masach erected in her.
  2. The Ending Malchut—the Upper Light in the ten Sefirot of the Guf—by the force of the Masach erected in her.

The difference between them is as great as the difference between the Emanator and the emanated.Malchut de Rosh, which mates in a Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light, is considered “the Emanator of the Guf,” since the Masach erected in her did not reject the Upper Light as it struck it. On the contrary, through the Ohr Hozer that it raised, it clothed and extended the Upper Light in the form of ten Sefirot de Rosh. Thus, it expands from Above downwards, until the ten Sefirot of the Upper Light clothed in the Kli of Ohr Hozer, called Guf.

For this reason, the Masach and the Malchut of the Rosh are considered Emanator of the ten Sefirot of the Guf, and no limitation and rejection are apparent in that Masach and Malchut. Yet, the Masach and the Malchut de Guf, that is, after the ten Sefirot expanded from Peh de Rosh from Above downwards, spread only down to the Malchut in those ten Sefirot. This is because the Upper Light cannot spread into Malchut de Guf because of the Masach positioned there, which stops it from spreading into Malchut. For this reason, the Partzuf stops there, and the end and conclusion of thePartzuf are made.

Thus, the whole power of the Tzimtzum and limitation appears only in this Masach and Malchut of theGuf. For this reason, the whole Bitush of Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimi is only done in the Masach of theGuf, as this is what limits and pushes the Ohr Makif away from shining in the Partzuf. This is not so in the Masach de Rosh, since the Masach de Rosh only extends and clothes the Lights, but the power of the limitation is still completely concealed in it.

39) It follows that by the force of the Bitush of Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimi, the Masach of the endingMalchut became the Masach and Malchut of the mating Malchut once more (Item 35). This is because the Bitush of Ohr Makif purified the ending Masach from all its Aviut de Guf, leaving in it only fineReshimot (records) of that Aviut, equal to the Aviut de Masach de Rosh.

It is also known that equivalence of form attaches and unites the spirituals to one another. Hence, once the Masach de Guf equalized the form of its Aviut to the Masach de Rosh, it was immediately included in it and they became seemingly one Masach. In that state, it received the strength forZivug de Hakaa, like the Masach of the Rosh, and ten Sefirot of the new level emerged on it.

Yet, along with this Zivug, the Reshimot of the Aviut de Guf, which were in it from the beginning, were renewed in its Masach de Guf. In that state, the disparity of form between itself and the Masach de Rosh included in it appeared in it once more, to an extent. The acknowledgement of this difference separates and removes it from the Peh de Rosh of the Upper One, since after it returned and its origin—from Peh of the Upper One downwards—has become known, it could not continue to stand above the Peh of the Upper One, as the disparity of form separates the spirituals from one another. It follows that it was compelled to decline from there to the place from the Peh of the Upper One downwards.

Hence, it is necessarily considered a second entity with respect to the Upper One, as even the Roshof the new level is considered merely the body of the new level, since it extends from its Masach de Guf. Thus, this disparity of form distinguishes them into two separate entities. And since the new level is entirely a result of the Masach de Guf of the previous Partzuf, it is considered its offspring, like a branch extending from it.

40) And there is another difference between the lower and the Upper: Each lower one emerges with a different level than in the five Behinot in the Masach (Item 22). Also, each lower one lacks the Highest Behina of the Lights of the Upper One, and the lowest Behina of the Kelim of the Upper One. The reason is that it is the nature of the Bitush of the Ohr Makif in the Masach to exclude the lastBehina of its Aviut.

For example, in the first Partzuf de AK, whose Masach contains all five levels of Aviut, down to Behina Dalet, the Bitush of Ohr Makif in the Masach de Guf completely purifies the Aviut of Behina Dalet, not leaving even a Reshimo (singular for Reshimot) of that Aviut. And only the Reshimot from the Aviutof Behina Gimel and Above remain in the Masach.

Hence, when that Masach is included in the Rosh and receives a Zivug de Hakaa on the Aviut that remained in its Reshimot from the Guf, the Zivug emerges only on Behina Gimel de Aviut in theMasach. This is because the Reshimo de Aviut of Behina Dalet is gone from there. Therefore, the level that emerges on that Masach is only at the level of Hochma, called HaVaYaH de AB de AK, or Partzuf AB de AK.

We have already learned, in Item 22, that the level Hochma that emerges on the Masach of Behina Gimel lacks the Malchut de Kelim and the discernment of the Light of Yechida from the Lights, which is the Light of Keter. Thus, Partzuf AB lacks the last discernment of the Kelim of the Upper One and the Highest discernment of the Lights of the Upper One. And because of this great disparity of form, the lower one is considered a separate Partzuf from the Upper One.

41) Similarly, once Partzuf AB expanded in Rosh and Guf and there was the Bitush of Ohr Makif on the Masach of the Guf de AB, which is Masach de Behina Gimel, this Bitush cancels and annuls theReshimo de Aviut of the last Behina in the Masach, which is Behina Gimel. It turns out that during the ascension of the Masach to the Peh de Rosh and its inclusion in the Zivug de Hakaa, the beating occurred only on Aviut of Behina Bet that remained in that Masach, since Behina Gimel has disappeared from it. Hence, it elicits only ten Sefirot at the level of Bina, called HaVaYaH de SAG de AK, or Partzuf SAG, lacking ZA and Malchut in Kelim, and Haya and Yechida in Lights.

Similarly, when this Partzuf SAG expanded in Rosh and Guf, there was the Bitush of Ohr Makif in itsMasach de Guf, which is Masach of Behina Bet. This Bitush cancels and annuls the last Behina ofAviut in the Masach— Behina Bet—leaving only the Reshimot de Aviut from Behina Aleph and Above in the Masach.

Hence, during the ascension of the Masach to the Peh de Rosh, and the inclusion in the Zivug de Hakaa there, the beating occurred only on the Masach of Behina Aleph that remained in the Masach, since Behina Bet had already disappeared from it. For this reason, it elicits only ten Sefirot at the level of Tifferet, called “the level of ZA,” lacking BinaZA, and Malchut in the Kelim, and Neshama,Haya, and Yechida in the Lights, etc., similarly.

42) This thoroughly clarifies the reason for the decline of the levels one below the other during the concatenation of the Partzufim from one another. It is because the Bitush of Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimi, applied in each Partzuf, always cancels the last Behina of Reshimo of Aviut in there. Yet, we should know that there are two discernments in the Reshimot that remain in the Masach after itsHizdakchut (purification):

  1. Reshimo de Aviut
  2. Reshimo de Hitlabshut (clothing)

For instance, once the Masach de Guf of the first Partzuf in AK has been purified, we said that the lastBehina of the Reshimot de Aviut, the Reshimo of Behina Dalet, was lost, and that all that remained in the Masach was the Reshimo of Aviut de Behina Gimel. Yet, although the Reshimo of Behina Daletcontains two discernments, as we have said— Hitlabshut and Aviut—only the Reshimo de Aviut ofBehina Dalet had disappeared from the Masach by that Hizdakchut. But the Reshimo de Hitlabshut ofBehina Dalet remained in that Masach and did not disappear from it.

Reshimo de Hitlabshut refers to a very subtle Behina (discernment) from the Reshimo of Behina Dalet, which does not contain sufficient Aviut for Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light. This Reshimoremains from the last Behina in each Partzuf during its Hizdakchut. And our saying that the lastBehina disappears from each Partzuf during its Hizdakchut refers only to the Reshimo de Aviut in it.

43) The remainder of the Reshimot de Hitlabshut from the last Behina that remained in each Masach, prompted the elicitation of two levels—male and female—in the heads of all the Partzufim: beginning in AB de AKSAG de AKMA and BON de AK, and in all the Partzufim of Atzilut. This is so because inPartzuf AB de AK, where there is only Reshimo of Aviut de Behina Gimel in the Masach, which elicits ten Sefirot at the level of Hochma, the Reshimo de Hitlabshut from Behina Dalet, which remained there in the Masach, is unfit for Zivug with the Upper Light, due to its purity. Yet, it is included with the Aviut of Behina Gimel and becomes a single Reshimo, at which time the Reshimo de Hitlabshutacquires the strength for mating with the Upper Light. For this reason, the Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light emerged on her, eliciting ten Sefirot at nearly the level of Keter.

This is so because she had Hitlabshut of Behina Dalet. This Hitkalelut (mingling/integration) is calledHitkalelut of the female in the male, since the Reshimo de Aviut from Behina Gimel is called “female,” as it carries the Aviut. And the Reshimo de Hitlabshut of Behina Dalet is called “male,” as it comes from a Higher place, and because it is purified from Aviut. Thus, although the Reshimo of the male is insufficient for a Zivug de Hakaa in itself, it becomes fit for a Zivug de Hakaa through the Hitkalelut of the female in it.

44) Subsequently, there is Hitkalelut of the male in the female, too. This means that the Reshimo de Hitlabshut is integrated with the Reshimo de Aviut. This produces a Zivug de Hakaa only at the level of the female, the level of Behina Gimel, which is the level of Hochma, called HaVaYaH de AB. The Upper Zivug, when the female is included in the male, is considered the level of the male, which is nearly the level of Keter. And the lower Zivug, when the male is included in the female, is considered the female level, which is only the level of Hochma.

Yet, the Aviut in the male level does not come from himself, but by means of Hitkalelut with the female. And although it suffices to elicit the level of ten Sefirot from below Upwards, called Rosh, this level still cannot spread from Above downwards in the form of a Guf, which would mean clothing of Lights in the Kelim. This is so because a Zivug de Hakaa on Aviut that comes from Hitkalelut is insufficient for the expansion of Kelim.

Hence, the male level contains only a discernment of Rosh, without a Guf. The Guf of the Partzuf extends only from the female level, which has her own Aviut. For this reason, we name the Partzuf only after the female level, meaning Partzuf AB. This is so because the core of the Partzuf is its Guf—the clothing of the Lights in the Kelim. And this emerges only from the female level, as we have explained. This is why the Partzuf is named after her.

45) And as we have explained concerning the two levels—male and female—at the Rosh of Partzuf AB, these two emerge in precisely the same manner in the Rosh of SAG. But there, the male level is nearly the level of Hochma, as it is from the Reshimo de Hitlabshut of Behina Gimel in the Hitkalelut of the Aviut of Behina Bet. And the female level is at the level of Bina, from Aviut of Behina Bet. And here, too, the Partzuf is named solely after the female level, since the male is a Rosh without a Guf.

Similarly, in Partzuf MA de AK, the male level is nearly the level of Bina, called “the level ofYESHSUT,” as it is from the Reshimo of Behina Bet de Hitlabshut, with Hitkalelut of Aviut from Behina Aleph, while the female level is only the level of ZA, as it is only Behina Aleph de Aviut. And here, too, the Partzuf is named solely after the female, that is, Partzuf MA or Partzuf VAK, since the male is a Rosh without a Guf. You will find it likewise in all the Partzufim.

TAAMIM, NEKUDOT, TAGIN, AND OTIOT

46) Now we have clarified the Bitush of Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimi, occurring after the expansion of thePartzuf into a Guf. This causes the Masach de Guf to purify, all the Lights of the Guf to depart, and the Masach with the Reshimot that remain in it rise to Peh de Rosh, where they are renewed with a new Zivug de Hakaa, and produce a new level in the measure of Aviut in the Reshimot. Now we shall explain the four types of Lights, TANTA (TaamimNekudotTaginOtiot), occurring with the Bitush ofOhr Makif and the ascents of the Masach to Peh de Rosh.

47) It has been explained that through the Bitush of Ohr Makif in the Masach de Guf, it purifies theMasach of all the Aviut de Guf until it is purified and equalizes with the Masach de Peh de Rosh. The equivalence of form with the Peh de Rosh unites them as one, and it is included in the Zivug de Hakaa in it.

However, the Masach is not purified at once, but gradually: first from Behina Dalet to Behina Gimel, then from Behina Gimel to Behina Bet, then from Behina Bet to Behina Aleph, and then from Behina Aleph to Behinat Shoresh. Finally, it is purified from all its Aviut and becomes as pure as the Masach de Peh de Rosh.

Now the Upper Light does not stop shining for even a moment, and mates with the Masach at every stage of its Hizdakchut. This is because once it has been purified of Behina Dalet and the level ofKeter has been entirely removed, and the Masach came to Aviut of Behina Gimel, the Upper Light mates with the Masach on the remaining Aviut of Behina Gimel and produces ten Sefirot at the level of Hochma.

Afterwards, when the Masach departs from Behina Gimel, too, and the level of Hochma departs, as well, leaving only Behina Bet in the Masach, the Upper Light mates with it on Behina Bet and produces ten Sefirot at the level of Bina. Then, when it has been purified of Behina Bet, too, and this level has departed, leaving only Aviut of Behina Aleph in it, the Upper Light mates with the Masach on the remaining Aviut of Behina Aleph, and produces ten Sefirot at the level of ZA. And when it has been purified of Aviut de Behina Aleph, too, and the level of ZA has departed, it remains with only theShoresh (root) of the Aviut.

In that state, the Upper Light makes a Zivug on Aviut Shoresh that remains in the Masach, and produces ten Sefirot at the level of Malchut. And when the Masach is purified of Aviut Shoresh, too, the level of Malchut departs thence, too, since no Aviut de Guf remains there. In that state, it is considered that the Masach and its Reshimot rose and united with the Masach de Rosh, became included there in a Zivug de Hakaa there, and produced new ten Sefirot over it, called a “child” and a “consequence” of the first Partzuf.

Thus we have explained that the Bitush of Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimi that purifies the Masach de Guf of the first Partzuf of AK and elevates it to its Peh de Rosh, by which the second PartzufAB de AK, emerges, is not done at once. Rather, it occurs gradually, as the Upper Light mates with it at each state in the four degrees it traverses during its Hizdakchut, until it equalizes with the Peh de Rosh.

And as it has been explained regarding the elicitation of the four levels during the Hizdakchut of theGuf of the first Partzuf for AB’s purpose, three levels emerge during the Hizdakchut period of theMasach de Guf of Partzuf AB, as it emanates Partzuf SAG, and similarly in all the degrees. The rule is this: A Masach does not purify at once, but gradually. And the Upper Light, which does not stop spreading to the lower one, mates with it at each degree along its purification.

48) Yet, these levels, which emerge on the Masach during its gradual Hizdakchut, are not consideredHitpashtut of real degrees, like the first level that emerged before the beginning of the Hizdakchut. Rather, they are considered Nekudot, and they are called Ohr Hozer and Din (judgment), since theDin force of the Lights’ departure is already mingled in them. This is so because in the first Partzuf, as soon as the Bitush began to occur, and purified the Masach de Guf from Behina Dalet, it is considered as having been completely purified, since there is no “some” in the spiritual.

And since it began to purify, it had to purify completely. Yet, since the Masach purifies gradually, there is time for the Upper Light to mate with it at each degree of Aviut that the Masach assumes during its Hizdakchut, until it is completely purified. Hence, the departure force is mingled with the levels that emerge during its departure, and they are considered as only Nekudot and Ohr Hozer andDin.

This is why we discern two types of levels in each PartzufTaamim and Nekudot. This is so because the first ten Sefirot de Guf that emerge in each Partzuf are called Taamim, and the levels that emerge in the Partzuf as it purifies, after the Masach had already begun to purify until it reaches Peh de Rosh, are called Nekudot.

49) The Reshimot that remain below, in the Guf, after the departure of the Lights of Taamim, are called Tagin, and the Reshimot that remain from the levels of Nekudot are called Otiot, which areKelim. Also, the Tagin, which are the Reshimot from the Lights of Taamim, hover over the Otiot and the Kelim and sustain them.

Thus we have learned the four types of Light, called TaamimNekudotTaginOtiot. The first level to emerge in each Partzuf of the five Partzufim called GalgaltaABSAGMA, and BON, is calledTaamim. The levels that emerge in each Partzuf once it has started to purify, until it is completely purified, are called Nekudot. The Reshimot that remain of the Lights of Taamim in each level, after their departure, are called Tagin, and the Reshimot that remain from the Lights of the levels ofNekudot after their departure are called Otiot or Kelim. Remember that in all five Partzufim calledGalgaltaABSAGMA, and BON, for in all of them there is Hizdakchut and they all have these four types of Lights.

THE ROSH, TOCH, SOF IN EACH PARTZUF AND THE ORDER OF HITLABSHUT OF THE PARTZUFIM IN ONE ANOTHER

You already know the difference between the two Malchuts in each Partzuf—the mating Malchut and the ending Malchut. Ten Sefirot of Ohr Hozer emerge from the Masach in the mating Malchut, clothing the ten Sefirot of Upper Light, called “ten Sefirot de Rosh,” that is, only roots. From there down, the ten Sefirot de Guf of the Partzuf expand in the form of Hitlabshut (clothing) of Lights in complete Kelim.

These ten Sefirot de Guf are divided into two discernments of ten Sefirot: ten Sefirot de Toch(insides), and ten Sefirot de Sof (end/conclusion). The position of the ten Sefirot de Toch is from thePeh to the Tabur (navel), the place of the clothing of the Lights in the Kelim. The ten Sefirot of the end of the Partzuf are positioned from the Tabur down to the Sium Raglin (end of the legs/feet).

This means that Malchut ends each Sefira until it reaches itself, which is unfit to receive any Light, hence the Partzuf ends there. This cessation is called “the end of the Etzbaot Raglin (toes) of thePartzuf,” and from there down it is an empty space, a void without Light.

Know that these two kinds of ten Sefirot extend from the root ten Sefirot, called Rosh, since both are included in the mating Malchut. This is so because there is the clothing power there—the Ohr Hozerthat rises and clothes the Upper Light. There is also the Masach’s detaining force over Malchut so it would not receive the Light, by which the Zivug de Hakaa that raises Ohr Hozer was done. At theRosh, these two forces are only roots.

Yet, when they expand from Above downwards, the first force, which is a clothing force, is executed in the ten Sefirot de Toch, from the Peh down to the Tabur. And the second force, which detainsMalchut from receiving Light, is executed in the ten Sefirot de Sof and Sium, from Tabur down to the end of the Etzbaot Raglin.

These two kinds of ten Sefirot are always called HGTNHYM. All ten Sefirot de Toch, from Peh toTabur, are called HGT, and all ten Sefirot de Sof from Tabur down are called NHYM.

51) We should also know that the issue of the Tzimtzum was only on the Ohr Hochma, whose Kli is the will to receive that ends at Behina Dalet, where the Tzimtzum and the Masach occurred. Yet, there was no Tzimtzum at all on the Ohr de Hassadim there, since its Kli is the will to bestow, in which there are no Aviut and disparity of form from the Emanator, and which does not need any corrections.

Hence, in the ten Sefirot of the Upper Light these two Lights, Hochma and Hassadim, are linked together without any difference between them, since they are one Light that expands according to its quality. For this reason, when they come to clothe in the Kelim after the Tzimtzum, the Ohr Hassadim(Light of Mercy) stops at Malchut, too, even though it was not restricted. This is so because had theOhr Hassadim expanded in a place where the Ohr Hochma (Light of Wisdom) could not expand even a bit—the ending Malchut—there would be shattering in the Upper Light, as the Ohr Hassadim would have to be completely separated from the Ohr Hochma. Hence, the ending Malchut became an empty space, devoid of even the Ohr Hassadim.

52) Now we can understand the content of the ten Sefirot de Sof of the Partzuf from Tabur down. It cannot be said that they are only considered Ohr Hassadim, without any Hochma at all, since the Ohr Hassadim is never completely separated from the Ohr Hochma. Rather, there is necessarily a small illumination of the Ohr Hochma in them, as well. You should know that we always call this small illumination “VAK without a Rosh.” Thus, the three discernments of ten Sefirot in the Partzuf, calledRoshToch, and Sof have been explained.

53) And now we shall explain the order of the clothing of the Partzufim GalgaltaAB, and SAG de AKon each other. Know that each lower one emerges from the Masach of the Guf of the Upper One, once it has been purified and has equalized its form with the Malchut and the Masach at the Rosh. This is so because then it is included in the Masach at the Rosh, in the Zivug de Hakaa in it.

And once it undergoes the Zivug de Hakaa in the two Reshimot— Aviut and Hitlabshut—that remain in the Masach de Guf, its Aviut is recognized as Aviut de Guf. Through this recognition, it is discerned that the level emerges from the Rosh of the first Partzuf de AK, descends, and clothes its Guf, meaning at her root, since she is from the Masach de Guf.

Indeed, the Masach with the mating Malchut of the new Partzuf had to descend to the place of Taburof the first Partzuf, since the Masach de Guf with the ending Malchut of the first Partzuf begins there. Also, the root of the new Partzuf and its grip are there. Yet, the last Behina of Aviut has vanished from the Masach by the Bitush of Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif (Item 40), and only Aviut of Behina Gimelremained in the Masach. This Behina Gimel de Aviut is called Chazeh (chest). For this reason, theMasach and the mating Malchut of the new Partzuf have no hold and root in the Tabur of the Upper One, but only in its Chazeh, where it is attached like a branch to its root.

54) Hence, the Masach of the new Partzuf descends to the place of the Chazeh of the first Partzuf, where it elicits ten Sefirot de Rosh from it and above it through a Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light, up to the Peh of the Upper One— Malchut de Rosh of the first Partzuf. But the lower one cannot clothe the ten Sefirot de Rosh of the Upper Partzuf at all, since it is considered merely the Masach de Guf of the Upper One. Subsequently, it produces ten Sefirot from Above downwards, called “tenSefirot de Guf” at the Toch and the Sof of the lower one.

Their place is only from the Chazeh of the Upper Partzuf down to its Tabur, since from Tabur down is the place of the ten Sefirot of the Sium of the Upper One, being Behina Dalet. The lower one has no hold of the last Behina of the Upper One, since it loses it during its Hizdakchut (Item 40). For this reason, that lower Partzuf, called Partzuf Hochma of AK, or Partzuf AB de AK, must end above theTabur of the first Partzuf of AK.

Thus, it has been thoroughly clarified that any RoshTochSof of Partzuf AB de AK, which is the lower one of the first Partzuf of AK, stand from the place below the Peh of the first Partzuf down to itsTabur. Thus, the Chazeh of the first Partzuf is the place of Peh de Rosh of Partzuf AB, the matingMalchut, and the Tabur of the first Partzuf is the place of Sium Raglin of Partzuf AB, that is, the ending Malchut.

55) As has already been explained regarding the order of the emergence of Partzuf AB from the firstPartzuf of AK, it is the same in all the Partzufim, through the end of the world of Assiya. Each lower one emerges from the Masach de Guf of its Superior, after it has been purified and included in theMasach de Malchut de Rosh of the Upper One in the Zivug de Hakaa there.

Afterwards, it comes out of there to its gripping point in the Guf of the Upper One, and elicits the tenSefirot de Rosh from below Upwards in its place, through a Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light. Also, it expands from Above downwards into ten Sefirot de Guf in Toch and Sof, as has been explained in Partzuf AB de AK. Yet, there are differences concerning the end of the Partzuf, as it is written elsewhere.

TZIMTZUM BET, CALLED TZIMTZUM NHY DE AK

56) Thus we have thoroughly explained the issue of Tzimtzum Aleph (the first restriction), carried out on the Kli of Malchut—Behina Dalet—so it would not receive the Upper Light within it. We have also explained the issue of the Masach and its Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light, which raises Ohr Hozer. This Ohr Hozer became new vessels of reception instead of Behina Dalet.

Also explained was the Hizdakchut of the Masach de Guf, made in the Gufim (plural for Guf) of eachPartzuf by the Bitush of Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimi, which produces the four discernments TANTA of theGuf of each Partzuf and raises the Masach de Guf to be considered Masach de Rosh. It qualifies it for a Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light, on which another Partzuf is born, one degree lower than the previous Partzuf. Finally, we have explained the elicitation of the first three Partzufim of AK, calledGalgaltaABSAG, and their clothing order on one another.

57) Know that in these three PartzufimGalgaltaAB, and SAG de AK, there is not even a root for the four worlds ABYA, since there is not even room for the three worlds BYA here. This is because the inner Partzuf of AK extended down to the point of this world, and the root of the desirable correction, which was the cause for the Tzimtzum, has not been revealed. This is so because the purpose of theTzimtzum that unfolded in Behina Dalet was to correct it, so there would be no disparity of form within it, as it receives the Upper Light (Item 14).

In other words, to create Adam’s Guf of that Behina Dalet, he will turn the reception force in Behina Dalet to being in order to bestow, through his engagement in Torah and Mitzvot in order to bestow contentment upon his Maker. By that he will equalize the form of reception with complete bestowal, and that would be the end of correction, since this would bring Behina Dalet back to being a vessel of reception for the Upper Light, while being in complete Dvekut (adhesion) with the Light, without any disparity of form.

Yet, thus far, the root of this correction has not been revealed, as this requires that man (Adam) will be included with the higher Behinot, above Behina Dalet, so as to be able to perform good deeds of bestowal. And had Adam departed the state of the Partzufim of AK, he would have been completely in the state of empty space. This is because then the whole of Behina Dalet, which should be the root of Adam’s Guf, would have been below AK’s Raglaim (feet), in the form of empty and dark space, as it would be of opposite form from the Upper Light. Thus, it would be considered separated and dead.

And had Adam been created from that, he would not have been able to correct his actions whatsoever, since there would be no sparks of bestowal in him at all. He would be deemed a beast that has nothing of the form of bestowal, and whose life is only for himself. This would be like the wicked who are immersed in the lust of self-reception, “and even the grace that they do, they do for themselves.” It is said about them, “the wicked—during their lives are called ‘dead,’” since they are in oppositeness of form from the Life of Lives.

58) This is the meaning of our sages’ words: “In the beginning, He contemplated creating the world with the quality of Din (judgment). He saw that the world does not exist and preceded the quality ofRachamim (mercy), and associated it with the quality of Din” (Beresheet Rabba, 12). This means that every “first” and “next” in spirituality refers to cause and consequence.

This is why it is written that the first reason for the worlds, meaning the Partzufim of AK, emanated before all the worlds, were emanated in the quality of Din, that is, in Malchut alone, called Midat ha Din (quality of judgment). This refers to Behina Dalet that has been restricted and departed as an empty space and the conclusion of the Raglaim of AK, that is, the point of this world, below the Siumof AK’s Raglaim, in the form of empty space, devoid of any Light.

“He saw that the world does not exist” means that in this way, it was impossible for Adam, who was to be created from this Behina Dalet, to acquire acts of bestowal so the world would be corrected in the desired amount through him. This is why he “associated the quality of Rachamim with the quality of Din.”

Explanation: The Sefira (singular for SefirotBina is called Midat ha Rachamim (quality of mercy), and the Sefira Malchut is called Midat ha Din, since the Tzimtzum was made on her. The Emanator raised Midat ha Din, which is the concluding force made in the Sefira Malchut, and elevated it to Bina—MidathaRachamim. He associated them with one another, and through this association, Behina Dalet—Midat ha Din—was incorporated with the sparks of bestowal in the Kli of Bina.

This allowed Adam’s Guf, which emerged from Behina Dalet, to be integrated with the quality of bestowal, too. Thus, he will be able to perform good deeds in order to bestow contentment upon his Maker, until he turns the quality of reception in him to being entirely in order to bestow. Thus, the world will achieve the desired correction by the creation of the world.

59) This association of Malchut in Bina occurred in Partzuf SAG de AK and prompted a secondTzimtzum in the worlds from itself downwards. This is because a new Sium on the Upper Light was made on it, that is, in Bina’s place. It follows that the ending Malchut, which stood at the Sium Raglaim of SAG de AK, above the point of this world, rose and ended the Upper Light at half of Bina de Guf de SAG de AK, called Tifferet, since KHB de Guf is called HGT. Thus, Tifferet is Bina de Guf.

Also, the mating Malchut, which stood at the Peh Rosh de SAG de AK, rose to the place of Nikvey Eynaim (pupils) de AK, which is half of Bina de Rosh. Then, a Zivug for the MA de AK was made there, at the Nikvey Eynaim, called “the world of Nekudim.”

60) This is also called Tzimtzum NHY de AK. This is because SAG de AK, which ended equally withPartzuf Galgalta de AK, above the point of this world, ends above the Tabur of the inner AK through the association and the ascent of Malchut to the place of Bina, at half the Tifferet, which is half theBina de Guf of the inner AK. This is so because the ending Malchut rose to that place and detained the Upper Light from spreading from it downwards.

For this reason, an empty space was made there, devoid of Light. Thus, the TNHY (TifferetNetzah,HodYesodde SAG became restricted and devoid of the Upper Light. This is why Tzimtzum Bet(second restriction) is called Tzimtzum NHY de AK, since through the new Sium at the place of Tabur,NHY de SAG de AK were emptied of their Lights.

It is also considered that AHP of Rosh de SAG departed the degree of Rosh de SAG and became itsGuf, since the mating Malchut rose to Nikvey Eynaim and the ten Sefirot de Rosh emerged from theMasach at Nikvey Eynaim and Above. Also, from Nikvey Eynaim downwards it is considered the Gufof the Partzuf, since it can only receive illumination from Nikvey Eynaim and below, which is considered Guf.

The level of these ten Sefirot that emerged at the Nikvey Eynaim de SAG de AK are the ten Sefirot called “the world of Nekudim.” They came down from the Nikvey Eynaim de SAG to their place below the Tabur of the inner AK, where they expanded with Rosh and Guf. Know that this new Sium, made at the place of Bina de Guf, is called Parsa. Also, there is internality and externality here, and only the ten external Sefirot are called “the world of Nekudim,” while the ten inner Sefirot are called MAand BON de AK itself.

61) Yet, we should understand that since the ten Sefirot of Nekudim and the MA de AK were emanated and emerged from the Nikvey Eynaim de Rosh de SAG, they should have clothed the SAGfrom its Peh de Rosh and below, as with the other Partzufim, where each inferior clothes its superior from the Peh de Rosh downwards. Why was it not so? Why did they descend and clothe the place below Tabur de AK? To understand that, we must thoroughly understand how this association came about, when Bina and Malchut were connected into one.

62) The thing is that during the emergence of Partzuf SAG, it ended entirely above Tabur of the innerAK, as has been explained concerning Partzuf AB de AK. They could not spread from Tabur down, since the government of Behina Dalet of the inner AK begins there, in its ten Sefirot de Sium, and there is nothing of Behina Dalet whatsoever in Partzufim AB and SAG (Item 54).

Yet, when Nekudot de SAG de AK began to emerge, after the Masach de SAG, which is Behina Dalet de Aviut, has been purified through the Bitush of Ohr Makif in it, and came to Behina Bet de Hitlabshut and Behina Aleph de Aviut, the Taamim de SAG departed. Then, the level of Nekudotemerged on the Aviut that remained in the Masach, in VAK without a Rosh.

This is so because the ten Sefirot that emerge on Behina Aleph de Aviut are the level of ZA, lackingGAR. Also, there is no Bina at the male level, which is Behina Bet de Hitlabshut, but only nearly that. This is considered VAK de Bina.

Hence, this form of the level of Nekudot de SAG has been equalized with the ten Sefirot de Siumbelow Tabur de AK, considered VAK without a Rosh, too (Item 52). It is known that equivalence of form unites the spirituals into one. Hence, this level subsequently descended below Tabur de AK and mingled there with ZON de AK, where they were as one, since they are of equal levels.

63) We might wonder at the fact that there is still a great distance between them with respect to their Aviut, since Nekudot de SAG come from Aviut of Behina Bet and have nothing of Behina Dalet. And although they are the level of ZA, it is not like the level of ZA below Tabur de AK, which is ZA ofBehina Dalet. Thus, there is a big difference between them.

The answer is that the Aviut is not apparent in the Partzuf during the clothing of the Light, but only after the departure of the Light. Hence, when Partzuf Nekudot de SAG appeared at the level of ZA, descended, and clothed at the level of ZON from Tabur de AK downwards, Behina Bet was mingled with Behina Dalet and caused Tzimtzum Bet. This created a new Sium at the place of Bina de Guf of that Partzuf, as well as prompted a change in the place of the Zivug, making it the Peh de Roshinstead of the Nikvey Eynaim.

64) Thus, you find that the source of the association of Malchut in Bina, called Tzimtzum Bet, occurred only below Tabur de AK, by the expansion of Partzuf Nekudot de SAG in that place. Hence, this level of ten Sefirot de Nekudim, which comes from Tzimtzum Bet, could not spread above Tabur de AK, since there is no force and ruling that can appear above its source. And since the place whereTzimtzum Bet was created was from Tabur down, the level of Nekudim had to expand there, as well.

THE PLACE FOR THE FOUR WORLDS ABYA, AND THE PARSA BETWEEN ATZILUT AND BYA

65) Thus we have learned that Tzimtzum Bet occurred only in Partzuf Nekudot de SAG, positioned from Tabur de AK downwards, through its Sium Raglin, that is, above the point of this world. Know that all the changes that followed the second restriction came only in that Partzuf Nekudot de SAG, and not Above it.

When we said that Above, that through Malchut’s ascent to half of Tifferet de AK, where she ended the Partzuf, the lower half of Tifferet and NHYM de AK came out in the form of empty space, this did not occur in TNHY de AK itself, but only in TNHY of Partzuf Nekudot de SAG de AK. Yet, these changes are considered a mere raising of MAN in AK itself. In other words, it clothed in these changes to emanate the ten Sefirot de Nekudim themselves, though no change was prompted in AK itself.

66) And as soon as the Tzimtzum occurred, during the ascent of Malchut to Bina, even before the raising of MAN and the Zivug that was made at the Nikvey Eynaim de AK, it caused Partzuf Nekudot de SAG de AK to divide into four divisions:

  1. KHB HGT up to its Chazeh are considered the place of Atzilut;
  2. The two lower thirds of Tifferet, from the Chazeh down to the Sium of Tifferet became the place of the world of Beria;
  3. Its three SefirotNHY, became the place of the world of Yetzira;
  4. The Malchut in it became the place of the world of Assiya.

67) The reason for it is that the place of the world of Atzilut means the place worthy of the expansion of the Upper Light. And because of the ascension of the ending Malchut to the place of Bina de Guf, called Tifferet, the Partzuf ends there and the Light cannot traverse from there downwards. Thus, the place of Atzilut ends there, at half the Tifferet, on the Chazeh.

And you already know that this new Sium, made here, is called “the Parsa below the world of Atzilut.” And there are three divisions in the Sefirot below the Parsa. This is because indeed, only two Sefirot,ZON de Guf, called NHYM, needed to emerge below the Atzilut. This is so because since the Sium was made at the Bina de Guf, which is Tifferet, only the ZON below Tifferet are below the Sium, and notTifferet, although half of the lower Tifferet went out to below the Sium, as well.

The reason is that Bina de Guf consists of the ten Sefirot KHB ZON, too. And since these ZON de Binaare the roots of the inclusive ZON de Guf, which were included in Bina, they are considered like them. Hence, ZON de Bina came out below the Parsa de Atzilut, as well, along with the inclusive ZON. For this reason, the Sefira Tifferet was cracked across it at the place of the Chazeh, since the Malchut that rose to Bina is standing there and brings out the ZON de Bina, that is, the two thirds of Tifferet from the Chazeh down to its Sium.

Yet, there is still a difference between the two thirds of Tifferet and the NHYM, since the two thirds ofTifferet truly belong to the Bina de Guf and never emerged below the Sium de Atzilut because of themselves, but only because they are the roots of ZON. Hence, their flaw is not so great, since they did not come out because of themselves. Thus, they have become separated from the NHYM and became a world in and of themselves, called “the world of Beria.”

68) ZON de Guf, too, called NHYM, are divided into two discernments: since Malchut is consideredNukva (female), her flaw is greater, and she becomes the place of the world of AssiyaZA, who isNHY, became the world of Yetzira, above the world of Assiya.

Thus we have explained how Partzuf Nekudot de SAG was divided by Tzimtzum Bet and became the place of four worlds: AtzilutBeriaYetzira, and AssiyaKHB HGT, down to its Chazeh, became the place of the world of Atzilut. The lower half of Tifferet, from the Chazeh to the Sium of Tifferet, became the place of the world of Beria, the NHY in it—the world of Yetzira and its Malchut—the world of Assiya. Their place begins from the point of Tabur de AK and ends above the point of this world, that is, through the Sium Raglin de AK, which is the end of the clothing of Partzuf Nekudot de SAGover Partzuf Galgalta de AK.

THE KATNUT AND GADLUT INITIATED IN THE WORD OF NEKUDIM

69) Now that you know about the Tzimtzum Bet that occurred in Partzuf Nekudot de SAG for the purpose of emanating the ten Sefirot of the world of Nekudim, the fourth Partzuf of AK, we shall go back to explaining the elicitation of the ten particular Sefirot of Nekudim. The elicitation of onePartzuf from the next has already been explained. Each inferior Partzuf is born and originates from the Masach de Guf of the Upper One, after its Hizdakchut and ascension for renewing the Zivug in thePeh of the Upper One. And the cause of this Hizdakchut is the Bitush of Ohr Makif in the Masach of the Upper Partzuf, which purifies the Masach from its Aviut de Guf, and equalizes it with the Aviut de Rosh (Item 35).

In this manner, Partzuf AB de AK emerged from Partzuf Keter de AKPartzuf SAG de AK from Partzuf AB de AK, and the fourth Partzuf de AK, called “ten Sefirot of the world of Nekudim,” was born and emerged from its superior, being SAG de AK, in the same way.

70) Yet, there is another issue here. In the previous Partzufim, the Masach was made only of theReshimot de Aviut of the Guf of the Upper One, during the Hizdakchut of the Masach to the Peh de Rosh of the Upper One. But here, in the Hizdakchut of the Masach de SAG de AK for Nekudim, thisMasach was made of two kinds of Reshimot. Besides being made of its own Reshimot de Aviut, with respect to the Sefirot de Guf de SAG de AK, it is included with the Reshimot de Aviut de ZON de AKbelow Tabur, too. This is because of their mixture below Tabur de AK, as it is written (Item 61) thatNekudot de SAG descended below Tabur de AK and mixed with the ZON de AK there.

71) Thus, the matter of Katnut (smallness) and Gadlut (adulthood) has been initiated here in Partzuf Nekudim. With respect to the Reshimot de Aviut in the Masach, ten Sefirot of Katnut Nekudimemerged over them. And with respect to the Reshimot de ZON de AK below Tabur, which mingled and connected with the Reshimot of the Masach, the ten Sefirot de Gadlut of Nekudim emerged over them.

72) You should also know that the ten Sefirot of Katnut Nekudim that emerged on the Masach are considered the core of Partzuf Nekudim, since they emerged gradually, that is, from the core of theMasach de Guf of the Upper One, the same as the three previous Partzufim de AK emerged. But the ten Sefirot de Gadlut of Nekudim are regarded as mere addition to Partzuf Nekudim. This is because they only emerged from the Zivug on the Reshimot de ZON de AK below the Tabur, which did not appear gradually, but were added and connected to the Masach because of the decline of Partzuf Nekudot de SAG below Tabur de AK (Item 70).

73) We shall first clarify the ten Sefirot de Katnut Nekudim. You already know that following theHitpashtut (spreading/expansion) of SAG de AK, it underwent the Bitush of Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimion its Masach, which gradually purified it. The levels that emerged as it purified are called Nekudot de SAG, and they descended below Tabur de AK and mingled with the Behina Dalet there (Item 62). After it completed its purification of all the Aviut de Guf in the Masach and remained with only Aviut de Rosh, it is considered to have risen to Rosh de SAG, where it received a new Zivug on the measure of Aviut that remained in the Reshimot in the Masach (Item 35).

74) And here, too, it is considered that the last Behina of AviutAviut de Behina Bet that was in theMasach, completely vanished, leaving only the Reshimo de Hitlabshut. Thus, nothing was left of theAviut but Behina Aleph. Hence (Item 43), the Masach received two kinds of Zivugim (plural for Zivug) in Rosh de SAG:

  1. Hitkalelut of Behina Aleph de Aviut within Behina Bet de Hitlabshut (clothing), called “Hitkalelut of the female Reshimo in the male Reshimo,” produced a level at nearly the degree of Bina, which is the degree of VAK de Bina. This level is called “the Sefira Keter de Nekudim.”
  2. Hitkalelut of the male with the Reshimo of the female, the Reshimo of Behina Bet de Hitlabshut in Behina Aleph de Aviut, produced the level of ZA, considered VAK without a Rosh, called “Aba ve Ima de Nekudim back to back.”

These two levels are called GAR de Nekudim, that is, they are considered ten Sefirot de Rosh Nekudim, since each Rosh is called GAR or KHB. But there is a difference between them: Keter de Nekudim, which is at the male level, does not spread into the Guf and shines only at the Rosh. OnlyAVI de Nekudim, which are the female level, called “seven lower Sefirot de Nekudim” or “HGT NHY de Nekudim” expand to the Guf.

75) Thus, there are three degrees one below the other:

  1. Keter de Nekudim, with the level of VAK de Bina.
  2. The level of AVI (Aba and Imade Nekudim, which has the level of ZA. These are both considered Rosh.
  3. ZAT de NekudimHGT NHYM, considered Guf de Nekudim.

76) Know, that by Malchut’s ascent to Bina, these two degrees of Nekudim split into two halves upon their exit, called Panim (face) and Achoraim (back). This is so because since the Zivug was made at the Nikvey Eynaim, there are only two and a half Sefirot at the Rosh—GalgaltaEynaim (eyes) andNikvey Eynaim, that is, KeterHochma, and the Upper half of Bina. These are called Kelim de Panim(frontal Kelim).

The Kelim de AHP, which are the lower half of BinaZA, and Nukva, emerged from the ten Sefirot de Rosh and were considered the degree below the Rosh. Hence, Kelim de Rosh, which departed theRosh, are considered Kelim de Achoraim (posterior Kelim). Each degree was split in this manner.

77) It follows that there is not a single degree that does not have Panim and Achoraim. This is because the AHP of the male level, the Keter de Nekudim, emerged from the degree of Keter and descended to the degree of AVI de Nekudim, the female level. And AHP of the female level — AVI de Nekudim—descended and fell to their degree of Guf, the degree of the seven lower Sefirot HGT NHY de Nekudim.

It turns out that AVI comprise two Behinot Panim and Achoraim: within them are the Achoraim of theKeter degree, that is, the AHP de Keter, and atop them clothe the Kelim de Panim de AVI themselves, that is, their own GalgaltaEynaim, and Nikvey Eynaim. Also, ZAT de Nekudim comprise Panim andAchoraim: the Kelim de Achoraim de AVI, which are their AHP, are within the ZAT, and the Kelim de Panim de ZAT clothe them from without.

78) This issue of the division into two halves made the degrees of Nekudim unable to contain more than Behinat Nefesh Ruach, meaning VAK without GAR. This is because each degree is deficient of the three KelimBina and ZON, hence the absence of Lights of GAR there, being NeshamaHaya,Yechida (Item 24). Thus we have thoroughly explained the ten Sefirot de Katnut de Nekudim, which are the three degrees called KeterAVI, and ZAT. Each degree contains only Keter Hochma in Kelimand Nefesh Ruach in Lights, since the Bina and ZON of each degree fell to the degree below it.

RAISING MAN AND THE ELICITATION OF THE GADLUT DE NEKUDIM

79) Now we shall explain the ten Sefirot de Gadlut (adulthood/greatness) of Nekudim, which emerged on the MAN de Reshimot of ZON de AK below its Tabur (Item 71). First, we must understand the raising MAN. Thus far, we have only discussed the ascent of the Masach de Guf to thePeh de Rosh of the Upper One, once it has purified. Also, there was a Zivug de Hakaa on theReshimot included in it, which produces the level of ten Sefirot for the needs of the lower one. Now, however, the issue of raising Mayin Nukvin (MAN/female water) has been renewed, for these Lights, which rose from below Tabur de AK to the Rosh de SAG, which are the Reshimot de ZON de Guf de AK, are called “raising MAN.”

80) Know, that the origin of raising MAN is from the ZA and Bina of the ten Sefirot of Ohr Yashar(Direct Light) (Item 5). It is explained there that Bina, considered Ohr Hassadim, reunited withHochma when she emanated the Sefira Tifferet, called Behina Gimel, and extended illumination ofHochma from it for Tifferet, which is ZA. The majority of ZA emerged from the Ohr Hassadim of Bina, and its minority with illumination of Hochma.

This is where the connection between ZA and Bina was made, as every time the Reshimot de ZA rise to BinaBina connects with Hochma and extends illumination of Hochma from it, for ZA. This ascension of ZA to Bina, which connects it with Hochma, is always called “raising MAN.” Without the ascent of ZA to BinaBina is not considered Nukva to Hochma, since she herself is only Ohr Hassadim and does not need to receive Ohr Hochma.

She is always considered back-to-back with Hochma, which means that she does not want to receive from Hochma. Only when ZA rises to her does she become Nukva for Hochma once more, to receive illumination of Hochma from it, for ZA. Thus, the ascent of ZA make her a Nukva, and this is why its ascent is called Mayin Nukvin, as the ascent of ZA brings her face-to-face once more. This means that she receives from him the way Nukva does from the male. Thus we have thoroughly clarified the raising of MAN.

81) You already know that Partzuf AB de AK is Partzuf Hochma, and Partzuf SAG de AK is Partzuf Bina. This means that they are discerned according to the Highest Behina of their level. AB, whose Highest Behina is Hochma, is considered all HochmaSAG, whose Highest Behina is Bina, is considered all Bina.

Thus, when the Reshimot de ZON de Guf below Tabur de AK rose to Rosh de SAG, they became MANto the SAG there, for which SAG, which is Bina, mated with Partzuf AB, which is Hochma. Subsequently, AB gave to SAG a new Light for ZON’s needs, below the Tabur that rose there.

And once ZON de AK received this new Light, they descended back to their place below Tabur de AK, where there are the ten Sefirot de Nekudim, where they illuminated the new Light within the tenSefirot de Nekudim. This is the Mochin (Light) de Gadlut of the ten Sefirot de Nekudim. Thus we have explained the ten Sefirot de Gadlut that emerged on the second type of Reshimot, which are theReshimot de ZON below Tabur de AK (Item 71). Indeed, it is these Mochin de Gadlut that caused the breaking of the vessels, as will be written below.

82) It has been explained above (Item 74) that there are two degrees at the Rosh de Nekudim, calledKeter and AVI. Hence, when ZON de AK shone the new Light of AB SAG to the ten Sefirot de Nekudim, it first shone to Keter de Nekudim through its Tabur de AK, where Keter clothes, and completed it with GAR in Lights and Bina and ZON in Kelim. Subsequently, it shone to AVI de Nekudim through Yesod de AK, where AVI clothe, and completed them with GAR in Lights and Binaand ZON in Kelim.

83) First, let us explain the Gadlut, which this new Light caused in the ten Sefirot of Nekudim. The thing is that we should ask about what is written in Item 74, that the level of Keter and AVI de Nekudim were considered VAK because they emerged on Aviut of Behina Aleph. But we have said that through the descent of Nekudot de SAG below Tabur de AKBehina Dalet joined with the Masach de Nekudot de SAG, which is Bina. Thus, this Masach contains a Reshimo of Behina Dalet de Aviut, as well. In that case, during the Hitkalelut of the Masach in Rosh de SAG, ten Sefirot should have emerged at the level of Keter and the Light of Yechida, and not at the level of VAK de Bina in theSefira Keter, and the level of VAK without a Rosh in AVI.

The answer is that the place is the cause. Since Behina Dalet is included in Bina, which is Nikvey EynaimAviut Dalet disappeared there in the internality of Bina, as though it is not there at all. Hence, the Zivug was made only on the Reshimot of Behina Bet de Hitlabshut and Behina Aleph de Aviut, which are essentially only from Masach de Bina (Item 74), and only two levels emerged there:VAK de Bina and complete VAK.

84) Therefore, now ZON de AK below Tabur extended the new Light through their MAN from AB SAG de AK, and illuminated it to the Rosh de Nekudim (Item 81). And since Partzuf AB de AK has no connection with this Tzimtzum Bet, which elevated the Behina Dalet to the place of Nikvey Eynaim, when its Light was drawn to Rosh de Nekudim, it re-cancelled the Tzimtzum Bet within it, which elevated the place of the Zivug to Nikvey Eynaim. Also, it lowered the Behina Dalet back to its place at the Peh, as prior to Tzimtzum Aleph, that is, the place of Peh de Rosh.

Thus, the three Kelim—Awzen (ear), Hotem (nose), and Peh (mouth)—that fell from the degree because of Tzimtzum Bet (Item 76), now returned to their place—their degree—as before. At that time, the place of the Zivug descended once more from Nikvey Eynaim to Behina Dalet at the place ofPeh de Rosh. And since Behina Dalet is already at her place, ten Sefirot emerged there at the degree of Keter.

Thus it has been explained that through the new Light, which ZON de AK extended to Rosh de Nekudim, it gained the three Lights NeshamaHayaYechida, and the three Kelim AHP, which areBina and ZON that were missing when it first emerged.

85) Now we have thoroughly clarified the Katnut and Gadlut de NekudimTzimtzum Bet, which raised the lower Hey—Behina Dalet — to the place of Nikvey Eynaim, where it was concealed, caused the level of Katnut de Nekudim — the level of VAK or ZA in Lights of Nefesh Ruach. There they were lacking Bina and ZON in Kelim and NeshamaHayaYechida in Lights. And through the approaching of a new Light of AB SAG de AK to the NekudimTzimtzum Aleph returned to its place.

Bina and ZON of the Kelim returned to the Rosh, since the lower Hey descended from the Nikvey Eynaim and returned to her place — Malchut, called Peh. Then a Zivug was made on Behina Dalet, which returned to her place, and ten Sefirot at the level of Keter and Yechida emerged. This completed the NRNHY of Lights and the KHB ZON of Kelim.

For short, we will henceforth refer to Tzimtzum Bet and the Katnut by the name “ascension of the lower Hey to Nikvey Eynaim and the descent of AHP below.” Also, we refer to the Gadlut by the name “the approaching of the Light of AB SAG, which lowers the lower Hey from the Nikvey Eynaim and brings the AHP back to their place.” Remember this above explanation.

You should also remember that GE (Galgalta Eynaim) and AHP are names of the ten Sefirot KHB ZON de Rosh, and the ten Sefirot de Guf are called HGT NHYM. They, too, are divided into GE and AHP, since Hesed and Gevura and the Upper third of Tifferet—through the Chazeh—are Galgalta ve (and)Eynaim and Nikvey Eynaim, and the two thirds of Tifferet and NHYM are AHP, as has been written above.

Also, remember that GalgaltaEynaim, and Nikvey Eynaim, or HGT up to the Chazeh, are calledKelim de Panim (anterior Kelim). And AHP, or the two lower thirds of Tifferet and NHYM from theChazeh down are called Kelim de Achoraim (posterior Kelim), as written in Item 76. And you should also remember the fissuring of the degree that occurred with Tzimtzum Bet, which left only Kelim de Panim in the whole degree. And finally, each inferior contains within it the Kelim de Achoraim of the Upper One (Item 77).

EXPLAINING THE THREE NEKUDOT HOLAM, SHURUK, HIRIK

86) Know, that the Nekudot (dots) are divided into three Behinot—Rosh, Toch, and Sof, which are

  • Upper Nekudot, above the Otiot (letters), included in the name, Holam;
  • Middle Nekudot, inside the Otiot, included in the name, Shuruk or Melafom, meaning Vav and a point within it;
  • Lower Nekudot, below the Otiot, included in the name, Hirik.

87) This is their explanation: Otiot are Kelim, that is, Sefirot of the Guf. This is because the tenSefirot de Rosh are but roots to the Kelim, not actual KelimNekudot mean Lights, which sustain theKelim and move them, meaning Ohr Hochma, called Ohr Haya [27]. This is considered a new Light, which ZON de AK received from AB SAG and illuminated the Kelim de Nekudim, bringing down the lower Hey back to the Peh of each degree, and returning the AHP de Kelim and GAR of Lights to each degree.

Thus, this Light moves the Kelim de AHP and elevates them from the lower degree, connecting them to the Upper One, as in the beginning. This is the meaning of the Nekudot that move the Otiot. And since this Light extends from AB de AK, which is Ohr Haya, it revives those Kelim de AHP through clothing in them.

88) You already know that ZON de AK shone this new Light to the ten Sefirot de Nekudim through two places: It illuminated the Keter de Nekudim through the Tabur, and illuminated the AVI de Nekudim through the Yesod.

Know that this illumination through the Tabur is called Holam, which shines for the Otiot above them. It is so because the illumination of Tabur reaches only Keter de Nekudim, the male level of Rosh de Nekudim (Item 74). And the male level does not expand into the lower seven of the Nekudim, which are the Kelim de Guf, called Otiot, hence it is considered to be shining on them only from its place above, without expanding in the Otiot themselves.

This illumination through the Yesod is called Shuruk, that is, Vav with a point that stands inside the line of the Otiot. The reason is that this illumination comes to AVI de Nekudim, which are the female level of Rosh de Nekudim, whose Lights expand into the Guf, as well, which are the ZAT de Nekudim, called Otiot. This is why you will find the point of Shuruk inside the line of Otiot.

89) Thus, the Holam and Shuruk have been thoroughly explained. The illumination of a new Light through the Tabur, which lowers the lower Hey from Nikvey Eynaim de Keter to the Peh, and elevates the AHP de Keter once more, is the point of Holam above the Otiot. The illumination of a new Light through the Yesod, which lowers the lower Hey from Nikvey Eynaim de AVI to their Peh and returns their AHP, is the point of Shuruk inside the Otiot. This is because these Mochin also come in ZAT de Nekudim, called Otiot.

90) Hirik is considered the new Light that the ZAT themselves receive from AVI, to bring down the ending lower Hey, which stands at their Chazeh, to the place of Sium Raglin de AK. Thus, their AHP, namely the Kelim from the Chazeh downwards, which became the place of BYA, return to them. At that time, BYA will once again be as Atzilut.

But ZAT de Nekudim could not bring the lower Hey down from the Chazeh and completely revokeTzimtzum Bet, the Parsa, and the place of BYA. Rather, when they extended the Light into BYA, all the Kelim de ZAT immediately broke, since the force of the ending lower Hey, which stands at theParsa, was mingled with these Kelim.

Thus, the Light had to instantaneously depart there and the Kelim broke, died, and fell into BYA. Also, their Kelim de Panim, above the Parsa, the Kelim above the Chazeh, broke as well, since all the Light departed thence, too. Thus, they broke and fell into BYA, due to their joining into one Guf with the Kelim de Achoraim.

91) Thus you see that the point of Hirik could not emerge and control in the world of Nekudim, since, moreover, it caused the breaking of the vessels. This was because she wanted to clothe inside theOtiot, in the TNHYM below Parsa de Atzilut, which became BYA.

However, later, in the world of Tikkun, the point of Hirik received its correction, since she was corrected into shining below the Otiot. This means that when ZAT de Atzilut receive the Light ofGadlut from AVI, which should lower the ending lower Hey from the place of the Chazeh to Sium Raglin de AK, and connect the Kelim de TNHYM to Atzilut, the Lights will spread down to Sium Raglin de AK. Yet, they do not do so, but raise these TNHY from the place of BYA to the place of Atzilut, above the Parsa, and receive the Lights while they are above Parsa de Atzilut, so that no breaking of vessels would occur in them again, as in the world of Nekudim.

This is considered that the point of Hirik, which raises the Kelim de TNHY de ZAT de Atzilut, stands below the Kelim de TNHYM that she raised, that is, she stands in the place of Parsa de Atzilut. Thus, the point of Hirik serves under the Otiot. This explains the three points, HolamShurukHirik, in general.

THE ASCENT OF MAN DE ZAT DE NEKUDIM TO AVI AND THE EXPLANATION OF THE SEFIRA DAAT

92) It has already been explained that due to the lower Hey’s ascent to Nikvey Eynaim, which occurred in Tzimtzum Bet, when the Katnut of the ten Sefirot de Nekudim emerged, each degree was divided into two halves.

  • Galgalta ve Eynaim remained in the degree; hence, they are called Kelim de Panim (anterior Kelim).
  • AwzenHotem, and Peh, which fell from the degree to the one below it, are therefore called Kelim de Achoraim (posterior Kelim).

Thus, each degree is now made of internality and externality, since the Kelim de Achoraim of the Upper degree fell to the internality of its own Kelim de Panim. And the fallen AHP de Keter Nekudim are clothed inside Galgalta ve Eynaim de AVI, and the fallen AHP de AVI are clothed inside Galgalta ve Eynaim de ZAT de Nekudim (Item 76).

93) In consequence, when the new Light of AB SAG de AK comes to the degree, and lowers the lowerHey back to her place at the Peh, during the Gadlut de Nekudim, the degree brings her AHP back to her, and her ten Sefirot de Kelim and ten Sefirot of Lights are completed. It is then considered that the lower degree, too, which was attached to the AHP of the Upper One, rises along with them to the Upper One.

This is so because the rule is that “there is no absence in the spiritual.” And as the lower one was attached to the AHP of the Upper One during the Katnut, they are not separated from each other during the Gadlut as well, when the AHP of the Upper One return to their degree. It turns out that the lower degree has now actually become a Higher degree, since the lower one that rises to the Upper One becomes like Him.

94) It turns out that when AVI received the new Light of AB SAG and lowered the lower Hey from theNikvey Eynaim back to their Peh, and raised their AHP to them, the ZAT, too, which clothe these AHPduring the Katnut, now rose along with them to AVI. Thus, the ZAT became a single degree with AVI. This ascent of the ZAT to AVI is called “raising MAN.” And when they are at the same degree as AVI, they receive the Lights of AVI, as well.

95) And it is called MAN since the ascent of ZA to Bina brings her back to being face-to-face with theHochma (Item 80). It is known that every ZAT are ZON. Hence, when the ZAT rose with the AHP de AVI to the degree of AVI, they became MAN to the Bina of the Sefirot de AVI. Then she returns to being face-to-face with the Hochma de AVI and provides ZON, which are the ZAT de Nekudim that rose to them, with illumination of Hochma.

96) Despite the above-mentioned ascent of ZAT to AVI, it does not mean that they were altogether absent from their place and rose to AVI, since there is no absence in the spiritual. Also, any “change of place” in spirituality does not mean that it has departed its former place and moved to a new location, as one relocates in corporeality. Rather, there is merely an addition here: they came to the new location, while remaining in the former one. Thus, although the ZAT rose to AVI to MAN, they still remained in their place, at their lower degree, as before.

97) Similarly, you can understand that even though we say that once ZON rose to MAN to AVI and received their Lights there, and left there and returned to their place below, here, too, it does not mean that they departed their place above and moved to the place below. Had ZON been absent from their place above in AVI, the face-to-face Zivug de AVI would stop instantaneously, and they would return to being back-to-back as before. This would stop their abundance, and ZON, below, would lose their Mochin, too.

It has already been explained above that Bina naturally craves only Ohr Hassadim, as in, “for he delights in mercy.” She has no interest whatsoever in receiving Ohr Hochma; hence, she is back-to-back with Hochma. Only when ZON ascend to them for MAN does Bina return in a face-to-face Zivugwith Hochma, to bestow illumination of Hochma to ZA (Item 80).

Hence, it is necessary that the ZON will always remain there, to give sustenance and subsistence to the face-to-face Zivug de AVI. For this reason, it cannot be said that ZON are absent from the place of AVI when they come to their place below. Rather, as we have said, any “change of place” is but an addition. Thus, although ZON descended from their place, they still remained above, as well.

98-99) Now you can understand the Sefira Daat that was initiated in the world of Nekudim. In all thePartzufim of AK, through Nekudim, there are only ten Sefirot KHB ZON. But from the world ofNekudim onwards, there is the Sefira Daat, which we regard as KHBD ZON.

The thing is that there was no ascension of MAN in the Partzufim of AK, but only the ascent of theMasach to Peh de Rosh (Item 79). But you should know that the Sefira Daat extends from the ascension of MAN de ZON to AVI, as it has been clarified that ZON, which rose there to MAN toHochma and Bina, remain there even after their exit from there to their place below, to provide sustenance and subsistence to the face-to-face Zivug de AVI. These ZON, which remain in AVI, are called “the Sefira Daat.” Hence, now HB have the Sefira Daat, which sustains and positions them in a face-to-face Zivug. These are the ZON that rose to MAN there and remained there even after the exit of ZON to their place.

Hence, from now on we call the ten Sefirot by the names KHBD ZON. But in the Partzufim of AK, prior to the world of Nekudim, before the raising of MAN, there was no Sefira Daat there. You should also know that the Sefira Daat is always called “five Hassadim and five Gevurot,” since the ZA that remains there is considered five Hassadim, and the Nukva that remained there is considered fiveGevurot.

100) We might ask about what is written in the Book of Creation, that the ten Sefirot are “ten and not nine, ten and not eleven.” It was said that the Sefira Daat was initiated in the world of Nekudim; thus, there are eleven Sefirot KHBD ZON.

The answer is that this is not at all an addition to the ten Sefirot, since we have learned that theSefira Daat is ZON that rose to MAN and remained there. Hence, there is no addition here, but rather two discernments in ZON:

1. The ZON in their place below, which are considered Guf;

2. The ZON that remained in Rosh de AVI, since they were already there during the raising of theMAN, and there is no absence in the spiritual. Thus, there is no addition to the ten Sefirot here, whatsoever, for in the end, there are only ten Sefirot KHB ZON here. And if the discernment of ZONremains in Rosh in AVI, it does not add a thing to the ten Sefirot.

THE BREAKING OF THE VESSELS AND THEIR FALL TO BYA

101) Now we have thoroughly explained the raising of MAN and the Sefira Daat, which are considered the Kelim de Panim de ZAT de Nekudim that extended and rose to AVI. This is because AVI received the new Light of AB SAG de AK from ZON de AK in the form of the point of Shuruk. They lowered the lower Hey from their Nikvey Eynaim to the Peh, and raised their Kelim de Achoraim, which were fallen in the ZAT de Nekudim. As a result, the Kelim de Panim de ZAT, which were attached to theKelim de Achoraim de AVI (Items 89-94), rose, too, and the ZAT de Nekudim became MAN there, and returned AVI to being face-to-face.

And since the lower Hey, which is Behina Dalet, had already returned to her place at the Peh, theZivug de Hakaa that was made on that Masach of Behina Dalet produced ten complete Sefirot at the level of Keter in the Light of Yechida (Item 84). Thus, ZAT, which are included there as MAN, received those great Lights of AVI, too. Yet, all this is only regarded as being from Above downwards, sinceAVI are considered the Rosh de Nekudim, where the Zivug that produces ten Sefirot from Above downwards occurs.

Subsequently, they expand into a Guf, too, from Above downwards (Item 50). At that time, the ZATextend with all the Lights they had received in AVI to their place below, and the Rosh and Guf ofPartzuf Gadlut de Nekudim ends. This Hitpashtut is considered the Taamim of Partzuf Gadlut de Nekudim (Item 26).

102) The four Behinot—TaamimNekudotTaginOtiot—are discerned in Partzuf Nekudim, too (Item 47). This is so because all the forces that exist in the Upper Ones must exist in the lower ones, as well. But in the lower one, there are additional matters to the Upper One. It has been explained that the heart of the Hitpashtut of each Partzuf is called Taamim. After it expands, the Bitush of Ohr Makifand Ohr Pnimi occurs in it, and through this Bitush, the Masach is gradually purified until it equalizes with the Peh de Rosh.

And since the Upper Light does not stop, the Upper Light mates with the Masach in each state ofAviut along its purification. This means that when it purifies from Behina Dalet to Behina Gimel, the level of Hochma emerges on it. And when it comes to Behina Bet, the level of Bina emerges on it. When it comes to Behina Aleph, the level of ZA emerges on it, and when it comes to Behinat Shoresh, the level of Malchut emerges on it. All those levels that emerge on the Masach through its purification are called Nekudot.

The Reshimot that remain of the Lights, once they have departed, are called Tagin. The Kelim that remain after the departure of the Lights from them are called Otiot, and once the Masach has been completely purified of its Aviut de Guf, it is included in the Masach de Peh de Rosh in the Zivug there, and a second Partzuf emerges on it.

103) And here in Partzuf Nekudim it was done in precisely the same manner. Here, too, twoPartzufim emerge — AB and SAG—one below the other. And in each of them are TaamimNekudot,Tagin, and Otiot.

The only difference is that the issue of the Hizdakchut of the Masach was not done here because of the Bitush of Ohr Makif and Ohr Pnimi, but because of the force of Din in the ending Malchut, included in those Kelim (Item 90). For this reason, the empty Kelim did not remain in the Partzuf after the departure of the Lights, as in the three Partzufim GalgaltaABSAG de AK, but broke and died and fell to BYA.

104) Partzuf Taamim, which emerged in the world of Nekudim, which is the first Partzuf in Nekudim, which emerged at the level of Keter, emerged with Rosh and Guf. The Rosh came out in AVI, and theGuf is the Hitpashtut of ZAT from Peh de AVI downwards (Item 101). This Hitpashtut from Peh de AVI down is called Melech ha Daat (King Daat).

And this is indeed the whole of the ZAT de Nekudim that re-expanded to their place after the raising of MAN. But since their root remained in AVI for sustenance and subsistence to the face-to-face ofAVI (Item 98), called Moach ha Daat, which couples AVI, their expansion from Above downwards into a Guf is also called by that name — Melech ha Daat. This is the first Melech (king) of Nekudim.

105) It is known that all the quantity and quality in the ten Sefirot de Rosh appears in the Hitpashtut from Above downwards to the Guf, as well. Hence, as in the Lights of the Rosh, the mating Malchut returned and descended from the Nikvey Eynaim to the Peh. Then, GE (Galgalta Eynaim) and Nikvey Eynaim, which are the Kelim de Panim, reunited their Kelim de Achoraim, their AHP, and the Lights expanded in them. Similarly, as they expanded from Above downwards to the Guf, the Lights were drawn to their Kelim de Achoraim, too, which are the TNHYM in BYA, below Parsa de Atzilut.

However, since the force of the ending Malchut in Parsa de Atzilut is mixed in those Kelim, as soon as the Lights of Melech ha Daat met this force, they all departed the Kelim and rose to their root. Then, all the Kelim of Melech ha Daat broke face and back, died, and fell to BYA, since the departure of the Lights from the Kelim is like the departure of vitality from the corporeal body, called “death.” At that time, the Masach was purified from the Aviut de Behina Dalet, since these Kelim have already broken and died, and only Aviut de Behina Gimel remained in it.

106) And as the Aviut of Behina Dalet was revoked from the Masach de Guf by the breaking, thatAviut was revoked in the mating Malchut of the Rosh in AVI, too. This is so because Aviut de Roshand Aviut de Guf are the same thing, except one is potential and the other is actual (Item 50). Hence, the Zivug at the level of Keter stopped at the Rosh in AVI, too, and the Kelim de Achoraim, the AHP that completed the level of Keter, fell once more to the degree below it—the ZAT. This is called “revoking the Achoraim of the level of Keter from AVI.” It turns out that the whole level ofTaamim de NekudimRosh and Guf, has departed.

107) And since the Upper Light does not stop shining, it mated once more on the Aviut de Behina Gimel that remained in the Masach de Rosh in AVI, producing ten Sefirot at the level of Hochma. TheGuf from Above downwards expanded to the Sefira Hesed, and this is the second Melech of Nekudim. It, too, extended to BYA, broke, and died, at which time the Aviut of Behina Gimel was revoked from the Masach de Guf and de Rosh, as well. Also, the Kelim de Achoraim, the AHP that completed this level of Hochma of AVI, were revoked once more, and fell to the degree below it, to ZAT, as it happened at the level of Keter.

Following, the Zivug was made on Aviut of Behina Bet that remained in the Masach, producing tenSefirot at the level of Bina. The Guf, from Above downwards, expanded in the Sefira Gevura, and this is the third Melech of Nekudim.

It, too, extended into BYA, broke, and died, revoking the Aviut of Behina Bet in Rosh and Guf, too, ending the Zivug at the level of Bina in the Rosh, too. The Achoraim of the level of Bina de Rosh fell to the degree below her in the ZAT, and then the Zivug was made on the Aviut of Behina Aleph that remained in the Masach, producing ten Sefirot at the level of ZA on her. Also, its Guf, from Above downwards, spread in the Upper third of Tifferet. Yet, it, too, did not last and its Light departed it. Thus, the Aviut of Behina Aleph has been purified with Guf and Rosh, and the Achoraim of the level ofZA fell to the degree below her, to ZAT.

108) This completes the descent of all the Achoraim de AVI, which are the AHP. This is so because with the breaking of Melech ha Daat, only the AHP that belong to the level of Keter were cancelled inAVI. And with the breaking of Melech ha Hesed, only the AHP that belong to the level of Hochma were cancelled in AVI. And with the breaking of Melech ha Gevura, the AHP that belong to the level ofBina were cancelled; and with the departure of the Upper third of Tifferet, the AHP of the level of ZAwere cancelled.

It follows that the whole Gadlut of AVI was cancelled, and only GE de Katnut remained in them, and only Aviut Shoresh remained in the Masach. Afterwards, the Masach de Guf was purified from all itsAviut, and equalized with the Masach de Rosh. At that time, it was included in a Zivug de Hakaa of the Rosh, and the Reshimot in it were renewed, apart from the last Behina (Item 41). And by this renewal, a new level emerged on it, called YESHSUT.

109) And since the last Behina was lost, all that was left was Behina Gimel, on which ten Sefirot at the level of Hochma emerged. And when its Aviut de Guf was recognized, it left the Rosh of AVI, descended, and clothed the place of the Chazeh de Guf de Nekudim (Item 55). It produced the tenSefirot de Rosh from the Chazeh upwards, and this Rosh is called YESHSUT. It produced its Guf from the Chazeh down from the two thirds of Tifferet through the Sium of Tifferet. This is the fourthMelech of Nekudim, and it, too, extended to BYA, broke and died. Thus, Aviut of Behina Gimel has been purified Rosh and Guf. Its Kelim de Achoraim of the Rosh fell to the degree below it, in the place of their Guf.

Subsequently, the Zivug was made on Aviut of Behina Bet, which remained in it, producing the level of Bina on it. Its Guf, from Above downwards, expanded in the two Kelim Netzah and Hod, which are both one Melech—the fifth Melech of Nekudim. And they, too, extended to BYA, broke, and died. Thus, the Aviut of Behina Bet has been purified Rosh and Guf, and the Kelim de Achoraim of the level fell to the degree below it: the Guf.

Afterwards, the Zivug was made on the Aviut of Behina Aleph that remained in it, and produced the level of ZA. Its Guf, from Above downwards, expanded in the Kli de Yesod, and this is the sixthMelech of Nekudim. It, too, expanded into BYA, broke, and died. Thus, the Aviut of Behina Aleph has been purified in Rosh and Guf, as well, and the Kelim de Achoraim at the Rosh fell to the degree below them, to the Guf.

Then there was the Zivug on the Aviut of Behinat Shoresh that remained in the Masach, producing the level of Malchut. Its from Above downwards extended into the Kli of Malchut, and this is the seventh Melech of Nekudim. It, too, expanded into BYA, broke, and died. Thus, Aviut Shoresh was purified in Rosh and Guf, as well, and the Achoraim de Rosh fell to the degree below it, in the Guf. Now all the Kelim de Achoraim of YESHSUT have been cancelled, as well as the breaking of the vessels of the whole ZAT de Nekudim, called “the seven Melachim (kings).”

110) Thus we have explained the Taamim and Nekudot that emerged in the two Partzufim AVI andYESHSUT de Nekudim, called AB SAG. In AVI, four levels emerged one below the other:

  • The level of Keter is called “gazing of the Eynaim de AVI.”
  • The level of Hochma is called Guf de Aba.
  • The level of Bina is called Guf de Ima.
  • The level of ZA is called Yesodot (foundations) de AVI.

Four bodies expanded from them:

  • Melech ha (king of) Daat;
  • Melech ha Hesed;
  • Melech ha Gevura;
  • The Melech of the Upper third of Tifferet, through the Chazeh.

These four Gufim (plural for Guf) broke in both Panim and Achoraim. But with respect to their Roshim(plural for Rosh), that is, the four levels in AVI, all their Kelim de Panim remained in the levels, that is, the GE and Nikvey Eynaim of each level, which were in them since the Katnut de Nekudim. Only the Kelim de Achoraim in each degree, which joined them during the Gadlut, were re-cancelled by the breaking, fell to the degree below them, and remained as they were prior to the emergence of Gadlut de Nekudim (Items 76-77).

111) The emergence of the four levels, one below the other, in Partzuf YESHSUT was in precisely the same manner:

  • The first level is the level of Hochma, called “gazing of the Eynaim de YESHSUT at one another.”
  • The level of Bina;
  • The level of ZA;
  • The level of Malchut.

Four Gufim expanded from them:

  • The Melech of the two lower thirds of Tifferet;
  • Melech of Netzah and Hod;
  • Melech of Yesod;
  • Malchut.

Their four Gufim broke in both Panim and Achor (back). But in the Roshim, that is, in the four levels of YESHSUT, the Kelim de Panim in them remained, and only their Achoraim were cancelled by the breaking, and fell to the degree below them. After the cancellation of the two Partzufim AVI andYESHSUT, the level of MA de Nekudim emerged. And since all that expanded from her to the Gufwere only corrections of Kelim, I will not elaborate here.

THE WORLD OF TIKKUN AND THE NEW MA THAT EMERGED FROM THE METZACH DE AK

112) From the beginning of the preface to this point we have thoroughly explained the first fourPartzufim AK:

  • The first Partzuf of AK is called Partzuf Galgalta, whose Zivug de Hakaa is performed on Behina Dalet and its ten Sefirot are at the level of Keter.
  • The second Partzuf of AK is called AB de AK. The Zivug de Hakaa in it is made on Aviut of Behina Gimel, and its ten Sefirot are at the level of Hochma. It clothes from Peh de Partzuf Galgalta downward.
  • The third Partzuf of AK is called SAG de AK. The Zivug de Hakaa in it occurs on Aviut of Behina Bet, and its ten Sefirot are at the level of Bina. It clothes Partzuf AB de AK from the Peh down.
  • The fourth Partzuf de AK is called MA de AK. The Zivug de Hakaa in it occurs on Aviut of Behina Aleph, and its ten Sefirot are at the level of ZA. This Partzuf clothes SAG de AK from the Taburdown, and is divided into internality and externality. The internality is called MA and BON de AK, and the externality is called “the world of Nekudim.” This is where the association of Malchut in Bina, called Tzimtzum Bet, takes place, as well as the KatnutGadlut, the raising of MAN, and the Daat, which determines and mates the HB face-to-face, and the issue of the breaking of the vessels. This is so because all these were initiated in the fourth Partzuf of AK, called MA or “the world of Nekudim.”

113) These five discernments of Aviut in the Masach are named after the Sefirot in the Rosh, that is,Galgalta Eynaim and AHP:

  • Aviut of Behina Dalet is called Peh, on which the first Partzuf of AK emerges.
  • Aviut of Behina Gimel is called Hotem, on which Partzuf AB de AK emerges.
  • Aviut of Behina Bet is called Awzen, on which Partzuf SAG de AK emerges.
  • Aviut of Behina Aleph is called Nikvey Eynaim, on which Partzuf MA de AK and the world of Nekudim emerge.
  • Aviut of Behinat Shoresh is called Galgalta or Metzach, on which the world of Tikkun(correction) emerges, called “the new MA,” since the fourth Partzuf of AK is the core of Partzuf MA de AK, as it stemmed from the Nikvey Eynaim at the level of ZA, called HaVaYaH de MA.

But the fifth part of AK, which emerged from the Metzach, that is, Behinat Galgalta, considered Aviut Shoresh, actually has only the level of Malchut, called BON. Yet, because Behina Aleph de Hitlabshut, considered ZA, remained there, it, too, is called MA. Yet, it is called MA that emerged from theMetzach de AK, which means it is from the Hitkalelut of Aviut Shoresh, called Metzach. It is also called “the new MA,” to distinguish it from the MA that emerged from Nikvey Eynaim de AK. And this new Partzuf MA is called “the world of Tikkun” or “the world of Atzilut.”

114) Yet we should understand why the first three levels of AK, called GalgaltaAB, and SAG are not considered three worlds but three Partzufim, and how the fourth Partzuf of AK differs to merit the name “world.” This also concerns the fifth Partzuf of AK, since the fourth Partzuf is called “the world of Nekudim” and the fifth Partzuf is called “the world of Atzilut” or “the world of Tikkun.”

115) We should know the difference between a Partzuf and a world. Any level of ten Sefirot that emerges on a Masach de Guf of an Upper One, after it has been purified and included in the Peh de Rosh of the Upper One (Item 50), is called Partzuf. After its departure from the Rosh of the Upper One, it expands into its own RoshToch, and Sof, and it also contains five levels one below the other, called Taamim and Nekudot (Item 47). Yet, it is named only after the level of Taamim in it. And the first three Partzufim of AK—GalgaltaABSAG (Item 47)—emerged in that manner. But a world means that it contains everything that exists in the world Above it, like seal and imprint, where everything that exists in the seal is transferred to its imprint in its entirety.

116) Thus you see that the first three PartzufimGalgaltaAB, and SAG de AK are considered one world, the world of AK, which emerged in the first restriction. But the fourth Partzuf of AK, whereTzimtzum Bet occurred, became a world in and of itself, due to the duality that occurred in theMasach de Nekudot de SAG in its descent from Tabur de AK. This is because it was doubled by theAviut de Behina Dalet, in the form of the lower Hey in the Eynaim (Item 63).

During the GadlutBehina Dalet returned to its place at the Peh and produced the level of Keter(Item 84), and this level equalized with the first Partzuf of AK. And after it spread into RoshToch,Sof, in Taamim and Nekudot, a second Partzuf emerged on it, at the level of Hochma, calledYESHSUT, which is similar to the second Partzuf of AK, called AB de AK. And following its Hitpashtut into Taamim and Nekudot, a third Partzuf emerged, called MA de Nekudim (Item 111), which is similar to the third Partzuf de AK.

Thus, everything that existed in the world of AK appeared here in the world of Nekudim, that is, threePartzufim one below the other. Each of them contains Taamim and Nekudot and all their instances, like the three Partzufim GalgaltaABSAG de AK in the world of AK. This is why the world of Nekudim is regarded as an imprint of the world of AK.

Also, for this reason it is considered a complete world in and of itself. (And the reason why the threePartzufim of Nekudim are not called GalgaltaABSAG, but rather ABSAGMA is that the Aviut ofBehina Dalet that was joined with a Masach de SAG is incomplete, due to the Hizdakchut that occurred in the first Partzuf of AK. This is why they descended into being ABSAG, and MA.)

117) Thus we have learned how the world of Nekudim was imprinted from the world of AK. Similarly, the fifth Partzuf of AK, that is, the new MA, was entirely imprinted from the world of Nekudim. Thus, although all the discernments that served in Nekudim were broken and cancelled there, they were renewed in the new MA. This is why it is considered a separate world.

Also, it is called “the world of Atzilut” because it ends completely above the Parsa that was created in the second restriction. It is also called “the world of Tikkun” (correction) because the world ofNekudim could not persist because of the breaking and cancelling that occurred in it. Only afterwards, in the new MA, when all those Behinot that were in the world of Nekudim returned and came in the new MA, they were established and persisted there.

This is why it is called “the world of Tikkun,” for indeed, it is actually the world of Nekudim, but here, in the neMA, it receives its correction from the Whole. This is because through the new MA, all theAchoraim that fell from AVI and YESHSUT to the Guf, as well as the Panim and Achoraim of all theZAT that fell into BYA and died, reunite and rise through it to Atzilut.

118) The reason for it is that each lower Partzuf returns and fills the Kelim of the Upper One, after the departure of their Lights during the Hizdakchut of the Masach. This is because after the departure of the Lights of the Guf of the first Partzuf of AK, because of the Hizdakchut of the Masach, theMasach received a new Zivug at the level of AB, which refilled the empty Kelim of the Guf of the Upper One, that is, the first Partzuf.

Also, following the departure of the Lights of Guf de AB because of the Hizdakchut of the Masach, theMasach received a new Zivug at the level of SAG, which refilled the empty Kelim of the Upper One, which is AB. Additionally, after the departure of the Lights of SAG, due to the Hizdakchut of theMasach, the Masach received a new Zivug at the level of MA, which emerged from Nikvey Eynaim, being the Nekudim, which refilled the empty Kelim of the Upper One, being Nekudot de SAG.

And just so, following the departure of the Lights of Nekudim because of the cancellation of theAchoraim and the breaking of the vessels, the Masach received a new Zivug at the level of MA, which emerged from the Metzach of Partzuf SAG de AK. This fills the empty Kelim of the Guf of the Upper One, which are the Kelim de Nekudim that were cancelled and broken.

119) Yet, there is an essential difference here in the new MA: It became a male, and an Upper One to the Kelim de Nekudim, which it corrects. Conversely, in previous Partzufim, the lower one does not become a male and an Upper One to the Kelim de Guf of the Upper One, even though it fills them through its level. And that change is because in previous Partzufim there was no flaw in the departure of the Lights, for only the departure of the Masach caused their departure.

But here, in the world of Nekudim, there was a flaw in the Kelim, since the force of the endingMalchut was mixed with the Kelim de Achoraim de ZAT, making them unfit to receive the Lights. This is the reason why they broke and fell into BYA. Hence, they are completely dependent on the new MAto revive them, sort them, and raise them to Atzilut. As a result, the new MA is regarded as male and giver.

And these Kelim de Nekudim, sorted by it, become Nukva (female) to the MA. For this reason, their name has been changed to BON, meaning they had become Tachton (lower one) to the MA, even though they are superior to the new MA, since they are Kelim from the world of Nekudim and are considered MA and Nikvey Eynaim, whose Highest Behina is VAK de SAG de AK (Item 74). Even so, they now became Tachton (lower one) to the new MA, for which reason they are called BON.

THE FIVE PARTZUFIM OF ATZILUT AND THE MA AND BON IN EACH PARTZUF

120) It has been explained that the level of the new MA expanded into a whole world in itself, as well, like the world of Nekudim. The reason is, as it has been explained regarding the level ofNekudim, the doubling of the Masach from Behina Dalet, too (Item 116). This is because the illumination of ZON de AK that shone through the Tabur and the Yesod to GAR de Nekudim broughtTzimtzum Aleph back to its place, and the lower Hey descended from her Nikvey Eynaim to the Peh, which caused all these levels of Gadlut de Nekudim to emerge (Item 101). Yet, all these levels were cancelled and broken once more, and all the Lights departed them. For this reason, Tzimtzum Betreturned to its place, and Behina Dalet was reunited with the Masach.

121) Hence, in the new MA, too, which emerged from the Metzach, there are the two Behinot ofKatnut and Gadlut, too, as in the world of Nekudim. The Katnut emerges first, according to the Aviutdisclosed in the Masach, which is the level of ZA de Hitlabshut, called HGT, and the level of Malchut de Aviut, called NHY, due to the three lines made in Malchut. The right line is called Netzah, the left line is called Hod, and the middle line is called Yesod.

Yet, since there is only Hitlabshut in Behina Aleph, without Aviut, it has no Kelim. Thus, the level ofHGT is devoid of Kelim, clothing in Kelim de NHY, and this level is called Ubar (embryo). This means that there is only Aviut de Shoresh there, which remained in the Masach after its Hizdakchut, during its ascension for Zivug at the Metzach of the Upper One. And the level that emerges from there is only the level of Malchut.

Yet, within her is the concealed lower Hey, regarded as “the lower Hey at the Metzach.” Once theUbar receives the Zivug of the Upper One, it descends from there to its place (Item 54), and receives the Mochin de Yenika from the Upper One, which are Aviut of Behina Aleph, considered “the lowerHey in Nikvey Eynaim.” Thus, it acquires Kelim for HGT, too, and HGT spread from NHY and it has the level of ZA.

122) Afterwards, it rises for MAN to the Upper One once again. This is called Ibur Bet (second conception/impregnation), where it receives Mochin from AB SAG de AK. At that time Behina Dalet descends from Nikvey Eynaim to her place at the Peh (Item 101), and a Zivug is made on Behina Dalet at her place, producing ten Sefirot at the level of Keter. Thus, the Kelim de AHP rise back to their place at the Rosh, and the Partzuf is completed with ten Sefirot of Lights and vessels. And theseMochin are called Mochin de Gadlut of the Partzuf. This is the level of the first Partzuf de Atzilut, called Partzuf Keter or Partzuf Atik de Atzilut.

123) And you already know that after the breaking of the vessels, all the AHP fell from their degrees, each to the degree below it (Items 77, 106). Thus, the AHP of the level of Keter de Nekudim are inGE of the level of Hochma, and the AHP of the level of Hochma is in the GE of the level of Bina, etc. Therefore, during Ibur Bet de Gadlut of the first Partzuf of Atzilut, called Atik, which elevated its AHPonce more, GE of the level of Hochma rose along with them. They were corrected along with the AHPof the level of Atik, and received the first Ibur there.

124) And once GE de Hochma received their level of Ibur and Yenika (nursing) (Item 121), they rose to Rosh de Atik again, where they received a second Ibur for Mochin de GadlutBehina Gimel descended to her place at the Peh, produced ten Sefirot on her, at the level of Hochma, and theirKelim de AHP rose back to their place at the Rosh. Thus, Partzuf Hochma was completed with tenSefirot of Lights and Kelim. This Partzuf is called Arich Anpin de Atzilut.

125) The GE of the level of Bina rose along with these AHP de AA, where they received their first Iburand Yenika. Afterwards, they rose to the Rosh of AA for a second Ibur, raised their AHP, received theMochin de Gadlut, and Partzuf Bina was completed with ten Sefirot, Lights and vessels. This Partzuf is called AVI and YESHSUT, since the GAR are called AVI, and the ZAT are called YESHSUT.

126) And GE de ZON rose along with these AHP de AVI, where they received their first Ibur andYenika. This completes the ZON in the state of VAK to ZA and Nekuda (point) to the Nukva. Thus we have explained the five Partzufim of the new MA that emerged in the world of Atzilut, in the constant state, called AtikAAAVI, and ZON.

  • Atik emerged at the level of Keter;
  • AA—at the level of Hochma;
  • AVI—at the level of Bina;
  • And ZON in VAK and Nekuda, which is the level of ZA.

Also, there can never be any diminution in these five levels, since the acts of the lower ones never reach the GAR in a way that they can blemish them. The actions of the lower ones do reach ZA andNukva, that is, their Kelim de Achoraim, which they obtain during the Gadlut. But the actions of the lower ones cannot reach the Kelim de Panim, which are GE in Lights of VAK and Nekuda. Hence, these five levels are considered constant Mochin in Atzilut.

127) The order of their clothing of each other and on Partzuf AK is that Partzuf Atik de Atzilut, although it emerged from Rosh de SAG de AK (Item 118), it still cannot clothe from the Peh of SAG de AK downwards, but only below Tabur. This is because above Tabur de AK it is consideredTzimtzum AlephAkudim.

Since Partzuf Atik is the first Rosh of AtzilutTzimtzum Bet does not control it, so it should have been worthy of clothing above Tabur de AK. But since Tzimtzum Bet had already been established in itsPeh de Rosh, for the rest of the Partzufim de Atzilut, from it downwards, it can only clothe from Tabur de AK downwards.

It turns out that the level of Atik begins at Tabur de AK and ends equally with the Raglaim de AK, that is, above the point of this world. This is so because of its own Partzuf. Yet, because of its connection to the rest of the Partzufim of Atzilut, from whose perspective it is regarded as being included in Tzimtzum Bet, as well, in that respect, it is considered that its Raglaim end above Parsa de Atzilut, since Parsa is the new Sium (end) of Tzimtzum Bet (Item 68).

128) The second Partzuf in the new MA, called AA, which was emanated and came out of the Peh de Rosh Atik, begins from the place of its emergence, from Peh de Rosh de Atik, and clothes the ZAT de Atik, which end above Parsa of Atzilut. The third Partzuf, called AVI, which emerged from Peh de Rosh de AA, begins from Peh de Rosh de AA and ends above the Tabur de AA. And the ZON begin inTabur de AA and end equally with the Sium of AA, that is, above the Parsa de Atzilut.

129) You should know that each level of these five Partzufim of the new MA sorted and connected to itself a part of the Kelim de Nekudim, which became its Nukva. Thus, when Partzuf Atik emerged, it took and connected to itself all the GAR de Nekudim that remained complete during the breaking of the vessels. This refers to the GE in them, which emerged during their Katnut, called Kelim de Panim(Item 76). In the Katnut of Nekudim, only the Upper half of each degree came with them, that is, GEand Nikvey Eynaim. The bottom half of each, called AHP, descended to the lower degree.

Hence, it is considered that Partzuf Atik of the new MA took the Upper half of Keter from the Kelim ofNekudim, as well as the Upper half of HB, and the seven roots of ZAT, included in GAR de Nekudim. And these became a Partzuf Nukva to the Atik of the new MA, and joined with one another. They are called MA and BON de Atik de Atzilut, since Atik’s male is called MA, and the Kelim de Nekudim that joined it are called BON (Item 119). They are arranged face and back: Atik de MA at the Panim, andAtik de BON in its Achor.

130) Partzuf AA of the new MA, which emerged at the level of Hochma, sorted and connected to itself the lower half of Keter de Nekudim—the AHP de Keter—which, during the Katnut, were at the degree below Keter, that is, in Hochma and Bina de Nekudim (Item 77). It became a Nukva to the AA of the new MA, and they were joined. Their stance is right and left: AA de MA, which is the male, stands at the right, and AA de BON, which is the Nukva, stands at the left.

And the reason why Partzuf Atik de MA did not take the lower half of Keter de Nekudim, as well, is that since Atik is the first Rosh de Atzilut, whose level is very high, it connected to itself only theKelim de Panim de GAR de Nekudim, where no flaw occurred during the breaking. This is not so at the bottom half of Keter, the AHP that were fallen in HB during the Katnut. Afterwards, during theGadlut, they rose from HB and were joined in Keter de Nekudim (Item 84). Then, after the breaking of the vessels, they fell from Keter de Nekudim once more and were cancelled. Thus, they were flawed by their fall and cancellation, and are therefore unworthy of Atik. This is why AA de MA took them.

131) And the new Partzuf AVI, at the level of Bina, sorted and connected to themselves the lower half of HB de Nekudim, which are the AHP de HB that fell in the ZAT de Nekudim during the Katnut. But afterwards, during the Gadlut de Nekudim, they rose and joined with HB de Nekudim (Item 94). During the breaking of the vessels they fell into ZAT de Nekudim once more and were cancelled (Item 107), and AVI de MA sorted them into being their Nukva.

They are called ZAT de Hochma and VAT de Bina de BON, since Hesed de Bina remained with theGAR de HB de BON in Partzuf Atik, and only the lower Vav, from Gevura downwards, remained at the bottom half of Bina. It turns out that the male of AVI is the level of Bina de MA, and the Nukva de AVI is ZAT of HB de BON. They stand at the right and the left: AVI de MA on the right, and AVI de BON on the left. And YESHSUT de MA, which are the ZAT de AVI, took the Malchuts of HB de BON.

132) And Partzuf ZON of the new MA, at the level of VAK and Nekuda, sorted and connected to themselves the Kelim de Panim of ZAT de Nekudim, out of their shattering in BYA, that is, theBehinat GE of the ZAT de Nekudim (Item 78). They became Nukva to ZON de MA and stand on the right and on the left: ZON de MA on the right, and ZON de BON on the left.

133) Thus we have explained the MA and BON in the five Partzufim of Atzilut. The five levels of the new MA that emerged in the world of Atzilut sorted the old Kelim that worked in the Nekudim, and made them into Nukvas (females), called BON.

  • BON de Atik were sorted and made of the Upper half of GAR de Nekudim.
  • BON de AA and AVI were sorted and made of the bottom half of GAR de Nekudim, which served them during the Gadlut de Nekudim and were cancelled once again.
  • BON de ZON were sorted and made of the Kelim de Panim that emerged during the Katnut de Nekudim, which broke and fell along with their Kelim de Achoraim during their Gadlut.

A GREAT RULE CONCERNING THE CONSTANT MOCHIN AND THE ASCENTS OF THE PARTZUFIM AND THE WORLDS DURING THE SIX THOUSAND YEARS

134) It has already been explained that the emergence of the Gadlut of the GAR and ZAT de Nekudim came in three sequences, by way of the three points HolamShurukHirik (Item 86). From this you can understand that there are two kinds of completion of ten Sefirot for reception of Mochin de Gadlut.

The first is through ascension and integration in the Upper One, that is, when ZON de AK illuminated the new Light through the Tabur into the Keter de Nekudim and lowered the lower Hey from Nikvey Eynaim de Keter to its Peh. Thus, the fallen AHP de Keter that were in AVI rose and returned to their degree in Keter, completing its ten Sefirot.

It is considered that at that state, GE de AVI attached to AHP de Keter rose along with them. Hence,AVI, too, are included in the ten complete Sefirot of Keter, since the lower one that rises to the Upper One becomes like it (Item 93). It is therefore considered that AVI, too, obtained the AHP that they lacked to complete their ten Sefirot, by their integration in Keter. This is the first kind of Mochin de Gadlut.

135) The second kind is a degree that was completed into ten Sefirot by itself when ZON de AKilluminated the new Light through the Yesod de AK, called “the point of Shuruk,” to AVI, and lowered the lower Hey from Nikvey Eynaim de AVI themselves to their Peh. By that, they elevated the Kelim de AHP de AVI from the place to which they fell in ZAT to the Rosh de AVI, and completed their tenSefirot. Thus, now AVI are completed by themselves, since now they have obtained the actual Kelim de AHP that they lacked.

Yet, in the first kind, when they received their completion from the Keter through Dvekut with itsAHP, they were actually still deficient of the AHP. But owing to their Hitkalelut in Keter, they received an illumination from their AHP, which sufficed only to complete them in ten Sefirot while they were still in the place of Keter, and not at all when they departed thence to their own place.

136) Similarly, there are two kinds of completions in the ZAT, too:

  1. During the illumination of Shuruk and the ascension of AHP de AVI, at which time the GE de ZAT that are attached to them rose along with them to AVI, too, where they received an AHP to complete their ten Sefirot. These AHP are no longer their real AHP, but only illumination of AHP, sufficient to complete the ten Sefirot while they are in AVI, and not at all upon their descent to their own place.
  2. The completion of the ten Sefirot, which the ZAT obtained during the Hitpashtut of Mochin from AVI to the ZAT, by which they, too, lowered their ending lower Hey from their Chazeh to the Sium Raglin of AK and elevated their TNHY from BYA and connected them to their degree, to Atzilut. Then, had they not been broken and died, they would have been completed with ten complete Sefirot by themselves, since now they have obtained the actual AHP that they lacked.

137) In the four Partzufim that emerged from AVI into Kelim de HGT, as well as in the four Partzufimthat emerged from YESHSUT to the Kelim de TNHYM (Items 107-109), there are these two kinds of completions of ten Sefirot, too. This is because first, each of them was completed by their adhesion with the AHP de AVI and YESHSUT while they were still at the Rosh. This is the first kind of completion of the ten Sefirot. Afterwards, when they expanded to BYA, they wanted to be completed by completing the second kind of ten Sefirot. This applies to the Sefirot within Sefirot, too.

138) You should know that these five Partzufim of AtzilutAtikAAAVI, and ZON were established in permanence [28], and no diminution applies to them (Item 126). Atik emerged at the level of Keter;AA at the level of HochmaAVI at the level of Bina; and ZON at the level of ZAVAK without a Rosh.

Thus, the Kelim de AHP that were sorted for them, from the period of Gadlut, were considered the completion of the first kind of ten Sefirot, by way of the point of Holam that shown in Keter de Nekudim. At that time AVI, too, were completed by the Keter and obtained illumination of Kelim de AHP (Item 134). Hence, even though AtikAA, and AVI all had ten complete Sefirot at the Rosh, noGAR expanded from it to their Gufim. Even Partzuf Atik had only VAK, without a Rosh, at the Guf, and so did AA and AVI.

The reason for this is that the pure is sorted first. Hence, only the completion of the first kind of tenSefirot was sorted in them, from the perspective of its ascension to the Upper One, that is, the illumination of the Kelim de AHP, which suffices to complete the ten Sefirot in the Rosh. But there is still no Hitpashtut from the Rosh to the Guf, since when AVI were included in Keter de Nekudim, they settled for the illumination of AHP by the power of Keter, and not at all for their Hitpashtut to their own place, from Peh de Keter de Nekudim downwards (Item 135). And since the bodies of Atik andAA and AVI were in VAK without a Rosh, it is all the more so with ZON themselves, considered the common Guf de Atzilut that emerged in VAK without a Rosh.

139) Yet, this was not so in AK. Rather, the whole quantity that emerged in the Roshim of thePartzufim of AK expanded to their Gufim, too. Hence, all five Partzufim of Atzilut are regarded as merely VAK of the Partzufim of AK. This is why they are called “the new MA” or “MA of the fivePartzufim of AK,” that is, the level of ZA, which is MA without GARGAR are GalgaltaABSAG, since the heart of the degree is measured according to its expansion to the Guf, from the Peh down. And since the first three Partzufim do not spread into the Guf, but only VAK without a Rosh, they are considered MA, which is the level of VAK without a Rosh, with respect to the five Partzufim de AK.

140) Thus, Atik de Atzilut, with the level of Keter at the Rosh, is considered VAK to Partzuf Keter de AK, and lacks NeshamaHayaYechida de Keter de AKAA de Atzilut, having the level of Hochma at the Rosh, is considered VAK to Partzuf AB de AK, which is Hochma, lacking NeshamaHayaYechida de AB de AK.

AVI de Atzilut, with the level of Bina at the Rosh, are considered VAK of Partzuf SAG de AK, and lack NeshamaHayaYechida de SAG de AKZON de Atzilut are considered VAK de Partzuf MA andBON de AK, and lack NeshamaHayaYechida de MA and BON de AK. And YESHSUT and ZON are always on the same degree—one being the Rosh and the other being the Guf.

141) The completion of the AHP of the ten Sefirot of the second kind are sorted through raising MANfrom good deeds of the lower ones. This means that they complete AVI, with respect to themselves, as in the point of Shuruk. At that time, AVI themselves lower the lower Hey from their Nikvey Eynaim and raise their AHP to them. Then they have the strength to bestow upon the ZAT, as well, which areZON, that is, to the Gufim from Above downwards. This is because the GE de ZON, attached to theAHP de AVI, are drawn along with them to AVI, and receive the completion of their ten Sefirot from them (Item 94).

At that time, the full amount of Mochin in AVI are given to the ZON that rose along with them to theirAHP, as well. Hence, when the five Partzufim de Atzilut receive this completion of the second kind, there is GAR to the Gufim of the first three Partzufim— AtikAA, and AVI de Atzilut—as well as toZON de Atzilut, the common Guf de Atzilut.

At that time, the five Partzufim of Atzilut rise and clothe the five Partzufim of AK. This is because during the Hitpashtut of GAR to the Gufim of the five Partzufim of Atzilut, they equalize with the fivePartzufim of AK:

  • Atik de Atzilut rises and clothes Partzuf Keter de AK
  • AA clothes AB de AK
  • AVI—SAG de AK
  • And ZON clothes MA and BON de AK.

And then each of them receives NeshamaHaya, and Yechida from its corresponding Behina in AK.

142) Yet, with respect to ZON de Atzilut, these Mochin are regarded as merely the first kind of completion of ten Sefirot. This is because these AHP are not complete AHP, but mere illumination ofAHP, which they receive through AVI while they are at the place of AVI. But in their expansion to their own place, they still lack their own AHP (Item 136).

For this reason, all the Mochin that ZON obtains in the 6,000 years are considered “Mochin of ascension,” since they can obtain Mochin de GAR only when they rise to the place of GAR, as then they are completed by them. But if they do not rise to the place of GAR, they cannot have Mochin, since the ZON still have to sort the second kind of Mochin, and this will happen only at the end of correction.

143) Thus we have explained that the Mochin of the five permanent Partzufim in Atzilut are from the first kind of sorting of Kelim de AVI. In the world of Nekudim, this illumination is called “illumination of Tabur” or “the point of Holam.” Even AVI have only the first kind of completion; hence, no illumination of GAR spreads from the Roshim of AtikAA, and AVI to their own Gufim and to ZON, since ZAT de Nekudim, too, received none of that illumination of the Holam (Item 88).

And the Mochin of the 6,000 years, through the end of correction, which come through the lower ones’ raising of MAN, are considered sorting of Kelim to complete the second kind of ten Sefirot de AVI. In the world of Nekudim, this illumination is called “illumination of the Yesod” or “the point ofShuruk,” since then AVI raise their own AHP, to which the GE de ZAT are attached, as well. Hence,ZAT, too, receive Mochin de GAR in the place of AVI. Thus, these Mochin reach the Gufim of the fivePartzufim of Atzilut and the common ZON, except they must be above, in the place of GAR, and clothe them.

In the future, at the end of correction, ZON will receive the completion of the second kind of tenSefirot, and will lower the concluding lower Hey from their Chazeh, which is Parsa de Atzilut, to the place of Sium Raglin de AK (Item 136). At that time TNHY de ZON in BYA will connect to the degree of ZON de Atzilut, and Sium Raglin de Atzilut will equalize with Sium Raglin de AK. Then the Messiah King will appear, as it is written, “And His feet shall stand… upon the mount of Olives.” Thus, it has been thoroughly clarified that there is no correction to the worlds during the 6,000 years, except through ascension.

EXPLAINING THE THREE WORLDS BERIA, YETZIRA, AND ASSIYA

144) There are seven basic points to discern in the three worlds BYA:

  1. From where was the place for these three worlds made?
  2. The levels of the Partzufim BYA and the initial stance of the worlds when they were created and emanated from the Nukva de Atzilut.
  3. All the levels from the added Mochin and the stance they had obtained prior to the sin of Adam ha Rishon.
  4. The Mochin that remained in the Partzufim BYA and the place to which the worlds fell after they were flawed by the sin of Adam ha Rishon.
  5. The Mochin de Ima that the Partzufim BYA received after their fall below Parsa de Atzilut.
  6. The Partzufim of Achor of the five Partzufim of Atzilut, which descended and clothed the Partzufim BYA and became what is discerned as Neshama to Neshama for them.
  7. The Malchut de Atzilut that descended and became Atik to the Partzufim BYA.

145) The first discernment has already been explained (Item 66): Because of the ascension of the ending Malchut, which was below the Sium Raglin of AK, to the place of Chazeh de ZAT de Nekudot de SAG, which occurred during Tzimtzum Bet, the two lower thirds of Tifferet and NHYM fell below the new point of Sium at Chazeh de Nekudot. Thus, they are no longer worthy of receiving the Upper Light, and the place of the three worlds BYA was made of them:

  • The place of the world of Beria was made of the two lower thirds of Tifferet;
  • The place of the world of Yetzira was made of the three Sefirot NHY;
  • The place of the world of Assiya was made of Malchut.

146) The second discernment is the levels of the Partzufim BYA and their stance upon their exit and birth from the Nukva de Atzilut. Know that at that time, ZA had already obtained the Behinat Hayafrom Aba, and the Nukva had already obtained the Behinat Neshama from Ima.

And you already know that the ZON receive the Mochin from AVI only by ascension and clothing (Item 142). Hence, ZA clothes Aba de Atzilut, called Upper AVI, the Nukva clothes Ima de Atzilut, called YESHSUT, and then Nukva de Atzilut sorted and emanated the world of Beria with its fivePartzufim.

147) And since the Nukva stands at Ima’s place, she is considered having Ima’s degree, since the lower one that rises to the Upper One becomes like it. Hence, the world of Beria, which was sorted by her, is considered the degree of ZA, since it is an inferior degree to the Nukva, considered Ima, and the one lower to Ima is ZA. Then the world of Beria, which stands at the place of ZA de Atzilut, is below Nukva de Atzilut, which was then considered Ima de Atzilut.

148) Thus, it is considered that the world of Yetzira, which was sorted and emanated by the world ofBeria, is then at the degree of Nukva de Atzilut. This is because it is the degree below the world ofBeria, which was then considered ZA of Atzilut. And the one below ZA is considered Nukva. However, not all ten Sefirot of the world of Yetzira are considered Nukva de Atzilut, but only the first four ofYetzira. The reason is that there are two states to the Nukva: face-to-face and back-to-back:

  • When she is face-to-face with ZA, her level is equal to that of ZA;
  • And when she is back-to-back, she occupies only the four Sefirot TNHY de ZA.

And since at that time the state of all the worlds was only back-to-back, there were only four Sefirot in the Nukva. Hence, the world of Yetzira, too, has only its first four Sefirot at the place of Nukva de Atzilut. And the bottom six of Yetzira were at the first six Sefirot of the current world of Beria, according to the qualities in the place of BYA in the first discernment (Item 145), where the worldsBYA fell after the sin of Adam ha Rishon, and this is now their permanent place.

149) The world of Assiya, which was sorted by the world of Yetzira, is considered the current degree of Beria. Since the world of Yetzira was previously at the degree of Nukva de Atzilut, the degree below it—the world of Assiya—is considered the current world of Beria. But since only the first four ofYetzira were considered Nukva de Atzilut and its lower six were in the world of Beria, as well, only the first four of the world of Assiya below it are regarded as the bottom four Sefirot of the world of Beria. And the bottom six of the world of Assiya were in the place of the first six of the current world ofYetzira.

At that time, the fourteen Sefirot— NHYM of the current Yetzira and all ten Sefirot of the current world of Assiya—were devoid of any Kedusha (holiness), and became Mador ha Klipot (the shell section). This is so because there were only Klipot (shells) in the place of these fourteen Sefirot, since the worlds of Kedusha ended at the place of Chazeh of the current world of Yetzira. Thus we have learned the levels of the Partzufim BYA and the place of their stance upon their first emergence.

150) Now we shall explain the third discernment—the levels of the Partzufim BYA and the stance they had had from the added Mochin prior to the sin of Adam ha Rishon. This is because through the illumination of the addition of Shabbat, they had two ascensions.

1. On the fifth hour on the eve of Shabbat, when Adam ha Rishon was born. At that time, the illumination of Shabbat begins to shine in the form of the fifth of the sixth day. At that time:

  • ZA obtained Behinat Yechida and rose and clothed AA de Atzilut;
  • And Nukva—Behinat Haya, and rose and clothed AVI de Atzilut;
  • Beria rose to YESHSUT;
  • The whole of Yetzira rose to ZA;
  • The first four Sefirot of Assiya rose to the place of Nukva de Atzilut;
  • And the bottom six of Assiya rose to the place of the first six of Beria.

2. On the eve of Shabbat, at dusk. Through the addition of Shabbat, the bottom six of Assiya rose to the place of Nukva de Atzilut, as well, and the worlds of Yetzira and Assiya stood in the world ofAtzilut, in the place of ZON de Atzilut, in the form of face-to-face.

151) And now we shall explain the fourth discernment—the level of Mochin that remained in BYA, and the place to which they fell after the sin. Because of the flaw of the sin of the Tree of Knowledge, all the added Mochin that they had obtained through the two ascensions departed the worlds, and ZONreturned to being VAK and Nekuda. And the three worlds BYA were left with merely the Mochin with which they initially emerged. The world of Beria was at the degree of ZA, which means VAK, andYetzira and Assiya in the above-mentioned measure, too (Item 148).

Additionally, the discernment of Atzilut had completely left them and they fell below Parsa de Atzilut, to the quality of the place of BYA, prepared by Tzimtzum Bet (Item 145). Thus, the bottom four ofYetzira and the ten Sefirot of the world of Assiya fell and stood at the place of the fourteen Sefirot of the Klipot (Item 149), called Mador ha Klipot.

152) The fifth discernment is the Mochin de Ima that BYA received at the place to which they fell. After BYA departed Atzilut and fell below Parsa de Atzilut, they had only VAK (Item 151). ThenYESHSUT clothed in ZON de Atzilut, and YESHSUT mated for the purpose of clothing in ZON, and imparted Mochin de Neshama to the Partzufim BYA in their place:

  • The world of Beria received from them ten complete Sefirot at the level of Bina;
  • The world of Yetzira received VAK from them;
  • And the world of Assiya, only the discernment of back-to-back.

153) The sixth discernment is the Neshama to Neshama, which the Partzufim BYA obtained from thePartzufim of Achor of the five Partzufim of Atzilut. This is because during the lunar diminution, thePartzuf of Achor de Nukva de Atzilut fell and clothed in the Partzufim BYA. It contains threePartzufim, called IburYenikaMochin.

  • Behinat (discernment of) Mochin fell into Beria;
  • Behinat Yenika fell into Yetzira;
  • And Behinat Ibur fell into Assiya.

They became Behinat Neshama to Neshama to all the Partzufim BYA, which is considered Haya, with respect to them.

154) The seventh discernment is the Nukva de Atzilut, which became the RADLA and the illumination of Yechida in BYA. This is because it has been explained that during the lunar diminution, the three discernments— IburYenikaMochin—of Partzuf Achor de Nukva de Atzilut fell and clothed in BYA. They are regarded as the Achoraim of the bottom nine of Nukva, which are IburYenika, and Mochin:

  • NHY is called Ibur;
  • HGT is called Yenika;
  • HBD is called Mochin.

However, the Achor of Behinat Keter de Nukva became Atik to the Partzufim BYA, in a way that the Lights of the current Partzufim BYA are primarily from the remnants, left in them after the sin ofAdam ha Rishon, which is the VAK of each of them (Item 151).

  • They received Behinat Neshama from Mochin de Ima (Item 152);
  • And they received Behinat Neshama to Neshama, which is Behinat Haya, from the bottom nine of Partzuf Achor de Nukva;
  • And they received Behinat Yechida from Behinat Achor de Keter de Nukva de Atzilut.

EXPLAINING THE ASCENSIONS OF THE WORLDS

155) The main difference between the Partzufim of AK and the Partzufim of the world of Atzilut is that the Partzufim of AK are from Tzimtzum Aleph, where each degree contains ten complete Sefirot. Also, there is only one Kli in the ten Sefirot—the Kli of Malchut, but the first nine Sefirot are only considered Lights.

The Partzufim of Atzilut, however, are from Tzimtzum Bet, as it is written, “in the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven,” when He associated Rachamim (mercy) with Din (judgment) (Item 59). Midat ha Din (quality of judgment), which is Malchut, rose and connected to Bina, which is Midat ha Rachamim (quality of mercy), and they were conjoined. Thus, a new Sium was placed over the Upper Light in Bina’s place. The Malchut that ends the Guf rose to Bina de Guf, which is Tifferet, at the place of the Chazeh, and the coupling Malchut at the Peh de Rosh rose to the Bina de Rosh, calledNikvey Eynaim.

Thus, the level of the Partzufim diminished into GE, which are Keter Hochma in Kelim, at the level ofVAK without a Rosh, which is Nefesh Ruach in Lights (Item 74). Hence, they are deficient of the AHP de Kelim, which are Bina and ZON, and the Lights NeshamaHaya, and Yechida.

156) It has been explained (Item 124) that by raising MAN for the second Ibur, the Partzufim ofAtzilut obtained the illumination of Mochin from AB SAG de AK, which lowers the lower Hey fromNikvey Eynaim back to her place at the Peh, as in Tzimtzum Aleph. Thus, they regain the AHP de Kelim and the NeshamaHayaYechida of Lights. Yet, this helped only to the ten Sefirot of the Roshof the Partzufim, but not to their Gufim, since these Mochin did not spread from the Peh down to their Gufim (Item 138).

Therefore, even after the Mochin de Gadlut, the Gufim remained in Tzimtzum Bet, as during theKatnut. For this reason, all five Partzufim de Atzilut are considered to have only the level of the tenSefirot that emerge on Aviut of Behina Aleph, the level of ZAVAK without a Rosh, called “the level ofMA.” They clothe the level of MA of the five Partzufim of AK, that is, from Tabur of the five Partzufimof AK downwards.

157) Thus, Partzuf Atik de Atzilut clothes Partzuf Keter de AK from its Tabur down, and receives its bounty from the level of MA of Partzuf Keter de AK, which is there. Partzuf AA de Atzilut clothesPartzuf AB de AK from Tabur down and receives its bounty from the level of MA de AB de AK, which is there. AVI de Atzilut clothe Partzuf SAG de AK from Tabur down, and receive their bounty from the level of MA de SAG, which is there. ZON de Atzilut clothe Partzuf MA and BON de AK from Taburdown, and receive their bounty from the level of MA of Partzuf MA and BON de AK.

Thus, each of the five Partzufim of Atzilut receives from its corresponding Partzuf in AK, only VAKwithout a Rosh, called “the level of MA.” And even though there is GAR in the Roshim of the fivePartzufim of Atzilut, only the Mochin that expand from the Peh down into their Gufim, which are merely VAK without a Rosh, are taken into consideration (Item 139).

158) This does not mean that each of the five Partzufim of Atzilut clothes its corresponding Behina(discernment) in AK. This is impossible, since the five Partzufim of Atzilut clothe one atop the other, and so do the five Partzufim of Atzilut. Rather, this means that the level of each Partzuf of thePartzufim of Atzilut is aiming towards its corresponding Behina in the five Partzufim of AK, from which it receives its bounty (HaIlan, Image no. 3).

159) For the Mochin to flow from the Peh down to the Gufim of the five Partzufim of Atzilut, it has been explained (Item 141) that raising MAN from the lower ones is required. This is because then the completion of the ten Sefirot of the second kind are given to them, which suffices for the Gufim, as well.

And there are three discernments in these MAN that the lower ones raise:

  • When they raise MAN from Aviut de Behina Bet, ten Sefirot at the level of Bina emerge, called “the level of SAG.” These are Mochin of Light of Neshama.
  • When they raise MAN from Aviut de Behina Gimel, ten Sefirot at the level of Hochma emerge, called “the level of AB.” These are Mochin of the Light of Haya.
  • When they raise MAN from Aviut de Behina Dalet, ten Sefirot at the level of Keter emerge, called “the level of Galgalta.” These are Mochin of the Light of Yechida (Item 29).

160) Know that the lower ones that are suitable for raising MAN are only considered NRN (Nefesh,RuachNeshamade Tzadikim (righteous), which are already included in BYA and can raise MAN toZON de Atzilut, considered their Upper One. At that time the ZON raise MAN to their Upper One, which are AVI, and AVI Higher still, until they reach the Partzufim of AK. Then the Upper Light descends from Ein Sof to the Partzufim of AK on the MAN that rose there, and the level of ten Sefirot emerges, according to the measure of Aviut of the MAN that they raised.

  • If it is from Behina Bet, it is at the level of Neshama;
  • If it is from Behina Gimel, it is the level of Haya.

And from there, the Mochin descend degree by degree through the Partzufim of AK, until they arrive at the Partzufim of Atzilut. And they also travel degree by degree, through all the Partzufim of Atzilut, until they arrive at the Partzufim ZON de Atzilut, which impart these Mochin upon the NRN de Tzadikim that raised these MAN from BYA.

And this is the rule: any initiation of Mochin comes only from Ein Sof, and no degree can raise MAN or receive bounty except from its adjacent Upper One.

161) This tells you that it is impossible for the lower ones to receive anything from ZON de Atzilut before all the Higher Partzufim in the world of Atzilut and the world of AK are brought into Gadlut by them. This is because it has been explained that there is no initiation of Mochin except from Ein Sof.

Yet, the NRN de Tzadikim can only receive them from their adjacent Upper One, which are ZON de Atzilut. Hence, the Mochin must cascade through the Upper Worlds and Partzufim, until they reach the ZON, which then give to the NRN de Tzadikim.

You already know that there is no absence in the spiritual, and that transference from place to place does not mean becoming absent from the first place and arriving at the next place, as in corporeality. Rather, they remain in the first place even after they have moved and arrived at the next place, as though lighting one candle from another, without the first being deficient.

Moreover, the rule is that the essence and the root of the Light remains in the first place, and only a branch of it extends to the next place. Now you can see that the bounty that traverses the Upper Ones until it reaches the NRN de Tzadikim remains in each degree it had traversed. Thus, all the degrees grow because of the bounty that they pass onto the NRN de Tzadikim.

162) Now you can understand how the actions of the lower ones cause ascents and descents in the Upper Partzufim and worlds. This is because when they better their deeds and raise MAN and extend bounty, all the worlds and degrees through which the bounty passed grow and rise Higher, because of the bounty that they pass. And when they corrupt their deeds once more, the MAN is corrupted, and the Mochin depart the Higher degrees, too, since the transference of bounty from them to the lower ones stops, and they descend once more to their permanent state as in the beginning.

163) And now we shall explain the order of the ascensions of the five Partzufim of Atzilut to the fivePartzufim of AK, and the three worlds BYA to YESHSUT and ZON de Atzilut, beginning with their constant state and up to the level that can be reached during the 6,000 years before the end of correction. Overall, there are three ascensions, but they are divided into many details.

The constant state of the worlds AK and ABYA has already been explained above: the first Partzuf that was emanated after Tzimtzum Aleph is Partzuf Galgalta de AK, clothed by the four Partzufim ofAKABSAGMA, and BON, and the Sium Raglin of AK is above the point of this world (Items 27, 31). It is circled by the surroundings of AK from Ein Sof, whose magnitude is infinite and immeasurable (Item 32). And just as Ein Sof surrounds it, it clothes within it, and it is called “the line of Ein Sof.”

164) And within MA and BON de AK lies Partzuf TNHYM de AK, called Nekudot de SAG de AK (Item 63, 66). During Tzimtzum Bet, the ending Malchut, which stood above the point of this world, rose and determined its place at the Chazeh of this Partzuf, below its Upper third of Tifferet, where it created a new Sium on the Upper Light, so it would not spread from there down. This new Sium is called “Parsa below Atzilut” (Item 68).

Also, these Sefirot from the Chazeh down of Partzuf Nekudot de SAG de AK that remained below theParsa became a place for the three worlds BYA:

  • The two thirds of Tifferet through the Chazeh became the place of the world of Beria;
  • NHY became the place of the world of Yetzira;
  • And Malchut, the place of the world of Assiya (Item 67).

It turns out that the place of the three worlds BYA begins below the Parsa and ends above the point of this world.

165) Thus, the four worlds, AtzilutBeriaYetzira, and Assiya begin from the place below Tabur de AKand end above the point of this world. This is because the five Partzufim of the world of Atzilut begin from the place below Tabur de AK, and end above the Parsa. And from the Parsa down to this world stand the three worlds BYA. This is the permanent state of the worlds AK and ABYA, and there will never be any diminution in them.

And it has already been explained (Item 138) that in that state, there is only Behinat VAK without aRosh in all the Partzufim and the worlds. This is so because even in the first three Partzufim ofAtzilut, in whose Roshim there is GAR, they are still not imparted from their Peh downwards, and all the Gufim are VAK without a Rosh, all the more so in the Partzufim BYA. Even the Partzufim of AK, with respect to their surroundings, are regarded as lacking GAR (Item 32).

166) Hence, over all there are three ascensions to complete the worlds in the three levels, Neshama,Haya, and Yechida, which they lack. And these ascensions depend on the lower ones’ raising of MAN.

The first ascension is when the lower ones raise MAN from the Behinat Aviut of Behina Bet. At that time, the AHP of the level of Bina and Neshama, with respect to the ten Sefirot of the second kind, are sorted, from the illumination of the point of Shuruk (Item 135). These Mochin shine to the ZATand the Gufim, as well, like in the Partzufim of AK, when the full quantity that exists in the ten Sefirot in the Roshim of the Partzufim of AK traverses and spreads to the Gufim, as well.

167) It turns out that when these Mochin travel through the Partzufim of Atzilut, each of the fivePartzufim of Atzilut receives Mochin de Bina and Neshama, called Mochin de SAG, which illuminateGAR to their Partzufim, as well, as in AK. Hence, it is then considered that they grow and rise and clothe the five Partzufim of AK, to the extent of the Mochin that they achieved.

168) Thus, when Partzuf Atik de Atzilut obtained these Mochin de Bina, it rises and clothes Partzuf Bina de AK, opposite the level of SAG de Partzuf Galgalta de AK, from which it receives its Behinat Neshama de Yechida de AK, which shines for his ZAT, too.

And when the Mochin come to Partzuf AA de Atzilut, it ascends and clothes the Rosh de Atik of the constant state, opposite the level of SAG of Partzuf AB de AK, from which it receives Behinat Neshama de Haya de AK, which shines for its ZAT. And when the Mochin come to Partzuf AVI de Atzilut, it ascends and clothes the constant GAR de AA, opposite the level of Bina of SAG de AK, from which it receives Behinat Neshama de Neshama de AK, which shines to their ZAT, too. And when these Mochin come to the YESHSUT and ZON de Atzilut, they ascend and clothe the constant AVI, opposite the level of Bina de Partzuf MA and BON de AK, from which they receiveBehinat Neshama de Nefesh Ruach de AK. Then the NRN de Tzadikim receive the Mochin de Neshama de Atzilut.

And when the Mochin come to the Partzufim of the world of Beria, the world of Beria ascends and clothes Nukva de Atzilut, from which it receives Behinat Nefesh de Atzilut. And when the Mochin come to the world of Yetzira, it ascends and clothes the constant world of Beria, from which it receives Behinat Neshama and GAR de Beria. And when the Mochin come to the world of Assiya, it ascends and clothes the world of Yetzira, from which it receives Behinat Mochin de VAK that are inYetzira. Thus we have explained the first ascension that each Partzuf in ABYA obtained by the MAN de Behina Bet, which the lower ones raised (HaIlan, Image no 7).

169) The second ascension occurs when the lower ones raise MAN from Aviut de Behina Gimel. At that time the AHP of the level of Hochma and Haya are sorted with respect to the completion of the second kind of ten Sefirot. These Mochin shine for the ZAT and the Gufim, too, as in the Partzufim ofAK. And when the Mochin pass through the Partzufim ABYA, each Partzuf rises and grows through them, according to the Mochin it had attained.

170) Thus, when the Mochin came to Partzuf Atik de Atzilut, it rose and clothed the GAR ofPartzuf Hochma de AK, called AB de AK, opposite the level of AB de Galgalta de AK, from which it receives the Light of Haya de Yechida. And when the Mochin reach Partzuf AA de Atzilut, it rises and clothes GAR de SAG de AK, opposite the level of AB de Partzuf AB de AK, from which it receives the Light of Haya de Haya de AK. And when the Mochin reach the Partzufim AVI de Atzilut, they rise and clothe the constant GAR de Atik, opposite the level of AB of Partzuf SAG de AK, from which they receive the Light of Haya de Neshama de AK, which shines for the ZAT and the Gufim, as well. And when the Mochin reach YESHSUT de Atzilut, they rise and clothe the constant GAR de AA, opposite the level of AB de MA de AK, from which they receive the Light of Haya de MA de AK. And when the Mochin reach ZON de Atzilut, they rise to GAR de AVI, opposite the level of AB de BON de AK, from which they receive the Light of Haya de BON de AK. Also, they receive the souls of the righteous from ZON.

And when the Mochin reach the world of Beria, it rises and clothes ZA de Atzilut, from which it receives Behinat Ruach de Atzilut. And when the Mochin reach the world of YetziraYetzira ascends and clothes Nukva de Atzilut, and receives from her the Light of Nefesh de Atzilut. And when theMochin reach the world of Assiya, it rises and clothes the world of Beria, and receives from itBehinat GAR and Neshama de Beria. At that time, the world of Assiya is completed with the full NRN de BYA. Thus we have explained the second ascension of each Partzuf of the Partzufim ABYA that rose and grew by the MAN of Behina Gimel, which the NRN de Tzadikim raised. (HaIlan, Image no. 8)

171) The third ascension is when the lower ones raise MAN from Aviut of Behina Dalet. At that time the AHP of the level of Keter de Yechida are sorted, with respect to the completion of the second kind of ten Sefirot. These Mochin shine to the ZAT and their Gufim, too, as in the Partzufim of AK. And when these Mochin traverse the Partzufim ABYA, each Partzuf rises, grows, and clothes its Superior, according to the measure of that Mochin.

172) Thus, when the Mochin reach Partzuf Atik de Atzilut, it rises and clothes the GAR of Partzuf Galgalta de AK, and receives its Light of Yechida de Yechida from there. And when the Mochin reachPartzuf AA de Atzilut, it rises and clothes the GAR de Partzuf AB de AK, and receives the Light ofYechida de Haya de AK from there. And when the Mochin reach Partzuf AVI de Atzilut, they rise and clothe GAR de SAG de AK, and receive the Light of Yechida de Neshama de AK from there. And when the Mochin reach Partzuf YESHSUT, they rise and clothe the GAR de MA de AK, and receive the Light of Yechida de MA de AK from there. And when the Mochin reach ZON de Atzilut, they rise and clothe GAR de BON de AK, and receive the Light of Yechida de BON de AK from there. And then the NRN de Tzadikim receive the Light of Yechida from the ZON de Atzilut.

And when the Mochin reach the world of Beria, it rises and clothes Partzuf YESHSUT de Atzilut, and receives Neshama de Atzilut from there. And when the Mochin reach the world of Yetzira, it rises and clothes Partzuf ZA de Atzilut, and receives Behinat Ruach de Atzilut from it. And when theMochin reach the world of Assiya, it rises and clothes Nukva de Atzilut, and receives Behinat Light of Nefesh de Atzilut from her (HaIlan, Image no. 9).

173) It turns out that now, during the third ascension, the five Partzufim of Atzilut have each been completed with three levels, NeshamaHaya, and Yechida from AK, which they lacked in the constant state. It is therefore considered that these five Partzufim rose and clothed the five Partzufim of AK, each in its corresponding Behina in the Partzufim of AK.

Also, the NRN de Tzadikim received the GAR that they lacked. The three worlds BYA that were under the Parsa de Atzilut had only NRN of Light of Hassadim in the constant state, departed from Hochma by the force of the Parsa atop them. Now, however, they have risen above the Parsa and clothedYESHSUT and ZON de Atzilut, and have NRN de Atzilut, when the Light of Hochma shines in theirHassadim.

174) We should know that the NRN de Tzadikim permanently clothe only the Partzufim BYA below theParsa:

  • Nefesh clothes the ten Sefirot of Assiya;
  • Ruach—the ten Sefirot of Yetzira;
  • And Neshama—the ten Sefirot of Beria.

It turns out that although they receive from ZON de Atzilut, it still reaches them only through thePartzufim BYA, which clothe over them. Thus, the NRN de Tzadikim, too, rise along with the ascensions of the three worlds BYA. It turns out that the worlds BYA, too, grow only according to the measure of reception of abundance by the NRN de Tzadikim, that is, according to the MAN, sorted by them.

175) Thus, it has been made clear that in the constant state, there is only VAK without a Rosh in all the worlds and Partzufim, each according to its Behina. Even the NRN de Tzadikim are only considered VAK, since although they have GAR de Neshama from the world of Beria, these GAR are regarded as VAK, compared to the world of Atzilut, since they are considered Light of Hassadim, separated from Hochma.

Also, the Partzufim of Atzilut, although there is GAR in their Roshim, they are merely regarded asVAK, since they do not shine to the Gufim. And all the Mochin that reach the worlds, which are more than the VAK, come only through the MAN that the Tzadikim (righteous) raise.

Yet, these Mochin can only be accepted in the Partzufim through the ascension of the lower one to the place of the Upper One. This is so because although they are considered completion of the second kind of ten Sefirot, with respect to the Gufim and the ZAT themselves, they are still regarded as sorting of AHP of the first kind, which are not completed in their own place, but only when they are at the place of the Upper One (Item 142). Hence, the five Partzufim of Atzilut cannot receive Neshama,Haya, and Yechida de AK, except when they rise and clothe them.

Also, the NRN and the three worlds BYA cannot receive NRN de Atzilut, except when they ascend and clothe YESHSUT and ZON de Atzilut. This is because these AHP of the second kind, which belong toZAT, and expand from Above downwards to the place of ZAT, will only be sorted at the end of correction. Hence, when the three worlds BYA rise and clothe YESHSUT and ZON de Atzilut, their constant place, from Parsa downwards, remains utterly vacant of any Light of Kedusha.

And there is a difference between from the Chazeh upwards of the world of Yetzira, and from itsChazeh downwards. This is because it has been explained above that from the Chazeh of the world ofYetzira downwards, it is the permanent place of the Klipot (Item 149). But because of the flaw of the sin of Adam ha Rishon, the bottom four of Yetzira of Kedusha and the ten Sefirot of Assiya ofKedusha descended and clothed there (Item 156). Hence, during the ascensions of BYA to Atzilut, there is neither Kedusha nor Klipot from the Chazeh de Yetzira upwards. But from the Chazeh de Yetzira downwards, there are Klipot, as this is their section.

176) And since the additional Mochin from the levels of VAK come only through MAN of the lower ones, they are not constantly present in the Partzufim, as they are dependent on the actions of the lower ones. When they corrupt their actions, the Mochin leave (Item 162). However, the constantMochin in the Partzufim, which were established by the force of the Emanator Himself, will never suffer any change, since they are not augmented by the lower ones, and are hence not flawed by them.

177) Do not wonder about AA de BON being considered Keter de Atzilut, and AVI as AB (Item 130). This is because AA is the bottom half of Keter de BON, and AVI are the bottom half of HB de Nekudim. Hence, its corresponding Behina de AA in AK should have been Partzuf Keter de AK, and the Behina corresponding AVI in AK should have been AB de AK.

The answer is that the Partzufim of BON are females, having no reception of their own, except what the males—the Partzufim of MA—impart them. Hence, all these discernments in the ascensions, which mean obtaining Mochin from the Upper One, are discerned only in the males, which are thePartzufim of MA. And since AA de MA does not have anything from Behinat Keter, but only the level of Hochma, and AVI de MA have nothing of Behinat Hochma, but only the level of Bina (Item 126), it is considered that their corresponding Behina in AK is AB de AK to AA, and SAG de AK to AVI. AndPartzuf Keter de AK relates only to Atik, which took the whole of the level of Keter de MA.

178) You should also note what is said, that the ladder of degrees, as they are in the permanentMochin, never changes by all these ascensions. After all, it has been explained that the reason for all these ascents was that the NRN de Tzadikim, which stand at BYA, cannot receive anything before all the Higher Partzufim transfer it to them from Ein Sof. To that extent, the Upper Ones themselves, through Ein Sof, grow and ascend, as well, each to their own Upper One (Item 161).

It turns out that to the extent that one degree rises, all the degrees through Ein Sof must rise, as well. For example, when ZON rise from their constant state, below Tabur de AA, clothing the Chazeh de AA downwards, then AA, too, rose one degree above his constant state, from Peh de Atikdownwards, clothing GAR de Atik. Following him, all his internal degrees rose, too: his HGT rose to the place of the constant GAR, and his from the Chazeh to Tabur rose to the place of the constantHGT, and his from the Tabur down rose to the place from the Chazeh through Tabur.

Accordingly, ZON, which rose to the place from the Chazeh through Tabur of the constant AA, is still below Tabur de AA. This is because at that time, the below Tabur de AA had already ascended to the place from the Chazeh to Tabur(HaIlan, Image no. 4: the ascensions of ZON in the constant state of the five Partzufim of Atzilut, which rise and clothe during the obtainment of Neshama to GAR de YESHSUT, over the from Peh de AVI downwards, over the from Chazeh de AA downwards.)

However, all the Partzufim of Atzilut rise at that time (HaIlan, Image no. 7). For this reason, you will find that there, the ZON still clothes YESHSUT from the Peh down, atop from Chazeh de AVIdownwards, atop from Tabur de AA downwards. Thus, the ladder of degrees has not changed at all by the ascension. And it is likewise in all the ascensions (HaIlan, Images no. 3-last).

179) We should also know that even after the ascension of the Partzufim, they leave their entire degree in the permanent place, or in the place they were in the beginning, since there is no absence in the spiritual (Item 96). Thus, when GAR de AVI rise to GAR de AAGAR de AVI still remain in the permanent place from Peh de AA downwards. And YESHSUT rise atop the HGT of the raised AVI, and receive from the actual GAR de AVI, which were there prior to the ascension.

Moreover, it is considered that there are three degrees together there. The raised GAR de AVI stand at the place of the constant GAR de AA, and bestow upon their permanent place from Peh de AAdownwards, where YESHSUT are now present. Thus, GAR de AA and AVI and YESHSUT illuminate at the same time in the same place.

This is also the manner with all the Partzufim de AK and ABYA during the ascensions. For this reason, when a Partzuf ascends, we should always note the meaning of the ascension with respect to the Upper Ones in their constant state, and its value towards the Upper Ones, who also rose by one degree. (Examine all that in the book HaIlan. In Image no. 3, you will find the state of the Partzufim in their constant state. And in Images 4-6 you will find the three ascensions of ZA by the value of the five constant Partzufim of Atzilut. In images 7-9 you will find the three ascensions of all five Partzufimof Atzilut, by the value of the five permanent Partzufim of AK. And in images 10-12 you will find the three ascensions of all five Partzufim of AK in relation to the line of the permanent Ein Sof.)

THE DIVISION OF EACH PARTZUF INTO KETER AND ABYA

180) We should know that the general and the particular are equal. Also, what is discerned in the general, is also present in its details, and even in the smallest detail that can be. Also, the general reality is discerned in five worlds, AK and ABYA, where the world of AK is considered the Keter of the worlds, and the four worlds ABYA are regarded as HB ZON (Item 3). Similarly, there is not a single item in all four worlds ABYA that does not comprise these five: The Rosh of each Partzuf is considered its Keter, corresponding to the world of AK; and the Guf, from Peh to Chazeh is considered the Atzilut in it. From the place of Chazeh through Tabur, it is considered its Beria, and from Tabur down to itsSium Raglin, it is considered its Yetzira and Assiya.

181) And you should know that there are many appellations to the ten Sefirot KHBHGTNHYM. Sometimes they are called GE and AHP, or KHB and ZON, or NRNHY, or the tip of the Yod and the four letters, YodHeyVavHey, or simple HaVaYaH and ABSAGMA, and BON, being the four kinds of fillings in HaVaYaH:

  • The filling of AB is YodHeyVivHey (the Aleph in Vav is replaced by a Yod);
  • The filling of SAG is YodHeyVavHey;
  • The filling of MA is YodHe (Aleph replaces the Yod), VavHe;
  • The filling of BON is YodHeh (Hey replaces the Yod), VavHeh;

They are also called AAAVI, and ZONAA is KeterAba is HochmaIma is BinaZA is HGT NHY, andNukva de ZA is Malchut.

And they are also called AK and ABYA, or Keter and ABYAMalchut de Keter is called PehMalchut de Atzilut is called ChazehMalchut de Beria is called TaburMalchut de Yetzira is called Ateret Yesod, and the general Malchut is called Sium Raglin.

182) Know that you should always distinguish two instructions in these different names of the tenSefirot:

  1. Its equality to the Sefira to which it relates;
  2. How it differs from that Sefira to which it relates, for which its name changed in the specific appellation.

For example, Keter of the ten Sefirot of Direct Light is Ein Sof, and each Rosh of a Partzuf is also called Keter. Similarly, all five Partzufim of AK are called Keter, too. Partzuf Atik is also called Keter, and AA is also called Keter. Hence, we should consider this: if they are all Keter, why do their names change to be called by these appellations? And also, if they all relate to Keter, should they not be equal to Keter?

Indeed, in a sense, they are all equal to Keter, as they are considered Ein Sof, for the rule is that as long as the Upper Light has not clothed in a Kli, it is considered Ein Sof. Hence, all five Partzufim ofAK are regarded as Light without a Kli with respect to the world of Tikkun, since we have no perception in the Kelim de Tzimtzum Aleph. For this reason, for us, its Lights are considered Ein Sof.

Also, Atik and AA de Atzilut are both considered Keter de Nekudim. Yet, from a different angle, they are remote from one another, since Keter de Ohr Yashar is one Sefira, but in AK it contains five complete Partzufim, each of which contains RoshTochSof (Item 142). Also, Partzuf Atik is only half of the Upper half of Keter de Nekudim, and Partzuf AA is half of the bottom half of Keter de Nekudim(Item 129). Similarly, these two instructions should be discerned in all the appellations of the Sefirot.

183) Know that the special instruction in these appellations of the ten Sefirot named Keter and ABYAis to show that it refers to the division of the ten Sefirot into Kelim de Panim and Kelim de Achoraim, made because of Tzimtzum Bet (Item 60). At that time, the ending Malchut rose to the place of Bina de Guf, called “Tifferet at the place of the Chazeh,” where she ended the degree and created a newSium, called “Parsa below the Atzilut” (Item 68).

And the Kelim from the Chazeh down went outside of Atzilut, and they are called BYA. The two thirds of Tifferet from Chazeh to Sium are called BeriaNHY are called Yetzira; and Malchut is called Assiya. It has also been explained that for this reason, each degree was divided into Kelim de Panim andKelim de Achoraim: from the Chazeh upwards it is called Kelim de Panim, and from the Chazeh downwards it is called Kelim de Achoraim.

184) Hence, this discernment of the Parsa at the place of the Chazeh splits the degree into four special Behinot, called ABYAAtzilut—through the Chazeh, and BYAfrom the Chazeh down. And the beginning of the distinction is in AK itself. But there, the Parsa descended through its Tabur (Item 68); hence, the Atzilut in it is the AB SAG that end above its Tabur.

From its Tabur down it is its BYA, the place of the two Partzufim MA and BON in it. This is how the five Partzufim of AK are divided into ABYA by the force of the Sium of Tzimtzum Bet, called Parsa:Galgalta is the RoshAB SAG through its Tabur are Atzilut, and the MA and BON from its Tabur down is BYA.

185) Similarly, all five Partzufim of the world of Atzilut are divided into their own Keter and ABYA:

  • AA is the Rosh of the whole of Atzilut.
  • The Upper AVI, which are AB, clothing from Peh de AA down to the Chazeh, are Atzilut. And there, at the point of Chazeh, stands Parsa, which ends the Behinat Atzilut of the world of Atzilut.
  • YESHSUT, which are SAG, clothing from Chazeh de AA through its Tabur, are Beria de Atzilut.
  • ZON, which are MA and BON, clothing from Tabur de AA through the Sium of Atzilut, are Yetzira and Assiya de Atzilut.

Thus, the world of Atzilut, too, with its five Partzufim, is divided into Rosh and ABYA, as do the fivePartzufim of AK. But here stands the Parsa at its place in Chazeh de AA, which is its true place (Item 127).

186) However, in the worlds in general, all three Partzufim GalgaltaABSAG de AK are regarded as the general Rosh. And the five Partzufim of the world of Atzilut, which clothe from Tabur de AK down to the general Parsa, being the Parsa that was made at the Chazeh de Nekudot de SAG (Item 66), are the general Atzilut. And the general three worlds BYA stand from Parsa down (Items 67-68).

187) In this very way, each particular degree in each of the worlds ABYA is divided into Rosh andABYA, even Malchut de Malchut de Assiya, because it contains a Rosh and a Guf.

  • The Guf is divided into ChazehTabur, and Sium Raglin.
  • The Parsa, below the Atzilut of that degree, stands at its Chazeh and ends the Atzilut.
  • From Chazeh to Tabur, it is considered the Beria of the degree, which the point of Taburconcludes.
  • From Tabur down to its Sium Raglin, it is considered Yetzira and Assiya of the degree.

And with respect to the SefirotHGT through Chazeh are considered Atzilut; the two bottom thirds ofTifferet from Chazeh to Tabur are considered BeriaNHY is Yetzira, and Malchut is Assiya.

188) For this reason, the Rosh of each degree is ascribed to Behinat Keter, or Yechida, or Partzuf Galgalta. The Atzilut in it, from Peh to Chazeh, is ascribed to Hochma, to Ohr Haya, or to Partzuf AB.The Beria in it, from Chazeh to Tabur, is ascribed to Bina, to Ohr Neshama, or to Partzuf SAG. And the Yetzira and Assiya in it, from Tabur downwards, are ascribed to ZON, to Lights Ruach Nefesh, or to Partzuf MA and BON. (Examine the book, HaIlan, from Image no. 3 onwards, how each Partzuf is divided by these Behinot.)

 

Notes

[25] Translator’s note: in Hebrew, a Neshama is considered female. In general, every object and being receives a specific gender, though in Kabbalah, each term (Partzuf, world, etc.) may change its gender according to its functionality at that time: active/giving is male, and passive/receiving is female.

[26] Translator’s note: NefeshRuachNeshamaHayaYechida, pronounced NaRaNHaY.

[27] Translator’s note: Haya comes from the word Hayim (life).

[28] Translator’s note: “in permanence” is also referred to as “the constant state.”

Foreword to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Michael Laitman, PhD

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE PREFACE TO THE WISDOM OF KABBALAH

1) All the worlds, Above and below, are within man, and the whole of reality was created for man alone. This is written in The Book of Zohar. So why do we feel different? We feel that we are within reality, not that reality is within us. Moreover, why is this world not enough for us? Why do we need the Upper Worlds?

2) The reason for the creation of reality is the Creator’s desire to benefit His creations. Hence, the Creator created the creature with a nature of wanting to enjoy what the Creator wishes to bestow upon it. The Creator is above time and place; His Thought operates like the act itself.

Hence, when He wished and contemplated creating the creations, so as to fill them with delights, the creatures were immediately created, filled with all the pleasures they had received from the Creator. Yet, we do not feel that state, since it is merely our root, which we must achieve, according to the design of creation.

In creating the sequence of the worlds from the world of Ein Sof through this world, the Creator removed the creature from Himself down to the lowliest state. It is important to understand why He did that. Does this act indicate imperfection in His actions?

The Ari answers this question in the book, The Tree of Life: “to reveal the perfection of His deeds,” so the creatures would perfect themselves and achieve the Creator’s degree, which is the only true perfection. To help them, the Creator created the ladder of worlds. The souls climb down this ladder down to the lowest degree, where they clothe in corporeal bodies of this world. Then, through the study of Kabbalah, the souls themselves begin to rise and climb up that ladder, by which they had descended, until they return to the Creator.

3) The soul consists of Light and Kli. The Light of the soul comes from the Creator, from Atzmuto (His Essence). Through this Light, the Kli (vessel) of the soul was created, being the desire to receive Light, to enjoy the Light. Hence, the Kli perfectly fits the Light that comes to fill it.

The Light is a part of the Creator. The soul is the actual Kli. Hence, only the Kli is considered a creation. It was created from absence, meaning there was no desire before the Creator decided to create it. And because the Creator wished to give the perfect pleasure to this Kli, as is becoming of Him, He created this Kli—the will to receive—enormous, according to the measure of Light (pleasure) that He wished to give it.

4) Creation means initiation, something new that did not previously exist, and this initiation is called “existence from absence.” But if the Creator is complete, how could something not be included in Him? From what has already been said, it is clear that prior to creation, there was no will to receive in the Creator, since the Creator is whole and wishes only to bestow. Hence, what is not in Him, and should be created, is only the desire to receive the pleasure from Him.

The will to receive is the whole of reality. Hence, the only difference between the elements of reality is in the measure of desire to receive in each element, and no two elements contain the same desire.

5) There are no physical bodies in spirituality. The spiritual world is a world of desires, “raw” forces, devoid of material clothing of any kind. Hence, all the words used in the wisdom of Kabbalah are actually appellations of the desire to enjoy, or its impressions of the fulfillment of the Light within it.

The Creator is the desire to bestow, and the creature is the desire to enjoy the Creator’s bestowal. If the creature enjoys only because the Creator enjoys its reception, such an act is considered bestowal, according to its intention, and not as an act of receiving. This is regarded as the Creator’s desire and creature’s desire being equal, with nothing to separate them.

Thus, following the spiritual law of equivalence of form, as a result of equalizing their qualities (desires), they become one. In that state, they are not two identical desires, but are literally one. That spiritual state is called “equivalence of form” or Dvekut (adhesion).

However, if they do not have the same desire, the same intention, they do not have the same goal and they are separated. Because they have different qualities (desires), they are two, and not one. In spirituality, that state is called, “disparity of form.”

The measure of equivalence of form between Creator and creature determines how their closeness and measure of disparity of form determine their distance from each other. In the beginning, the Creator’s desire to bestow and the creature’s desire to receive are equal, since the creature’s will to receive was born from the Creator’s desire to bestow. Hence:

  • If all their desires (intentions) are the same, they are one;
  • If all their desires (intentions) are opposite, they are as far as two extremes;
  • If, of all the desires (intentions), they have only one common desire, then they are touching one another through that common desire;
  • If some of the desires (intentions) are similar, they are as far or near as their measure of equivalence of form or disparity of form.

6) We have no attainment in the Creator Himself, in Atzmuto, since we attain only the sensation of the Light in the Kli, the filling in our desire. And what we do not attain, we cannot call by any name, since we assign names according to our impressions of the filling. Hence, we cannot say a single word or assign any name to Atzmuto. All our names and appellations, with respect to the Creator, are only reflections of what we feel towards Him.

We can feel Him and His actions only by the measure of equivalence of form (desire, intention) with Him. Hence, to the extent that we are similar to the Creator, we feel His desires and actions, and we name the Creator accordingly. When we feel them, we can name Him according to what we feel of Him. This is called “By Your actions, we know You.”

7) Kabbalists are people who are living in this world and connect to the Creator according to their measure of equivalence of form while living in this world. Worlds are the different measures of sensation of the Creator. A “world” is the measure of disclosure or concealment of the Creator towards the creatures; and complete concealment is called “this world.”

The beginning of the sensation of the Creator is the transition between this world and the spiritual world. The transition itself is called “barrier.” There are 125 degrees of revelations of parts of the Creator to the creatures between concealment and complete disclosure. These parts are called “worlds.”

Kabbalists climb the spiritual worlds by correcting their desires (intentions). They tell us—verbally or in text—that the Creator has only the desire to benefit. He created everything to give us all His abundance. This is why Hecreated us with a desire to receive, so that we can receive what He wishes to give us.

The desire to receive for ourselves is our very nature. But in that nature, we are opposite in form from the Creator, since the Creator is only a desire to bestow, and does not possess a desire to receive. Hence, if we remain in the will to receive for ourselves, we will remain forever far from the Creator.

Kabbalists tell us that the Creator’s purpose is to bring the whole of Creation to Himself, and that He is the absolute goodness. For this reason, He wishes to bestow upon everyone.

They also say that the reason for the creation of the worlds is that the Creator must be complete in all His actions and forces. And if He does not execute His forces in complete actions, He is seemingly considered incomplete.

But how could imperfect operations stem from the perfect Creator to the point that His actions would require correction by the creatures? We are His actions! If we must correct ourselves, does it not mean that His actions are imperfect?

The Creator created only the desire to receive, called “the creature.” But when the creature receives what the Creator wishes to bestow upon it, it is separated from the Creator, since the Creator is the Giver and the creature is the receiver, and in that, they are opposites. In spirituality, equivalence of form is determined by equivalence of desires (qualities, intentions). And if the creature remains separated from the Creator, the Creator, too, will not be complete, since perfect operations stem from a perfect operator.

To grant the creature the possibility of achieving perfection of its own free choice, the Creator restricted Himself—His Light—and created worlds, restriction by restriction, down to this world. Here man is completely subordinate to the desire to enjoy, but not to enjoy the Light of God, but rather the beastly clothes on top of it. The whole of humanity is developing from the desire for pleasure that animals have, as well, through desires for wealth, honor, domination, and knowledge, until the Creator implants a desire to enjoy something unknown within these desires, something beyond the clothes of this world.

The new desire prompts man to seek fulfillment until he comes to the study of Kabbalah. During the study, he begins to understand the Creator’s intention towards him. In that state, he studies not in order to receive knowledge, but to draw on himself the Light that reforms (“Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 155).

Through that Light, a person begins to correct his desires. In all, man has 613 desires, which are generally called Guf (body). The correction of the desires is done by using each desire with the intention to bestow upon the Creator, just as the Creator bestows upon man. The correction of each desire and the reception of the Light in it is called “keeping a Mitzva (good deed/commandment).” The Light that a person receives within the common, corrected desire is called, “Torah.” And the Light that corrects (reforms) man’s desires is the means by which the creature obtains its perfection (see “Walking the Path of Truth”).

The perfection is in that the creature obtains equivalence of form (qualities) with the Creator by itself. This is because then it is worthy of receiving all the delight and pleasure included in the Thought of Creation. In other words, it enjoys the Light and the status of the Creator Himself, since it achieved equivalence of form in desires and thoughts.

It turns out that only through the study of Kabbalah can one correct oneself and achieve the goal for which man was created. This is what all the Kabbalists write. The only difference between the holy books (Torah, Prophets, Hagiographa, Mishnah, Talmud, etc.) is in the intensity of the Light within them, which can correct a person. The Light in Kabbalah books is the greatest; this is why Kabbalists recommend studying them specifically.

“There is no other way for the populace to achieve spiritual elevation and redemption except through the study of Kabbalah, which is an easy and accessible way. However, only a few can achieve the goal using other parts of the Torah.”

Rav Yehuda Ashlag, “Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Item 36

“Attainment begins with the wisdom of the hidden, and only then are the other parts in the Torah attained. In the end, the revealed Torah is attained.”

The Vilna Gaon (GRA), Prayer Book

“The prohibition on studying Kabbalah was only for a limited time, until 1490. But since 1540, everyone should be encouraged to engage in The Book of Zohar, since only by studying The Zohar will humanity achieve its spiritual salvation and the coming of the Messiah. Hence, we must not avoid the study of Kabbalah.”

Avraham Ben Mordechai Azulai, Ohr HaChama (Light of the Sun)

“Woe unto those who do not wish to study The Zohar, for thus they cause wretchedness, ruin, looting, killing, and destruction to the world.”

The Book of Zohar, Tikkuney Zohar (Corrections of The Zohar), Tikkun no. 30

“The study of The Book of Zohar is above and is preferable to any other study.”

The Chidah

“Redemption and the coming of the Messiah depend only on the study of Kabbalah.”

The Vilna Gaon (GRA), Even Shlemah (A Perfect Weight)

“There are no limitations on the study of The Zohar.”

The Chafetz Chaim

“If my contemporaries heeded me, they would study The Book of Zohar at the age of nine, and would thus acquire fear of heaven instead of superficial knowledge.”

Rav Yitzhak Yehudah Yehiel of Komarno, Notzer Hesed (Keeping Mercy)

“I call upon every person to dedicate time to the study of Kabbalah every day, as this is what the cleansing of your souls depends on.”

Rav Yitzhak Kaduri

“In the future, only by merit of The Book of Zohar will the children of Israel be redeemed from exile.”

The Book of Zohar, Parashat Nasso

(There are many more such excerpts in the chapter, “Kabbalists Write about the Wisdom of Kabbalah.”)

8) There is a “power” in the study of Torah and Mitzvot. This power is the spiritual force that brings a person to equalize one’s desire with the Creator’s desire. But this power appears and acts in a person only when one engages in Torah and Mitzvot in order to not receive any reward for oneself. Instead, he works only to bestow contentment upon the Creator. Only on that condition does one gradually acquire equivalence of form with the Creator.

Man’s correction of equivalence of form with the Creator is gradual, generally consisting of five degrees: NefeshRuachNeshamaHayaYechida. Each degree is considered a world, since if one draws some degree in the process of his correction, he feels the Creator’s existence according to the measure of his correction. These corrections are called “worlds” because they reveal the Creator according to one’s measure of correction, and conceal the Creator according to the—as yet—uncorrected Kelim (desires), from the total of 613 desires.

It follows that one receives these five degrees on one’s way to perfection from the five worlds:AssiyaYetziraBeriaAtzilut, and Adam Kadmon. Within each world are five Partzufim, and in each of them are five Sefirot, hence the total of 125 degrees in “Jacob’s Ladder” from this world to the top of the ladder.

By keeping Torah and Mitzvot in order to give contentment to one’s Maker, a person is gradually rewarded with the Kelim of the desire to bestowal, degree by degree. Thus, one climbs the rungs, one at a time, finally achieving complete equivalence of form with the Creator. At that time, the Thought of Creation is realized in a person—to receive the complete delight and wholeness that the Creator had planned for him. Additionally, one is rewarded with the greatest benefit of all—trueDvekut—by having obtained the desire to bestow, like the Creator.

9) Now we will try to understand the above-written, “All the worlds, Above and below, and everything within them, were created for man alone.” All these degrees and worlds come only to complement each desire in a person with the aim to bestow, so man would acquire equivalence of form with the Creator. This equivalence of form is absent in man by the nature of his creation.

In the beginning, the worlds were restricted and the degrees cascaded degree-by-degree and world-by-world, down to our material world, to come to a “body of this world.” This is the name Kabbalah ascribes to the will to receive for oneself. At the degree of “this world,” a person is like a beast, since he is incapable of any bestowal. In that state, man is opposite from the Creator, and there is no greater distance than that.

A person who studies Kabbalah awakens a “Surrounding Light” on oneself in proportion to one’s desire for spirituality. This is the Light that exists outside, or around one’s Kli (desire/soul). The Surrounding Light corrects the Kli in such a way that its intention will be to bestow. The intention to bestow upon the Creator and not to oneself turns an act of reception into an act of bestowal.

Following its nature, the Kli remains a desire to enjoy, but the aim changes the essence of the act from reception to bestowal. Then the Surrounding Light can enter the corrected Kli with the aim to bestow upon the Creator. It is precisely during the study of Kabbalah that the Surrounding Light can correct one’s desires until they are worthy of receiving it as “Inner Light.”

One obtains the desire to bestow gradually, from Above downwards, from a small desire, which is easier to correct, to the greatest one, following the same order by which the degrees hung down from Above downwards.

All the degrees are measures of the desire to bestow. The ladder of degrees is arranged in such a way that the Higher the degree, the farther it is from the will to receive for oneself, and the closer it is to the desire to bestow. A person gradually acquires all the degrees of bestowal until one is rewarded with having only the aim to bestow, without any self-reception.

At that time, a person is complete, in true Dvekut with the Creator. This is the purpose of Creation, and man was created for that alone. This is why all the worlds and everything within them were not created for themselves, but only to assist man in climbing the ladder of degrees. When one corrects oneself and is filled with Light, the entire system of the worlds and everything within them is included in him.

10) A person who knows and remembers what has been said here is permitted to study Kabbalah without any fear of materializing it. This is because studying the wisdom of Kabbalah without proper guidance confuses the learner. On the one hand, all the Sefirot and Partzufim from the world ofAtzilut to the world of Assiya are complete Godliness, in unity with the Creator, and on the other hand, how can there be changes, ascents, descents, and Zivugim (couplings) in Godliness and unity?

11) From what has been explained, it is clear that all these changes—ascents, descents, restrictions, and Zivugim—are discerned only with respect to the Kelim of the souls that receive the Light. Reality can be divided into two parts: potential and actual.

This is similar to a person who wants to build a house and already has the blueprint of the house in mind. But the blueprint of the house is not like the completed house—a blueprint that has been executed. This is because the thought about the house is made of conceptual substance and exists in potential. But when the house begins to emerge from thought to action, it turns into a different substance—bricks and wood.

In the same manner, we should distinguish between potential and actual in the souls. The “actual” elicitation of souls from the Creator begins only from the world of Beria. This is why all the changes and everything that occurs prior to the world of Beria are considered “potential,” without any actual distinction from the Creator.

This is the reason why it is said that all the souls are included in Malchut de Ein Sof, in the middle point of reality, since this point “potentially” contains all the Kelim (plural for Kli) of the souls that are destined to emerge in actuality from the world of Beria downwards. And Tzimtzum Aleph (first restriction), too, occurred in the middle point, only on the “potential,” with respect to the future souls.

With respect to the souls, all the Kelim of the Sefirot and worlds that emerge and hang down from the middle point, after Tzimtzum Aleph and down the world of Beria, are only in potential. When the souls begin to emerge in fact, from the world of Beria downwards, only then do the changes in the degrees of the worlds affect them.

12) This is similar to a person who hides and conceals himself with clothes and coverings, so he will not be seen or noticed. But to himself, he remains as he was. Thus, the ten SefirotKeterHochma,BinaHesedGevuraTifferetNetzahHodYesod, and Malchut are only ten coverings that cover Ein Sof and conceal it from the souls.

The Light of Ein Sof is in complete rest; hence, it shines within the coverings. But because the souls receive the Light of Ein Sof through the coverings, they feel as though there are changes in the Light. For this reason, the souls that receive Light are divided into ten degrees, too, according to the division in the coverings.

All the coverings are only from the world of Beria downwards, since only from there down are there souls that receive from the ten Sefirot through the coverings. In the worlds Adam Kadmon (AK) andAtzilut there is still no presence of souls, since there they are only in potential.

Although the ten coverings in the ten Sefirot govern only the worlds BYA—Beria,YetziraAssiya—the ten Sefirot there are considered Godliness, too, as prior to Tzimtzum Aleph. The difference is only in the Kelim of the ten Sefirot: in AK and in Atzilut they are in potential; and from BYA the Kelim of the ten Sefirot begin to disclose their force of concealment and covering. This is so although the coverings inflict no changes in the Light itself.

13) This brings up a question: If, within the worlds AK and Atzilut, there is still no actual disclosure of the souls that receive Light from the worlds, what is the purpose of the Kelim of AK and Atzilut, and towards whom do they conceal and cover the Light of Ein Sof, according to their measures? In the future, the souls will rise to AK and Atzilut, along with the worlds BYA, and receive Light from them. Hence, changes occur in AK and Atzilut, as well, according to the qualities of the souls, as they are destined to shine to the souls that will rise to them in the future.

14) It follows that the worlds, initiations, changes, and degrees all relate only to the Kelim, which affect the souls and gauge them so they can receive from the Light of Ein Sof. But when the souls rise in degrees, they do not induce any changes in the Light of Ein Sof itself, since the coverings do not affect the thing being covered, only the one who wishes to sense what is covered and receive from it.

15) We should make three discernments in the Sefirot and Partzufim, wherever they are —Atzmuto,Kelim, and Lights.

  1. In Atzmuto, the receivers have no thought or perception.
  2. In the Kelim, there are always two opposite discernments: concealment and disclosure. First, the Kli conceals itself so the ten Kelim in the ten Sefirot are ten degrees of concealment. But after the souls receive the same conditions as in the Kelim, these concealments become disclosures, attainments of the souls. In that state, the two opposite discernments in the Kelimbecome as one, since the measure of disclosure in the Kli is just as the measure of concealment in the Kli. And the coarser the Kli, when it hides more of its Atzmuto, it discloses a Higher Level.
  3. The Lights in the Sefirot are the specific measure that should appear for the attainment of the souls. Although everything extends from Atzmuto, the attainment in the Light is only in the qualities of the Kli. Hence, there are necessarily ten Lights in these ten Kelim, meaning ten degrees of disclosure. Thus, the Light cannot be distinguished from Atzmuto, but only in that there is no perception or attainment in Atzmuto. What is revealed to us is only what reaches us from the Creator through His clothing in the Kelim of the ten Sefirot. Hence, we refer to anything we attain by the name, “Lights.”

FOUR STAGES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KLI

The Kabbalists attained spirituality and wrote it down in Kabbalah books. They perceived that the root of the whole of reality is a Higher Force, which they called Atzmuto (His Self), since they could not attain it in itself. They did, however, attain that a thought and intention originates from Atzmuto—to create creations and delight them. They called that thought and intention the “Thought of Creation” or “Upper Light.” Thus, with respect to the creature, the Light is the Creator, since Atzmuto is unattainable. Hence, the Creator-creature connection exists through the Upper Light.

To summarize: Light emits from Atzmuto and wishes to create a creature and delight it by filling it with pleasure. In other words, the Light’s goal is to create a creature that will feel the Light as pleasure. This is why the Kabbalists named the creature, Kli, and the Light, “filling.” The Light that stems from Atzmuto, to create the creature, is called Behinat Shoresh (Root discernment), since it is the root of the whole of reality. This Light creates a desire to enjoy it, and the desire to enjoy the Light is called “the will to receive” Light.

The measure of pleasure depends on the measure of desire to receive it. As in our world, one may have an empty stomach, but no desire to eat. Hence, the desire is the Kli for the filling, and without desire, there is no pleasure. There is no coercion in spirituality, and the filling always follows the desire.

The Light emerges from Atzmuto, creates a Kli, and fills it. The pleasure experienced in the creature by the reception of Light is called Ohr Hochma (Light of Wisdom). The desire born by the Light that fills it is called Behina Aleph (first discernment). It is given that name since this is the first discernment of the future Kli.

Yet, this desire is still not autonomous, since it is directly created by the Light. A real created being is one that wants to enjoy all the Light emitted from the Creator by itself. In other words, its desire and decision to enjoy the Light should come from within it, instead of being instilled in it by the Creator.

To want to receive Light, the creature must first know the amount of pleasure that exists in the Light. Hence, it must be filled with Light and then feel what it is like being without Light. In that state, a true desire for the Light is created in it.

It is similar to situations we know from life. When a person is given some unfamiliar fruit to taste, initially, one has no desire for it. But after one tastes the fruit, and experiences the pleasure that stems from it, and the fruit is taken away, one begins to crave it and wishes to re-experience the pleasure. This craving is the new desire that was born in a person, which one feels as one’s autonomous desire.

Hence, it is impossible to build the Kli all at once. Instead, for the desire to know what to enjoy, for it to feel that it wants to enjoy, it must undergo the entire order of evolution. In Kabbalah, this condition is presented as a law: “The expansion of the Light inside the desire to receive and its departure from there make the Kli fit for its task of receiving all the Light and enjoying it.” The states of the development of the desire are called Behinot (discernments), since they are new observations in the will to receive.

Therefore, a Light that fills the Kli gives it, along with the pleasure, its quality of giving. And while theKli enjoys the Light, it suddenly discovers that it wishes to bestow, like the nature of the Light that fills it. The reason for it is that the Creator intentionally prepared for the Light the ability to convey to the Kli the desire to bestow, along with the pleasure.

It follows that once the Light created Behina Aleph and filled it, it felt that it wished to be similar to the Creator. And because this was a new desire, it was a new discernment, called Behina Bet (second discernment).

Behina Bet is a desire to give. The pleasure it feels from being similar to the Creator is called Ohr Hassadim (Light of Mercy). We therefore see that Behina Aleph is opposite from Behina Bet in the sense that the desire in Behina Aleph is to receive, and the desire in Behina Bet is to give. The Light in Behina Aleph is Ohr Hochma, and in Behina Bet it is Ohr Hassadim.

When the will to receive in Behina Aleph begins to enjoy the Light that fills it, it immediately senses that the Light is the giver of the pleasure and that it (Behina Aleph) is the receiver of the pleasure. In consequence, it begins to want to be like the Light itself, not wanting to receive the pleasure, but to give it, like the Light. For this reason, the desire to receive in it disappears and remains empty of Ohr Hochma, since pleasure is sensed only in a desire for it.

The will to receive cannot remain without Ohr Hochma, since Ohr Hochma is its Light of life. Hence, it is forced to receive some Ohr Hochma. Thus, this new desire, called Behina Gimel (third discernment) consists of two desires: 1) a desire to be similar to the Light; and 2) a desire to receive a little bit ofOhr Hochma.

In that state, the Kli feels two Lights: Light of Hassadim—in the desire to bestow—and Light ofHochma—in the desire to receive.

When Behina Gimel receives Light, it feels that of its two Lights, the Ohr Hochma, the Light of life, suits its nature. Then it decides to receive it in full, and thus a new, independent desire to receive that pleasure, Ohr Hochma, is born. This is the same pleasure that the Creator wishes to fill the creature with.

We therefore see that the Light that emerges from Atzmuto creates for itself a Kli in four steps. Hence, this final desire, called Behina Dalet (fourth discernment), is the only creature. All its preceding stages are but the stages of its development. In fact, the whole of Creation is Behina Dalet. Everything that exists in reality besides the Creator is Behina DaletBehina Dalet is calledMalchut (Kingship), since the will to receive reigns in it.

FOUR BEHINOT

Behina Dalet is the only creature. Behina Dalet is divided into externality, whose parts are Sefirot,Partzufim (plural for Partzuf), worlds, and our world—still, vegetative, and animate—and to internality: the souls of people. The difference between all these parts is only in the measure of desire to receive within them.

Behina Dalet, which was completely filled with Ohr Hochma, is called “the world of Ein Sof” (no end), since there is no end to its desire to receive the Light. Behina Dalet receives Light through its four preceding Behinot—Shoresh,AlephBetGimel. Thus, it is internally divided into five Behinot of desire to receive: desires for Lights in the Behinot preceding itself, and the desire for the Light that comes to her.

THE FOUR BEHINOT PRIOR TO BEHINA DALET, WITH FIVE BEHINOT WITHIN IT

Summary: Light emits from the Creator, Behinat Shoresh. The Light creates a creature, Behina Dalet, in four stages. The essence of the creature is the desire to receive pleasure. The pleasure is the sensation of Light within the desire. Behina Dalet itself divides into four parts, which receive Light from the previous BehinotBehina Dalet, which is filled with Ohr Hochma, is called “the world of Ein Sof.” The parts of Behina Dalet are called “souls” and “worlds.” The worlds contain PartzufimSefirot, and everything other than the souls.

TZIMTZUM ALEPH, MASACH, PARTZUF

When Ohr Hochma fills the will to receive in Behina Aleph, it gives the will to receive its nature—the desire to bestow. This is the reason why, at its end, Behina Aleph—after she felt the nature of the Light that fills her—changed her desire from wanting to receive to wanting to bestow.

Once Behina Dalet departed Behina Gimel and was filled with her Light, which is Ohr Hochma, too, the Light affected her in such a way that she began to want to bestow, similar to the nature of the Light within her. Hence, the will to receive disappeared from Behina Dalet.

But why does the Ohr Hochma give the Kli a desire to bestow when it fills it? This is so because theKli feels not only the pleasure from the Light, but the desire of the Giver, too. The Creator could have created a Kli that would not feel Him as the Giver, but only the pleasure of reception. In our world, this is what people feel when their will to receive is still undeveloped, like that of children, crude people, or the mentally unwell.

As a child grows, it becomes ashamed of receiving. In man, this sensation is so developed that one would prefer any pain in the world to the suffering of shame. The Creator created this quality in us deliberately, so that through it, we would be able to rise above our nature, the will to receive.

To be ashamed and suffer from receiving, one must feel that one is receiving. This is possible only if you feel the giver, that there is a giver. If I cannot feel the host, I will not be ashamed. But if the host is in front of me, I will be ashamed.

I cannot receive directly because I will have to relate to him. I will feel that I must give something in return for receiving from him. In that case, I will no longer be receiving, but I would change places with him and become a giver, since then he, too, would be receiving from me.

The sensation of the Creator evokes such great suffering from reception in Malchut, it decides to never use her will to receive for reception of pleasures for herself. This decision in Malchut, to not receive Light for herself, is called Tzimtzum (restriction). The name, Tzimtzum Aleph (first restriction), indicates that this operation occurred for the first time.

Thus, Malchut stopped receiving Light. By that, she stopped being a receiver, but she was still not giving anything to the Creator; she still did not fulfill her wish to become like the Light, the giver of pleasure. By not receiving pleasure from the Creator, Malchut did not obtain equivalence of form. Hence, we see that the act of Tzimtzum Aleph was not a goal, but a means to acquire the ability to give.

The Creator’s purpose in Creation was for Malchut, the created being, to receive pleasures. The Thought of Creation is constant and absolute. Hence, the Creator, the Light, continued to pressureMalchut to receive it. Malchut sensed that the act of restriction was insufficient to achieve the act of bestowal. Yet, how could the creature, whose only quality is to receive, give to the Creator, as He does?

By sensing the qualities of the Upper nine within her—the qualities of the Creator that she feels within, which, to her, form the Creator’s attitude towards her —Malchut begins to understand how she can come to bestow upon the Creator. She decides that if she receives the Light and enjoys it only because the Creator enjoys her delight in it, her reception would be tantamount to bestowal. Reception of pleasure by the receiver in order to benefit the giver turns an act of reception into one of bestowal. Thus, if Malchut receives all the Light (pleasure) that the Creator has prepared for her, she would be giving to Him, just as He is giving to her.

Take, for example, a visiting guest. The host treats the guest with food, precisely in the amount and flavor that the guest wishes it (the desire is in perfect match with the Light, in flavor and quantity, since the Light-pleasure created the Kli-desire in accordance with itself).

Yet, even though the guest is hungry, the presence of the host creates shame in him, which stops him from receiving. The shame stems from the sensation of himself as a receiver, and the host as a giver. And the shame is so powerful that he can no longer receive.

Yet, the host’s imploring of him to eat, since He has prepared everything for him, persuades the guest that the host would enjoy his eating. Then, it seems to the guest that if he were to receive the pleasure, after having rejected it several times, this reception would be regarded as him giving and benefiting the host. Thus, the guest would become a giver, and the host would become the receiver.

In Kabbalah, the hunger, the desire to receive delight and pleasure, is called Kli (vessel). The pleasure that comes from the Creator is called Ohr Yashar (Direct Light). The force that repels the pleasure that comes from the Creator is called Masach (screen). The Light repelled from the Masach is called Ohr Hozer (Reflected Light).

Using the force of the Masach—the power to resist self-gratification and delight the Creator—the Klican resist its own will to receive. We can understand that the Kli rejects the Light, but it is truer to say that the Kli rejects using the desire to enjoy for itself.

The Kli cannot return Light to the Creator; it can only change its intention. The aim created in the Klito delight the Creator is called Ohr Hozer (Reflected Light). Ohr (Light) is another name for pleasure.Ohr Yashar is the pleasure that the Creator wishes to give to the creature, and Ohr Hozer is the pleasure that the creature wishes to bestow upon the Creator.

Once the Kli (guest) is certain that it will not receive (enjoy) for itself, it examines the intensity of itsOhr Hozer (the measure of its desire to bestow pleasure upon the Creator—Host), and decides to receive the abundance that comes by it from the Ohr Yashar (the delicatessen and delights the Host is imparting), but only as much as it can receive in order to delight the Creator (Host).

Kabbalists are people who feel the Light emitted from the Creator and all its actions. But when they write about spirituality, they convey their sensations in a language of “technical” terms and definitions. Hence, only if the reader has a Masach and the forces that the books speak of, can one “translate” the words into feelings, by performing the same actions he reads about within himself.

The Light comes directly from the Creator (hence its name, Ohr Yashar) and wishes to clothe within the Kli. Yet, it encounters the Masach. The Masach repels the Light (refuses to receive it in order to receive), thus keeping the condition of Tzimtzum Aleph: to not receive for oneself. Once the Kli is certain that it will not receive for itself, it calculates (using the Masach) how much it can receive in order to bestow (delight the Creator). The sensation in the Light and the decision how much to receive is done prior to receiving it. For this reason, this part in the Kli is called Rosh (head). The place of calculation, where the Masach stands, is called Peh (mouth).

Following the decision in the Rosh, the Kli receives the Light in the Toch (interior). The Toch is the part of the Kli in which the reception of Light (sensation of pleasure inside the desire to enjoy) occurs de facto. Ohr Hochma (the pleasure) is received with the aim to delight the Creator in this manner. This aim is called Ohr Hassadim (Light of Mercy). In the language of Kabbalah, Ohr Yashar dresses inOhr Hozer, and Ohr Hochma dresses in Ohr Hassadim.

The Kli can receive only a small portion of the Light that comes from the Creator, since the Masach hasn’t the power to receive all the Light. Thus, a part (of the desires) in it is filled and a part remains empty. The part that remains empty is called Sof (end, conclusion). We therefore see that the creature consists of three parts: RoshToch, and Sof. Together, they are called Partzuf (face, countenance). The Guf of the Partzuf (all its desires) divides into Toch, the receiving part, and Sof, which remains empty.

  • The boundary in the Guf of the Partzuf, where the reception of Light ends, is calledTabur (navel).
  • The part of the Light received within the Partzuf is called Ohr Pnimi (Inner Light).
  • The part of the Light that remains outside the Kli is called Ohr Makif (Surrounding Light).
  • Through the Masach, the Ohr Yashar divides into Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif.

Malchut comprises five Behinot (discernments). The Masach decides how much to receive in eachBehina. Each Behina divides into a part that receives and a part that does not receive. Hence, there are five Behinot in the Toch, and five Behinot in the Sof.

Summary: When the Light corrects the Kli, it gives the desire of the Creator to the Kli. This, in fact, is what we are lacking: for the Light (the Surrounding Light, which we evoke during the study, if we wish to achieve the purpose of Creation) to come and correct us, so that we may want our actions to be like the Creator’s (bestowing). This is the uniqueness of the study of Kabbalah, and this is also its importance. The study evokes the Surrounding Light, which corrects a person.

EXPANSION AND DEPARTURE OF LIGHTS

After Malchut decided to receive a part of the Ohr Yashar, and received it in the Toch, she stopped receiving. Malchut always calculates, in the Rosh of the Partzuf, what is the maximum Light she can receive in order to bestow. Depending on the force of the MasachMalchut receives only a very small part of the whole of the Ohr Yashar, since receiving in order to benefit the Creator is against her nature.

The part of the Ohr Yashar that remains outside the Kli is called Ohr Makif. It continues to pressure the Masach, which limits its expansion in the Partzuf and wishes to break through the Masach and fill the entire Kli, including the Sof of the Partzuf, as prior to the Tzimtzum.

The Partzuf understands that if it received only a part, meaning filled itself only to the Tabur, and remained in that state, the Thought of Creation would not be realized. To realize the Thought of Creation, all the Light that filled Malchut prior to the Tzimtzum must be received with the aim to bestow. But if the Partzuf were to receive more, below Tabur, it would be reception in order to receive, since it does not have a Masach to receive in order to bestow over those Kelim.

For this reason, the Partzuf decides to leave the reception of Light altogether and return to its state from before the reception. This decision is made at the Rosh of the Partzuf, as with all decisions. Following the decision, the Masach that descended from Peh to Tabur and stood there, begins to rise from Tabur to Peh. The ascension of the Masach causes the Lights to depart the Partzuf through thePeh to the Rosh.

The decision to stop receiving the Light was made because the Masach that stood at the Tabur was pressured by the Ohr Makif that wanted to be received in the Partzuf, as well as by the Ohr Pnimi. These two Lights wish to cancel the Masach, which is like a limit on the expansion of the Light. Their pressure on the Masach is called “Bitush (beating) of Ohr Pnimi an Ohr Makif.”

These two Lights pressure the Masach at the Tabur, which limits the reception of Light in the Partzuf. They want the Masach to descend from Tabur to the Sium (end) of the Partzuf, and that thus, the whole of the Ohr Makif would be able to enter.

This state is similar to a person who received a part of what his host had served him. He feels great pleasure in what he has received, and that weakens him because he feels what great pleasures exist in what he did not receive.

As a result, the Masach returns from Tabur to Peh, and the Partzuf is emptied from Light. Just as the Light entered the Partzuf through the Peh, it leaves the Partzuf through the Peh. The expansion of Light from Above downwards, from Peh to Tabur, is called Taamim (flavors). The departure of Light in the Partzuf from Toch to Rosh is called Nekudot (points). When the Light departs the Partzuf, it leaves an impression of itself, called Reshimo (memory/recollection). A Reshimo from the Lights ofTaamim is called Tagin (tags), and a Reshimo from the Lights of Nekudot is called Otiot (letters).

The expansion of Light and its departure make the Kli fit for its task, since only after the Kli feels the pleasure and the pleasure departs, does a true desire for this pleasure appear in the Kli. After the departure of the Light, a Reshimo remains in the Kli. This is a Reshimo of the pleasure that was there, of the Nekudot. Once the Kli is emptied of Light, the Reshimo determines the desire and craving of the Kli. Hence, the Reshimo from the departure of the Light is called Otiot, or Kli.

Prior to the TzimtzumBehina Dalet receives Lights from all of its four preceding Behinot. Light comes to her from Atzmuto through Behinot ShoreshAlephBetGimel, and Dalet. Hence, Behina Daletcontains five internal Behinot. Each internal Behina of Behina Dalet receives Light from its corresponding Behina:

  • Behinat Shoresh in Behina Dalet receives Ohr Yechida (Light of Yechida) from Behinat Shoresh.
  • Behina Aleph in Behina Dalet receives Ohr Haya from Behina Aleph.
  • Behina Bet in Behina Dalet receives Ohr Neshama from Behina Bet.
  • Behina Gimel in Behina Dalet receives Ohr Ruach from Behina Gimel.
  • Behina Dalet in Behina Dalet receives Ohr Nefesh from Behina Dalet.

Only Behina Dalet in Behina Dalet feels that the will to receive pleasure is hers. Hence, only thisBehina is regarded as a “creature.” The rest of the Behinot in Behina Dalet, preceding Behina Dalet inBehina Dalet, are desires that Behina Dalet received from Behinot ShoreshAlephBet, and Gimelthat preceded it. Although the desires in its preceding Behinot are desires to receive, they come from the Creator and not from Behina Dalet herself.

Behina Dalet consists of five Behinot; this is her structure and it is unchanging. These Behinot may divide, fill, join for actions of reception of Lights within them, but their structure remains the same. It is called the tip of the YodYodHeyVavHey.

The worlds, and everything in them besides people, emerge from the Behinot that precede Behina Dalet in Dalet. They have no independent desire to receive. They are operated by the desires that the Creator imprinted in them, and are therefore not defined in Kabbalah as “creatures.” Only the souls of people were made of Behina Dalet in Dalet, where the will to receive exists in her independently. Hence, only souls of people are considered “creatures.”

A true desire to receive for oneself appears only in Behina Dalet in Behina Dalet. She is the only one that perceives herself as receiving. Hence, she is the only one that decides to restrict the reception of the Light. But the Light departs from the rest of the Behinot in Behina Dalet, too, since only Dalet inDalet receives, while the preceding Behinot only develop her will to receive. When she stops receiving, the Light disappears from all of them, since all five Behinot are one Klithe tip of the YodYodHeyVavHey.

After the Tzimtzum, when Malchut receives those five Lights through the Masach—within her fiveBehinot—they enter those five parts of Malchut. The order in which Lights enter the Partzuf is from the smallest Light to the greatest Light: NefeshRuachNeshamaHaya, and Yechida. Hence, these Lights are called NRNHY.

ENTRANCE AND DEPARTURE OF LIGHTS IN A PARTZUF

The five parts of Malchut are called Behinot ShoreshAlephBetGimel, and Dalet. Following theTzimtzum, when these parts receive Lights through the Masach, they are called Sefirot (sapphires, illuminations) because the Light shines in them. Hence, instead of Behinot, we call them Sefirot.

Keter = Shoresh

Hochma = Aleph

Bina = Bet

Zeir Anpin (ZA) = Gimel

Malchut Dalet

The Reshimot (plural for Reshimo) from the departing Lights are called Otiot (letters). After the departure of the five Lights, NefeshRuachNeshamaHaya, and Yechida, from the five SefirotKeterHochmaBinaZeir Anpin, and Malchut, five Reshimot, or Otiot remain: the tip of the YodYodHeyVavHey.

Later in this article, we will learn how Kabbalists use symbols to depict spiritual forces in writing. They build letters, words, and names out of dots and lines. This is how all the holy books were written. It turns out that the writing is information about spiritual forces and operations. When Kabbalists read books, they can act according to the instructions in them.

Yet, when we examine holy books, they seem to discuss historic events. But it is written in the Torah that the whole of the Torah is names of the Creator. This means that all the words in the Torah tell us either about the Kelim or about their actions. In other words, the whole of the Torah is the same wisdom of Kabbalah that we must learn today, written in a different language.

There are four languages to the Torah: the language of the Torah, the language of legends, the language of the Talmud, and the language of Kabbalah. All of them were invented by Kabbalists who attained spirituality, to tell us how we can achieve the purpose of Creation.

OVERVIEW

The Creator wishes to benefit His creatures. The creatures are meant to receive the Creator’s benefit by themselves. For this purpose, the Creator created an independent creature, completely detached from Him. The creature does not feel the Creator because the Light is Higher than the Kli, and when it fills the Kli, it controls it and determines what the Kli will want.

Hence, the creature must be born in concealment from the Light so as to be independent, without the sensation of spirituality and the existence of the Creator. It is born at the farthest degree from the Creator, in a degree called “this world.” Yet, when the creature is independent from the influence of the Upper Light (the Creator), it also lacks the power to understand its state, its reality, the purpose of its life. It follows that the Creator must prepare the right environment for the creature to develop and grow:

  1. He must restrict His Light to the minimum, restriction by restriction. This is how the degrees were built from Above downwards, from the degree of Ein Sof, the closest to the Creator, to the degree of “this world,” the lowest and farthest from the Creator. This act is called “the expansion of the worlds and the Partzufim.”
  2. Once the starting point has been prepared for the creature, it must be given a possibility to rise from that state and reach the Creator’s degree. But how can this be done, if after Tzimtzum Aleph no Light reaches the Kli—the creature—who is at the degree of “this world”? For this reason, the Creator provided us in this world with a Segula (power, remedy): Ohr Makif(Surrounding Light), which shines even to the restricted Kli.

Rav Yehuda Ashlag wrote about this Segula in Item 155 of his “Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot”: “Therefore we must ask, why then, did the Kabbalists obligate each person to study the wisdom of Kabbalah? Indeed, there is a great thing in it, worthy of being publicized: There is a wonderful, invaluable remedy to those who engage in the wisdom of Kabbalah. Although they do not understand what they are learning, through the yearning and the great desire to understand what they are learning, they awaken upon themselves the Lights that surround their souls.

“This means that every person from Israel is guaranteed to finally attain all the wonderful attainments that the Creator had calculated in the Thought of Creation to delight every creature. One who has not been awarded in this life will be granted in the next life, etc., until one is awarded completing the Creator’s Thought, which He had planned for him.

“And while one has not attained perfection, the Lights that are destined to reach him are considered Surrounding Lights. This means that they stand ready for him, but are waiting for him to purify his vessels of reception, at which time these Lights will clothe the able vessels.

“Hence, even when one does not have the vessels, when one engages in this wisdom, mentioning the names of the Lights and the vessels related to one’s soul, they immediately shine upon him to a certain measure. However, they shine for him without clothing the interior of his soul for lack of able vessels to receive them.

“Yet, the illumination one receives time after time during the engagement in the wisdom of Kabbalah draws upon one grace from Above, imparting one with abundance of sanctity and purity, which bring one closer, until he achieves perfection.

“Yet, there is a strict condition during the engagement in this wisdom, to not materialize the matters with imaginary and corporeal things, as thus they breach, ‘Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness.’ In that event, one is rather harmed instead of benefited.”

Thus, only proper study of the wisdom of Kabbalah can bring man to the purpose of his life. This is what Kabbalists are saying, and who knows about reality more than they?

Ohr Makif is the power with which any person can begin to rise from this world to the spiritual world. Without the help of the illumination of this Ohr Makif, we would have no possibility of transcending our state, since the Kli can be corrected only by the Light, and the Upper Light cannot reach this world. Hence, we need the Ohr Makif.

To help beginners avert failures on their way, we added a table of questions and answers, a glossary, abbreviations, and various media files. We do not intend to delve deep or expand the explanation and the amount of information, but to direct the student towards obtaining the drive to progress correctly. It should be clear that the purpose of the study is to achieve Dvekut (adhesion) with the Creator. This must be before our eyes, since only then do we evoke upon ourselves the Surrounding Lights, and through their impact, we will enter the Upper World.

The glossary is intended for the correct understanding of basic terms. But only if one knows how to interpret the words one is reading correctly, in their true, spiritual meaning, unlike the way we usually interpret them in our world, only to that extent is one permitted to learn and read anything in the Torah. Otherwise, one might perceive the books of Torah as historic narratives.

When a Kabbalist attains spirituality, it is indescribable in words, since spirituality contains only sensations. This is why Kabbalah books are written in the language of branches, using worldly words to describe spiritual concepts.

The spiritual world is an abstract place, “virtual,” where only forces and emotions exist, without bodily clothing. We must constantly renew and repeat the spiritual concepts because until we achieve emotional connection with spirituality, we will be reading in the Kabbalah books without any understanding of what stands behind the words.

The primary mistake is that there are “Kabbalists” who teach that there is some connection between the human body and the spiritual Kli, as though the spiritual Kli clothes in a human body, as if within each corporeal organ clothes a spiritual organ. In their view, if one performs a physical act or any physical motion whatsoever, it seemingly contains spiritual content. They think that in so doing, one actually performs a spiritual action.

Their mistake stems from the Kabbalists’ use of the language of the branches, using worldly words to name and define spiritual terms. This is the reason for the strict prohibition in the Torah, “Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness.” In other words, it is forbidden to imagine spirituality in corporeal shapes, not because this could inflict harm Above, but because the false image would prevent one from understanding the Creator’s ways and approaching the goal.

Hence, the student must constantly repeat the key concepts of Kabbalah, such as “place,” “time,” movement,” “no absence,” Guf (body), “body parts” or “organs,” Zivug (coupling), “kiss,” “embrace” until each concept is perceived correctly. This is what Baal HaSulam writes in his “Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot.” Those who want to study Kabbalah the right way are advised to leave all the books on this subject, except for The Book of Zohar, the writings of the Ari, the writings of Baal HaSulam, and the writings of Rabash.

Interpreting the Torah as a historic narrative contradicts the verse that says that the whole Torah is the names of the Creator, that it is the Torah of the world of Atzilut, and that all the words in it are Holy Names. It is important to remember that it does not speak of this world, and the people in it (see “Introduction to the Book of Zohar,” Item 58).

All the names in the Torah are holy, even such names as Pharaoh, Balaam, Balak. For example, one who is called up to stand next to the Ark of the synagogue during service, kisses the book of Torah without first checking to see if he mistakenly kissed the name Pharaoh or Laban. The Zohar explains that each name symbolizes a spiritual degree: Pharaoh corresponds to Malchut, Laban to the HigherLoven (whiteness), Partzuf of Upper Hochma, etc.

RESHIMOT

To perform the correct operation, the Kli must know what it wants, how to get what it wants, and have the strength to get what it wants.

Besides the Creator, there is only one Creation: the will to receive pleasure. Hence, the whole of reality contains only Light and Kli, pleasure and desire, Hitlabshut (clothing) and Aviut(coarseness/desire to receive).

In each spiritual act, following the departure of Light from the Kli, meaning after the transition from a state where the Kli is filled with Light to a state where the Kli is empty, it leaves behind it two “recollections” of the previous state. They are called Reshimo de Hitlabshut (recollection of the clothing)—a Reshimo of the Light that was in the Kli and departed, and Reshimo de Aviut(recollection of the desire to receive)—a Reshimo of the Kli on the Masach that remains to be used.

These two Reshimot (plural for Reshimo) are considered one Reshimo. If no Reshimo is left, the Kliwill not know what to want or how to get what it wants. The whole process of reality’s cascading from its initiation in Malchut de (of) Ein Sof, through its end in this world, are different states of Malchut de Ein Sof. It undergoes this sequence of states with the help of the Light that surrounds it, which evokes the Reshimot that remain in it after each state.

The state in which Behina Dalet is filled with Light is called Malchut de Ein Sof. After Behina Dalet experienced herself as a “receiver,” she decided to restrict the reception of Light. The Light departed and a Reshimo of the Light that was in it remained in Malchut. Even after the Tzimtzum, Light came to fill Malchut, but she calculated and decided to receive only as much as she could receive with the aim to bestow upon the Creator.

The required data for this calculation are (a) the Reshimo from the Hitlabshut of the Light in the previous state, and (b) the desire to receive in order to bestow. Once Malchut calculates theseReshimot in the Rosh, she receives what she has decided to receive in the Guf. And when the Klicompletes the reception of the part of the Light that it decided to receive, the Ohr Makif batters theMasach and forces it to return to the Peh. Thus, the Partzuf is emptied of its filling.

When the Masach rises from Tabur de Galgalta to its Peh, the Ohr Pnimi exits Galgalta and leaves theMasach of the Guf with a Reshimo of the Light that it had, called Reshimo de Hitlabshut. But theReshimo of the strength of the Masach that received the Light does not stay, since the Masach had decided to stop receiving the Light, and disqualified itself from working with its strength. Hence, theReshimo of the Masach disappears.

The Masach rose from Tabur back to the Peh. Hence, it feels the Upper Light in the Rosh, which pressures it with a demand to receive it. As a result, the desire to receive Light in order to bestow is reawakened in Malchut. This is the beginning of the birth of a new Partzuf on the remaining Reshimot from the previous state.

Summary: A Reshimo of the Light is a part of the Light, which the Light leaves after its departure. It is the nucleus, the root of the birth of the next Partzuf. The Reshimo from the Masach is lost, and theZivug is done on a new Reshimo.

The Reshimot on which the Partzufim Emerge

World /Partzuf Name Reshimo de Hitlabshut Reshimo de Aviut
World of Adam Kadmon:
Partzuf Keter Galgalta Dalet Dalet
Partzuf Hochma AB Dalet Gimel
Partzuf Bina SAG Gimel Bet
Partzuf ZA MA Bet Aleph
Partzuf Malchut BON Aleph Shoresh
Partzuf Nekudot de SAG:
Partzuf Nekudot de SAG Bet Bet
World of Nekudim:
Partzuf Katnut

(smallness/infancy)

Bet Aleph
Partzuf Gadlut

(greatness/adulthood)

Dalet Gimel
World of Atzilut:
Partzuf Keter Atik Dalet Dalet
Partzuf Hochma AA Dalet Gimel
Partzuf Bina AVI Gimel Bet
Partzuf ZA ZA Bet Aleph
Partzuf Malchut Nukva Aleph Shoresh
World of Beria:
Partzuf Keter Atik Dalet Dalet
Partzuf Hochma AA Dalet Gimel
Partzuf Bina AVI Gimel Bet
Partzuf ZA ZA Bet Aleph
Partzuf Malchut Nukva Aleph Shoresh
World of Yetzira:
Partzuf Keter Atik Dalet Dalet
Partzuf Hochma AA Dalet Gimel
Partzuf Bina AVI Gimel Bet
Partzuf ZA ZA Bet Aleph
Partzuf Malchut Nukva Aleph Shoresh
World of Assiya:
Partzuf Keter Atik Dalet Dalet
Partzuf Hochma AA Dalet Gimel
Partzuf Bina AVI Gimel Bet
Partzuf ZA ZA Bet Aleph
Partzuf Malchut Nukva Aleph Shoresh
Reshimot of the Aviut de Masach of the Worlds
World of Keter world of Adam Kadmon Aviut Dalet
World of Hochma world of Atzilut Aviut Gimel
World of Bina world of Beria Aviut Bet
World ZA world of Yetzira Aviut Aleph
World of Malchut world of Assiya Aviut Shoresh

Reshimo is left in the Masach, this is the end of the world of AssiyaMalchut of the world of Atzilut begets yet another Partzuf, called Adam ha Rishon, which shatters into pieces that fall below the world of Assiya, to a place called “this world.”

The smallest Reshimo in the smallest broken Kli is called “the point in the heart.” This is what a person feels as a desire for spirituality when being awakened from Above. These Reshimot clothe in certain people in our world and give them no rest, until they correct them with a Masach and fill them with Light.

If a person feels that Reshimo, he or she is worthy of achieving spirituality, of experiencing the Upper World and knowing the whole of reality. The guidance for achieving it is found in books of Kabbalah. Each generation has its own books of Kabbalah, written for that generation, for the particular kind of souls that descend in it.

The books that are to guide our generation into spirituality are the books of Rav Yehuda Ashlag (Baal HaSulam), and Rav Baruch Ashlag (the Rabash). Besides studying in these books, there are two more necessary conditions for proper learning: studying in a group, whose goal is to achieve the purpose of Creation, which is headed by a Kabbalist teacher (Rav).

In the cascading of reality from Above downwards, a ladder of degrees was formed, on which a person climbs back. One who achieves a certain degree discovers in it Reshimot from a Higher degree, and can thus continue to climb. Reshimot from Higher degrees appear in people in our world, too. These are Reshimot from the closest spiritual degree to that person. By working with these Reshimot, a person exits our world and enters the spiritual world.

THE BIRTH OF THE PARTZUFIM

Behina Dalet is called Malchut, since it hosts the biggest will to receive. When filled with Light, she is called Ein Sof (no end), since she receives the Light without putting an end to it. Malchut is the only created being. Her parts are called Olamot (worlds), since they Maalimim (conceal) the Creator’s Light from the creatures. The concealment in each world corresponds to the measure by which the creatures can receive the Light using the Masach.

When Behina Dalet received the Light of Ein Sof, she felt that the Light was coming from the Giver. The sensation of the Giver evoked such shame and agony in her that she decided never to be a receiver.

A decision in a Higher One becomes a binding law for all its subsequent states. Thus, even if a part ofMalchut does want to receive for itself, it will not be able to receive, since Malchut controls all its parts. Each new decision comes from the weakness of the degree; hence, each decision affects only the lower degrees.

Following Tzimtzum AlephReshimo of the Light and the Kli remained in Malchut. The Light returned to Malchut and wanted to fill it, since the Creator’s intention to delight the creature is constant. It is only this Thought of the Creator that operates in every act in Creation, even when it seems to us that reality is not in our favor.

Malchut, which stands at the Peh of the Rosh of the Partzuf, senses the Creator’s goal to benefit her, as in the example of the guest and the host. Malchut feels that if she does not receive from the Creator, she will not be giving Him anything. Hence, she decides to receive, so the Creator will enjoy her reception.

With the help of the Reshimot de Hitlabshut and de Aviut from the previous filling, Malchut can accurately calculate how much she can receive, not according to her desire to enjoy, but in order to delight the Creator.

The Reshimo de Hitlabshut is a Reshimo from the Light that was in Malchut. The Masach, on whichMalchut received that Light, has been purified. There was no power in the Masach to once again receive the same Light from which the Reshimo de Hitlabshut remained. Thus, the Rosh de Hitlabshutof the next Partzuf was born on the Reshimo de Hitlabshut. Afterwards, the Masach made a Zivug on the Reshimo de Aviut, begetting the second Rosh, called Rosh de Aviut, from which the Gufexpanded. This is the clothing of the Light in Malchut.

The part in which Malchut decides how much of the Upper Light she can receive in order to bestow is called Rosh. Following the decision in the RoshMalchut receives the amount of Light she has decided, within the Partzuf. This Light is called Taamim (flavors).

When the Light of Taamim completes its entrance to the Guf, the Masach that extended it stops the expansion of the Light into the Partzuf. The Masach does not allow the Light to continue entering, since Malchut’s decision is a decision on the maximum amount she can receive not in order to delight herself. If she receives more, it will be in order to receive pleasure for herself.

Hence, in a place where the Masach stops and does not receive anymore, Malchut senses once more the prompting of the Upper Light to receive it. This place is called Tabur (navel). If Malchut receives more Light, it will be for her own pleasure. Hence, she has no choice but to stop receiving Light altogether.

All decisions are made only at the Rosh of the Partzuf, and are then executed in the Guf. Here, too, following the decision in the Rosh to stop receiving, the Masach rises from Tabur to Peh and deports the Lights from the Guf of the Partzuf.

The Masach comes to the Peh with a Reshimo of the Light that filled the Partzuf, and a Reshimo of the Aviut that remained in the Masach. By the meeting of the Masach with the Upper Light at theRosh of the Partzuf, the desire to receive Light in order to bestow is reawakened in the Masach, which awaken Reshimot in it. The Masach makes a Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light and begets the next Partzuf.

There are two Masachim (plural for Masach) in each Partzuf: a Masach that rejects the Light, and aMasach that receives the Light. The Masach that rejects the Light always stands at the Peh of thePartzuf, repelling all the Light that wishes to penetrate the Partzuf, and thus meets the condition ofTzimtzum Aleph.

Once the first Masach repels all the Light and is certain that it will not receive for itself, but only with the aim to bestow upon the Creator, it activates the second Masach, which weighs how much of the Upper Light that comes to it can be received with the aim to bestow.

Following the decision, the Masach begins to receive Light. It descends from the Peh down, and following it, the Light enters the Partzuf. When the measure of Light within the Partzuf reaches the measure that the Masach of the Rosh had decided on, the Masach that descended to the Guf stops. This is so because the Masach of the Guf always follows orders and decisions made by the Masach of the Rosh. Thus, the next Partzuf is born out of the former.

The calculation is done at the Masach in the Rosh. But because its Aviut is less than in the previousPartzuf, the Masach descends to the Chazeh of the Partzuf, and does not stand at the Peh. This is because the Chazeh is the level of Aviut Gimel of the Guf, as opposed to the Peh, which is Dalet.

Hence, once the Masach rises from Tabur to Peh, where it receives a desire to make a new Zivug, it descends to the Chazeh and calculates how much to receive. That calculation begets the second Roshof the Partzuf. Following the decision, the Masach descends from the Peh down to the place it chose as the place through which it would receive Light. That place will become the Tabur of the nextPartzuf.

Below Tabur and through the Sium Raglin of the next Partzuf, there remain empty Kelim that theMasach does not fill due to absence of resistance power. The second Partzuf, and the rest of thePartzufim of the world of Adam Kadmon, cannot descend below Tabur of the first Partzuf, due to the absence of power in their Masach.

After the second PartzufAB de AK, emerged and received what it decided in the Rosh, on theMasach that descended into its Tabur, too, there was a Bitush of Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif. Here, too, the Masach understands that it cannot remain at the Tabur because it does not have the strength to receive more, and were it to remain in its state, it would not achieve the purpose of Creation.

Hence, the Masach of the second Partzuf, too, decides to purify, and rises to the Peh. Here, too, aReshimo remains in the Masach. When it reaches the Peh and is integrated in the Masach of the Peh, it reawakens to receive Light. The last Reshimo de Aviut, from Behina Gimel, disappears from theMasach, and Reshimo de Behina Bet appears. Hence, the Masach descends to the Chazeh, where it makes a Zivug de Hakaa for begetting the new Partzuf, called Partzuf SAG of AK.

Here, too, once Partzuf SAG emerged, its Masach de Guf is purified by the Bitush of Ohr Pnimi andOhr Makif on it. The Masach rises to the Peh, descends to the Chazeh, and begets the next Partzuf at the level of Aviut Aleph, called “Upper MA.”

When Partzuf Upper MA stops the expansion of the Light within it, it senses the Bitush of the Inner and Surrounding Lights within it, and decides to purify. It returns to the Peh with Aviut Shoresh, since the Masach no longer has the strength of Kashiut (hardness) to receive Light. It cannot beget aPartzuf, but only a Rosh, and thus stops the process of the birth of the Partzufim.

THE OVERALL REALITY

Following the TzimtzumMalchut decides to receive in order to bestow upon the Creator. This intention is called Masach (screen). Following, a sequence of Partzufim emerges on the Masach inMalchut:

  • Partzuf called Galgalta emerges on a Masach with the strength to receive Light on Aviut Dalet.
  • Partzuf called AB emerges on a Masach with the strength to receive Light on Aviut Gimel.
  • Partzuf called SAG emerges on a Masach with the strength to receive Light on Aviut Bet.
  • Partzuf called MA emerges on a Masach with the strength to receive Light on Aviut Aleph.
  • Partzuf called BON emerges on a Masach with the strength to receive Light on Aviut Shoresh.

The names of the Partzufim are determined by the quantity and quality of the Lights that fill them.Malchut emerged as Behina Dalet, meaning the fifth in the evolution of the Light of Atzmuto. Hence, she receives from the previous Behinot and contains them. For this reason, within Malchut de Ein Sof are five Behinot of the desire, from the smallest desire in Behinat Shoresh to the greatest desire inBehina Dalet, and she receives Light inside of her unboundedly.

After the TzimtzumMalchut decides to receive Light only in order to bestow upon the Creator. Reception in this manner is contrary to her natural desire; hence, she cannot receive unboundedly. She cannot receive all the Light at once, as before. Thus, she decides to receive all this Light in smaller portions. In the end, she will be completely filled and will achieve the purpose of Creation.

Each tiny part of Malchut is like the whole of Malchut, containing five parts of will to receive. This is so because there cannot be a desire if there are no four degrees of expansion of Lights preceding it.

For this reason, each Kli has a fixed structure, according to the five parts of AviutShoreshAlephBetGimel, and Dalet, called Sefirot KeterHochmaBinaZA, and Malchut, called Otiot Tip of the YodYodHeyVav, and Hey.

The whole of Malchut is divided into five main parts, called five worlds: AK (Adam Kadmon), AtzilutBeriaYetzira, and Assiya. Each world is divided into five PartzufimAtikAA(Arich Anpin), AVI (Aba ve Ima), ZA (Zeir Anpin), and Nukva (Malchut). Each Partzuf contains fiveSefirotKeterHochmaBinaZA, and Malchut.

The five worlds contain 5×5=25 Partzufim. Each Partzuf contains five Sefirot. Hence, in all the worlds there are 25×5=125 Sefirot or degrees each soul must experience, from this world to the world of Ein Sof, in order to achieve Dvekut with the Creator.

Each degree, Sefira (singular for Sefirot), Partzuf, world—a part of Malchut de Ein Sof, the smallest fraction of reality—comprises five parts of the will to receive, a Masach above it, and Light, which it receives through the Masach. Hence, the difference between all the parts of Creation is only in the measure of the will to receive and the Masach atop it. The measure of the Masach determines the kind and level of the implementation of the desire.

Our body contains the same parts. The difference between the parts is in their filling (stronger, smarter, or more skillful). Thus, the same parts exist in all the spiritual Partzufimthe tip of the YodYodHeyVavHey.

These letters are called “the name of the Creator,” since He created the creature in this pattern. The creature senses its Creator by the way it is filled with Light—the Creator—and ascribes names to the Creator accordingly.

The name of each Kli follows the extent to which the Kli senses the Creator. Hence, each degree bears its own name, from this world to the world of Ein Sof. The souls rise to attain the purpose of Creation, beginning with this world, which is the lowest degree. When a soul ascends to a certain degree, it means that it receives the Light in that degree. In other words, it fills its HaVaYaH with a certain filling of Light of HaVaYaH, which, along with the filling, creates the name of the degree.

It is written that everyone must come to be like Moses. This means that everyone must achieve the degree called “Moses.” All the names in the Torah are Holy Names, since they are depictions of the revelation of the Light, the Creator. Hence, the whole Torah is called “the names of the Creator,” including such names as Pharaoh, Balaam, Balak, etc.

The name of the degree is determined by the Light that fills the Partzuf, the HaVaYaH. For example, if the Kli is filled with Ohr Hochma, and the symbol of that Light is the letter Yod, the filling of the letters YodHeyVavHey is YodHey (a Yod in the Hey), Viv (a Yod in the Vav), Hey (a Yod in theHey).

This is because each letter in the Hebrew alphabet has its own number:

Aleph = 1 Zain = 7 Mem = 40 Kof = 100
Bet = 2 Het = 8 Nun = 50 Reish = 200
Gimel = 3 Tet =9 Sameh = 60 Shin = 300
Dalet = 4 Yod = 10 Ayin = 70 Tav = 400
Hey = 5 Chaf = 20 Peh = 80
Vav = 6 Lamed = 30 Tzadi = 90

Thus, if we sum up the letters in the name HaVaYaHYodHeyVavHey = Yod (10+6+4) + Hey(5+10) + Viv (6+10+6) + Hey (5+10) = 72, which is the letters AB (Ayin Bet). This is whyPartzuf Hochma is called AB.

Partzuf that receives Light of Hassadim is called SAG:

YodHeyVavHey = 63 = SAG (Samech Gimel).

This is how all the degrees in the whole of reality are named. Hence, to know the name of each degree, we need only know the names of each type of Light. Then, when we read the Torah, we will understand which spiritual actions and which places and degrees in the Upper Worlds are being discussed.

Then we will no longer mistakenly think that the Torah discusses anything below the spiritual world. We will not think that the Torah speaks of our corporeal lives, of history, or of how to manage ourselves in our material lives. Instead, we will know that all books of Torah are actually instructions telling us how to achieve the purpose of our lives while still living in this world, so we will not have to return to this world cycle-by-cycle and repeatedly suffer this vain, purposeless, and useless life.

Partzuf is ten SefirotKeterHochmaBinaZA, and Malchut

Partzuf in letters is Yod (Hochma), Hey (Bina), Vav (ZA), and Hey (Malchut).

But the level of a Partzuf—NefeshRuachNeshamaHayaYechida—is not explained by the nameHaVaYaH, since the letters HaVaYaH are ten Sefirot of the skeleton of the Kli. They clarify the state of the empty Kli, without fulfillment with the Upper Light. The level of the Kli, the spiritual degree of theKli, is determined by the measure of the Masach. The Masach fills the ten Sefirot of HaVaYaH with Lights. The Masach can fill the Kli with Light of NefeshRuachNeshamaHaya, or Yechida. The Light in the Kli determines the Kli’s degree on the ladder of degrees.

There are only two Lights in reality: Ohr Hochma (Light of Wisdom) and Ohr Hassadim (Light of Mercy). The symbol for Ohr Hochma is the letter Yod, and the symbol for Ohr Hassadim is the letterHey.

  1. The registration of the level of Yechida (Kli Keter) is simple HaVaYaH, without filling: YodHey,VavHey = 10+5+6+5 = 26.
  2. The registration of the level of Haya (Kli Hochma) is HaVaYaH filled with YodYodHeyVav,Hey = (10+6+4) + (5+10) + (6+10+6) + (5+10) = 72.
  3. The registration of the level of Neshama(Kli Bina) is HaVaYaH filled with Hey, except that the letter Vav is filled with Aleph, and the letter Hey is filled with YodYodHeyVavHey = (10+6+4) + (5+10) + (6+1+6) + (5+10) = 63.
  4. The registration of the level of Ruach (Kli ZA) is HaVaYaH filled with Hey, except that the letter Vav of HaVaYaH is filled with AlephYodHeVavHe = (10+6+4) + (5+1) + (6+1+6) + (5+1) = 45.
  5. The registration of the level of Nefesh (Kli Malchut) is HaVaYaH filled with Hey, except the letter Vav of HaVaYaH, which remains without filling: YodHhVvHh = (10+6+4) + (5+5) + (6+6) + (5+5) = 52.

This is the source of the names, ABSAGMABON.

NEKUDOT DE SAG

After Tzimtzum AlephMalchut decides to fill herself in order to bestow using the Reshimot that remained from the world of Ein Sof. Reception in order to bestow is against the creature’s nature. Hence, Malchut cannot instantaneously receive all the Upper Light that filled her in the world of Ein Sof, but only in small portions, called Partzufim. Thus, Malchut receives five portions of Light:GalgaltaABSAG, Upper MA, and Upper BON. This completes the exit of all the Reshimot in her, and the chain of expansion is stopped.

The third Partzuf to emerge is Partzuf SAG. Its nature is that of Bina, so it does not want to receive anything for itself; it “delights in mercy.” For this reason, this Partzuf can descend below Tabur de Galgalta and fill the end of Galgalta with its Lights.

Partzuf SAG emerged on Reshimot of Hitlabshut Gimel and Aviut Bet. Hence, there is illumination ofHochma in its Taamim. For this reason, the Taamim of SAG cannot descend below Tabur de Galgalta. But when Partzuf SAG begins to purify, the Ohr Hochma immediately vanishes, and as the Masach purifies from Tabur to PehPartzuf Nekudot de SAG emerges, and this Partzuf contains only Ohr Hassadim. Thus, this Partzuf can descend below Tabur de Galgalta and fill the Sof (end) of Galgalta with Ohr Hassadim.

The whole of reality emerges from Behinat Shoresh, the Creator’s desire to benefit His creatures. In accordance with this desire, the Light expands as a cause and effect sequence to execute the Thought of Creation within the Kli, so it will receive it.

In Behina Aleph, which is the whole of the Light and the Kli, there is the whole of the Creator’s intention to make a Kli and fill it with Light. Everything that emerges after emerges from it. Thus the thought of the Creator appears in actual fact. The Creator imprinted the possibility to bring Creation to its goal of rising to the degree of the Creator within the nature of the Kelim and the Lights, from the outset.

After Tzimtzum AlephMalchut de Ein Sof decided to receive through the Masach and generated fivePartzufimGalgaltaABSAG, Upper MA, and Upper BON. This completes the elicitation of all theReshimot, and exhausted the force of the Masach, although only part of Malchut was filled.

Had Nekudot de SAG not descended to fill the Sof of GalgaltaMalchut de Ein Sof would never have been filled. This is so because Malchut is only a desire to receive, without any mixture of desires to bestow. And here, when Nekudot de SAG—which are Bina—descend to the Sof of Galgalta—which isMalchut—it creates a mixture of Malchut with Bina. Thus, Malchut is given an opportunity to acquire the desire (Kli) for bestowal, to correct herself and be filled with Light.

Following Tzimtzum AlephMalchut de Ein Sof decided to receive only by means of a Masach, that is, according to her ability to receive in order to bestow. She makes a Zivug on Reshimot of Hitlabshut Dalet and Aviut Dalet, which remained in her after the Tzimtzum, and received a part of the Light ofEin Sof. The part of Malchut de Ein Sof that was filled by this Zivug is called Galgalta or Keter.

Subsequently, Malchut receives yet another share of the Light of Ein Sof, in order to bestow. The part of Malchut that was filled by this Zivug on the Masach with Reshimot of Hitlabshut Dalet and Aviut Gimel that remained after Galgalta is called AB, or Partzuf Hochma.

The part of Malchut de Ein Sof that was filled by the Zivug on the Reshimot in the next stage —Hitlabshut Gimel and Aviut Bet that remained after Partzuf AB—is called SAG, or Partzuf BinaPartzuf SAG is the same Malchut, will to receive, except it cannot receive in order to bestow, through theMasach, like Partzufim Galgalta and AB; it can only make itself similar to Behina BetBina.

By its nature, Bina does not want to receive Light; she wishes only to bestow. There are no limitations on the act of giving; hence, Partzuf SAG can fill with its Ohr Hassadim, the whole part ofMalchut that remained empty.

Bina comprises three parts:

  1. Expansion of Ohr Hochma.
  2. Bina’s decision that it does not want Ohr Hochma, but wishes only to bestow. This is why Ohr Hassadim spreads in this part.
  3. Bina receives some Ohr Hochma, but not for herself, to pass it on to Partzuf ZA.

The first part in Bina is still Hochma. Only from the second part in Bina does the desire to bestow begin to manifest. Hence, she can fill the part of Malchut de Ein Sof, the part where there is a desire to bestow with Ohr Hassadim, below the general Tabur, which has not yet been filled.

Partzuf SAG begins to receive Light in its Toch through a Zivug on Hitlabshut Gimel and Aviut Bet. The presence of Reshimo of Gimel de Hitlabshut induces the expansion of Ohr Hochma in its Taamim. For this reason, this part of Malchut cannot descend below Tabur de Galgalta.

But once Masach de SAG begins to purify and rises from Tabur to Peh, a part of the Partzuf, which is only Bina, can descend below Tabur de Galgalta. The Light that departs from Partzuf SAG can also descend below Tabur de Galgalta, since it is Ohr Hassadim, without Ohr Hochma.

For this reason, the part of Partzuf SAG, called Nekudot de SAG, which includes the second and third parts of Partzuf Bina, descends below Tabur de Galgalta and clothes over its Sof.

TZIMTZUM BET

Nekudot de SAG descended below Tabur de Galgalta and there filled the empty Kelim of Sof de Galgalta with Ohr Hassadim. They sensed that there are Reshimot from the Light that filled the Sof ofGalgalta prior to its Hizdakchut (purification) in Galgalta’s empty Kelim.

The Light that filled the Sof de Galgalta was Ohr Hassadim with a little bit of Hochma, and Reshimot remained there after the Hizdakchut of the MasachReshimo from the Light of Dalet de Hitlabshut, and Reshimo from the Masach on Gimel de Aviut. The Sof of Galgalta repelled the Light from spreading in it, like Bina, and in that, it became similar to Nekudot de SAG. Hence, Nekudot de SAGmingled with the Sof de Galgalta and filled her empty Kelim.

By mixing Nekudot de SAG with the Sof of Galgalta, they received Reshimot that remained in the Sofof Galgalta. The Reshimot from Galgalta were larger than the Masach of Nekudot de SAG, and in consequence, Nekudot de SAG began to want to receive the pleasure that was in Galgalta for themselves.

The rule is that if the pleasure being sensed in the will to receive is greater than the force of theMasach, the Kli wants it for itself, since the stronger one —Masach or desire—determines.

All the worlds and Partzufim are parts of Malchut de Ein Sof. This Malchut made a Tzimtzum and decided never to receive for herself. Hence, now that a desire to receive for itself appeared in Partzuf Nekudot de SAGMalchut that made the Tzimtzum Aleph rose and stood at the Sium of Galgalta, up to the place where Partzuf Nekudot de SAG stands. This is the place from which Nekudot de SAGbegan to want to receive the Light for themselves.

Each Partzuf contains ten SefirotKeterHochmaBinaHesedGevuraTifferetNetzahHodYesod,MalchutNekudot de SAG is Partzuf Bina, and Bina divides into two parts:

  1. Bina’s Upper parts are the Sefirot KeterHochmaBinaHesedGevuraTifferet. These Sefirot want only to give, and to not receive a thing.
  2. The bottom parts of Bina are the Sefirot NetzahHodYesodMalchut.

These Sefirot do not belong to Bina. Their role in Bina is to receive Ohr Hochma from Hochma, and pass it onto the lower one. This means that Sefirot NetzahHodYesod, and Malchut in Bina have a desire to receive Light. They have a Masach to receive the Light not for themselves, but only to pass it on to the lower one. But if the Masach is lost, the Sefirot—these desires—immediately want to receive it for themselves, without giving it to others.

Example: A certain person was used to receiving a regular sum of money and pass it to people who were destitute. All of a sudden, he received a much larger sum than usual, and felt that he could not deliver the money; he wanted it for himself. He could not resist such a great pleasure.

As long as the pleasure in the money was smaller than his Masach, he resisted the pleasures because the pleasure of giving the money was greater than the pleasure of delighting himself (stealing). But when the pleasure from reception became greater than the pleasure from giving, he immediately wanted to receive for himself.

This is how the will to receive operates in every person and in every creature because our very substance is the will to receive. If we perform acts of bestowal, it is only because they bring us more benefit than acts of reception.

This is also what happened in Partzuf Nekudot de SAG: When the part of the Partzuf that received in order to deliver to the lower ones was exposed to greater pleasure than the power of the Masach, theMasach was immediately cancelled and the Partzuf wanted to receive for itself.

The will to receive for self evoked in Partzuf Nekudot de SAG from the Sefira Tifferet downwards. This is so because Sefirot KeterHochmaBina are Sefirot of Rosh, which do not want to receive, andHesedGevuraTifferet are like Sefirot KeterHochmaBina, except they are in Guf of the Partzuf.Hesed is like KeterGevura is like Hochma, and Tifferet is like Bina. Thus, the Sefira Tifferet is Bina of the Guf of the Partzuf.

Each Sefira comprises ten internal Sefirot. Hence, the Sefira Tifferet is divided in its ten internalSefirot into two parts, like Bina:

1) Kelim that “do not receive ”—Sefirot KeterHochmaBinaHesedGevuraTifferet;

2) Kelim that “receive in order to bestow,” which are the lower part of BinaSefirot NetzahHod,YesodMalchut.

Partzuf Nekudot de SAG divides into vessels of bestowal and vessels of reception. The separating line between them is in the internal Sefira of Tifferet, of the Sefira Tifferet. This place is called “theChazeh of Partzuf Nekudot de SAG.”

Now, a part of the Kelim of Nekudot de SAG received a desire that was greater than their Masach; hence, Malchut de Tzimtzum Aleph, which maintains Tzimtzum Aleph, rose specifically to this place. It stood there and did not allow Light to permeate below it. The boundary on the expansion of Light that was made here is called Parsa.

Malchut’s ascent to the place of Chazeh of Nekudot de SAG, to limit the expansion of Light downwards, is called Tzimtzum Bet (second restriction). Tzimtzum Aleph (first restriction) is the ban on receiving Ohr Hochma in order to receive, and Tzimtzum Bet is a ban on any reception of Ohr Hochma, since there is no strength to receive Ohr Hochma in order to bestow from Partzuf Nekudot de SAG down. This is why any dealing with it is forbidden.

“A desire in the Upper One becomes a binding law in the lower one.” Hence, in all the Partzufim that emerge after Tzimtzum Bet, the Parsa in them does not allow the Upper Light —Ohr Hochma—to go through it and down to the vessels of reception. For this reason, the place below Tabur de Galgalta was divided into four parts:

  1. The place of the world of Atzilut, where Ohr Hochma can shine.
  2. The place of the world of Beria, under the Parsa, where Ohr Hochma cannot appear, but only Ohr Hassadim.
  3. The place of the world of Yetzira, below the place of the world of Beria.
  4. The place of the world of Assiya, below the place of the world of Yetzira.

The Sium (end) of the world of Assiya is also the end of Kedusha (holiness). Below the Kedusha there are (1) the barrier—the boundary between spirituality and corporeality, separating the world ofAssiya from the point of the world; (2) the place of this world; and (3) our world.

THE WORLD OF NEKUDIM

The whole process of the descent of Nekudot de SAG below Tabur de Galgalta, their mingling with theSof of Galgalta, and Tzimtzum Bet took place during the ascension of the Masach de SAG from Taburto Peh. Hence, when the Masach reached Peh de SAG, the Reshimot from all that had happened fromNekudot de SAG upwards and from Tabur de Galgalta downwards were already in it.

Following the Hizdakchut (purification) of Partzuf Galgalta, there remain a Reshimo de Hitlabshut Dalet of the Light that was in Galgalta and a Reshimo de Aviut Gimel of the remaining Masach. Following the Hizdakchut of Partzuf ABReshimot of Hitlabshut Gimel and Aviut Bet remained in theMasach. Thus, we see that after the Hizdakchut of the Partzuf, a pair of Reshimot remain in it:Reshimo de Hitlabshut and Reshimo de Aviut.

But following the Hizdakchut of Partzuf SAG, three pairs of Reshimot remained in the Masach that reached from Tabur to Peh, on which the Masach made three Zivugim, by order of importance:

1. A Zivug on Reshimot Bet de Hitlabshut and Aleph de Aviut from Taamim de SAG. They create aPartzuf at the level of ZA, above Tabur, called “Upper MA.”

2. A Zivug on Reshimot Bet de Hitlabshut and Aleph de Aviut from Nekudot de SAG that have spread below Tabur de Galgalta. These Reshimot are subsequent to Tzimtzum Bet that was made in Nekudot de SAG, below Tabur.

Everything that was in the Partzuf moves to the Reshimot. Hence, the prohibition on using the vessels of reception from Tzimtzum Bet is registered in the Reshimot from Nekudot de SAG. To keep this condition according to the demand of the Reshimot, the Masach de Rosh de SAG rises from Pehto Nikvey Eynaim, where it makes a Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light on Reshimot Bet de Hitlabshut and Aleph de Aviut.

The place at the Rosh where the Masach makes a Zivug de Hakaa with the Upper Light determines the uniqueness of the expansion of Lights in the Guf of the Partzuf.

3. A Zivug on Reshimot Dalet de Aviut and Gimel de Hitlabshut. This will be discussed later in the essay.

The Masach rose to Nikvey Eynaim (NE) due to the ban on reception of Light in the vessels of reception. The Light can only expand through the Chazeh in each Partzuf, since the vessels of bestowal are present only through the Chazeh, and from the Chazeh down begin the vessels of reception in the Partzuf.

The Masach that makes a Zivug on the restricted Reshimot begets a Partzuf. The Light spreads in thisPartzuf and fills only the vessels of bestowal. It does not fill the Kelim for the reception of the Light, and they remain empty. The Partzuf can use only a part of its Kelim, which is why it is considered “small.”

Question: Why does the Masach rise from Peh to Nikvey Eynaim and makes the Zivug there, according to the demand of the Reshimot?

Answer: This is so because the Reshimot require a Zivug only on the vessels of bestowal. For this reason, the Masach should rise to half of Bina de Rosh de SAG, where the vessels of bestowal of theRosh end, and make a Zivug on Reshimot Bet de Hitlabshut and Aleph de Aviut.

The Reshimot from below Tabur demand to extend Light only in vessels of bestowal, but how can aPartzuf be born only with vessels of bestowal? There cannot be a Partzuf that does not comprise tenSefirot. However, there can be a Partzuf that is not using some of its desires —Sefirot. Hence, Rosh de SAG must beget a Partzuf whose vessels of reception will be inactive. These Kelim in the Partzufare the bottom half of BinaZA, and Malchut.

The Masach of SAG must beget the Partzuf in such a way that, from the outset, it will not use the vessels of reception in its Toch, so these vessels in the Partzuf will not be filled. For this to happen, the Masach must make a Zivug for delivering the Partzuf, only with the vessels of bestowal in theRosh.

The Kelim of the Rosh are as follows:

Keter = Galgalta

Hochma = Eynaim

Bina = Awznaim

ZA = Hotem

Malchut = Peh

THE DIVISION OF ROSH DE SAG INTO FIVE BEHINOT

The KelimKeterHochma, and Upper half of Bina together are called Galgalta ve Eynaim (GE), or “vessels of bestowal.” The Upper half of Bina belongs to the vessels of bestowal since she is filled with Ohr Hochma, and hence does not want to receive anything, but craves Ohr Hassadim. But Bina’slower half does want to receive Light for ZAPartzuf Nekudot de SAG is Partzuf Bina. From the bottom half of Partzuf Bina, that is, from the Sefira Tifferet de Nekudot de SAG down, there are vessels of reception:

  • The bottom half of Bina wishes to receive Light for ZA.
  • ZA wishes to receive Ohr Hassadim in illumination of Ohr Hochma.
  • Malchut wishes to receive the full Ohr Hochma.

For this reason, this part of Partzuf Nekudot de SAG received a desire to receive in order to receive.

THE DIVISION OF PARTZUF NEKUDOT DE SAG INTO GE AND AHP

The place where the Masach de Rosh stands determines the shape of the Partzuf that will be born:

  • If the Masach wishes to beget a Partzuf that will receive Light in all of its ten Sefirot, it must make a Zivug in the Peh. Once the Masach stands at the Peh, the Kashiut (hardness) of the Masach determines the level of the Partzuf (size and height), that is, the extent to which the Masach will use its five Kelim.
  • If the Masach wishes to beget a Partzuf that will receive Light only in vessels of bestowal, that is, in only half of the Partzuf, it should stand at Nikvey Eynaim, and not at the Peh de Rosh, since there is the Upper half of the Rosh. Then the vessels of bestowal will be above the Masach, meaning they will be taken into the calculation of the Masach.

Once the Masach stands at Nikvey Eynaim, its Kashiut determines the size (height) of the Partzuf, that is, the percentage of its vessels of bestowal that the Partzuf will use. The Partzuf that is born under these conditions is called “Katnut of the world of Nekudim.”

Once a Zivug on the restricted Reshimot of Bet de Hitlabshut and Aleph de Aviut is made in Rosh de SAG, the newly born Partzuf descends to the place from which the Reshimot rose. It descends belowTabur de Galgalta and spreads there in Rosh and Guf. The Rosh de Hitlabshut is called KeterRosh de Aviut is called Aba ve Ima (AVI), and the Guf is called ZON.

Its structure contains Rosh and Guf, and each part in it is divided into two parts: GE and AHP:

  • GE are always vessels of bestowal. They can always be used because the Tzimtzum was only on Ohr Hochma.
  • AHP are always vessels of reception. Once Tzimtzum Bet was made in Partzuf Nekudot de SAG, no Partzuf that emerges has the strength to receive Ohr Hochma in the Kelim of AHP in order to bestow.

The third pair of Reshimot, which rose with the Masach to Rosh de SAG, are Reshimot that moved toNekudot de SAG from the Sof of GalgaltaDalet de Hitlabshut and Gimel de AviutPartzuf Nekudot de SAG was integrated with these Reshimot when it filled the Sof de Galgalta, and these Reshimot demand to receive Ohr Hochma.

After Partzuf Katnut of the world of Nekudim descended to its place, from Tabur de Galgalta throughParsaRosh de SAG gave it the remaining ReshimoDalet de Hitlabshut and Gimel de Aviut. By the demand of these Reshimot, the Masach that stood at Nikvey Eynaim de Rosh AVI descended to Peh de AVI, where it made a Zivug on Reshimot Dalet– Gimel. As a result of this ZivugOhr Hochma descended to the Guf, reached the Parsa, and went through it.

Rosh de AVI thought that according to the current awakening of Reshimot Dalet– Gimel, the vessels of reception below the Parsa could now receive in order to bestow. Hence, AVI made a Zivug onGadlut, that is, on Reshimot Dalet– Gimel. For this purpose, they joined the Kelim of GE with the AHPin their Rosh, as well as in their Guf, which are ZON, and Ohr Hochma expanded from them down toZON.

THE BIRTH OF A PARTZUF FROM THE UPPER ONE, PARTZUF KATNUT DE NEKUDIM, AND PARTZUF GADLUT DE NEKUDIM

The Roshim (plural for Rosh) of Keter and AVI have no knowledge that the Light of AB– SAG that came from above and gave strength to the Kli to shift from Katnut to Gadlut, could not descend below the Parsa. This is why the Parsa was not cancelled. When Ohr Hochma began to fill the Kelimbelow the Parsa, the Kelim began to break, since they remained in the will to receive in order to receive.

When Rosh of AVI made a Zivug on Reshimot of Dalet de Hitlabshut and Gimel de AviutOhr Hochma came out of them and entered the Guf of Nekudim. The Light extended through GE, wishing to go through the Parsa and enter the AHP of the Guf. At that time, the Kelim of AHP began to receive theOhr Hochma in order to receive. The Kelim of GE, which stand above the Parsa, joined the Kelim ofAHP below the Parsa into a single Guf. For this reason, the GE—vessels of bestowal—broke along with the AHP—vessels of reception.

The first Partzuf of Gadlut de Nekudim was made when Ohr Hochma came out of Peh de AVI and expanded through the Guf of Nekudim, which include GE and AHP. And it broke—(a) the Kelim de Guflost the Masach, and (b) they fell from their previous state, since they wanted to receive in order to receive.

As a result of the shattering, the Masach of the first Partzuf de GadlutPartzuf AVI, purified and rose with Reshimot Gimel– Bet that remained in it, to Peh de Rosh AVI. There, it made a Zivug de Hakaa on these Reshimot and generated the next Partzuf, whose Rosh is called YESHSUT. Once the Roshemerged, it calculated and produced a Guf.

Partzuf YESHSUT broke and died, too. Hence, the Masach purified and rose to the Peh of YESHSUT with the Reshimot Bet– Aleph. A Guf cannot emerge on these Reshimot, since there is not enoughAviut to receive Light.

Thus, we see that the two Partzufim that emerged, AVI and YESHSUT, broke. As each Partzuf purified, four Partzufim of Nekudot emerged. Thus, in all, eight Partzufim emerged, called “the eightMelachim” (kings), since Malchut, the will to receive in order to receive, governs them.

Each Partzuf comprises HaVaYaH, four parts. This is the structure of every creation. Each Partzuf contains its own ten Sefirot; hence, the total number of parts is 8x4x10=320. In Gematria, this number is called Shach (Shin + Chaf), since the letter Shin equals 300 and the letter Chaf equals 20.

The breaking occurred at all the Sefirot. All the Sefirot were mingled and integrated in one another, so each broken part comprised 320 parts. Hence, the whole work in the Tikkun (correction) is to sort out each of the parts of the broken Kelim.

The least broken of the 320 parts should be taken first, and then sort out the parts of Malchut that caused the breaking from among its broken pieces. In total, the 320 broken pieces are the nineSefirot of ZON de NekudimMalchut is the tenth part in these ten Sefirot, meaning that within the 320 parts are 32 parts of Malchut.

Sorting the parts of Malchut is done by the Ohr Hochma. When Ohr Hochma shines to all 320 broken pieces, it can only shine to the nine Sefirot, meaning to 288 (320-32) of the pieces, and not for the tenth Sefira, the 32 parts of Malchut. This is how the sorting is done.

Malchut is the only evil part, preventing us from entering spirituality. Our nature is to distance ourselves from the bad. This is why one comes to hate evil. Because in spirituality the separator is hatred, one is separated from this evil, the will to receive for oneself.

  • The 288 pieces that are fit for correction are called Rapach (Reish = 200 + Peh = 80 + Het = 8).
  • The 32 pieces unfit for correction are called Lev ha Even (stony heart). Lev is written with Lamed (30) and Bet (2). Thus Lamed (30) + Bet (2) = 32.

Therefore, after the sorting of the Lamed– Bet (32) Malchuts that are not to be used, the Rapach(288) broken pieces remain to be corrected. These are the broken pieces of the first nine Sefirot. Of those, the first ones to be sorted are the vessels of bestowal, GE. They comprise the ZON of the world of Atzilut.

As there are ten Sefirot in the Hitpashtut (expansion) of the Light in the Kli from Above downwards, there are also ten Sefirot in the thickness of the Kli. These come from the Hitkalelut (mingling) of theSefirot through the Ohr Hozer. The ten Sefirot at the thickness of the Partzuf are called:

Keter—Mocha

Hochma—Atzamot

Bina—Gidin

ZA—Bassar

Malchut—Or

Here, too, the law of Tzimtzum Bet applies just as in the Sefirot of the length.

THE WORLD OF TIKKUN (CORRECTION)

Following the shattering of the world of Nekudim, the Lights that filled Partzuf Gadlut de Nekudim departed to the Rosh of Partzuf Nekudim. The Reshimot that remained in the Masach rose to theRosh of Partzuf Nekudim, and then to Rosh de SAG. The Nitzotzin, parts of Ohr Hozer (pieces of the broken Masach), fell into the broken Kelim, which lost the Masach and returned to the will to receive in order to receive. It is considered that they fell to the place of BYA, below the Parsa.

The difference between the Hizdakchut of the Partzuf through the Bitush of Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif, and the Hizdakchut of the Partzuf through the shattering is that after the shattering, the Kelim must be mended first, and only then can Zivugim be made on them, to bear new Partzufim, meaning to fill them with Light.

The intention of the Rosh of the world of Nekudim was to receive all the Light of the purpose of Creation in order to bestow, by filling the whole Sof of Galgalta. Thus, it would achieve the complete filling of Malchut de Ein Sof. Hence, when the shattering of the vessels is corrected, it cforrects all the vessels of reception, so they work in order to bestow, and Gmar Tikkun (the end of correction) is achieved.

Yet, this will not make the whole of Malchut de Ein Sof corrected, but only a part of it, its Behinot ShoreshAlephBet, and Gimel, excluding Behina DaletBehina Dalet is the only creature. Behinot ShoreshAlephBet, and Gimel in it come from the Hitkalelut of the Upper nine in her, from the Creator’s influence on her, while a “creature” is a desire that is completely detached from the Creator and stands in its own right.

Only Behina Dalet in Behina Dalet is a will to receive in order to receive that feels independent. Hence, it is only she who restricts her will to receive. After the Tzimtzum, all the Partzufim and all the worlds emerge to fill desires ShoreshAlephBet, and Gimel in Behina Dalet, and not Behina Dalet inDalet.

But if what requires correction is Behina Dalet in Dalet, and not Behinot ShoreshAlephBet, andGimel in Dalet, why are Lights received in these desires? These desires are not the creature’s desires; they are the qualities of the Creator, the forces of the Creator. Using them, He guides the creature —Behina Dalet in Behina Dalet. These forces fill the spiritual worlds, except for Adam’s soul.

Behina Dalet herself, Adam’s soul, cannot really correct herself into receiving in order to bestow. Rather, the very correction of the creature is in examining all its qualities opposite all of the Creator’s qualities, and in all cases, preferring to be like the Creator. The creature does not use its own quality—the stony heart—but only the Upper nine, the 248 Behinot that it sorts out and elevates after the breaking, towards unity with the Creator.

All the Zivugim performed after Tzimtzum Aleph are made on these desires. The Partzufim, worlds, and everything within the worlds are born out of these Zivugim, and spread from Above downwards. All five worlds, with the five Partzufim in each world, become a ladder of degrees from the Creator—the Giver—to the creature—the receiver. The rungs of the ladder are measures of equivalence of desires between the creature and the Creator.

The cascading of the Partzufim and the worlds from Above downwards builds the degrees, which are like coverings over the Light of Ein Sof. Each Partzuf covers the Light and conceals it from thePartzufim below it, to the extent that it receives in order to bestow.

We can compare the Partzufim and the worlds to onion skins: round, encircling one another, and the more internal the skin, the more the Light is covered. Thus, the point of darkness is at the end of the ladder, in the middle of all these circles.

To allow the creature’s desire freedom of action, and for the creature to achieve equivalence with the Creator and cleave to Him out of free choice, and also, to enable the creature to develop and rise from its state to the degree of the Creator, the creature must be born in the middle point of all the worlds, the point of darkness. Also, the possibility of correcting its desire must be prepared for it, although due to the creature’s weakness, the correction is not instantaneous, but gradual.

For this purpose, a ladder of degrees has been prepared, with five worlds, five Partzufim in each world, and five Sefirot in each Partzuf. In total, there are 125 degrees from the creature’s initial state to its completion. Hence, the worlds have two roles:

  1. To gradually hide the Light of Ein Sof. This is done by the cascading of the worlds from Above downwards. This is why the degrees of concealment are called Olamot (worlds), from the word Haalama (concealment).
  2. Providing the creature (souls) with corrections with which they can climb the degrees of the worlds from below Upwards. Each degree it acquires is a Partzuf, created during the cascading from Above downwards. To climb the spiritual degrees, the creature must be assisted by the degree for which it aspires. When the creature is assisted by that degree, it uses this auxiliary force to acquire a Masach and rise to that stage. When the creature rises to that degree, it is given the name of that degree.

From this, we learn that all the worlds and what fills them are but a ladder prepared by the Creator for man’s ascension. When one climbs those degrees, all the souls rise along with him, since all the worlds and everything that fills these worlds is within us. Hence, other than the attaining individual, the creature, there is only the Creator!

Around us is only Simple, Upper Light, in complete rest. This means that the Creator’s intention is unchanging, and it is the same in all His Actions—to benefit man. A person feels the Creator only to the extent of one’s equivalence of qualities with the Creator’s quality of bestowal:

  • If qualities—desires, intentions—totally contradict those of the Creator, one does not feel the Creator. According to one’s sensation, a person calls that state “this world.”
  • If one succeeds in changing a certain quality and makes it somewhat similar to the Creator’s quality of bestowal, it is considered that that person has gone from the state of “this world” to the state of “the spiritual world.” Thus, one enters the first degree of the ladder of degrees towards nearing the Creator.

All the changes are only within man, in one’s vessels of reception. They depend on the measure of correction of one’s Masach within him. But other than man, there is only the Upper Light, where there are no changes. By obtaining a part of the Upper Light, one attains and feels a part of the Creator. And according to this feeling, one names the sensation of the Creator: “Merciful,” “Gracious,” “Terrible,” etc.

The whole of the Torah is only registrations of sensations of a person who attains spirituality, who approaches the Creator. It follows that the whole Torah is names of the Creator. This is why it is written that the whole Torah is His Holy Names. A person who attains the Torah attains a part of the Common Light. The degrees of attainment of Light are called by the names of the Sefirot (Partzufim, worlds) or by the Lights that one receives (NRNHY).

Besides man, there is only the Creator. Hence, anything each of us feels, thinks, and wants comes to us from the Creator. What each person in the world feels is only the Creator.

When the creature climbs from the lowest point, from which one begins to approach the Creator (the point of this world), to the time one achieves complete equivalence of form with the Creator (Gmar Tikkun), one traverses 620 degrees, called “the 613 Mitzvot of the Torah” and the “Seven Mitzvot of our great sages.”

Zivug with the Upper Light in the Masach is called a Mitzva. The Light that the attaining individual receives in one’s Kli is called Ohr Pnimi (Inner Light), or Ohr Taamim (Light of Flavors), or “Torah.” This is why Kabbalists tell everyone, “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

The creature, Behina Dalet in Behina Dalet, corrects its will to receive so it would receive in order to bestow. The Tikkun (correction) is not on the desire to receive itself, but on how it is used—with the aim to bestow. That Tikkun, placing the aim to bestow, is made on small portions of the creature’s desire, from the smallest part to the largest, and not on all of it. By that, the creature rises from degree to degree on the ladder of degrees. The worlds are degrees on which one ascends from below Upwards.

The Tikkun of the will to receive, to receive only in order to bestow, is a very difficult Tikkun, since it is opposite to the intention. It is opposite to the creature’s nature. Hence, the Creator divided the whole way into 613 small degrees, and split the creature itself into 600,000 small pieces, called “souls.” When all the souls unite, they are called “the common soul” or Adam ha Rishon (the first man).

But the correction work begins even before that, in a lower state, called “our world,” where all the parts of Creation exist in a reality where there is no Creator and no spirituality. They do not even feel that they lack the sensation of absence of knowledge of the Creator. Everyone is born in this degree, which is only a will to receive the pleasures available to our five senses.

The whole world is led by the Creator’s commandments. This leadership is called “nature,” since the desire to receive pleasure in each of the states—still, vegetative, animate, and speaking—necessarily determines every reaction. This is so because the law is that every creature always chooses the greatest pleasure and escapes suffering.

In each generation, there are people in whom the Creator “plants” a point in the heart—a desire to feel the Creator. Such a person begins to seek fulfillment for this new desire in him, not knowing that it is a desire for the Creator and that it can be filled only with the Upper Light.

The Partzufim that emerged after the breaking are called “the world of Tikkun.” Everything that happens must appear in Creation and is necessary for the development of the creature, so it can obtain the perfection of the Creator’s actions and enjoy what the Creator has prepared for it.

Hence, both the breaking in the world of Nekudim, called “the breaking in the worlds,” and the breaking in Adam ha Rishon, called “the breaking in the souls,” were preordained. In the breaking of the world of Nekudim, vessels of reception mingled with vessels of bestowal. The broken parts are in such a mixture that each of them is included in all the others. Thus, each of the 320 pieces (desires) contains all the others within it. As a result, 1) the vessels of reception will be corrected due to the mingling with the vessels of bestowal, and 2) NRNHY Lights will appear in each desire (instead of the Light of Nefesh, which was there previously).

Without the mixture, obtained by the breaking, the vessels of reception would have no way of receiving Light, since the Parsa would separate them from the place in which the Upper Light could begin to spread. But now, after the breaking, they can be elevated to Atzilut (raised AHP) and be filled there.

The breaking in the world of Nekudim is called “the breaking of the worlds,” since Malchut de Ein Sof comprises five parts. Four of them beget the worlds and everything within them, as they spread from Above downwards. They contain the whole of Creation besides man, who was created from Behina Dalet in Dalet, from Malchut’s last part—the actual, independent will to receive, completely detached from the Creator’s desire to bestow.

Hence, only man is the purpose and the goal of Creation. Besides him, the rest of the parts of Creation are not independent. They belong to the Creator’s desire, since the Creator determines their conduct, as the still, vegetative, and animate exist in our world.

In our world, man’s desire is not essentially different from that of animals. Only a person in whom the desire for the Creator emerged (a part of the desire of Adam ha Rishon) is called “Adam” (Man). A person with such a desire can correct it by acquiring a Masach and achieving the desire to bestow. And if no such desire appears in a person, one has nothing to correct and such a person feels no inclination to draw near to the Creator.

The whole of reality in this world is divided into the four parts of Creation: still, vegetative, animate, and speaking, according to the measure of the will to receive, and hence according to the measure of the beneficial and detrimental powers.

A person in this world must undergo four stages of development: still, vegetative, animate, and speaking, to develop and intensify the desire to receive in him, until the Creator “plants” the point in him, meaning the desire for the Creator, to reach the goal. For this reason, for millennia, humanity has been pulverized under nature’s press—the evolution of the will to receive from the “still” degree through the “speaking” degree. This is the evolution of the generations we know.

The whole of humanity, and each soul—from generation to generation—undergo four stages of development of the will to receive:

  1. Plebs: The “still” in the human species. Through a propensity for wealth, they develop into the degree of “wealthy.”
  2. Wealthy: The “vegetative” in the human species. Through a propensity for honor (power), they develop into the degree of “strong.”
  3. Strong: The “animate” in the human species. Through a propensity for knowledge, they develop into the degree of “knowledgeable.”
  4. Knowledgeable: The “speaking” in the human species. In the speaking in man, the desire is unlimited by time or place. A person is envious of people who lived in previous generations, in things one has no need for, but that others have and he does not. Hence, he can increase his will to receive, since he wants what he sees in others. Thus, one can enhance one’s will to receive unboundedly, and this makes one a suitable candidate for achieving the purpose of Creation.
  5. If the Creator plants a point in the heart in this “speaking,” such a person begins to awaken toward the goal and seeks the root of one’s soul.

The order of corrections from Above downwards is as follows:

  • Receiving in order to receive—exists in our world.
  • Bestowing in order to receive—exists in our world.
  • Bestowing in order to bestow—exists in the worlds BYA.
  • Receiving in order to bestow—exists in the world of Atzilut.

The whole system of Creation achieves Gmar Tikkun only through the world of Atzilut. This is why the world of Atzilut is called “the world of Tikkun” (the world of correction).

THE WORLD OF ATZILUT

Following the breaking, the Masach purified and rose with the Reshimot to the Rosh of AVI de Nekudim. The Reshimot in the Masach demand correction so a Zivug can be made on them for reception of the Light. But the Rosh of AVI de Nekudim returned to the state of Katnut and could not do it. Hence, the Masach rose to the Rosh of the Higher PartzufRosh de SAG.

There is no difference between a Masach that is purified by the Bitush of its internal and surrounding Lights and a Masach that is purified by the breaking. Even after the breaking, Reshimot remain in theMasach and demand to be filled:

  • Restricted Reshimot de Hitlabshut Aleph and Shoresh de Aviut that remained from Partzuf Nekudim;
  • Reshimot Dalet de Hitlabshut and Gimel de Aviut from the Sof of Partzuf Galgalta.

The restricted Reshimot Aleph de Hitlabshut and Shoresh de Aviut come from Partzuf Nekudim itself. Hence, the Masach makes the first Zivug on them. After a Partzuf is born on them, the Masach will provide for the demands of Reshimot Dalet– Gimel that caused the elicitation of the Gadlut of thePartzuf. Hence, once the Masach rose to Rosh de SAG, it rose according to the restricted Reshimo de Aviut Shoresh, to Bina of Keter de Rosh SAG.

The five Behinot of the Rosh are called:

Keter—Galgalta—Aviut de Shoresh

Hochma—Eynaim—Aviut Aleph

Bina—Awznaim—Aviut Bet

ZA—Hotem—Aviut Gimel

Malchut—Peh—Aviut Dalet

In each of the Sefirot in the Rosh are five particular SefirotKeterHochmaBinaZAMalchut. TheReshimo of restricted Aviut de Shoresh demands a Zivug only on the vessels of bestowal in Aviut Shoresh. The Reshimo demands that a Partzuf will be born, which works only with vessels of bestowal, GEde Aviut Shoresh. Hence, the Masach that begets this Partzuf must make a Zivug only on the vessels of bestowal of Aviut de Shoresh at the Rosh.

Accordingly, the Masach rises from the Peh to the Sefira Keter de Rosh de SAG, and from there Higher still, to Bina de Keter, standing after the Sefirot KHB HGT de Keter. It follows that Above theMasach there are only vessels of bestowal of Keter, meaning Aviut Shoresh. The place where theMasach stands is called Metzach (forehead).

The Partzuf, born out of the Zivug on the Reshimo of the restricted Aviut de Shoresh, is called Ubar(fetus). In spirituality, there cannot be less than this degree. Put differently, this is the minimal spiritual degree. After its birth, the newly born Partzuf descends to the place from which theReshimot rose, below Tabur de Galgalta, and spreads there from Tabur down.

After the Partzuf Ubar spreads into its place, Reshimot Dalet de Hitlabshut and Gimel de Aviut (from the Sof of Galgalta) awaken in it. The Gadlut of the Partzuf emerges on these Reshimot: the Masach makes a Zivug with the Upper Light on Reshimot Dalet– Gimel, and the level of Gadlut spreads fromTabur de Galgalta through Parsa. This Partzuf is called Atik, since it is Ne’etak (detached) from the attainment of the lower ones (souls).

Partzuf Atik is the first Partzuf in a new series of five Partzufim, called “the world of Atzilut.” Hence,Partzuf Atik is the Keter of the world of Atzilut.

After Partzuf Atik emerged in GadlutRosh de SAG gave it all the Reshimot that rose to it after the breaking. Of all the ReshimotAtik chose the purest Reshimo, made a Zivug on it, and generated the next Partzuf, first creating it at the Ubar level and then making a Zivug on Gadlut (Dalet– Gimel). ThisPartzuf expanded from Peh de Atik through Parsa, and it is called Partzuf Hochma, or Arich Anpin (AA).

Once Gadlut de Partzuf AA emerges, Atik gives it all the remaining Reshimot, from the ones that rose to Rosh de SAG after the breaking. Of those, AA chooses the purest, makes a Zivug on them, and this generates Partzuf Bina of the world of Atzilut, first at the Ubar level and finally in Gadlut. ThisPartzuf spreads from Peh de AA to Tabur de AA. It is called Aba ve Ima (AVI).

After Partzuf AVI emerges in GadlutAA gives it all the remaining Reshimot. Of the Reshimot that AAgave it, AVI chooses the purest Reshimot and makes a Zivug on them, thus generating Partzuf ZA of the world of Atzilut. Here, for the first time, there are three states: UbarKatnut (infancy, smallness), and Gadlut (maturity, greatness). Partzuf ZA takes its place from Tabur of AA through the Parsa.

Once Partzuf ZA emerges, AVI gives it all the remaining ReshimotZA makes a Zivug on them and generates Malchut of the world of Atzilut. This completes the Zivugim that can emerge on theReshimot that rose to Rosh de SAG following the breaking of the vessels.

The constant state of Atzilut is Katnut—GE—vessels of bestowal. There cannot be less than that in it. In this state, it precisely matches the Katnut of the world of Nekudim, prior to the breaking. However, the world of Atzilut emerged in order to bring the whole of Creation to Gmar Tikkun, soMalchut de Ein Sof would be filled with the Light of Ein Sof with the aim to bestow. And this has not yet been achieved.

In the breaking, the vessels of reception were mixed with the vessels of bestowal. Hence, four discernments were made in each Kli:

  1. Vessels of bestowal.
  2. Vessels of bestowal within vessels of reception.
  3. Vessels of reception within vessels of bestowal.
  4. Vessels of reception.

First sorting: Vessels of bestowal are sorted out from the mixture and constitute the Katnut of the world of Atzilut.

Second sorting: Vessels of bestowal within vessels of reception are sorted out from the mixture and comprise the worlds BYA. These worlds are vessels of bestowal, GE, like the world of Atzilut, but they remain contained in the AHP, the vessels of reception. For themselves, these are vessels of bestowal; hence, Light can spread within them.

Thus, once the world of Atzilut emerged, Malchut of the world of Atzilut rose to AVI and made a Zivugon the vessels of bestowal within the vessels of reception. She generated the world of Beria, then the world of Yetzira, and finally, the world of Assiya.

  • The world of Beria emerged in the Zivug on GE that are in vessels of reception of Aviut Bet.
  • The world of Yetzira emerged in the Zivug on GE that are in vessels of reception of Aviut Gimel.
  • The world of Assiya emerged in the Zivug on GE that are in vessels of reception of Aviut Dalet.

Third sorting: Vessels of reception within vessels of bestowal are sorted out from the mixture. This sorting and correction is done by souls of people. They sort out these Kelim and elevate them above the Parsa to the world of Atzilut. This work is called “awakening from below,” since it is done by the souls. The broken Kelim that rise to Atzilut are called “raised AHP.”

Fourth sorting: Vessels of reception that were not mingled with vessels of bestowal are examined, verifying that they remained in their qualities, and are hence banned from being used. These Kelimare called Klipot (shells), or Lev ha Even (stony heart), since they cannot be corrected until Gmar Tikkun.

THE WORLDS BYA

The Zivug for begetting the world of Beria was made in Bina de Atzilut. Hence, the world of Beriaexpands in the place of ZA de Atzilut.

The world of Yetzira, born after the world of Beria, expands from it down in the place of Malchut de AtzilutPartzuf Malchut de Atzilut clothes only the four Sefirot NHYM of Partzuf ZA. Thus, only the first four Sefirot of Partzuf Malchut—KHB and Hesed—are in Atzilut, opposite the four Sefirot NHYM de ZA. The Sefirot GevuraTifferet, and NHYM de Partzuf Malchut are below the Parsa.

Therefore, when the world of Yetzira was born, its first four Sefirot clothed the first four Sefirot ofMalchut, while its last six Sefirot clothed in the place of the first six Sefirot of the place of BYA.

The place of BYA comprises thirty Sefirot. In the future, after the sin of Adam ha Rishon, the worldsBYA will fall into this place. The place where the last six Sefirot of the world of Yetzira end is called“Chazeh of the place of the world of Beria.” This is where Chazeh de Beria will be after the sin ofAdam ha Rishon.

After the world of Yetzira was born and expanded to its place, Malchut de Atzilut generated the world of Assiya, which spreads below the world of Yetzira from the Chazeh of the place of the world of Beriato the Chazeh of the place of the world of Yetzira.

The Chazeh of the place of the world of Yetzira is called “Chazeh of the place of the worlds BYA.” This is the place where the expansion of the worlds BYA ends. Below the Chazeh of the place of the world of Yetzira, it is empty of Light. This place, from the Chazeh of the place of BYA downwards through the Sium, is the place of the Klipot, called Mador ha Klipot (the shell section). Below it is a place called “the point of this world.”

In spirituality, a “place” means a “desire.” The point of this world is a desire to receive (enjoy) in order to receive (for oneself), a desire to enjoy pleasures in dresses of this world: sex, honor, power, envy. The Klipot are considered Higher, since they wish to receive pleasure from the Creator, which corresponds to Kedusha (holiness).

The wisdom of Kabbalah always speaks from the perspective of the perceiving individual. Hence, one who perceives that his desires are only to receive in order to receive, and not to bestow, can be said to have attained, that he is in a state called “this world.” But one who did not attain that all his desires are to receive in order to receive is not in this place (desire). Such a person is lower down (before this revelation), in a place (desire) called “our world,” where people are unaware (of their desires), and do not feel their unawareness.

The whole of humanity is at the degree of “our world,” unaware. From this degree, the desire to receive begins to develop in a person. Evolution occurs by nature’s prompting everyone towards correction by the force of harsh judgment.

The entire history of humanity is a generation-by-generation evolution of the will to receive by three elements: pride, honor, and envy. Suffering brings man, and humanity as a whole, to the decision to exit the will to receive, since it is the reason for all suffering.

Those whose will to receive has developed sufficiently receive a drive from Above to want what is beyond this world. Following this drive, a person begins to search for a source of pleasure that will fill the new desire, until one finds the right teacher. This search may take years, or even more than one lifetime, but if the Creator brings a person to a place where Kabbalah is being taught, as it happened with me (Michael Laitman), it is a sign that you are given an opportunity from Above to correct your soul and reach the goal.

THE STATES OF THE PARTZUFIM IN THE WORLDS ABYA

Adam ha Rishon

Adam ha Rishon is a separate entity from everything that preceded it. He is the only one that was created from Malchut de Ein Sof; hence, he is the only one who merits the title, “creature.” He, too, was generated by Malchut de Atzilut, which rose to AVI. She procreated Partzuf Adam ha Rishon, just as she procreated the worlds BYA, and for this reason, Adam ha Rishon is always within the worlds BYA.

When the worlds BYA were born, they stood from AVI through the Chazeh of the place of the world of Yetzira. When Adam ha Rishon was born, he was within them at the level of all three worlds BYA, receiving the Lights NRN from BYAAdam ha Rishon received additional Lights, NRN de Atzilut, since BYA were in Atzilut.

The state of the worlds when Adam ha Rishon was born is called “eve of Shabbat.” Afterwards, through an awakening from Above, the worlds rose the first ascension, one degree Higher—ten Sefirot—along with Adam ha Rishon, so the Sium of the worlds BYA, with Adam ha Rishon within them, rose to the Chazeh of the place of the world of Beria.

In that state, Adam ha Rishon wanted to receive all the Lights in order to bestow, as in the state that preceded the breaking of the vessels in the world of Nekudim. There, in NekudimRosh de AVI did not understand that the part of ZON did not have Tikkun Kavim (correction of lines); hence, they gave the Light of Gadlut and ZON broke.

The same occurred here with Adam ha Rishon: there was no understanding that a shattering would occur. But after the first time he mistakenly received in order to receive, he wanted to receive again, this time deliberately. He could no longer stop himself from enjoying.

As a result, Klipot were born of this breakage, desires to receive in order to receive. Also, the worlds BYA descended below the Parsa, to their constant state, from Parsa to the general Sium. It is called “the constant state” because the worlds BYA cannot be in a lower state than that. But they are not “permanently” fixed to that place; they can rise and descend to their constant place.

Besides the decline of the worlds BYA to their constant place, a result of the shattering of Partzuf Adam ha Rishon, the impure BYA were born. These are three worlds that contain the deficiencies in BYA and stand opposite BYA. Hence, BYA, which are clean of desires to receive in order to receive, are called “the pure BYA” and their corresponding deficiencies are called “impure BYA.”

The three impure worlds are called:

  • Esh Mitlakachat (blazing fire)—corresponding to the world of Beria.
  • Anan Gadol (great cloud)—corresponding to the world of Yetzira.
  • Ruach Se’ara (stormy wind)—corresponding to the world of Assiya.

After the sin, Partzuf Adam ha Rishon was broken into 600,000 pieces. The shattering continued deeper into the broken pieces (additional breakages are referred to in the Torah as “the killing of Abel,” “the generation of the flood,” the generation of Babylon,” etc.).

Finally, all the pieces in his Partzuf remained only in their will to receive in order to receive, with the spark of Light that was in it. These pieces, the desires with the sparks in them, clothe people in our world and prompt them to awaken towards spirituality, to the Light, the Creator. Thus, we are made to come into a group of people who are studying Kabbalah, learning the method by which to achieve the goal.

There is yet another Klipa (singular for Klipot): Klipat (Klipa of) Noga. These are desires mixed of good and evil. “Mixed” means they receive Light in their good part and transfer it to their bad part, too. The Tikkun of the whole of reality focuses on the Tikkun of Klipat Noga—detaching it from the three impure Klipot (Ruach Se’ara, Anan Gadol, and Esh Mitlakachat), to which it is tied in its evil part, and joining its good part to Kedusha, to Atzilut.

The Ascension of the Worlds

The worlds’ real place is that of the second state, prior to the sin:

  • ZA in the place of AA;
  • Malchut in the place of AVI;
  • Beria in the place of YESHSUT;
  • Yetzira in the place of ZA.
  • The first four Sefirot of the world of Assiya in the place of the first four Sefirot of Nukva de Atzilut, clothing TNHYM of the world of Yetzira;
  • The last six Sefirot of the world of Assiya in the place of the six Sefirot of the world of Beria, below the Parsa;
  • The first six Sefirot of the place of the world of Beria, meaning the place from Parsa to Chazehof the place of the world of Beria, is called “outskirts of the city,” since they belong to the world of Atzilut, which is called “a city.” Also, Parsa is called “the wall of the city.”
  • There are twenty-four Sefirot from the Chazeh of the place of the world of Beria through the general Sium. This is a void that is empty of Light.
  • The sixteen Sefirot from Parsa to Chazeh de Yetzira are called “Shabbat zone.” It contains the “outskirts of the city,” plus ten Sefirot from Chazeh de Beria to Chazeh de Yetzira. Each tenSefirot are called 2,000 Amma (about ¾ of a yard). Hence, the whole place of the worlds BYAis called 6,000 Amma or 6,000 years of the life of the world.
  • The fourteen Sefirot from Chazeh de Yetzira through the general Sium are called “the shell section.” This is where the Klipot were prior to the sin of Adam ha Rishon. But after the sin, they became the four impure worlds ABYA.

THE SEQUENCE OF CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCE

Four Behinot (stages) of Ohr Yashar:

  • Behinat Shoresh: Light emits from Atzmuto—His desire to do good to His creations. As a result of His desire to benefit, He creates Behina Aleph, the will to receive, the desire to enjoy the Light.
  • Behina AlephOnce she feels she is receiving, she decides that she does not want to receive. This new desire is Behina Bet.
  • Behina BetOnce she is completely emptied of Ohr HochmaBehina Bet feels its absence and decides that she wants to receive some Ohr Hochma within the Ohr Hassadim. This is Behina Gimel.
  • Behina Gimel: At its end, when she receives Ohr Hochma as well as Ohr HassadimBehina Gimel decides that she wants to receive all the Light. This is Behina Dalet, called Malchut, since she is governed by the will to receive. She feels the desire to receive Light, the same as in Behina Aleph, but with an addition. This additional desire is a new Kli, called “craving.” Malchutsenses that her desire is an independent one, which comes from her.
  • Behina Dalet: She receives all the Light without limitations, hence her title, “the world of Ein Sof.”

Tzimtzum AlephBehina Dalet makes the Tzimtzum Aleph. The restricted Behina Dalet is called “the world of Tzimtzum.”

The work of the MasachBehina DaletMalchut, decides to receive Light in the desires to bestow, her Behinot ShoreshAlephBet, and Gimel, and not in her Behina Dalet, which is a pure desire to receive.

Partzuf Galgalta: Through the Masach with Reshimot Dalet de Hitlabshut and Dalet de Aviut,Malchut makes a Zivug with the Upper Light, which parted due to the Tzimtzum. In the Zivug with the Light, the Masach decides how much Light it will receive into Malchut.

Following the decision, the Masach descends to the Guf with the amount of Light it had decided to receive. The Lights that enter the Partzuf are called Taamim. The place in which the Masach stops descending and limits the reception of Light is called Tabur.

The Light that enters the Partzuf is called Ohr Pnimi (Inner Light). The general Light that remained outside the Kli is called Ohr Makif (Surrounding Light). Subsequently, a Bitush (beating) between theOhr Pnimi and Ohr Makif occurs on the Masach that stands at the Tabur, since they both wish to cancel the limitation on the reception.

The Masach decides to not use the Reshimot de Aviut Dalet and purify. It rises from Tabur to Peh and the Ohr Pnimi departs the Partzuf. The departing Lights are called Nekudot (points). The wholePartzuf, from the Zivug at the Rosh to the end of its Hizdakchut, is called Partzuf Galgalta.

Partzuf AB: The Masach de Guf de Galgalta that rose to Peh de Rosh de Galgalta is integrated in the perpetual Zivug at the Masach in the Peh. The encounter between the Masach and the Upper Light at the Rosh causes the Masach to want to receive a part of the Light in the Rosh, but according to theReshimot in it, Dalet de Hitlabshut and Gimel de Aviut. The last Reshimo de Aviut (for extension of Light) vanishes, a result of the decision to depart from reception.

The Masach descends to Chazeh de Galgalta, according to Reshimo Gimel de Aviut, and makes aZivug on Reshimot Dalet de Hitlabshut and Gimel de Aviut. This is the place of the Peh of the nextPartzuf. After the Zivug, the Masach descends from the Peh down to the Tabur of the new Partzuf, and the Lights of Taamim enter the Toch.

Subsequently, there is a Bitush of Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif on the Masach at the Tabur, to cancel the limitation of the Masach. The Masach decides to purify, the Reshimo of Aviut Gimel disappears, and the Masach rises from Tabur to Peh. The departing Lights are called Nekudot de AB.

Partzuf SAG: When the Masach comes to the Peh, it is integrated in the perpetual Zivug with the Upper Light that exists there, and wishes to receive a part of the Light that is in the Rosh. Hence, theMasach descends to Chazeh de Partzuf AB, according to the Reshimo, and there makes a Zivug with the Light on Reshimot Gimel de Hitlabshut and Bet de Aviut. It receives Light and stops at the place it determined in the Rosh— Tabur. An immediate Bitush of Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif is applied to theMasach, as they want to cancel the limitation on the reception that the Masach de Toch creates. TheMasach decides to purify and rises to the Peh.

Nekudot de SAG: The Lights, which emerge during the Hizdakchut of the Masach, are calledNekudotNekudot de SAG are Bet de Hitlabshut and Bet de Aviut. This is Bina’s quality. These Lights can appear anywhere (any desire). For this reason, the Lights of Nekudot descend below Tabur de Galgalta and fill the Sof de Galgalta.

Sof de Galgalta and Nekudot de SAG mingle and Partzuf Nekudot de SAG, which is Partzuf Bina, divides into GAR de Bina and ZAT de BinaZAT de Bina, being vessels of reception, are affected by the Reshimot at the Sof de Galgalta and want to receive those Lights in order to receive. This is so because the force of the Masach de Nekudot de SAG is Bet de Aviut, and the Reshimot at the Sof de Galgalta are Dalet– Gimel, more than the resistance power in the Masach.

Hence, a desire to receive in order to receive is formed from the Chazeh de Nekudot de SAGdownwards. This forces Malchut, which performed Tzimtzum Aleph, to rise from Sium de Galgalta to the place of Chazeh de Nekudot de SAG and limit the expansion of the Light so it reaches only theChazeh.

All the processes at Nekudot de SAG unfold during the ascension of the Masach de Guf de SAG fromTabur de SAG to its Rosh, except that Reshimot from Tzimtzum Bet and from Sof de Galgalta were added to it.

Tzimtzum Bet (second restriction): The ascension of Malchut de Tzimtzum Aleph to Chazeh de Nekudot de SAG is called Tzimtzum Bet.

MA and BON above Tabur de Galgalta: When the Masach de Guf de SAG reaches the Peh, it makes a Zivug on Reshimot Bet de Hitlabshut and Aleph de Aviut that remained of the Lights ofTaamim de SAG Above Tabur, generating Partzuf Upper MA, from Peh de SAG through Tabur de Galgalta. After the Hizdakchut of Partzuf Upper MAPartzuf Upper BON is born from it, from Peh de MA through Tabur de Galgalta.

The World of Nekudim (Katnut): When Masach de Guf de SAG purifies and rises to Peh de SAG, it wishes to make a Zivug on the Reshimot in it (Bet de Hitlabshut and Aleph de Aviut from below Tabur de Galgalta). It ascends, following the demand of the Reshimot, from Peh to Nikvey Eynaim(NEde Rosh de SAG, since Reshimot Bet– Aleph are restricted, demanding to receive Light only in vessels of bestowal.

Hence, the Masach stands below the vessels of bestowal in the Rosh, below Keter and Hochma at theRosh de SAG. The Masach always makes a Zivug only on the Behinot Rosh that are above it. For this reason, it stands at the Rosh, the place from which it wishes to receive Light into the Guf.

After the Zivug, the Masach actively passes to the Guf what it had received in the Rosh in potential. The Light spreads to the place from which the restricted Reshimot Bet– Aleph rose, meaning from below Tabur de Galgalta. This Partzuf is called Partzuf Nekudim, since it emerged on Reshimot fromNekudot de SAG.

This Partzuf includes:

  • Rosh de Hitlabshut, called Keter;
  • Rosh de Aviut, called Aba ve Ima (AVI);
  • Guf, called ZON (Zeir Anpin and Nukva).

In each of them, only the vessels of bestowal are active; their vessels of reception are concealed (within them).

Gadlut of the world of Nekudim: After the elicitation of the Katnut of the world of Nekudim, theMasach in Rosh de SAG descended, following the demand of Reshimot Dalet de Hitlabshut and Gimel de Aviut, into the Peh de SAG, and made a Zivug. As a result of this ZivugOhr Hochma came to theRosh of Keter de Nekudim and to Aba of Rosh AVI.

Ima is Bina, which does not want to receive Ohr Hochma except by ZON’s request. Ohr Hochma shines from Rosh de Nekudim to Sof de Galgalta, and from there comes a request—through ZON de Nekudim—to ask AVI for GadlutOhr Hochma. When ZON ask of AVI, they mate and bring ZON Ohr Hochma.

The breaking of the vesselsOhr Hochma spreads from Rosh de AVI into ZON, through the GE ofZON and to the Parsa. When the Light wishes to cross the Parsa and fill the Kelim of AHP de ZON, it encounters the will to receive and departs Upwards. The Kelim GE and AHP break and 320 broken pieces fall below the Parsa.

In the breaking, the vessels of bestowal (GE) mix with the vessels of reception (AHP); hence, in each broken piece there are four types of Kelim:

  1. GE—which formed GE de ZON de Atzilut;
  2. Hitkalelut of GE in AHP—which formed the worlds BYA;
  3. Hitkalelut of AHP in GE—which formed the raised AHP;
  4. AHP—which formed the Klipot, which are desires to receive in order to receive, unfit for reception of Light. These are the (32, Lamed BetMalchuts of the (320 Shach) pieces that cannot be corrected until Gmar Tikkun, and receive in order to bestow in them. The thirty-two Malchuts are called Lev ha Even (the stony heart). Their correction is in being sorted from all 320 pieces and not being used.

288 pieces (320-32) of the 320 that exist in each broken piece can be corrected, since they are not parts of Malchut, but are parts of the Upper nine Sefirot. Some, those that belong to GE de ZON, should be sorted out of the mixture, since they are vessels of bestowal. These are the ones that build the Katnut (GE) de ZON de Atzilut.

EMERGING OF THE WORLD OF ATZILUT

Atik: The Masach, with the Reshimot, rose to Rosh de Nekudim and from there to Rosh de SAG. TheMasach sorted the purest ReshimotAleph de Hitlabshut and Shoresh de Aviut, rose from Peh to theSefira Keter de Rosh de SAG, and from there it went further up to Bina in Keter, where it stood behind the Sefirot KHB HGT de Keter.

Thus, above the Masach are only Keter’s vessels of bestowal of Aviut Shoresh. This place is calledMetzach (forehead), and it is where the Masach makes a Zivug, from which Partzuf Keter de Atzilut is born, called Partzuf Atik.

The Partzuf born of this Zivug is called Ubar, since it has only vessels of bestowal in Aviut Shoresh, the least that can be in spirituality. After its birth, this Partzuf descends to the place from which theReshimot rose, below Tabur de Galgalta.

When Partzuf Atik is born and descends to its place, Reshimot Dalet– Gimel awaken in it and demand that this Partzuf obtain Gadlut. The Masach makes a Zivug with the Upper Light on these Reshimot and builds the level of Atik in Gadlut. This Partzuf spreads from Tabur de Galgalta to Sium de Galgalta, crossing the Parsa, since it is Partzuf Keter, which still belongs to Tzimtzum Aleph. This is why it is named Atik, because it is Ne’etak (detached) from the attainment of the lower ones.

AA: Once Partzuf Atik in Gadlut emerges, Rosh de SAG passes it all the Reshimot it received after the breaking. Of all the ReshimotAtik chooses the purest Reshimo, makes a Zivug on it and begets the next Partzuf—Hochma—at the level of Ubar, and subsequently in Gadlut. This Partzuf spreads fromPeh de Atik to the Parsa and is called Partzuf Arich Anpin (AA).

AVI: Once Gadlut of Partzuf AA emerges, Atik gives it all the Reshimot that remained of those that rose to Rosh de SAG after the breaking. Of those, AA chooses the purest Reshimot and makes aZivug on them. This Zivug produces Partzuf Bina de Atzilut, first at the level of Ubar and subsequently in Gadlut. This Partzuf spreads from Peh de AA through its Tabur.

ZA: Once Partzuf AVI emerges in GadlutAA gives it all the remaining ReshimotAVI chooses the purest Reshimot of all the Reshimot it had received, makes a Zivug on them, and begets Partzuf ZA de Atzilut, at the levels of Ubar (Katnut) and then GadlutPartzuf ZA takes its place from Tabur de AAthrough the Parsa.

Malchut: After Partzuf ZA in Katnut emerges, AVI give it all the remaining Reshimot, which have not been corrected by the previous Partzufim. Of those, ZA chooses those that suit it, makes a Zivug, and begets Partzuf Malchut de Atzilut as a Nekuda (point), as it was in the world of Nekudim. This completes the correction of all the Reshimot de Katnut de Nekudim that rose to Rosh de SAG after the breaking.

EMERGING OF THE WORLD BYA

The Partzufim of GAR of the world of Atzilut emerged on Reshimot de Rosh de Nekudim, which was only purified, but not broken. From ZON de Nekudim downwards, the birth of the Partzufim is done by sorting and correcting the broken pieces. This is so because through the breaking in the world ofNekudim, vessels of bestowal from Above the Parsa mingled with the vessels of reception from below the Parsa and were integrated in one another. Thus, in each of the 320 broken pieces are four types of Kelim:

  1. Vessels of bestowal;
  2. Vessels of bestowal integrated with vessels of reception;
  3. Vessels of reception integrated with vessels of bestowal;
  4. Vessels of reception.

First, only the vessels of bestowal are sorted and corrected (Zivugim are made on them) from all 320 pieces by order of Aviut, from pure to coarse. The Masach that descends from Rosh de SAG begets all the Partzufim of the world of Atzilut, first in Katnut and then in GadlutKatnut of the world of Atzilut emerges opposite the Katnut of the world of Nekudim.

Subsequently, ZON de Atzilut rise to AVI de AtzilutZA becomes like Aba, and Malchut becomes likeIma. The lower one that rises to the Upper One becomes like it; hence, Malchut received the degree of Bina so it could make a Zivug on Ohr Hochma and beget new Partzufim. When Malchut de Atzilutrose to Ima, she sorted the vessels of bestowal that were integrated with vessels of reception from each of the 320 broken pieces, by order of Aviut—from pure to coarse. In this order, she generated new Partzufim:

  • Five Partzufim were made of the sorting and Zivug made on the vessels of bestowal (GE) that fell in the part of Bina that was below the Parsa (GE integrated in Aviut Bet de AHP): Keter—Atik,Hochma—AA,Bina—AVI, ZA—ZA, and Malchut—Nukva of the world of Beria.
  • Five Partzufim were made of the sorting and Zivug made on the vessels of bestowal (GE) that fell in the Kelim de ZA below the Parsa (GE integrated in Aviut Gimel de AHP): Keter—Atik,Hochma—AA,Bina—AVI, ZA—ZA, and Malchut—Nukva of the world of Yetzira.
  • Five Partzufim were made of the sorting and Zivug made on the vessels of bestowal (GE) that fell to Malchut below the Parsa (GE integrated in Aviut Dalet de AHP): Keter—Atik, Hochma—AA, Bina—AVI, ZA—ZA, and Malchut—Nukva of the world of Assiya.

Malchut de Atzilut made these Zivugim while standing at the place of Ima de Atzilut. For this reason, the world of Beria, which she created, stands below her, occupying the place of ZA de Atzilut.

The world of Yetzira, born of Malchut de Atzilut after the world of Beria, emerged from her and occupied the place below the world of Beria in the place of the four Sefirot of Malchut de Atzilut and six Sefirot of the place of the world of Beria.

The world of Assiya, born of Malchut de Atzilut after the world of Yetzira, emerged from her and occupied the place below the world of Yetzira, from Chazeh of the place of the world of Beria toChazeh of the place of the world of Yetzira.

All the worlds end at the Chazeh of the world of Yetzira, since of all the broken pieces, the ones that were sorted are the vessels of bestowal and the vessels of bestowal, integrated with vessels of reception. This corresponds to the Chazeh of the place of the worlds BYA, since there is where theirGE end.

Below Chazeh de Yetzira begins the AHP of the place of BYA, the place of the vessels of reception that were integrated with the vessels of bestowal, and the vessels of reception (Lev ha Even).

Raised AHP: The sorting and correcting of the vessels of reception that were integrated in the vessels of bestowal adds Kelim of AHP in the world of Atzilut. The Light that spreads in these Kelim isOhr Hochma, and the world of Atzilut receives Gadlut.

Ohr Hochma spreads only in real vessels of reception, while here there are vessels of reception integrated with vessels of bestowal during the breaking. Hence, the Light that appears on theZivugim of these Kelim is not Ohr Hochma (Light of Hochma), but only He’arat (illumination, smaller Light) of Hochma.

There is a special Tikkun at the Rosh of the world of Atzilut ensuring that there will never be another breaking in the world of Atzilut, as it happened in the world of Nekudim. There is a limitation at Roshof Partzuf AA, so there is no Zivug on Malchut herself below Partzuf AA, but only on the Hitkalelut(integration) of Malchut in the Sefirot Above her, in desires to bestow.

As a result, the world of Atzilut was born only in Katnut, and each Partzuf has only vessels of bestowal, Kelim de GE. The vessels of reception, AHP, are below the Parsa. It is impossible to addAHP to GE and make a Zivug on all ten Sefirot in their place, as it was in the world of Nekudim, as this was the cause of the breaking.

Hence, each addition of vessels of reception in Atzilut is done by raising a few vessels of reception, which are integrated in vessels of bestowal. The ascent is from below the Parsa to Above the Parsa, so that pieces of AHP are added to Atzilut. This, in turn, prompts illumination of Hochma in the world of Atzilut.

Thus, pieces of the vessels of reception rise from below the Parsa and join Atzilut. All the vessels of reception that can join the vessels of Atzilut, which are the vessels of reception that are integrated in the vessels of bestowal, rise in order from pure to coarse.

Correction of Lev ha Even is done only by the Light of the Messiah: After all the above-mentioned corrections are completed, all that remains in BYA are vessels of reception, called Lev ha Even. These are not included in vessels of reception and hence cannot be corrected. Their correction is in being excluded each time a sorting is done on one of the 320 broken pieces. Thus, the thirty-two pieces of Lev ha Even are removed. When using the remaining 288 pieces for building the Partzufim, we must sort out and decide that we do not want to use the Lev ha Even that belongs in that part.

After the Tikkun of all 288 pieces, a special Ohr Hochma will come from Above called “Messiah,” and will correct these Kelim in the Masach. At that time, the whole of Malchut de Ein Sof will be corrected with a Masach. This state in Malchut is considered its Gmar Tikkun (end of correction).

All the pieces in the worlds BYA, except for Lev ha Even, are corrected by order of from pure to coarse. In each of the worlds BYA there are 2,000 stages of correction, called “years” or “degrees.” In all, there are 6,000 degrees in the three worlds BYA, called “the six weekdays,” since the worlds BYAare considered weekdays, while the world of Atzilut is considered “the Holy Shabbat.”

  • When all the worlds BYA are corrected, as well as Lev ha Even, the world of Atzilut will spread below the Parsa through this world. This state will be called “the seventh millennium.”
  • Afterwards, the worlds ABYA will rise to SAG, and this will be called “the eighth millennium.”
  • Afterwards, the worlds ABYA will rise to AB, and this will be called “the ninth millennium.”
  • Afterwards, the worlds ABYA will rise to Galgalta, and this will be called “the tenth millennium.”

In other words, after the correction of the whole of Malchut de Ein Sof, it will be filled just as it was prior to Tzimtzum Aleph. In addition, it will receive additions from the infinite ascensions in the degrees of bestowal upon the Creator.

Yet, since the wisdom of Kabbalah teaches a person only what concerns one’s own correction, what one must do, these states are not taught. They do not appear in books of Kabbalah, since they belong to the part that is forbidden to reveal, called “secrets of Torah.” Only a chosen few engage in them, and under strict conditions.

Adam ha Rishon: In all of Malchut’s corrections mentioned thus far, Malchut of Malchut, the central point of all the worlds, has not been filled. All that has thus far unfolded —TzimtzumAlephTzimtzum Bet, the breaking of the vessels, the Tikkun of the Kelim—happened in the Upper nine Sefirot ofMalchut, not on Malchut herself, Behina Dalet in Behina Dalet. This is so because there was aTzimtzum on her, so she would not receive within her, in the will to receive. What is received afterTzimtzum Aleph is received only in vessels of bestowal, in the Kelim of Malchut de Ein Sof, which were impressed by the Upper nine, the Upper Light’s desire to bestow.

Malchut in Malchut will be corrected and filled with Ohr Hochma, as prior to Tzimtzum Aleph, only if desires to bestow enter that Malchut and mingle with Malchut’s desires to receive. In the breaking of the vessels in the world of NekudimMalchut mingled with the nine Sefirot preceding it. As a result, the worlds, the externality of reality, emerged. But this did not correct anything in Malchut herself, since she did not mingle with the desire to bestow.

After the birth of the worlds BYAMalchut de Atzilut, which stands at the place of Ima, made a Zivugon Katnut on joining the vessels of bestowal with Behina Dalet de Dalet. The result of this Zivug isPartzuf KatnutGE, whose AHP is Behina Dalet de Dalet. Hence, this Partzuf is forbidden to use its vessels of reception, its AHP. This Partzuf is called Adam ha Rishon (First Man), who was forbidden to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, that is, to make a Zivug on the vessels of reception —AHP.

At the birth of Adam ha Rishon, the worlds BYA expanded through the place of Chazeh de Yetzira. Afterwards, Light from Ein Sof, called “awakening from Above,” came and elevated all the worlds by one degree. Thus, the Sium of the world of Assiya rose from the place of Chazeh de Yetzira to the place of Chazeh de Beria. Afterwards arrived more Light of awakening from Ein Sof, by which all the worlds rose one more degree, so the Sium of the world of Assiya rose above the Parsa.

Adam ha Rishon is inside the worlds BYA; hence, he rose to Atzilut along with them. Adam ha Rishon thought that now he could receive in order to bestow all the Light in his vessels of reception, in theAHP, in Behina Dalet in Behina Dalet.

But just as it happened with the breaking of the vessels in the world of Nekudim, when he extended Light into the vessels of reception, he broke. He lost his Masach, his aim to bestow. His whole Gufwas divided into 600,000 pieces, called “organs” or “souls,” which fell to the Klipot and received the desire to receive.

All the pieces together, and each piece in particular, fell lower still (as described in the sins that the Torah narrates in the first generations following Adam). These parts clothe in people in our world. Those in whom broken pieces of Partzuf Adam ha Rishon are clothed, feel—specifically in this part—a desire to rise and unite with their Source, which was in Adam ha Rishon. That Source is called “the root of one’s soul.”

For the creature to merit the title “creature,” it must stand in its own right, that is, be unaffected by the Creator. This is why the Creator hides Himself. By doing so, He helps the creatures equalize with Him through their own efforts. It turns out that a person in our world, in whom a piece of Adam ha Rishon is clothed, is defined as a “creature.”

A creature is a part of Adam ha Rishon that exists in a person in our world. All the creatures, all the souls, are parts of the Guf of Adam ha Rishon. They should all partake in correcting its shattering. By doing so, they return to the state that preceded the sin and add Dvekut (adhesion) with the Creator. They sort out all the pieces from the Klipot. Thus, each person must reach the root of his or her soul while still living in our world. One who does not, reincarnates into our world until one achieves the purpose for which one was created.

Introduction to the Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)

 

1) It is written in The ZoharVayikraParashat Tazria, p 40, “Come and see, all that exists in the world, exists for man, and everything exists for him, as it is written, ‘Then the Lord God formed man,’ with a full name, as we have established, that he is the whole of everything and contains everything, and all that is Above and below, etc., is included in that image.”

Thus, it explains that all the worlds, Upper and lower, are included in man. And also, the whole of reality within those worlds is only for man. And we should understand these words: Is this world and everything in it, which serves him and benefits him, too little for man, that he needs the Upper Worlds and everything within them, too? After all, they were created solely for his needs.

2) To explain this matter to the fullest, I would have to introduce the whole of the wisdom of Kabbalah. But in general, matters will be sufficiently explained within the book, so as to understand them. The essence of it is that the Creator’s intention in Creation was to delight His creatures. Certainly, as soon as He contemplated creating the souls and delighting them abundantly, they immediately emerged from before Him, complete in form and with all the delights He had planned to bestow upon them. This is because in Him, the thought alone completes, and He does not need actions as we do. Accordingly, we should ask, “Why did He create the worlds restriction by restriction down to this murky world, and clothe the souls in the murky bodies of this world?

3) The answer to that is written in The Tree of Life—“to bring to light the perfection of His deeds” (The Tree of Life, Branch One). Yet, we need to understand how could it be that incomplete operations would stem from a complete Operator, to the point that they would require completion through an act in this world?

The thing is that we should distinguish between Light and Kli (vessel) in the souls. The essence of the souls that were created is the Kli in them, and all the bounty that the He had planned to impart them with and delight them is the Light in them. This is because since He had planned to delight them, He necessarily made them as a desire to receive His pleasure, since the pleasure and delight increase according to the measure of desire to receive the abundance.

And know that that will to receive is the very essence of the soul with regard to the generation and elicitation existence from absence. This is considered the Kli of the soul, while the joy and the abundance are considered the Light of the soul, extending existence from existence from His essence.

4) Explanation: Creation refers to appearance of something that did not exist before. This is considered existence from absence. Yet, how do we picture something that is not included in Him, since He is almighty and includes all of them together? And also, one does not give what is not in Him.

As we have said, the whole Creation that He created is only the Kelim (plural for Kli) of the souls, which is the will to receive. This is quite clear, since He necessarily does not have a will to receive, as from whom would He receive? Hence, this is truly a new Creation, not a trace of which existed previously, and is hence considered existence from absence.

5) We should know that unification and separation applied in spirituality relate only to equivalence of form and disparity of form. This is because if two spiritual objects are of the same form, they are united, and they are one, and not two, since there is nothing to separate them from one another. They can only be discerned as two when there is some disparity of form between them.

Also, to the extent of their disparity of form, so is the measure of their distance from one another. Thus, if they are of opposite forms, they are considered as remote as the east from the west, meaning the greatest distance we can picture in reality.

6) But in the Creator, there is no thought or perception whatsoever, and we cannot utter or say anything with regard to Him. But since we know You by Your actions, we should discern that He is a desire to bestow, since He created everything in order to delight His creatures, and bestow His abundance upon us.

Thus, the souls are in oppositeness of form from Him, since He is all bestowal and has no will to receive anything, while the souls were imprinted with a will to receive for themselves. And we have already said that there is no greater oppositeness of form than that.

It follows that had the souls remained with the will to receive, they would forever remain separated from Him.

7) Now you will understand what is written (The Tree of Life, Branch One), that the reason for the creation of the worlds was that He must be complete in all His actions and powers, and if He did not execute His actions and powers in actual fact, He would seemingly not be considered whole. This seems perplexing, for how can incomplete actions emerge from a complete operator, to the extent that they would need correction?

From what has been explained, you can see that the essence of Creation is only the will to receive. On the one hand it is greatly deficient, since it is opposite in form from the Giver, which is separation from Him, but on the other hand, this is the entire innovation and the existence from absence that He had created, by which to receive from Him what He had planned to bestow upon them.

Yet, had they remained separated from the Emanator, He would seemingly be incomplete, for in the end, complete operations must stem from the complete Operator.

For this reason, He restricted His Light and created the worlds restriction by restriction down to this world, and clothed the soul in a worldly body. And through the practice of Torah and Mitzvot, the soul obtains the perfection it lacked prior to Creation—the equivalence of form with Him. Thus, it will be fit to receive all the abundance and pleasure included in the Thought of Creation, and will also be in complete Dvekut (adhesion) with him, in equivalence of form.

8) The matter of the Segula (power) of Torah and Mitzvot to bring the soul to Dvekut with Him applies only when the engagement in it is not in order to receive any reward, and only to bestow contentment upon his Maker. This is so because then the soul gradually acquires equivalence of form with its Maker, as will be written below concerning Rabbi Hanina’s words in the beginning of the book (“Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah”).

In all, there are five degrees — NefeshRuachNeshamaHayaYechida (NRNHY)—that come from the five worlds called AKAtzilutBeriaYetzira, and Assiya. Also, there are five particular degrees NRNHY, which come from the five particular Partzufim (plural for Partzuf) in each of the five worlds. Then there are five sub-particular NRNHY, which come from the ten Sefirot in each Partzuf, as will be written in the book.

And through Torah and Mitzvot to bestow contentment upon the Maker, one is gradually rewarded with the Kelim in the form of desire to bestow, which come in these degrees, degree by degree, until they achieve complete equivalence of form with Him. In that state, the Thought of Creation, to receive all the pleasure, tenderness, and abundance that He had planned for them is carried out. Additionally, they receive the greatest reward, since they are awarded the true Dvekut, since they have obtained the desire to bestow, like their Maker.

9) Now it will not be difficult for you to understand the above words of The Zohar, that all the worlds, Upper and lower and everything within them, was created only for man. This is so because all these degrees and worlds came only to complement the souls in the measure of Dvekut that they lacked with respect to the Thought of Creation.

In the beginning, they were restricted and hung down degree-by-degree and world after world, down to our material world, to bring the soul into a body of this world, which is entirely to receive and not to bestow, like animals and beasts. It is written, “A wild ass’s colt is born a man.” This is considered the complete will to receive, which has nothing in the form of bestowal. In that state, a man is regarded as the complete opposite of Him, and there is no greater remoteness than that.

Afterwards, through the soul that clothes within one, he engages in Torah and Mitzvot. Gradually and slowly, from below Upwards, he obtains the same form of bestowal as his Maker, through all the discernments that hung down from Above downwards, which are but degrees and measures in the form of the desire to bestow.

Each Higher degree means that it is farther from the will to receive, and closer to being only to bestow. In the end, one is awarded being entirely to bestow and to not receive anything for himself. At that time, one is completed with true Dvekut with Him, for this is the only reason why man was created. Thus, all the worlds and everything in them were created only for man.

10) Now that you have come to know all that, you are permitted to study this wisdom without any fear of materialization. This is because the students are very confused: on the one hand, it is said that the ten Sefirot and the Partzufim, from the beginning of the ten Sefirot of Atzilut to the end of the ten Sefirot of Assiya,are complete Godliness and unity.

But on the other hand, it is said that all these worlds are generated and appear after the Tzimtzum(restriction); but how can this even be conceived in Godliness? And there are also the numbers and Above and below and other such changes and ascents and descents and Zivugim (couplings). But it is written, “I the Lord do not change.”

11) From what is clarified before us, it is clear that all these ascents, descents, restrictions, and the numbers are only regarded as Kelim (vessels) of the receivers—the souls. And we should distinguish between the potential and the actual in them, like a person who builds a house—the end of the act is in his preliminary thought.

But the quality of the house in his mind does not resemble the house that should actually be built, since the conceived house is spirituality, a conceptual substance, and is considered the substance of the thinking person. At that time, the house is only a potential. But when the building of the house begins in actual fact, it acquires an entirely different substance—that of wood and bricks.

Similarly, we should discern potential and actual in the souls. The beginning of their emergence from the Emanator into “actual” souls begins only in the world of Beria. And their integration in Ein Sof, prior to the Tzimtzum, with respect to the Thought of Creation, as written in Item 2, concerns only the “potential,” without any actual manifestation.

In that sense, it is said that all the souls were integrated in Malchut de Ein Sof, called “the middle point,” since this point is included in “potential” in all the Kelim of the souls that are destined to “actually” emerge from the world of Beria downwards. And the first restriction occurred only in this middle point, meaning precisely in that discernment and measure considered the “potential” of the future souls, and not at all in itself.

You should know that all the Kelim of the Sefirot and the worlds, through the world of Beria, which hang down and emerge from this point, or due to its Zivug de Hakaa, called Ohr Hozer, are also considered mere potential, without any essence of the souls. But these changes are destined to subsequently affect the souls whose essence begins to emerge from the world of Beria down, since there they have not yet departed the essence of the Emanator.

12) And I shall give you an allegory from the conducts of this world. For example, if a person who covers and hides himself behind clothes and garments so his friend would not see him and notice him, can it even be conceived that he himself would be affected by the concealment made by all the garments he is covered with?

Similarly, take the ten Sefirot we call KeterHochmaBinaHesedGevuraTifferetNetzah,HodYesodMalchut as an example. These are only ten coverings by which Ein Sof is covered and concealed. The souls that are destined to receive from it will be compelled to receive by those measures that the ten Sefirot allot them. Thus, the receivers are affected by this number of ten Sefirot, and not by His Light, which is one, unique, and unchanging.

The receivers divide into ten degrees, precisely according to the qualities of these names. Moreover, even these coverings we spoke of pertain only to the world of Beria and below, since this is where the souls that receive from these ten Sefirot are found. But in the worlds AK and Atzilut, there is no existence even to the souls, since there they are only in potential.

Hence, the ten above coverings in the ten Sefirot govern only in the three lower worlds, called BeriaYetzira, and Assiya. But in the worlds BYA, the ten Sefirot are considered Godliness through the end of Assiya, just as in AK and ABYA, and as prior to the Tzimtzum.

The only difference is in the Kelim of the ten Sefirot: in AK and Atzilut, they do not even disclose their dominance, since they are only in “potential” there, and only in BYA do the Kelim of the ten Sefirot begin to manifest their concealing and covering force. But in the Light in the ten Sefirot, there is no change whatsoever due to these coverings, as was written in the allegory. This is the meaning of “I the Lord do not change.”

13) We might ask, “Since there is no disclosure of the essence of the souls of the receivers in AK and Atzilut, what do those Kelim, called ten Sefirot, serve for, and whom do they conceal and cover in those measures?”

There are two answers to that: The first is the hanging down, as you will find inside the book. The second is that the souls, too, are destined to receive from those ten Sefirot in AK and Atzilut, through the ascension of the three worlds BYA to them (as will be written in Item 163 in the “Preface to the Wisdom of Kabbalah”). Hence, we should discern these changes in the ten Sefirot in AK and Atzilut, as well, according to the Light that they are destined to shine upon the souls once they rise there with the worlds BYA, for then they will receive according to the degree in those ten Sefirot.

14) Thus, we have thoroughly clarified that the worlds, the generation, the changes, and the number of degrees, etc., were said only with respect to the Kelim that give to the souls, and conceal and measure for them, so they can gradually receive from the Light of Ein Sof in them. But they do not affect the Light of Ein Sof itself in any way, since no coverings affect the one who is covered, but only the other, who wishes to feel it and receive from it, as said in the allegory.

15) In general, we should discern these three discernments in the Sefirot and Partzufim wherever they are: Atzmuto (His Self/Essence), Kelim, and Lights.

In Atzmuto—there is no thought or perception whatsoever. In the Kelim—there are always two opposite discernments: concealment and disclosure. This is so because in the beginning, the Klicovers Atzmuto in a way that these ten Kelim in the ten Sefirot are ten degrees of concealments.

But once the souls receive these Kelim under all the conditions in them, these concealments become disclosures for the attainments of the souls. Thus, the Kelim contain two opposite discernments, which are one. This is because the measure of disclosure in the Kli is precisely like the measure of concealment in the Kli, and the coarser the Kli, the more it conceals Atzmuto, and reveals a Higher degree. Thus, these two opposites are one.

And the Lights in the Sefirot refer to that measure of degree suitable for appearing for the attainment of the souls. Since everything extends from Atzmuto, and yet, there is no attainment in Him, but only in the qualities of the Kelim, there are necessarily ten Lights in these ten Kelim, meaning degrees of revelation to those receiving in the qualities of those Kelim.

Thus, His Light and His Essence are indistinguishable, except that in His Essence, there is no attainment or perception whatsoever, except for what comes to us from Him through clothing in the Kelim of the ten Sefirot. And in that respect, we refer to anything that we attain by the name, “Lights.”

Introduction to the Book, From the Mouth of a Sage

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)

 

It is known from books and from authors that the study of the wisdom of Kabbalah is an absolute must for any person from Israel. And if one studies the whole Torah and knows the Mishnah and the Gemarah by heart, and if one is also filled with virtues and good deeds more than all his contemporaries, but has not learned the wisdom of Kabbalah, he must reincarnate into this world to study the secrets of Torah and wisdom of truth. This is brought in several places in the writing of our sages.

This is what The Zohar writes in the interpretation to the Song of Songs, explaining the verse, “If thou know not, O thou fairest among women,” which our sages interpreted as a soul that comes before the Thrown after one’s demise.

The Creator tells it: “If thou know not, O thou fairest among women.” Although you are the fairest among women and virtuous in good deeds more than all the souls, if you do not have knowledge in the secrets of Torah, “go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock,” leave here and never return to this world. “And feed thy kids, beside the shepherds’ tents,” go there to the seminaries and learn the secrets of Torah from the mouths of the disciples of our sages.

We must understand their words, conditioning one’s perfection on the study of the wisdom of truth. Seemingly, how is it different from the other words of the revealed Torah? We found nowhere that one is obligated to understand all the subjects of the Torah, and that he will not be completed if one subject in the Torah is missing. Moreover, our sages said that it is not the study that is the most important, but the act. Our sages also said, “One does much, the other little, as long as they aim their hearts to Heaven,” and there are many such sayings.

In order to attain the depth of their above words, we must first understand what has been written many times in The Zohar and the Tikkunim (Corrections of The Zohar), wisely and daintily: “The Torah, the Creator, and Israel, are one.” This seems very perplexing.

Before I elucidate their words, I will notify you that our sages have defined a great rule for us, regarding all the holy names and appellations in the books. These are their golden words: “Anything that we do not attain, we do not define by a name.”

Interpretation: It is known that there is no thought and perception in Him whatsoever, as it is written in the article “Elijah Started” in the beginning of the Tikkunim of The Zohar. For that reason, even the thought of the “Self” of the Creator is forbidden, much less the speech.

All the names we call Him do not refer to His Self, but only to His Lights, expanding from Him to the lower ones. Even the holy name, Ein Sof (Infinity), presented in the Kabbalah books, is also regarded as Light that expands from His Essence.

But since He determined that His Light, which expands from His Self, will be attained by the lower ones as Ein Sof, we shall therefore define it by that name. Yet, this does not refer to His Essence, since there is absolutely no perception or thought in Him. Thus, how shall we define Him by a name and a word, since all that we do not attain, we do not define by a name?

Any novice in the wisdom of truth must contemplate the above great rule before any scrutiny in a book of Kabbalah, that even the thought is forbidden in His Self, since there is no perception in Him whatsoever. Thus, how do we mention a name or a word in Him, which indicates attainment?

However, it is a great Mitzva to examine and research in His illuminations, which expand from Him, which are all the holy names and appellations brought in the books. It is an utter must for any person from Israel to study and understand the secrets of Torah and all the ways of His bestowal upon the lower ones, which are the gist of the wisdom of truth and the future reward of the souls at the end of correction.

It is written in the words of our sages, in The Zohar, and the Tikkunim that all the Upper Worlds and all the Holy Sefirot of the five worlds AK and ABYA have been prepared ahead of time in quantity and quality to complement the children of Israel. This is so because the soul of one from Israel is a part of God Above and “The end of an act is in the preliminary thought.”

It arose in His Simple Will to delight with reward for their labor. And for that reason, the entire reality expanded before Him by way of a sequence of causes and their consequences in the descent of the degrees through the worlds AK and ABYA. Finally, they elicited two discernments clothed in one another: the soul from the concealments of heaven, which expands and robes the corporeal body.

The essence of reality expanded through the last degree, which is the corporeal body with a soul. Similarly, the concatenation was made by way of cause and consequence, relating to the essence of the existence of reality, which is the ways of His bestowal that hang down by gradations.

Thus, the Upper Light is Higher than High and will ultimately expand and come to the soul clothed in the corporeal body in this world, as it is written, “for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying: ‘Know the Lord’; for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them.”

It is written by our sages and in The Book of Zohar, “The whole Torah is the names of the Creator.” All the stories and the laws and the sentences, all are His Holy Names.

According to the explained above, that “Anything that we do not attain we do not define by a name,” you will thoroughly understand the meaning of the Holy Names of the Creator. These are the attainments that expand from Him to His servants, the prophets and the righteous, each according to his merit, as it is written, “we are distinguished, I and Thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.”

This distinguishing comes to us through the reception of the Torah and the keeping of Mitzvot, first only in the revealed way. It has the merit of purifying our bodies and enhancing our souls to such a measure that we become worthy of attaining the whole Torah and its Mitzvot as His Names. This is the whole reward intended for the souls at the end of correction. However, it is in this world, too, as it is written in the Gemarah, “You will see your world in your life.”

That explains to us why he calls the 613 Mitzvot 613 counsels in several places in The Zohar, and in many other places in The Zohar he calls the 613 Mitzvot “613 deposits.” This is so because at first, one must keep the Torah and the Mitzvot in order to purify his body and enhance his soul. At that time, the 613 Mitzvot are as 613 counsels for him, “tips” by which to gradually purify and be awarded coming before the King, and receiving the Light of his face. This is because keeping Torah and Mitzvot gradually purify him, until he is rewarded with the Light of the King’s face.

Also, it is written similarly in the Gemarah: “The Creator cares not if one slaughters at the throat or slaughters at the back of the neck? Rather, we were given the Torah and Mitzvot only to purify Israel.”

However, after one has been sufficiently purified and merits the Light of the King’s face, one’s eyes and soul open and he is awarded the attaining the 613 Sacred Lights found in the 613 Mitzvot. These are His Holy Names, the ones he can attain.

By keeping each of the Mitzvot, one takes the part of the Light deposited in that Mitzva, since the Mitzva is a Kli (vessel) where the Light is clothed, meaning a Holy Name that belongs specifically to that Mitzva. This is the meaning of “The Mitzva is a candle and the Torah—Light.”

At that time, he calls the 613 Mitzvot “613 commandments (deposits).” It is like one who deposits good stones and gems in a vessel and says to his loved one: “Take this Kli for yourself but guard it from thieves and robbers.” Thus, they only speak of the vessel, but their primary intention is the precious stones deposited there.

It is known in the books of Kabbalah that the meaning of the Holy Name, “The Holy One Blessed be He” or Kudsha Brich Hu (the same name in Aramaic) brought by our sages and in The Zohar, is named after the HaVaYaH (Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey). This Holy Name contains all the Holy Names until one Higher than High. Thus, we learn that “The Torah and the Creator are one,” albeit the masses do not see Him in the Torah, but only stories, sentences, and laws.

Indeed, I have already explained that “apples of gold in settings of silver” is how the 613 deposits are called, as our sages said, “The whole Torah is the names of the Creator.” Hence, the Torah and the Creator are one.

Yet, there are general and particular, where the Creator is the assembly of all the names, and the general Light, and the Torah is divided into 613 Lights. It follows that all of them together are one, and are the Creator Himself.

Now there still remains for us to explain the discernment of Israel. First, you must understand the matter of multiplicity of separate forms in spirituality, meaning how they are divided and in what. Corporeal things are separated by a knife and such, or time and place separate and distinguish them. Yet, this is unthinkable in spirituality, as it is known to be above time and place.

However, know that the whole difference in spirituality between the Upper Lights is only in the disparity of form. For example: the mental souls in people are certainly divided into separate souls. Each individual has a different soul.

Yet, the essential difference between them is nothing more then stemming out of their disparity in form, that the soul of one is good, the other’s is bad; one has acquired wisdom, and the other folly, etc. Our sages say about that, “As their faces differ from one another, their views differ from one another.”

Now we can understand that if all people were to come by equal concepts and inclinations, without any difference whatsoever, all the souls of all the people would be regarded as one soul. Its value would be like the light of the sun: the light clothes in all the inhabitants of the world, yet we do not discern that there are separate forms in the sunlight. Similarly, one conceptual soul would robe many bodies, since places do not separate at all in spiritual matters if there are no separate forms in their qualities.

Now we shall come to the actual scrutiny: It is known that the meaning of the souls of the children of Israel is that they are a part of God Above. The soul cascaded by way of cause and consequence and descended degree-by-degree until it became suitable to come into this world and clothe the filthy corporeal body.

By keeping the Torah and observing its Mitzvot, it ascends degree-by-degree until its stature is completed, and it is fit to receive its reward from The Whole. This has been prepared for it in advance, meaning attaining the holy Torah by way of the Names of the Creator, which are the 613 deposits.

Now you can see with your own eyes that “The Torah and Israel are one.” And the only difference between the Torah and the soul is due to the disparity of form in the soul, which has been reduced to a very, very small Light, and the Torah is Simple Light that expands from His Essence, whose sublimity is endless, as it is written “The Torah and the Creator are one.”

However, when the soul is complete in its full stature and receives the Torah by way of His Names, namely attains all the Light deposited in the Torah and Mitzvot, you find that, in any case, the Light of the soul is equal to the Light of Torah. This is because it has already attained all the Light in the Torah.

It is still considered incomplete as long as there is some deficit in attaining a small and subtle part of the general Light of the Torah. This is because all its Light has been prepared for the souls, as I have explained above, “All that we do not attain, we do not define by a name.”

And since the Light has been prepared for the attainment of the soul, and the soul did not attain all of it, it is therefore deemed incomplete, as in, “I will keep the whole Torah except one thing. Certainly, he is a complete wicked.”

However, such as that you can declare in the keeping of the Torah and Mitzvot in attaining the 613 deposits. It is incomplete when lacking even one thing, great or small.

Hence, it will finally come to complete perfection, namely attain the whole Light of the Torah. At that time, there will be no disparity of form between the Light of the soul and the Light of Torah anyhow. Thus, you find, daintily, that “The Torah and Israel are one,” literally.

Because there is no difference or disparity of form between them, they are literally one. And since we have already proven that “The Creator and the Torah are one,” and now we have proven that “The Torah and Israel are one,” it is therefore evident that “The Torah and the Creator and Israel are one.”

From all the above, you find that there are two parts in the Torah and Mitzvot:

A. The Torah and Mitzvot as they appear to all, being the keeping of Mitzvot and the study of Torah in the form of 613 counsels. These have the power to purify and cleanse the body, and enhance the merit of the soul, to be worthy and merit receiving the Light of the King’s face, as the soul was in its root, before it diminished and came into this base body in the base world.

B. Keeping the Mitzvot and studying the Torah in the form of 613 deposits, namely the matter of attaining His Names and the full reward of the souls.

The merit of the latter part over the former is as the merit of Heaven over Earth. This is because the first part is mere preparation, and the second part is the actual completeness and the purpose of Creation.

This explains our above question about the words of our sages, that even if a person excels in Torah and good deeds more than all his contemporaries, if he has not learned the secrets of Torah and the wisdom of truth, he must reincarnate in the world.

We asked, “What is the difference between this subject in the wisdom of truth from other subjects in the Torah?” We found nowhere that one is compelled to engage in all the topics in the Torah. On the contrary, we have found opposition to that in many places, such as, “One does much, the other little, as long as they aim their hearts to Heaven,” and also, “It is not the study that is important, but the act.”

Now the matter is clarified—the whole part of the revealed Torah is but a preparation to become worthy and merit attaining the concealed part. It is the concealed part that is the very wholeness and the purpose for which man is created.

Hence, clearly, if a part of the concealed part is missing, although one may keep the Torah and observe its commandments in the revealed part, he will still have to reincarnate to this world and receive what he should receive, namely the concealed part, by way of 613 deposits. Only in that is the soul completed, the way the Creator had predetermined for it.

You can therefore see the utter necessity for anyone from Israel, whoever he may be, to engage in the internality of the Torah and in its secrets. Without it, the intention of Creation will not be completed in him.

This is the reason why we reincarnate, generation-by-generation through our current generation, which is the residue of the souls upon which the intention of Creation has not been completed, as they did not attain the secrets of the Torah in the past generations.

For this reason, they said in The Zohar: “The secrets of Torah and its mysteries are destined to be revealed at the time of the Messiah.” It is clear to anyone who understands, that since they will be completing the intention of Creation, they will be awarded the coming of the Messiah. Hence, inevitably, the secrets of the Torah will be revealed among them openly, since if the correction is prevented they will be compelled to reincarnate.

This will explain to you what we should ask about this interpretation in general, for who am I and who are my fathers that I have been awarded making the interpretation to expand the knowledge of the hidden secrets in The Zohar and the writings of the Ari? Moreover, why have we thus far found no other to interpret this wisdom as openly as me?

Now you can see that because our generation is really the time of the Messiah, and we are all standing at the threshold of the complete correction, and the only prevention is the complete abandonment of the wisdom of truth in this generation, due to the difficulty of the language and the dispersion of the matters.

In addition to all that, there is the smallness of the mind and the abundant troubles in our generation. Hence, when the Lord wishes to hasten the redemption of our souls, He has passed a privilege onto my hand to disclose the measure in this interpretation, and the will of God succeeded in my hand.

And I had another reason for making this open interpretation, as it is written in The Zohar, “One must learn a little even from nonsense,” as it is written, “as far as light excelleth darkness.” After I completed my time in the city of Warsaw in the state of Poland, confined to my chamber, having nothing to do with the darkness of my surroundings, I have been blessed with settling in the Holy City of Jerusalem.

And when I walked among the people here, I saw the poverty of my people, the poverty of their mind. Their foolish laughter was in my ears as the noise of pots under the city, mocking and trampling the heart and soul of our yearnings, slandering the Lord, His Law, and His people in a loud voice, without any wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in the wisdom of Kabbalah at all. Rather, it is an assortment of words and names, no sense and no moral, only literal words.

It is a privilege to chatter idle words in the written text with complete faith that they are holy things, and that thus the purpose of Creation will be completed upon us. And when those who engage in the literal texts with complete faith increase in number, the Messiah King will come at once, for by that the whole correction will be completed, and nothing more is needed.

Finally, I met with the famous ones among them, people who have already worn out their years delving in the writings of the Ari and The Zohar. They have so succeeded that they have become proficient and conversant in all the writings of the Ari.

They have a reputation as being the holiest people in the land. I asked them if they had studied with a Rav who attained the internality of the matters. They answered: “Heavens, no! There is no internality here whatsoever, but accurate texts, given to us, and nothing more than that, God forbid.”

I asked them if Rav Chaim Vital had attained the internality of the matters. They replied: “He certainly did not attain more than we do.” I then asked them about the Ari himself. They answered: “He certainly did not know the internality more than us at all, and all that he knew, he had passed on to his disciple, Rav Chaim Vital, and thus they came into our hands.”

I mocked them: “How then were the matters composed in the heart of the Ari without any understanding and knowledge?” They replied: “He received the composition of these matters from Elijah, and he knew the internality, since he is an angel.” Here my wrath poured out on them, for my patience to be with them had ended.

And when I saw that their folly had found roots in nearly everyone engaging in this wisdom at this time, woe to the ears that so hear, “Will he even force the queen before me in the house?”

The Holy Zohar had already mourned bitterly the denial of the sinners in their souls, saying that there are no internal secrets in the Torah, as it is written in Parashat Vayerah: “Has the Torah come to show us fables and historic tales? Such stories and fables are found among other nations, too.” Our sages said that they uproot the plantations, for they only take Malchut.

What would the authors of The Zohar say in view of the culture of such sinful people, denying that there is any knowledge or wisdom in the words of The Zohar and the wisdom of truth themselves? They say about the very secrets of the Torah that there is no knowledge or perception revealed in this world, but merely empty words. Thus, they have come to force the Holy Divinity inside the King’s palace. Woe unto them, for they have caused their souls harm.

Our sages said that the Holy Torah mourns before the Creator: “Your sons have turned Me into a song in public-houses.” But they do not even make of the Torah a semblance of a song, only frightening words to any listener that arise contempt and wrath.

Furthermore, they wish to be rewarded like Phinehas, saying that they do it in complete faith. The writing says about them: “Forasmuch as this people draw near, and with their mouth and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me,” and this is the reason for the ruin of the First Temple.

The devil still dances among us, precisely at the time of the Messiah, the time of the end of the secrets of the Torah. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts came as fire that will not quench in my bones. Because of that, I have been awakened to disclose the gown to such an extent that they will know that there is wisdom in Israel.

This has been among the primary reasons that made me come to this explanation. You must see in every purpose and every goal that it is utterly simple. All the wit, the cleverness, and the many issues form during the preparation, until the goal is reached. For example, when one wishes to sit in a house, he needs wit and knowledge in the design, in artisanship, and in the quality, and quantity of the rooms and the possessions.

The final goal is but a simple thing—to dwell there. This is the meaning of the words, “according to the beauty of a man, to dwell in the house.” It is a simple thought, without any concepts and proliferation, and without wit, but a simple will.

Know that all the sophistications in the knowledge are mostly mistakes that should fall before the truth. Yet, the truth itself is simple, without any wit.

There is a secret in that, principally being the iron wall that separates us from our Father in Heaven: There are things that are hidden because of their great height and depth, and there are things that are hidden because of their extreme subtlety, like flies in the air, too thin to be seen.

Since His Light is such Simple Light that the human mind, which feels only a tiny portion of something, simply does not perceive. It is like the smaller things from that measure, requiring an actual tool to see.

This is so because although not all of the depth of the height and the depth of the width are perceived, you can nonetheless perceive the proximate. However, with subtle things, it seems as though they do not exist at all, since you do not attain even the slightest bit of them.

The Acting Mind

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)

 

Every person is obliged to attain the root of his soul. This means that the aspired-for purpose of the created being is Dvekut (adhesion) with His qualities, “As He is merciful, etc.” His qualities are the Holy Sefirot, and this is the acting mind that guides His world and by which it allots them His benevolence and abundance.

But we must understand why this is called, “Dvekut with the Creator,” as it seems to be mere study. I shall explain it with an allegory: In every act in the world, the mind of its operator remains in that act. In a table, one can attain the carpenter’s dexterity and deftness in his craft, whether great or small. This is so because while working, he built it according to his mind, the qualities of his mind. And one who observes this act and considers the mind imprinted in it, during this act, he is attached to the mind that performed it, that is, they actually unite.

This is so because in fact, there is no distance and cessation between spirituals, even when they are in distinct bodies. But the mind in them cannot be distinguished, since what knife can cut the spiritual and leave it separated? Rather, the main difference between spirituals is in their qualities – praiseworthy or blameworthy – and the composition, since a mind that calculates astrology will not cling to one that contemplates natural sciences.

And there is great diversity even within the same teaching, for if one exceeds another in even one element, it separates the spirituals from one another. But when two sages contemplate the same teaching and bear the same measure of sagacity, they are in fact united, for what separates them?

Hence, when one contemplates another’s action and attains the mind of the sage who performed it, they have the same mind and power. Thus, now they are completely united, like a man who met his beloved friend on the street, he embraces him and kisses him, and for their utter unity, they cannot be separated.

Hence, the rule is that in the Speaking, the mind is the best-adjusted force between the Creator and His creatures. It is considered the medium, meaning He conferred a spark of that force, and through that spark, everything returns to Him.

And it is written, “In wisdom hast Thou made them all,” meaning that He created the whole world with His wisdom. Hence, one who is rewarded with attaining the manners by which He had created the world and its conducts is adhered to the Mind that performed them. Thus, he adheres to the Creator.

This is the meaning of the Torah being all the Names of the Creator, which belong to the creatures. And by their merit, the creature attains the Mind that affects everything, since the Creator was looking in the Torah when He created the world, and one achieves illumination through Creation and forever cleaves to that Mind; thus, he is adhered to the Creator.

Now we understand why the Creator has shown us His tools of craftsmanship. For do we need to create worlds? But from the above-mentioned, we gather that the Creator has shown us His conducts so we may know how to adhere to Him, which is “cleaving unto His qualities.”

This Is for Judah

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)

 

That bread, which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. The Mitzva of eating Matza [23] was given to the children of Israel even before they departed Egypt, relating to the future exodus, which was to be in haste. It follows that the Mitzva of eating a Matza was given to them while they were still enslaved, and the aim of the Mitzva was for the time of redemption, since then they departed in haste.

This is why we like to remember the eating of Matzas in Egypt even today, since we, too, are as when we were enslaved abroad. Also, with this Mitzva, we aim to extend the redemption that will happen soon in our days, Amen, just as our fathers ate in Egypt.

This year – here… next year – free. It is written above that with the aim of this Mitzva we can evoke the guaranteed redemption, destined for us, as in the Mitzva of eating the Matza of our fathers in Egypt.

We were slaves… It is written in Masechet Pesachim (p 116), “Begins with denunciation, and ends with praise.” Concerning the denunciation, Rav and Shmuel were in dispute: Rav said to begin with “in the beginning, our fathers were idol worshipers,” and Shmuel said to begin with “We were slaves.” The practice follows Shmuel.

We need to understand this dispute. The reason for “beginning with denunciation and ending in praise” is, as it is written, “as far as light excelleth darkness.” Hence, we must remember the issue of the denunciation, that through it we acquire thorough knowledge of the mercies of the Creator with us.

It is known that our whole beginning is only in denunciation, since “absence precedes presence.” This is why “a wild ass’s colt is born a man.” And in the end, he acquires the shape of a man. This applies to every element in Creation, and this was so in the rooting of the Israeli nation, too.

The reason for it is that the Creator elicited Creation existence from absence. Hence, there is not a single creation that was not previously in absence. However, this absence has a distinct form in each element in creation, because when we divide reality into four types: still, vegetative, animate, and speaking, we find that the beginning of the still is necessarily complete absence.

However, the beginning of the vegetative is not complete absence, but merely its former degree, which, compared to itself, is considered absence. And in the matter of sowing and decay, which are necessary for any seed, it is received from the shape of the still. Also, it is the same with the absence of the animate and the speaking: the vegetative form is considered absence, with respect to the animate; and the animate form is considered absence, with respect to the speaking.

Hence, the text teaches us that the absence that precedes man’s existence is the form of the beast. This is why it is written, “a wild ass’s colt is born a man,” as it is necessary for every person to begin in the state of a beast. And the writing says, “Man and beast Thou preserves, O Lord.” And as a beast is given all that it needs for its sustenance and the fulfillment of its purpose, He also provides man with all that is necessary for his substance and the fulfillment of his purpose.

Therefore, we should understand where is the advantage of man’s form over the beast, from the perspective of their own preparation. Indeed, it is discerned in their wishes, since man’s wishes are certainly different from those of a beast. And to that extent, God’s salvation of man differs from God’s salvation of a beast.

Thus, after all the inquiries and scrutinies, we find that the only need in man’s wishes, which does not exist in the whole of the animate species, is the awakening towards Godly Dvekut (adhesion). Only the human species is ready for it, and none other.

It follows that the whole issue of presence in the human species is in that preparation imprinted in him to crave His work, and in that, he is superior to the beast. And many have already said that even the intelligence in craftsmanship and in political conducts is present, with great wisdom, in many elements in the animal world.

Accordingly, we can also understand the matter of the absence that precedes the existence of man as the negation of the desire for God’s proximity, since one is in the animate degree. Now we understand the words of the phrase that said, “Begins with denunciation, and ends with praise.” This means that we must remember and research the absence that precedes our existence in a positive manner, as this is the denunciation that precedes the praise, and from it we will understand the praise more profoundly, as it is written, “Begins with denunciation, and ends with praise.”

This is also the meaning of our four exiles, exile by exile, which precede the four redemptions, redemption by redemption, up to the fourth redemption, which is the complete perfection that we hope for soon in our days, Amen. Exile refers to “absence that precedes the presence,” which is redemption. And since this absence is what prepares for the HaVaYaH ascribed to it, like the sowing that prepares the reaping, all the letters of redemption are present in exile, except for the Aleph, since this letter indicates the “Aluph (Champion) of the world.” [24]

This teaches us that the form of the absence is but the negation of the presence. And we know the form of the presence – redemption – from the verse, “and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor …for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them.” Hence, the form of the previous absence, meaning the form of exile, is only the absence of the knowledge of the Lord. This is the absence of the Aleph, which is missing in the Gola (exile), and present in the Geula(redemption) – the Dvekut with the “Champion of the world.” This is precisely the redemption of our souls, no more and no less, as we have said that all the letters of Geula are present in Gola, but the Aleph, which is the Champion of the world.

To understand this weighty issue, that the absence in itself is what prepares the presence ascribed to it, we should learn from the conducts of this corporeal world. We see that in the concept of freedom, which is a sublime concept, only a chosen few perceive it, and even they require appropriate preparations. But the majority of the people are utterly incapable of perceiving it. Conversely, with regards to the concept of enslavement, the small and the great are equal: even the least among the people will not tolerate it.

(We saw that in Poland, they lost their kingdom only because the majority of them did not properly understand the merit of freedom and did not preserve it. Hence, they fell under the burden of subjugation under the Russian government for a hundred years. During that time, they all suffered under the burden of subjugation and desperately sought freedom from least to great. And although they did not yet assume the taste of freedom as it truly is, each of them imagined it as they wanted, but in the absence of freedom, which is subjugation, it was thoroughly engraved in their hearts to cherish freedom.

For this reason, when they were liberated from the burden of subjugation, many of them were bewildered, not knowing what they have gained by this freedom. Some of them even regretted it and said that their government was burdening them with even more taxes than the foreign government, and wished for their return. This was so because the force of absence did not sufficiently affect them.)

Now we can understand the dispute between Rav and Shmuel. Rav interprets the phrase as beginning with denunciation, so that through it the salvation will be thoroughly appreciated. Hence, he says to begin from the time of Terah. And he does not say what Shmuel does, since in Egypt, His love and work was already planted in a few within the nation. Also, the added difficulty of enslavement in Egypt is not a deficiency in itself in the life of the nation called “Adam.”

And Shmuel interprets the phrase, saying that because the absence prepares the presence, it is considered a part of His salvation, and should be met with gratitude, as well. Hence, we should not begin with, “in the beginning, our fathers were idol worshipers,” since that time is not even regarded as “absence that precedes the presence.” This is because they are completely devoid of the human type of presence, since they were completely removed from His love, like the neuter, which is devoid of love.

Hence, we begin with the enslavement in Egypt, when the sparks of His love were burning in their hearts, to an extent, but due to impatience and hard work, it was being quenched every day. This is considered “absence that precedes the presence,” and this is why he says to begin with “we were slaves.”

And also, it is because the concept of the freedom of the nation in the knowledge of God is a very high concept, which only a chosen few understand, and even then it requires appropriate preparations, but the majority of the people have not attained that. Conversely, perceiving the hardships of enslavement is clear to all, as the Even Ezra wrote in the beginning of Parashat Mishpatim, “Nothing is harder for man than to be in the authority of another man like him.”

 

Notes

[23] Unleavened bread eaten by Jews during the holiday of Passover

[24] Translator’s note: In Hebrew, the difference between the words Galut (exile) and Ge’ula (redemption) is in the addition of the letter Aleph to the latter.

Matter and Form in the Wisdom of Kabbalah

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)

 

As a whole, science is divided into two parts: one is called “material research” and the other, “formative research.” This means that matter and form are perceived in every element of the entire reality before us.

For example, a table consists of matter, meaning the wood, and consists of form, the shape of a table. The matter, being the wood, is the carrier of the form: the table. Also, in the word “liar,” there is matter, which is a person, and there is a form: the lie. The matter, which is the person, carries the form of a lie, meaning the custom of telling lies. And so it is in everything.

Hence, science, too, which researches the elements of reality, is divided into two parts: material research and formative research. The part of science that studies the quality of the substances in reality, both materials without their form, and materials along with their forms, is called “material research.” This research is empirical, based on evidence and deductions derived from practical experimentation, and these practical experimentations are treated as a sound basis for valid deductions.

The other part of science studies only forms abstracted from materials, without any contact with the substances themselves. In other words, they shed the forms of true and false from the materials, which are the people who carry them, and engage only in research to know such values of superiority and inferiority in these forms of truth and falsehood as they are for themselves, bare, as though they were never clothed in any matter. This is called “formative research.”

This research is not based on practical experiments, for such abstract forms do not appear in practical experiments, as they do not exist in the actual reality. This is because such an abstract form is imaginary, meaning only the imagination can picture it, even though it does not exist in the actual reality.

Hence, any scientific research of this kind is necessarily based solely on a theoretical basis. This means that it is not taken from practical experimentation, but only from a research of theoretical negotiations.

The whole of the higher philosophy belongs to this kind; hence, many contemporary intellectuals have left it, since they are displeased with any research built on a theoretical basis. They believe it is not a sound basis, for they consider only the experimental basis as sound.

And the wisdom of Kabbalah, too, is divided into these two parts: “material research” and “formative research.” But here there is a great advantage over secular sciences: here, even the part of formative research is built entirely on the critique of practical reason, meaning on a practical, empirical basis.

Introduction to the Book, Panim Meirot uMasbirot

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)

 

1) It is written at the end of the Mishnah (Okatzin), “The Creator did not find a receptacle that holds a blessing for Israel, but peace, as it is written, ‘The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.’”

There is a lot to learn here: First, how did they prove that nothing is better for Israel than peace? Second, the text explicitly states that peace is the blessing itself, as it is written, “giving in strength and blessing in peace.” According to them, it should have stated, “giving in peace.” Third, why was this phrase written to end of the Mishnah? Also, we need to understand the meaning of the words “peace,” “strength,” and what they mean.

To interpret this article in its true meaning, we must go by a long way, for the heart of sayers is too deep to search. This means that all the issues of the Torah and the Mitzva bear revealed and concealed, as it is written, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Indeed, the Halachot (collective name for Torah and Mitzvot) are like grails of wine. When one gives one’s friend a gift, a grail of wine, then both the insides and the outside are important. This is because the grail has its own value, as does the wine inside it.

The legends, however, are as apples. Their interior is eaten and their exterior is thrown away, as the exterior is completely worthless. You find that all the worth and importance are only in the interior, the insides.

So is the matter with legends; the apparent superficiality seems meaningless and worthless. However, the inner content concealed in the words is built solely on the bedrock of the wisdom of truth, given to virtuous few.

Who would dare extract it from the heart of the masses and scrutinize their ways, when their attainment is incomplete in both parts of the Torah called Peshat (literal) and Drush (interpretation)? In their view, the order of the four parts of the Torah (PARDESS) begins with the Peshat, then the Drush, then Remez (insinuated), and in the end the Sod (Secret) is understood.

However, it is written in the Vilna Gaon prayer book that the attainment begins with the Sod. After the Sod part of the Torah is attained it is possible to attain the Drush part, and then the Remez part. When one is granted complete knowledge of these three parts of the Torah, one is awarded the attainment of the Peshat part of the Torah.

It is written in Masechet Taanit: “If one is rewarded, it becomes a potion of life to him; not rewarded, it becomes a potion of death to him.” Great merit is required in order to understand the Peshat of the texts, since first we must attain the three internal parts of the Torah, which the Peshat robes, and the Peshat will not be parsed. If one has not been rewarded with it, one needs great mercy, so it will not become a potion of death for him.

It is the opposite of the argument of the negligent in attaining the interior, who say to themselves: “We settle for attaining the Peshat. If we attain that, we will be content.” Their words can be compared to one who wishes to step on the fourth step without first stepping on the first three steps.

2) However, accordingly, we need to understand the great concealing applied in the interior of the Torah, as it is said in Masechet Hagiga, one does not study Maase Beresheet in pairs, and not the Merkava alone. Also, all the books at our disposal in this trade are sealed and blocked before the eyes of the masses. Only the few who are summoned by the Creator shall understand them, as they already understand the roots by themselves and in reception from mouth to mouth.

It is indeed surprising how the ways of wisdom and intelligence are denied of the people, for whom it is the life and the length of their days. It is seemingly a criminal offence, as about such our sages said in Midrash RabbaBeresheet, about Ahaz, that he was called Ahaz (literally translated as “held” or “seized”) for he had seized synagogues and seminaries, and this was his great iniquity.

Also, it is a natural law that one is possessive concerning dispensing one’s capital and property to others. However, is there anyone who is possessive concerning dispensing one’s wisdom and intelligence to others? Quite the contrary, more than the calf wants to eat, the cow wants to feed.

Indeed, we find such mysteries in the wisdom even in secular sages in previous generations. In Rav Butril’s introduction to his commentary on The Book of Creation, there is a text ascribed to Plato who warns his disciples as follows, “Do not convey the wisdom unto one who knows not its merit.”

Aristotle, too, warned, “Do not convey the wisdom to the unworthy, lest it shall be robbed.” He (Rav Butril) interprets that if a sage teaches wisdom to the unworthy, they rob the wisdom and destroy it.

The secular sages of our time do not do so. On the contrary, they exert in expanding the gates of their sagacity to the entire crowd without any boundaries and conditions. Seemingly, they strongly disagree with the first sages, who opened the doors of their wisdom to only a handful of virtuous few, which they had found worthy, leaving the rest of the people fumbling the walls.

3) Let me explain the matter. We distinguish four divisions in the Speaking species, arranged in gradations one atop the other. Those are the Masses, the Strong, the Wealthy, and the Sagacious. They are equal to the four degrees in the whole of reality, called “Still,” “Vegetative,” “Animate,” and “Speaking.”

The Still can educe the three properties, Vegetative, Animate and Speaking, and we discern three values in the quantity of the force, from the beneficial and detrimental in them.

The smallest force among them is the Vegetative. The flora operates by attracting what is beneficial to it and rejecting the harmful in much the same way as humans and animals do. However, there is no individual sensation in it, but a collective force, common to all types of plants in the world, which affects this operation in them.

Atop them is the Animate. Each creature feels itself, concerning attracting what is beneficial to it and rejecting the harmful. It follows that one animal equalizes in value to all the plants in reality. It is so because the force that distinguishes the beneficial from the detrimental in the entire Vegetative is found in one creature in the Animate, separated to its own authority.

This sensing force in the Animate is very limited in time and space, since the sensation does not operate at even the shortest distance outside its body. Also, it does not feel anything outside its own time, meaning in the past or in the future, but only at the present moment.

Atop them is the Speaking, consisting of an emotional force and an intellectual force together. For this reason, its power is unlimited by time and space in attracting what is good for it and rejecting what is harmful, like the Animate.

This is so because of its science, which is a spiritual matter, unlimited by time and place. One can teach others wherever they are in the whole of reality, and in the past and the future throughout the generations.

It follows that the value of one person from the Speaking equalizes with the value of all the forces in the Vegetative and the Animate in the whole of reality at that time, and in all the past generations. This is so because its power encompasses them and contains them within its own self, along with all their forces.

This ruling also applies to the four divisions in the human species, namely the Masses, the Strong, the Wealthy, and the Sagacious. Certainly, they all come from the Masses, which are the first degree, as it is written, “all are of the dust.”

It is certain that the whole merit of the dust and its very right to exist is according to the merit of the three virtues it educes, Vegetative, Animate, and Speaking. Also, the merit of the Masses corresponds to the properties they educe from them. Thus, they, too, connect in the shape of a human face.

For that purpose, the Creator instilled three inclinations in the masses, called “envy,” “lust,” and “honor.” Due to them, the Masses develop degree by degree to educe a face of a whole man.

The inclination for lust educes the Wealthy. The selected among them have a strong desire, and also lust. They excel in acquiring wealth, which is the first degree in the evolution of the Masses. Like the Vegetative degree in the general reality, they are governed by an alien force that deviates them to their inclination, as lust is an alien force in the human species borrowed from the Animate.

The inclination for honor educes the famous heroes from among them. They govern the synagogues, the town, etc. The most firm-willed among them, which also have an inclination for honor, excel in obtaining dominion. These are the second degree in the evolution of the Masses, similar to the Animate degree in the whole of reality, whose operating force is present in their own essence, as we have said above. This is because the inclination for honor is unique to the human species, and along with it the craving for governance.

The inclination for Envy elicits the sages from among them, as our sages said, “Author’s envy increases wisdom.” The strong-willed, with the inclination for envy, excel in acquiring wisdom and knowledge. It is like the Speaking degree in the whole of reality, in which the operating force is not limited by time and place, but is collective and encompasses every item in the world, throughout all times.

Also, it is the nature of the fire of envy to be general, encompassing all times and the whole reality. This is because it is the conduct of envy: if one had not seen the object in one’s friend’s possession, the desire for it would not have awakened in one at all.

You find that the sensation of absence is not for what one does not have, but for what one’s friend has, who are the entire progeny of Adam and Eve throughout the generations. Thus, this force is unlimited and it is therefore fit for its sublime and elated role.

Yet, those who remain without any merit, it is because they do not have a strong desire. Hence, all three above-mentioned inclinations operate in them together, in mixture. Sometimes they are lustful, sometimes envious, and sometimes they crave honor. Their desire breaks to pieces, and they are like children, who crave everything they see, and cannot attain anything. Hence, their value is like the straw and bran that remain after the flour.

It is known that the beneficial force and the detrimental force go hand in hand. In other words, as much as something can benefit, so it can harm. Hence, since the force of one person is greater than all the beasts and the animals of all times, one’s harmful force supersedes them all, as well.

Thus, as long as one does not merit one’s degree in a way that one uses one’s force only to do good, one needs a careful watch so he will not acquire great amounts of the human level, which is wisdom and science.

For this reason, the first sages hid the wisdom from the masses for fear of taking indecent disciples who would use the force of the wisdom to harm and damage. These would break and destroy the entire population with their lust and beastly savageness, using Man’s great powers.

When the generations have lessened and their sages themselves had started to crave both tables, meaning a good life for their corporeality, too, their views drew near to the masses. They traded with them and sold the wisdom as prostitutes, for the price of a dog.

Since then, the fortified wall that the first had exerted on has been ruined and the masses have looted it. The savages have filled their hands with the force of men, seized the wisdom and tore it. Half was inherited by adulterers and half by murderers, and they have put it in eternal disgrace to this day.

4) From that you can deduce about the wisdom of truth, which contains all the secular teachings within it, which are its seven little maids. This is the entirety of the human species and the purpose for which all the worlds were created, as it is written, “If My covenant be not with day and night, if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth.”

Hence, our sages have stated (Avot 4, Mishnah 7), “He who uses the Crown passes.” This is because they have prohibited us from using it for any sort of worldly pleasure.

This is what has sustained us thus far, to maintain the armies and the wall around the wisdom of truth, so no stranger or foreigner would break in and put it in their vessels to go and trade it in the market, as with the secular sages. This was so because all who entered have already been tested by seven tests until it was certain beyond any concern and suspicion.

After these words and truth, we find what appears to be a great contradiction, from one extreme to the other, in the words of our sages. It is written in The Zohar that at the time of the Messiah, this wisdom will be revealed even to the young. However, according to the above, we learned that in the days of the Messiah, that whole generation will be at the highest level. We will need no guard at all, and the fountains of wisdom will open and water the whole nation.

Yet, in Masechet Sutah, 49, and Sanhedrin 97a, they said, “Impudence shall soar at the time of the Messiah, authors’ wisdom shall go astray, and righteous shall be castaway.” It interprets that there is none so evil as that generation. Thus, how do we reconcile the two statements, for both are certainly the words of the Living God?

The thing is that this careful watch and door-locking on the hall of wisdom is for fear of people in whom the spirit of writers’ envy is mixed with the force of lust and honor. Their envy is not limited to wanting only wisdom and knowledge.

Hence, both texts are correct, and one comes and teaches of the other. The face of the generation is as the face of the dog, meaning they bark as dogs HavHav, righteous are castaway and authors’ wisdom went astray in them.

It follows that it is permitted to open the gates of the wisdom and remove the careful guard, since it is naturally safe from theft and exploitation. There is no longer fear lest indecent disciples might take it and sell it in the market to the materialistic plebs, since they will find no buyers for this merchandise, as it is loathsome in their eyes.

And since they have no hope of acquiring lust and honor through it, it has become safe and guarded by itself. No stranger will draw near, except lovers of wisdom and its dwellers. Hence, any examination shall be removed from those who enter, until even the very young will be able to attain it.

Now you can understand their words (Sanhedrin 98a): “The Son of David comes either in a generation that is all worthy, or all unworthy.” This is very perplexing. Seemingly, as long as there are a few righteous in the generation, they detain the redemption. When the righteous perish from the land, the Messiah will be able to come. I wonder.

Indeed, we should thoroughly understand that this matter of redemption and the coming of the Messiah that we hope will be soon in our days, Amen, is the uppermost wholeness of attainment and knowledge, as it is written, “and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, saying: ‘Know the Lord’; for they shall all know Me, from the greatest of them unto the least of them.” And with the completeness of the mind, the bodies are completed too, as it is written (Isaiah 65), “the youngest shall die a hundred years old.”

When the Children of Israel are complemented with the complete knowledge, the fountains of intelligence and knowledge shall flow beyond the boundaries of Israel and water all the nations of the world, as it is written (Isaiah 11), “for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord,” and as it is written, “and shall come unto the Lord and to His goodness.”

The proliferation of this knowledge is the matter of the expansion of the Messiah King to all the nations. Yet, it is the opposite with the crude, materialistic plebs. Since their imagination is attached to the complete power of the fist, the matter of the expansion of the Kingdom of Israel is engraved in their imagination only as a sort of dominion of bodies over bodies, to take their fee from the whole with great pride, and to be haughty over all the people in the world.

And what can I do for them if our sages have already rejected them, and the likes of them, from among the congregation of the Lord, saying, “All who is proud, the Creator says, ‘he and I cannot dwell in the same abode.’”

Conversely, some err and determine that as the body must exist prior to the existence of the soul and the complete perception, the perfection of the body and its needs precede in time the attainment of the soul and the complete perception. Hence, complete perception is denied of a weak body.

This is a grave mistake, harder than death, since a perfect body is inconceivable whatsoever before the complete perception has been attained. This is because, in itself, it is a punctured bag, a broken cistern. It cannot contain anything beneficial, neither for itself nor for others, except with the attainment of the complete knowledge.

At that time the body, too, rises to its completeness with it, literally hand in hand. This rule applies both in individuals and in the whole.

5) Now you will understand what is written in The Zohar: “With this composition, the Children of Israel will be redeemed from exile.” Also, in many other places, only through the expansion of the wisdom of Kabbalah in the masses will we obtain complete redemption.

They also said, “The Light in it reforms him.” They were intentionally meticulous about it, to show us that only the Light enclosed within it, “like apples of gold in settings of silver,” in it lies the cure that reforms a person. Both the individual and the nation will not complete the aim for which they were created, except by attaining the internality of the Torah and its secrets.

And although we hope for the complete attainment at the coming of the Messiah, it is written, “Will give wisdom to the wise.” It also says, “I have put wisdom in the heart of every wise-at-heart.”

Hence, it is the great expansion of the wisdom of truth within the nation that we need first, so we may merit receiving the benefit from our Messiah. Consequently, the expansion of the wisdom and the coming of our Messiah are interdependent.

Therefore, we must establish seminaries and compose books to hasten the distribution of the wisdom throughout the nation. And this was not the case before, for fear lest unworthy disciples would mingle, as we have elaborated above. This became the primary reason for the prolonging of the exile for our many sins, to this day.

Our sages said, “Messiah, Son of David comes only in a generation that is all worthy…” meaning when everyone retires from pursuit of honor and lust. At that time, it will be possible to establish many seminaries to prepare them for the coming of the Messiah Son of David. “…or in a generation that is all unworthy,” meaning in such a generation when “the face of the generation is as the face of the dog, and righteous shall be castaway, and authors’ wisdom shall go astray in them.” At such a time, it will be possible to remove the careful guard and all who remain in the house of Jacob with their hearts pounding to attain the wisdom and the purpose, “Holy” will be their names, and they shall come and study.

This is so because there will no longer be fear lest one might not sustain one’s merit and trade the wisdom in the market, as no one in the mob will buy it. The wisdom will be so loathsome in their eyes that neither glory nor lust will be obtainable in return for it.

Hence, all who wish to enter may come and enter. Many will roam, and the knowledge will increase among the worthy of it. And by that we will soon be rewarded with the coming of the Messiah, and the redemption of our souls soon in our days, Amen.

With these words I unbind myself from a considerable complaint, that I have dared more than all my predecessors in disclosing the ordinarily covered rudiments of the wisdom in my book, which was thus far unexplored. This refers to the essence of the ten Sefirot and all that concerns them, Yasharand HozerPnimi and Makif, the meaning of the Hakaa and the meaning of the Hizdakchut.

The authors that preceded me deliberately scattered the words here and there, and in subtle intimations, so one’s hand would fail to gather them. I, through His Light, which appeared upon me, and with the help of my teachers, have gathered them and disclosed the matters clearly enough and in their spiritual form, above place and above time.

They could have come to me with a great argument: If there are no additions to my teachers here, then the Ari and Rav Chaim Vital themselves and the genuine authors, the commentators on their words, could have disclosed and explained the matters as openly as I. And if you wish to say that it was revealed to them, then who is this writer, for whom it is certainly a great privilege to be dust and ashes under their feet, who says that the lot given to him by the Creator is more than their lot?

However, as you will see in the references, I neither added to my teachers nor innovated in the composition. All my words are already written in the Eight Gates, in The Tree of Life, and in Mavo Shearim (Entrance of the Gates) by the Ari. I did not add a single word to them; but they aimed to conceal matters; hence, they scattered them one here and one there.

This was so because their generation was not yet completely unworthy and required great care. We, however, for our many sins, all the words of our sages are already true in us. They had been said for the time of the Messiah to begin with, for in such a generation there is no longer fear of disclosing the wisdom, as we have elaborated above; hence, my words are open and in order.

6) And now sons do hear me: The “Wisdom cries aloud in the streets, she utteres her voice,” “Whoso is on the Lord’s side, let him come unto me,” “For it is no vain thing for you; because it is your life, and the length of your days.”

“You were not created to follow the act of the grain and the potato, you and your asses in one trough.” And as the purpose of the ass is not to serve all its contemporary asses, man’s purpose is not to serve all the bodies of the people of his time, the contemporaries of his physical body. Rather, the purpose of the ass is to serve and be of use to man, who is superior to it, and the purpose of man is to serve the Creator and complete His aim.

As Ben Zuma said, “All those were created only to serve me, and I, to serve my Maker.” He says, “The Lord hath made all things for His own purpose,” since the Creator yearns and craves our perfection.

It is said in Beresheet RabbaParasha 8, that the angels said to Him: “‘What is man, that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man, that Thou thinkest of him?’ Why do You need this trouble? The Creator told them: ‘Therefore, why sheep and oxen?’” What does it resemble? A king who had a tower filled abundantly, but no guests. What pleasure has the king from his fill? They promptly said unto Him: “O Lord, our Lord, how glorious is Thy name in all the earth! Do that which seems good to You.”

Seemingly, we should doubt that allegory, since where does that tower filled abundantly stand? In our time, we really would fill it with guests to the rim.

Indeed, the words are earnest, since you see that the angels made no complaint about any of the creatures that were created during the six days of Creation, except about Man. This is because he was created in God’s image and consists of the Upper and Lower together.

When the angels saw it, they were startled and bewildered. How would the pure, spiritual soul descend from its sublime degree, and come and dwell in the same abode with this filthy, beastly body? In other words, they wondered, “Why do You need this trouble?”

The answer that came to them is that there is already a tower filled abundantly, and empty of guests. To fill it with guests, we need the existence of this human, made of Upper and lower together. For this reason, this pure soul must clothe in the shape of this filthy body. They immediately understood it and said, “Do that which seems good to You.”

Know that this tower, filled abundantly, implies all the pleasure and the goodness for which He has created the creatures, as they said, “The conduct of The Good is to do good.” Hence, He has created the worlds to delight His creatures.

And since there is no past and future in Him, we must realize that as soon as He had Thought to create creatures and delight them, they came out and were instantly made before Him, they and all their fulfillments of delight and pleasure, as He had contemplated them.

It is written in the book, Heftzi Bah (My Delight Is in Her), by the Ari, that all the worlds, Upper and lower, are contained in the Ein Sof (Infinite), even before the Tzimtzum (restriction) by way of He is One and His Name One.

The incident of the Tzimtzum, which is the root of the worlds ABYA, confined to this world, occurred because the roots of the souls themselves yearn to equalize their form with the Emanator. This is the meaning of Dvekut (adhesion), as separation and Dvekut in anything spiritual is possible only in values of equivalence of form or disparity of form.

Since He wanted to delight them, the will to receive pleasure was necessarily imprinted in the receivers. Thus, their form has been changed from His, since this form is not at all present in the Emanator, as from whom would He receive?

The Tzimtzum and the Gevul (boundary/limitation) was made for this purpose, until the emergence of this world to a reality of a clothing of a soul in a corporeal body. When one engages in Torah and work in order to bestow contentment upon one’s Maker, the form of reception will be reunited in order to bestow once more.

This is the meaning of the text, “and to cleave unto Him,” since then one equalizes one’s form to one’s Maker, and as we have said, equivalence of form is Dvekut in spirituality. When the matter of Dvekut is completed in all the parts of the soul, the worlds will return to the state of Ein Sof, as prior to the Tzimtzum.

“In their land they will inherit doubly.” This is because then they will be able to receive once more all the pleasure and delight, prepared for them in advance in the world of Ein Sof. Moreover, now they are prepared for the real Dvekut without any disparity of form, since their reception is no longer for themselves, but to bestow contentment upon their Maker. You find that they have equalized in the form of bestowal with the Maker.

7) Now you will understand their words, that Divinity in the lower ones is a high need. This is a most perplexing statement, though it does go hand in hand with the above study.

They have compared the matter to a king who has a tower filled abundantly, and no guests. It is certain that he sits and waits for guests, or his whole preparation will be in vain.

It is like a great king who had a son when he was already old, and he was very fond of him. Hence, from the day of his birth he thought favorable thoughts about him, collected all the books and the finest scholars in the land, and built schools for him.

He gathered the finest builders in the land and built palaces of pleasure for him, collected all the musicians and the singers and built him concert halls. He assembled the best chefs and bakers in the land and served him every delicacy in the world, and so on and so forth.

Alas, the boy grew up to be a fool with no wish for knowledge. He was also blind and could not see or feel the beauty of the buildings; and he was deaf and could not hear the singers. Sadly, he was diabetic, and was permitted to eat only coarse-flour bread, arising contempt and wrath.

Now you can understand their words about the verse, “I, the Lord, will hasten it in its time.” The Sanhedrin (98) interpreted, “Not rewarded – in its time; rewarded – I will hasten it.”

Thus, there are two ways to attain the above-mentioned goal: through their own attention, which is called a “Path of Repentance.” If they are awarded that, then “I will hasten it” will be applied to them. This means that there is no set time for it, but when they are awarded, the correction ends, of course.

If they are not awarded the attention, there is another way, called “Path of Suffering.” As the Sanhedrin said (97), “I place upon them a king such as Haman, and they will repent against their will,” meaning in its time, for in that there is a set time.

By that, they wanted to show us that His ways are not our ways. For this reason, the case of the flesh-and-blood king who had troubled so to prepare those great things for his beloved son and was finally tormented in every way, and all his trouble was in vain, bringing contempt and wrath, will not happen to Him.

Instead, all the deeds of the Creator are guaranteed and true, and there is no fraud in Him. This is what our sages said, “Not rewarded – in its time.” What the will does not do, time will do, as it is written, “Canst thou send forth lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee: ‘Here we are’?”

There is a path of pain that can cleanse any defect and materialism until one realizes how to raise one’s head out of the beastly crib, to soar and climb the rungs of the ladder of happiness and human success, for one will cleave to one’s root and complete the aim.

8) Therefore, come and see how grateful we should be to our teachers, who impart us their sacred Lights and dedicate their souls to do good to our souls. They stand in the middle between the path of harsh torments and the path of repentance. They save us from the netherworld, which is harder than death, and accustom us to reach the heavenly pleasures, the sublime gentleness and the pleasantness that is our share, ready and waiting for us from the very beginning, as we have said above. Each of them operates in his generation, according to the power of the Light of his Torah and sanctity.

Our sages have already said, “You have not a generation without such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Indeed, that Godly man, our Rav Isaac Luria, troubled and provided us the fullest measure. He did wondrously more than his predecessors, and if I had a tongue that praises, I would praise that day when his wisdom appeared almost as the day when the Torah was given to Israel.

There are not enough words to measure his holy work in our favor. The doors of attainment were locked and bolted, and he came and opened them for us. Thus, all who wish to enter the King’s palace need only purity and sanctity, and to go and bathe and shave their hair and wear clean clothes, to properly stand before the sublime Kingship.

You find a thirty-eight-year-old who subdued with his wisdom all his predecessors through the Genius and through all times. All the elders of the land, the gallant shepherds, friends and disciples of the Godly sage, the RAMAK, stood before him as disciples before the Rav.

All the sages of the generations following them to this day, none missing, have abandoned all the books and compositions that precede him, the Kabbalah of the RAMAK, the Kabbalah of The First and the Kabbalah of The Genius, blessed be the memory of them all. They have attached their spiritual life entirely and solely to his Holy Wisdom. Naturally, it is not without merit that a total victory is awarded, as this young in years father of wisdom has.

Alas, the devil’s work succeeded, and obstacles were placed along the path of expansion of his wisdom into a holy nation, and only very few have begun to conquer them.

This was so primarily because the words were written by hearsay, as he had interpreted the wisdom day-by-day before his disciples, who were already elderly and with great proficiency in The Zohar and the Tikkunim (Corrections). In most cases, his holy sayings were arranged according to the profound questions that they asked him, each according to his own interest.

For this reason, he did not convey the wisdom in a suitable order, as with compositions that preceded him. We find in the texts that the Ari himself had wished to bring the issues in order. In that regard, see the beginning of the sayings of Rashbi in the interpretation to the Idra Zuta, in a short introduction by Rav Chaim Vital.

There is also the short time of his teaching, since his entire time of his seminary was some seventeen months, as is said in the Gate to Reincarnations, Gate 8, p 49, since he arrived in Safed from Egypt soon before Pesach (Passover) in the year 1571, and at that time, Rav Chaim Vital was twenty-nine years of age. And in July 1572, on the eve of Shabbat, Parashat Matot-Masaey [21], the beginning of the month of Av, he fell ill, and on Tuesday, fifth of Av, on the following week, he passed away.

It is also written in the Gate to Reincarnations, Gate 8, p 71a, that upon his demise, he ordered Rav Chaim Vital to not teach the wisdom to others, and permitted him to study only by himself and in a whisper. The rest of the friends were forbidden to engage in it altogether because he said that they did not understand the wisdom properly.

This is the reason why Rav Chaim Vital did not arrange the texts at all and left them unorganized. Naturally, he did not explain the connections between the matters, so it would not be as teaching others. This is the reason we find such great caution on his part, as is known to those proficient in the writings of the Ari.

The arrangements found in the writings of the Ari were arranged and organized by a third generation, in three times, and by three compilers. The first compiler was the sage MAHARI Tzemach. He lived at the same time of MAHARA Azulai, who passed away in the year 1644.

A large portion of the texts came by him, and he arranged many books from them. The most important among them is the book Adam Yashar (Upright Man), in which he collected the root and the essential teachings that were at his disposal. However, some of the books that this Rav had complied were lost. In the introduction to his book, Kol BeRama (A Loud Voice), he presents all the books that he had compiled.

The second compiler is his disciple, MAHARAM Paprish. He did more than his Rav, since some of the books that were held by the sage MAHARASH Vital came by his hands, and he compiled many books. The most important among them are the books, Etz haChaim (The Tree of Life) and Pri Etz haChaim (Fruit of the Tree of Life). They contain the entire scope of the wisdom in its fullest sense.

The third compiler was the sage MAHARASH Vital, the son of MOHARAR Chaim Vital. He was a great and renowned sage. He compiled the famous Eight Gates from the patrimony his father had left him.

Thus we see that each of the compilers did not have the complete writings. It heavily burdened the arrangement of the issues, which are unsuitable for those without true proficiency in The Zohar and the Tikkunim. Hence, few are those who ascend.

9) In return for that, we are privileged by Him to have been rewarded with the spirit of The Baal Shem Tov, whose greatness and sanctity are beyond any word and any utterance. He was not gazed upon and will not be gazed upon, except by those worthy that had served under his Light, and they, too, only intermittently, each according to what he received in his heart.

It is true that the Light of his Torah and Holy Wisdom are built primarily on the holy foundations of the Ari. However, they are not at all similar. I shall explain that with an allegory of a person who is drowning in the river, rising and sinking as drowning people do. Sometimes only the hair is visible, and then a counsel is sought to catch him by his head. Other times his body appears as well, and then a counsel is sought to catch him from opposite his heart.

So is the matter before us. After Israel has drowned in the evil waters of the exile in the nations, from then until now they rise and fall, and not all times are the same. At the time of the Ari, only the head was visible. Hence, the Ari had troubled in our favor to save us through the mind. At the time of The Baal Shem Tov, there was relief. Hence, it was a blessing for us to save us from opposite our heart, and that was a great and true salvation for us.

And for our many sins, the wheel has been turned over again in our generation and we have declined tremendously, as though from the zenith to the nadir.

In addition, there is the collision of the nations, which has confused the entire world. The needs have increased and the mind grew short and corrupted in the filth of materialism which apprehends the lead. Servants ride horses and ministers walk on the earth, and everything that is said in our study in the above-mentioned Masechet Sutah has come true in us, for our many sins. Again, the iron wall has been erected, even on this great Light of the Baal Shem Tov, which we have said illuminated as far as the establishment of our complete redemption.

And the wise-at-heart did not believe in the possibility that a generation would come when they could not see by his Light. Now, our eyes have darkened; we have been robbed of good, and when I saw this I said, “It is time to act!” Thus, I have come to open widely the gates of Light of the Ari, for he is indeed capable and fit for our generation, too, and “Two are better than one.”

We should not be blamed for the brevity in my composition, since it corresponds and adapts to any wisdom lover, as too much wine wears off the flavor, and the attainment will become harder for the disciple.

Also, we are not responsible for those fat-at-heart, since the language to assist them has yet to be created. Wherever they rest their eyes, they find folly, and there is a rule that from the same source from which the wise draws his wisdom, the fool draws his folly.

Thus, I stand at the outset of my book and warn that I have not troubled at all for all those who love to look through the windows. Rather, it is for those who care for the words of the Creator and long for the Creatorand His Goodness, to complete the purpose for which they were created, for with the will of God, the verse, “All those who seek Me shall find Me,” shall come true in them.

10) Come and see the words of the sage, Rabbi Even Ezra in his book, Yesod Mora, p 8b: “And now note and know that all the Mitzvot that are written in the Torah or the conventions that the fathers have established, although they are mostly in action or in speech, they are all in order to correct the heart, ‘for the Lord searches all hearts, and understandes all the imaginations of the thoughts.’”

It is written, “to them that are upright in their hearts.” Its opposite is, “A heart that deviseth wicked thoughts.” I have found one verse that contains all the Mitzvot, which is, “Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; and Him shalt thou serve.”

The word “fear” contains all the negative Mitzvot in speech, in heart, and in action. It is the first degree from which one ascends to the work of God, which contains all the positive Mitzvot.

These will accustom one’s heart and guide one until one cleaves to the Lord, as for that was man created. He was not created for acquiring fortunes or for building buildings. Hence, one should seek everything that will bring one to love Him, to learn wisdom and to seek faith.

And the Creator will open the eyes of his heart and will renew a different spirit within him. Then he will be loved by his Maker in his life.

Know that the Torah was given only to men of heart. Words are as corpses and the Taamim (flavors) as souls. If one does not understand the Taamim, one’s whole effort is in vain, labor blown away.

It is as though one exerts oneself to count the letters and the words in a medicine book. No cure will come from this labor. It is also like a camel carrying silk; it does not benefit the silk, nor does the silk benefit it.

We draw only this from his words; hold on to the goal for which man was created. He says about it that this is the matter of the Dvekut with the Creator.

Hence, he says that one must search every means to bring one to love Him, to learn wisdom and to seek faith, until the Creator rewards one with opening one’s eyes and renewing a different spirit within him. At that time, he shall be loved by his Maker.

He deliberately makes that precision, to be loved by his Maker in his life. It indicates that while he has not acquired that, his work is incomplete, and the work that was necessarily given to us to do today. It is as he ends it, that the Torah was only given to men of heart, meaning ones who have acquired the heart to love and covet Him. The sages call them “wise-at-heart,” since there is no longer a descending, beastly spirit there, for the evil inclination is present only in a heart vacant from wisdom.

He interprets and says that the words are as corpses and the Taamim, as souls. If one does not understand the Taamim, it is similar to exerting oneself counting pages and words in a medicine book. This exertion will not yield a remedy.

He wishes to say that one is compelled to find the means to acquire the above-mentioned possession. It is because then one can taste the flavors of Torah, which is the interior wisdom and its mysteries, and the flavors of Mitzva, which are the interior love and the desire for Him.

Without it, one has only the words and the actions; dead bodies without souls. It is like one who labors counting pages and words in a medicine book, etc. Certainly, he will not perfect himself in medicine before he understands the meaning of the written medicine.

Even after one purchases it, for whatever price is asked, if the conduct of the study and the actions are not arranged to bring him to it, it is like a camel carrying silk; it does not benefit the silk and the silk does not benefit it, to bring it to complete the aim for which it was created.

11) According to these words, our eyes have been opened concerning the words of Rabbi Simon in Midrash RabbaParasha 6, about the verse, “Let us make man.” When the Creator came to create man, He consulted the ministering angels, and they were divided into sects and groups. Some said, “Let him be created,” and some said, “Let him not be created,” as it is written, “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”

  • Mercy said, “Let him be created, for he does merciful actions.”
  • Truth said, “Let him not be created, for he is all lies.”
  • Righteousness said, “Let him be created, for he performs righteousness.”
  • Peace said, “Let him not be created, for he is all strife.”

What did the Creator do? He took Truth and threw it to the ground, as it is written, “and it cast down truth to the ground.” The angels said before the Creator: “Why do you disgrace your seal? Let Truth come up from the ground, as it is written, ‘truth springeth out of the ground.’”

This text is difficult from all sides:

i. It does not explain the seriousness of the verse, “Let us make man.” Is it a counsel that He needs, as it is written, “Deliverance in the heart of a counsel”?

ii. Regarding Truth, how can it be said about the entire human species that it is all lies, when there is not a generation without such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

iii. If the words of Truth are earnest, how did the angels of Mercy and Righteousness agree to a world that is all lies?

iv. Why is Truth called “Seal,” which comes at the edge of a letter? Certainly, the reality exists primarily outside the seal. Is there no reality at all outside the borders of Truth?

v. Can true angels think of the True Operator that His operation is untrue?

vi. Why did Truth deserve such a harsh punishment to be thrown to the ground and into the ground?

vii. Why is the angels’ reply not brought in the Torah, as their question is brought?

We must understand these two conducts set before our eyes, which are completely opposite. These are the conducts of the existence of the entire reality of this world and the conducts of the manners of existence for the sustenance of each and every one in the reality before us. From this end, we find a reliable conduct in utterly affirmed guidance, which controls the making of each and every creature in reality.

Let us take the making of a human being as an example. The love and pleasure are its first reason, certain and reliable for its task. As soon as it is uprooted from the father’s brain, Providence provides it a safe and guarded place among the beddings in the mother’s abdomen, so no stranger may touch it.

There Providence provides it with its daily bread in the right measure. It tends to its every need without forgetting it for even a moment, until it gains strength to come out to the air of our world, which is full of obstacles.

At that time, Providence lends it power and strength, and like an armed, experienced hero, it opens gates and breaks the walls until it comes to such people it can trust to help it through its days of weakness with love and great compassion to sustain its existence, as they are the most precious for it in the whole world.

Thus, Providence embraces it until it qualifies it to exist and to continue its existence onward. As is with man, so it is with the animate and the flora. All are wondrously watched, securing their existence, and every scientist of nature knows it.

On the other end, when we regard the order of existence and sustenance in the modes of existence of the whole of reality, large and small, we find confused orders, as if an army is fleeing the campaign sick, beaten, and afflicted by the Creator. Their whole life is as death, having no sustenance unless by tormenting first, risking their lives for their bread.

Even a tiny louse breaks its teeth when it sets off for a meal. How much frisking it frisks to attain enough food to sustain itself? As it is, so are all, great and small alike, and all the more so with humans, the elite of Creation, who is involved in everything.

12) We discern two opposites in the ten Sefirot of Kedusha (Holiness). The first nine Sefirot are in the form of bestowal, and Malchut means reception. Also, the first nine are filled with Light, and Malchut has nothing of her own.

This is the meaning of our discrimination of two discernments of Light in each PartzufOhr Pnimi(Inner Light) and Ohr Makif (Surrounding Light), and two discernments in the Kelim (Vessels), which are the Inner Kli (Vessel) for Ohr Pnimi and an Outer Kli for Ohr Makif.

This is so because of the two above-mentioned opposites, as it is impossible for two opposites to be in the same subject. Thus, a specific subject is required for the Ohr Pnimi and a specific subject for the Ohr Makif.

However, they are not really opposite in Kedusha, since Malchut is in Zivug (Copulation) with the Upper nine, and its quality is of bestowal, too, in the form of Ohr Hozer (Reflected Light). But the Sitra Achra (Other Side) has nothing of the Upper nine. They are built primarily from the Vacant Space, which is the complete form of reception, on which the first Tzimtzum (Restriction) occurred. That root remained without Light even after the illumination of the Kav (Line) reached inside the Reshimo (Reminiscence).

For this reason, they are two complete opposites, compared to life and Kedusha, as it is written, “God hath made even the one as well as the other”; hence they are called “dead.”

It has been explained above, Item 6, that the whole issue of the Tzimtzum was only for the adornment of the souls, concerning the equalizing of their form to their Maker’s, which is the inversion of the vessels of reception to the form of bestowal.

You find that this goal is still denied from the perspective of the Partzufim of Kedusha(Countenances of Holiness). This is because there is nothing there of the Vacant Space, which is the complete form of reception, over which was the Tzimtzum, hence, no correction will apply to it, as it does not exist in reality.

Also, there is certainly no correction here from the perspective of the Sitra Achra, although it does have a Vacant Space, since it has a completely opposite interest, and everything it receives dies.

Hence, it is only a human in this world that we need. In infancy, he is sustained and supported by the Sitra Achra, inheriting the Kelim of the Vacant Space from it. When he grows, he connects to the structure of Kedusha through the power of Torah and Mitzvot to bestow contentment upon his Maker.

Thus, one turns the complete measure of reception he has already acquired to be solely arranged for bestowal. In that, he equalizes his form with his Maker and the aim comes true in him.

This is the meaning of the existence of time in this world. You find that first, these two above opposites were divided into two separate subjects, namely Kedusha and Sitra Achra, by way of, “even the one as well as the other.” They are still devoid of the above correction, for they must be in the same subject, which is man.

Therefore, the existence of an order of time is necessary for us, since then the two opposites will come in a person one-by-one, meaning at a time of Katnut (infancy) and at a time of Gadlut(adulthood/maturity).

13) Now you can understand the need for the breaking of the vessels and their properties, as it is written in The Zohar and in the writings of the Ari, that two kinds of Light are present in each ten Sefirot, running back and forth.

  • The first Light is OhrEin Sof (Light of Infinity), which travels from Above downward. It is calledOhr Yashar (Direct Light).
  • The second Light is a result of the Kli of Malchut, returning from below Upward, called Ohr Hozer (Reflected Light).

Both unite into one. Know that from the Tzimtzum downward, the point of Tzimtzum is devoid of any Light and remains a Vacant Space. The Upper Light can no longer appear in the last Behina(discernment) before the end of correction, and this is said particularly about Ohr Ein Sof, called Ohr Yashar. However, the second Light, called Ohr Hozer, can appear in the last Behina, since the case of the Tzimtzum did not apply to it at all.

Now we have learned that the system of the Sitra Achra and the Klipot (Shells) is a necessity for the purpose of the Tzimtzum, in order to instill in a person the great vessels of reception while in Katnut, when one is dependent on her.

Thus, the Sitra Achra too needs abundance. Where would she take it if she is made solely of the last Behina, which is a space that is vacant of any Light, since from the Tzimtzum downward the Upper Light is completely separated from it?

Hence, the matter of the breaking of the vessels had been prepared. The breaking indicates that a part of the Ohr Hozer of the world of Nekudim descended from Atzilut out to the Vacant Space. And you already know that Ohr Hozer can appear in the Vacant Space, as well.

That part, the Ohr Hozer that descended from Atzilut outwardly, contains thirty-two special Behinot(discernments) of each and every Sefira of the ten Sefirot of Nekudim. Ten times thirty-two is 320, and these 320 Behinot that descended, were prepared for the sustenance of the existence of the lower ones, which come to them in two systems, as it is written, “God hath made even the one as well as the other,” meaning the worlds ABYA of Kedusha and opposite them the worlds ABYA of the Sitra Achra.

In the interpretation of the verse, “and the one people shall be stronger than the other people,” our sages said that when one rises, the other falls, and Tzor is built only over the ruins of Jerusalem. This is so because all these 320 Behinot can appear for the Sitra Achra, at which time the structure of the system of Kedusha, with respect to the lower ones, is completely ruined.

Also, these 320 Behinot can connect solely to Kedusha. At that time, the system of the Sitra Achra is completely destroyed from the land, and they can divide more or less evenly between them, according to people’s actions. And so they incarnate in the two systems until the correction is completed.

After the breaking of the vessels and the decline of the 320 Behinot of sparks of Light from Atzilut outwards, 288 of them were sorted and rose, meaning everything that descended from the first nine Sefirot in the ten Sefirot of Nekudim. Nine times thirty-two are 288 Behinot, and they are the ones that reconnected to building the system of Kedusha.

You find that only thirty-two Behinot remained for the Sitra Achra from what had descended from Malchut of the world of Nekudim. This was the beginning of the structure of the Sitra Achra, in its utter smallness, when she is as yet unfit for her task. The completion of her construction ended later, by the sin of Adam ha Rishon with the Tree of Knowledge.

Thus we find that there are two systems, one opposite the other, operating in the persistence and sustenance of reality. The ration of Light needed for that existence is 320 sparks. Those were prepared and measured by the breaking of the vessels. This ration is to be swaying between the two systems, and that is what the conducts of sustenance and existence of reality depend on.

You should know that the system of Kedusha must contain at least a ration of 288 sparks to complete her nine upper Sefirot, and then it can sustain and provide for the existence of the lower ones. This is what it had prior to the sin of Adam ha Rishon, and for that reason the whole of reality was then conducted by the system of Kedusha, since it had the full 288 sparks.

14) Now we have found the opening to the above study regarding the four sects, Mercy, Righteousness, Truth, and Peace, which negotiated with the Creator regarding man’s creation. These angels are servants of man’s soul; hence, He negotiated with them, since the whole act of Creation was created according to them, as each and every soul consists of ten Sefirot in Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif.

  • Mercy is the Ohr Pnimi of the first nine of the soul.
  • Righteousness is the Ohr Pnimi of the Malchut of the soul.
  • Truth is the Ohr Makif of the soul.

We have already said that Ohr Pnimi and Ohr Makif are opposites, since the Ohr Pnimi is drawn by the law of the illumination of the Kav, which is prevented from appearing at the point of the Tzimtzum, which is the Gadlut form of reception.

The Ohr Makif extends from OhrEin Sof, which surrounds all the worlds, since there, in Ein Sof,great and small are equal. For this reason, the Ohr Makif shines and bestows upon the point of Tzimtzum, too, much less for Malchut.

Since they are opposites, two Kelim are needed. This is because the Ohr Pnimi illuminates in the Upper nine. Even to Malchut, it shines only according to the law of the Upper nine, and not at all to her own self. However, the Ohr Makif shines in the Kelim that extend specifically from the point of the Tzimtzum, which is called “Outer Kli.”

Now you can understand why Truth is called “Seal.” It is a borrowed name from a seal at the edge of a letter, at the end of the matters. However, it asserts them and gives them validity. Without the seal they are worthless, and the whole text is wasted.

It is the same with the Ohr Makif, which bestows upon the point of the Tzimtzum, which is the Gadlutmeasure of reception, until it equalizes its form with its Maker in bestowal. Indeed, this is the purpose of all the limited worlds, Upper and lower.

The protest of Truth regarding man’s creation is its claim that he is all lies. This is so because, from the perspective of the Creator, man does not have an Outer Kli, which he needs to draw from the point of Tzimtzum, as she has already been separated from His Light. Thus, the Angels of Truth could not help man obtain the Ohr Makif.

All the limited worlds, Upper and lower, were created solely for that completion, and this man must be its only subject. But since this man is unfit for his role, they are all abyss and falsehood, and the labor in them – useless.

It is the opposite with the angels of Mercy and Righteousness, which belong specifically to the Ohr Pnimi of the soul. Because he has nothing of the Vacant Space, they could bestow upon him all the Lights of Neshama abundantly, in the most sublime perfection.

Thus, they were happy to benefit him and wholeheartedly agreed to man’s creation. Because they are NHY that enter by Zivug de Hakaa (Copulation in striking), they belong to the half of the Ohr Makif from the perspective of the Ohr Hozer in it.

The angels of Peace claimed that he is all strife. In other words, how will he receive the Ohr Makif? In the end, they cannot come in the same subject with the Ohr Pnimi, as they are opposite from each other, meaning all strife.

The Ohr Makif is discerned by two: the future Ohr Hozer and the future Ohr Makif. The Outer Kli for the Ohr Hozer is the Masach (Screen) and the Outer Kli for the Ohr Makif is the Aviut of Behina Dalet(Fourth Discernment) itself, namely the Stony Heart.

You find that Adam ha Rishon lacked only the Outer Kli, which belongs to the angels of Truth. He did not lack the Outer Kli, belonging to the angels of Peace. Hence, they agreed to the Creation, but claimed that he is all strife, meaning that the Ohr Yashar cannot enter the Inner Kli since they are opposites.

15) Now we have been granted the understanding of the rest of the verses in the sin of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, which are most profound. Our sages, who disclosed a portion of them, concealed ten portions with their words.

As a foreword, it is written, “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.” Know that clothing means an Outer Kli. Hence, the text precedes to demonstrate the reason for the sin of the Tree of Knowledge, as it is written in the verse, “Libel is terrible for the children of man, for in libel you come upon him.”

This means that his sin had been prepared in advance, and this is the meaning of the words that Adam and his wife did not have an Outer Kli at the moment of creation, but only Inner Kelim, which extend from the system of Kedusha, hence they were not ashamed. This is why they did not feel their absence, as shame refers to a sensation of absence.

It is known that the sensation of absence is the first reason for the fulfillment of the deficiency. It is as one who feels one’s illness and is willing to receive the medication. However, when one does not feel that he is ill, he will certainly avoid all medications.

Indeed, this task is for the Outer Kli to do. Since it is in the construction of the body and is empty of Light, as it comes from the Vacant Space, it begets the sensation of emptiness and dearth in it, by which one becomes ashamed.

Hence, one is compelled to return to fill the absence and draw the lacking Ohr Makif, which is about to fill that Kli. This is the meaning of the verse, “And they were both naked, the man and his wife,” of the Outer Kli. For this reason, they were not ashamed, since they did not feel their absence. In that manner, they are devoid of the purpose for which they were created.

Yet, we must thoroughly understand the sublimity of that man, made by the hands of the Creator. Also, his wife, to whom the Creator has administered greater intelligence than him, as they have written (Nidah 45) in the interpretation to the verse, “And the Lord made the rib.”

Thus, how did they fail and became as fools, not knowing to beware of the serpent’s slyness? On the other hand, that serpent, of which the text testifies that it was more cunning than all the animals of the field, how did it utter such folly and emptiness that should they eat off the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, they would be turned to God? Moreover, how did that folly settle in their hearts?

Also, it is said below that they did not eat because of their desire to become God, but simply because the tree is good to eat. This is seemingly a beastly desire!

16) We must know the nature of the two kinds of discernments customary for us:

  • The first discernment is called “discernment of good and bad.”
  • The second discernment is called “discernment of true and false.”

This means that the Creator has imprinted a discerning force in each creature that executes everything that is good for it and brings it to its desired perfection. The first discernment is the active, physical force. It operates using the sensation of bitter and sweet, which loathes and repels the bitter form, since it is bad for it, and loves and attracts the sweet because it is good for it. This operating force is sufficient in the Still, the Vegetative, and the Animate in reality, to bring them to their desired perfection.

Atop them is the human species, in which the Creator instilled a rational operating force. It operates in sorting the above second discernment, rejecting falsehood and emptiness with loathing to the point of nausea, and attracts true matters and every benefit with great love.

This discernment is called “discernment of true and false.” It is implemented solely in the human species, each according to his own measure. Know that this second acting force was created and came to man because of the serpent. At creation, he had only the first active force, from the discernments of good and bad, which was sufficient for him at that time.

Let me explain it to you in an allegory: If the righteous were rewarded according to their good deeds, and the wicked punished according their bad deeds in this world, Kedusha would be determined for us in the reality of sweet and good, and the Sitra Achra would be defined in the reality of bad and bitter.

In that state, the commandment of choice would reach us, as it is written, “Behold, I have set before thee the sweet and the bitter; therefore choose sweet.” Thus, all the people would be guaranteed to achieve perfection, for they would certainly run from the sin, as it is bad for them. They would be occupied in His Mitzvot day in and day out, ceaselessly, like today’s fools regarding the bodily matters and its filth, since it is good and sweet to them. So was the matter of Adam ha Rishon when He created him.

“And put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Our sages interpreted, “to dress it” are the positive Mitzvot, “and to keep it” are the negative Mitzvot. His positive Mitzvot were to eat and delight with all the trees of the Garden, and his negative Mitzvot were to not eat from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. The positive Mitzvot were sweet and nice, and the negative Mitzvot were retirement from the bitter fruit that is as hard as death.

Not surprisingly, these cannot be called Mitzvot and labor. We find the likes of that in our present chores, where through the pleasures of Shabbat and good days we are rewarded with sublime Kedusha. And we are also rewarded for retiring from reptiles and insects and everything that one finds loathsome.

You find that the choice in the work of Adam ha Rishon was by way of “therefore choose sweet.” It follows that the physical palate alone was sufficient for all he needed, to know what the Creator commanded and what He did not command.

17) Now we can understand the serpent’s craftiness, which our sages added, and notified us that SAM clothed in it, because its words were very high. It started with, “Yea, hath God said: ‘Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?’” Meaning, it began to speak with her since the woman was not commanded by the Creator. Hence, it asked her about the modes of scrutiny, meaning how do you know that the Tree of Knowledge had been prohibited? Perhaps all the fruits of the Garden were forbidden for you, too? “And the woman said… ‘Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat’; …Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.”

There are two great precisions here:

A. The touching was never forbidden; hence, why did she add to the prohibition?

B. Did she doubt the words of the Creator? The Creator said, “thou shalt surely die,” and the woman said, “lest ye die.” Could it be that she did not believe the words of the Creator even prior to the sin?

Yet, the woman answered it according to the serpent’s question. She knew what the Creator had prohibited, that all the trees of the Garden are sweet and nice and good to eat. However, she was already close to touching that tree inside the Garden, and tasted in it a taste that is as hard as death.

She herself had proven that by to her own observation, there is fear of death, even from mere touching. For this reason, she understood the prohibition further than she had heard from her husband, as there is none so wise as the experienced.

“Lest ye die” concerns the touching. The answer must have been quite sufficient, for who would interfere and deny another’s taste? However, the serpent contradicted her and said, “Ye shall not surely die; for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened.”

We must make the precision concerning the matter of the opening of the eyes to this place. Indeed, it informed her of a new thing, beyond her. It proved to them that it is folly to think that the Creator created something harmful and detrimental in His world. Thus, with respect to the Creator, it is certainly not a bad or harmful thing.

Instead, that bitterness that you will taste in it, when even close to touching, is only on your part, since this eating is to notify you of the height of your merit. Thus, it is additional Kedusha that you need during the act, so your sole aim will be to bring contentment to your Maker, to keep the aim for which you were created. For this reason, it seems evil to you, so you will understand the additional Kedusha required of you.

“For in the day that thou eatest thereof,” meaning if the act is in Kedusha and purity as clear as day, then “ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil.” This means that as it is certainly sweet to the Creator and completely equal, so the good and bad will be to you, in complete equivalence, sweet and gentle.

It is still possible to doubt the credibility of the serpent, since the Creator did not tell it that Himself. Therefore, the serpent first said, “for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened.”

This means that it is not necessary for the Creator to notify you of that, since He knows that if you pay attention to that, to eat on the side of Kedusha, your eyes shall be opened by themselves, to understand the measure of His greatness. You will feel wondrous sweetness and gentleness in Him; hence, He does not need to let you know, as for that He instilled in you the scrutinizing force, that you may know what is to your benefit by yourselves.

It is written right after that: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes.” This means that she did not rely on His words, but went and examined with her own mind and understanding and sanctified herself with additional Kedusha,to bring contentment to the Creator in order to complete the aim desired of her, and not at all for herself. At that time, her eyes were opened, as the serpent had said, “And the woman saw that the tree was good for food.”

In other words, by seeing that “it was a delight to the eyes,” before she even touched it, she felt great sweetness and lust, when her eyes saw by themselves that she had not seen such a desirable thing in all the trees of the Garden.

She also learned that the tree is good for knowledge, meaning that there is far more to crave and covet in this tree than in all the trees of the Garden. This refers to knowing that they were created for this act of eating, and that this is the whole purpose, as the serpent had told her.

After all these certain observations “she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.” The text accurately writes “with her,” meaning with the pure intention to only bestow and not for her own need. This is the meaning of the words “and she gave also unto her husband with her,” with her in Kedusha.

18) Now we come to the heart of the matter and the mistake that concerned his leg. This Tree of Knowledge of good and evil was mixed with the Vacant Space, meaning with the Gadlut form of reception upon, which the Tzimtzum was implemented, and from which the Ohr Elyon departed.

It has also been explained that Adam ha Rishon did not have any of the Gadlut form of reception in his structure, which extends from the Vacant Space. Instead, he extended solely from the system of Kedusha, concerned only with bestowal.

It is written in The Zohar (Kedoshim), that Adam ha Rishon had nothing of this world. For this reason, the Tree of Knowledge was forbidden to him, as his root and the whole system of Kedusha are separated from the Sitra Achra, due to their disparity of form, which is the separation.

Thus, he, too, was commanded and warned about connecting to it, as thus he would be separated from his holy root and die like the Sitra Achra and the Klipot, which die due to their oppositeness and separation from the Kedusha and the Life of Lives.

However, Satan, which is SAM, the angel of death that was clothed in the serpent, came down and enticed Eve with deceit in its mouth: “Ye shall not surely die.” It is known that any lie does not stand if it is not preceded by words of truth. Hence, it started with a true word and revealed the purpose of Creation to her, which came only to correct that tree, meaning to invert the great vessels of reception to the side of bestowal.

It said to her that God had eaten from this tree and created the world, meaning looked at that matter in the form of “The end of an act is in the preliminary thought,” and for this reason He has created the world. As we have seen above, the whole matter of the first Tzimtzum was only for man, destined to equalize the form of reception to bestowal.

This was the truth, which is why it succeeded and the woman believed it when she prepared herself to receive and enjoy solely in order to bestow. You find that at any rate, evil vanished from the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, and the Tree of Knowledge of good remained.

This is because the evil there is only the disparity of form of reception for “self,” which was imprinted in him. Yet, with reception in order to bestow, he is brought to his complete perfection, and thus you find that she has made the great unification, as it should be at the end of the act.

However, that sublime Kedusha was still untimely. She was only fit to endure it in the first eating but not in the second eating. I will explain to you that one who abstains oneself from pleasure before one has tasted and grown accustomed is not like one who abstains from pleasure after having tasted and become connected to it. The first can certainly abstain once and for all, but the other must exert to retire from one’s craving bit-by-bit until the matter is completed.

So it is here, since the woman had not yet tasted from the Tree of Knowledge, and was completely in bestowal. For this reason, it was easy for her to perform the first eating in order to bestow contentment upon the Creator in absolute Kedusha. However, after she had tasted it, a great desire and coveting for the Tree of Knowledge was made in her, until she could not retire from her craving, since matters had gone out of her control.

This is why our sages said that she ate prematurely, meaning before it was ripe, before they acquired strength and power to rule over their desire. It is similar to what the sages said in Masechet Yevamot, “I have eaten and I shall eat more.” This means that even when he had explicitly heard that the Creator was in wrath with him, he still could not retire from it, since the lust had already been connected to him. You find that the first eating was on the side of the Kedusha, and the second eating was in great filth.

Now we can understand the severity of the punishment of the Tree of Knowledge, for which all people are put to death. This death extends from eating it, as the Creator had warned him, “in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

The thing is that the Gadlut form of reception extends into his limbs from the Vacant Space, and from the Tzimtzum onward it is no longer possible for it to be under the same roof with the Ohr Elyon(Upper Light). Hence, that eternal breath of life, expressed in the verse, “and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,” had to leave there and depend on a slice of bread for its transient sustenance.

This life is not an eternal life as before, when it was for himself. It is rather similar to a sweat of life, a life that has been divided into tiny drops, where each drop is a fragment of his previous life. And this is the meaning of the sparks of souls that were spread throughout his progeny. Thus, in all his progeny, all the people in the world in all the generations, through the last generation, which concludes the purpose of creation, are one long chain.

It follows that the acts of the Creator did not change at all by the sin of the Tree of Knowledge. Rather, this Light of life that came at once in Adam ha Rishon extended and stretched into a long chain, revolving on the wheel of transformation of form until the end of correction. There is no cessation for a moment, since the actions of the Creator must be alive and enduring; “Sanctity is raised, not lowered.”

As is the case of man, so is the case with all the creatures in the world because they all descended from an eternal and general form, on the wheel of transformation of form, as did man.

Both man and the world have an inner value and an outer value. The external always ascends and descends according to the internal, and this is the meaning of “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” Instead of the previous breath of life that the Creator had breathed in his nostrils, there is now a sweat of life in his nostrils.

19) Our sages said (Babba Batra 17), “He is the evil inclination, he is Satan, he is the angel of death. He descends and incites, ascends and complains, he cometh and he taketh his soul.” This is because two general corruptions occurred because of the sin of the Tree of Knowledge.

The first corruption is the matter of “ascends and complains.” He had been tempted to eat from the Tree of Knowledge and acquired a vessel of reception of the Vacant Space in the structure of his body. That, in turn, caused hatred and remoteness between the eternal Light of life that the Creator had breathed in Adam’s nostrils, and Adam’s body.

It is similar to what they said, “All who is proud, the Creator says, ‘he and I cannot dwell in the same abode.’” This is so because pride stems from the vessels of reception of the Vacant Space, from which the Ohr Elyon had already departed from the time of the Tzimtzum onward.

It is written in The Zohar that the Creator hates the bodies that are built only for themselves. For this reason, the Light of life fled from him, and this is the first corruption.

The second corruption is the descent of the 288 sparks that were already connected in the system of Kedusha. They were given and descended to the system of Sitra Achra and the Klipot so the world would not be destroyed.

This is so because the system of Kedusha cannot sustain and nourish people and the world, due to the hatred that had been made between the Kedusha and the Kelim of the Vacant Space. This follows the law of opposites, “he and I can not dwell in the same abode.” Hence, the 288 sparks were given to the system of the Sitra Achra so they would nurture and sustain man and the world all through the incarnations of the souls in the bodies, as it is written, “Ten thousand for a generation, and for a thousand generations,” until the end of correction.

Now you can see why they are called Klipot. It is because they are like the peel on a fruit. The hard peel envelops and covers the fruit to keep it from any filth and harm until the fruit is eaten. Without it, the fruit would be corrupted and would not fulfill its purpose. Thus you find that the 288 sparks were given to the Klipot, to sustain and qualify reality until they connect and attain their desired goal.

The above-mentioned second corruption is the matter of “cometh and taketh his soul.” I wish to say that even that tiny part of the soul that remains for a person, as “sweat of the previous life,” is also robbed by the Sitra Achra, through that same bestowal that she gives him from the 288 sparks that have fallen into her.

To understand that, you need a clear picture of the Sitra Achra as she really is. Thus, you will be able to examine all her ways. All the parts of reality of the lower world are branches, extending from their roots like an imprint from a seal from the Upper World, and the Upper from the one Above it and that Upper from its own Upper.

Know that any discernment in branches about the roots is only on the basis of their substance. This means that the substances in this world are corporeal bases, and the substances in the world of Yetzira are spiritual bases, relating to the spirituality in Yetzira. So it is in each and every world.

However, the occurrences and the comportments in them have the same value from each branch to its root, like two drops in a pond, and like the imprint whose form is identical to the seal from which it was imprinted. And once you know that, we can seek that branch that the upper Sitra Achra has in this world, and through it, we will also know the root of the upper Sitra Achra.

We find in The Zohar (Parashat Tazriya) that the afflictions in people’s bodies are branches of the upper Sitra Achra. Hence, let us take the Animate level and learn from that. We find that the spouting that occurs in its body through attainment of pleasure is what proliferates its life. For this reason, Providence has imprinted in the little ones, that every place they rest their eyes on gives them pleasure and contentment, even the most trifling things.

This is so because the level of the small must proliferate sufficiently to grow and sprout, and this is why their pleasure is copious. Thus you find that the Light of pleasure is the progenitor of life.

However, this law applies only in pleasures that come to the level as a whole. But in a pleasure of separation, when the pleasure is concentrated and received only by a separated part of the level of the Animal, we find the opposite rule. If there is a defective place in its flesh, which demands scratching and rubbing, the act of scratching carries its reward with it, as one feels great pleasure pursuing it. However, that pleasure is sodden with a drop of the potion of death: if one does not govern one’s desire and pays the haunting demand, the payment will increase the debt.

In other words, according to the pleasure from scratching, so will the affliction increase and the pleasure will turn to pain. When it begins to heal again, a new demand for scratching appears, and at a greater extent than before. And if one still cannot govern one’s desire and pays to saturate the demand, the affliction will grow as well.

Finally, it brings it a bitter drop, entirely poisoning the blood in that animal. You find that it died by receiving pleasure, since it is a pleasure of separation, received only by a separated part of the level. Hence, death operates in the level in the opposite manner from the pleasure administered to the entire level.

Here we see before us the form of the upper Sitra Achra from head to toe. Her head is the will to receive for herself alone, and to not bestow outside of herself, as is the property of the demand in the afflicted flesh with respect to the entire animal. The body of the Sitra Achra is a certain form of demand that is not going to be paid. The repayment one makes increases the debt and the affliction even more, as with the example of receiving pleasure by scratching.

The toe of the Sitra Achra is the drop of the potion of death, which robs it and separates it from the last spark of life it had left, like the drop of the potion of death that intoxicates all the blood in the animal.

This is the meaning of what our sages said, “in the end, it cometh and taketh his soul.” In other words, they said that the angel of death comes with a drawn sword and a drop of poison at its tip; the person opens his mouth, he throws the drop inside, and he dies.

The sword of the angel of death is the influence of the Sitra Achra, called Herev [22] because of the separation that grows according to the measure of reception, and the separation destroys him. One is compelled to open one’s mouth, since one must receive the abundance for sustenance and persistence from her hands. In the end, the bitter drop at the tip of the sword reaches him, and this completes the separation to the last spark of his breath of life.

20) As a result of these two corruptions, man’s body was corrupted, too, as it is precisely adapted by Creation to receive the abundance of its sustenance from the system of Kedusha. This is so because in any viable act, its parts are guarded from any surplus or scarcity. An act that is not viable is because its parts are imbalanced and there is some shortage or surplus in them.

As he says in the Poem of Unification: “Of all Your work, not a thing You have forgotten; You did not add, and You did not subtract.” It is a mandatory law that perfect operations stem from the perfect Operator.

However, when a person passes from the system of Kedusha to the system of the Sitra Achra, due to the barnacle attached to his construction by the Tree of Knowledge, many parts of him are already in surplus, needless. This is because they do not receive anything from the abundance of sustenance dispensed from the authority of the Sitra Achra, as we find with the Luz bone (ZoharMidrash HaNe’elamToladot), and also in a certain portion of each and every organ.

Hence, one must receive sustenance into one’s body more than is necessary, since the surplus joins every demand that rises from the body. Hence, the body receives for them. However, the surplus itself cannot receive its share; thus, its share remains in the body as surplus and litter that the body must later eject.

In consequence, the feeding and digesting tools exert in vain. They diminish and lessen to extinction because their sentence is predetermined, as that of any imbalanced act, destined to disintegrate. Thus you find that from the perspective of the construction of the body, too, its death depends on cause and effect from the Tree of Knowledge.

Now we have been awarded learning and knowing the two contradicting, opposite conducts (Item 11). The sustenance and keeping of the created beings has already passed from the system of Kedusha to the system of the Sitra Achra. This is so because of the barnacle of the great will to receive for oneself, connected to the created beings by the eating from the Tree of Knowledge. It induced separation, oppositeness, and hatred between the system of Kedusha and the structure of the bodies of the created beings in this world.

And when the Kedusha can no longer sustain and nurture them from the high table, to not destroy reality and to induce an act of correction for them, it gives the collective abundance of the sustenance of reality – her 288 sparks – to the system of the Sitra Achra, so they will provide for all creations in the world during the correction period.

For this reason, the conducts of existence are very confused, since evil sprouts from the wicked, and if the abundance is reduced to the created beings, it certainly brings ruin and destruction. And if abundance is increased, it brings excessive force of separation to the receivers, as our sages said, “He who has one hundred, wants two hundred; he who has two hundred wants four hundred.”

It is like the separated pleasure that the separated and defected flesh senses, where increased pleasure increases separation and affliction. Thus, self-love greatly increases in the receivers, and one swallows one’s friend alive. Also, the life of the body shortens, since the accumulation of reception brings the bitter drop at the end sooner, and wherever they turn they only condemn.

Now you can understand what is written in the Tosfot(Ktubot p104): “When one prays that Torah will enter one’s body, one should pray that no delicacies will enter one’s body.” This is because the form of self-reception, which is the opposite of Kedusha, increases and multiplies by the measure of pleasure that one’s body acquires.

Thus, how can one obtain the Light of Torah within one’s body, when he is separated and in complete oppositeness of form from the Kedusha, and there is great hatred between them, as with all opposites: they hate each other and cannot be under the same roof.

Therefore, one must first pray that no delights or pleasures will enter one’s body, and as the deeds in Torah and Mitzvot accumulate, one slowly purifies and inverts the form of reception to be in order to bestow. You find that one equalizes one’s form with the system of Kedusha, and the equivalence and love between them returns, as prior to the sin of the Tree of Knowledge. Thus, one is awarded the Light of the Torah, since he entered the presence of the Creator.

21) Now it is thoroughly understood why the answer of the angels regarding man’s creation, which we learned in the Midrash (Item 11), is not presented. It is because even the angels of Mercy and Righteousness did not agree to the present man, since he has gone completely out of their influence and has become completely dependent on the Sitra Achra.

The Midrash ends: “He took Truth and threw it to the ground. They all said immediately, ‘Let Truth spring out of the earth.’” This means that even the angels of Mercy and Righteousness regretted their consent, as they never agreed that Truth would be disgraced.

This incident occurred at the time of the eating from the Tree of Knowledge, when Truth was absent from the management of the sustenance of reality, since the scrutinizing force imprinted in man by Creation, which operates by the sensation of bitter and sweet, has weakened and failed (Item 17).

This is so because the provision for sustenance, which are 288 different Behinot, were already as clear as day, connected in the system of Kedusha. And “the palate tasteth its food,” to attract in full all that is beloved and sweet, and to reject all that is bitter, so no man shall fail in them.

However, after the first tasting of the Tree of Knowledge, for which the Gadlut form of self- reception has stuck to them, their body and the Kedusha became two opposites. At that time, the abundance of sustenance, which is the 288 Behinot, went to the hands of the Sitra Achra.

You find that the 288 sparks that had already been sorted were remixed by the Sitra Achra. Thus, a new form was made in reality – the form whose beginning is sweet and whose end is bitter.

This was because the form of the 288 has been changed by the Sitra Achra, where the Light of pleasure brings separation and a bitter drop. This is the form of falsehood; the first and foremost progenitor of every destruction and confusion.

It is written, “He took Truth and threw it to the ground.” Thus, because of the serpent, a new discernment was added to man – the active cognitive force. It operates by discernments of true and false, and one must use it throughout the correction period, for without it the benefit is impossible (Item 17).

Come and see all the confusion caused by the fall of the 288 sparks into the hands of the Sitra Achra. Before they tasted from the Tree of Knowledge, the woman could not even touch the forbidden thing (Item 17). By mere nearness to the Tree of Knowledge, she tasted bitterness that tasted like death. For this reason, she understood and added the prohibition on touching. And after the first eating, when the Sitra Achra and falsehood already controlled the sustenance of reality, the prohibition became so sweet in its beginning that they could no longer retire from it. This is why he said, “I have eaten and I shall eat more.”

Now you understand why the reward in the Torah is intended only for the ripe bodies. It is because the whole purpose of the Torah is to correct the sin of the Tree of Knowledge, which induced the confusion of the conduct of the sustenance of reality.

It is for this correction that the Torah was given – to elevate the 288 sparks to Kedusha once more. At that time, the conduct of the sustenance will return to the Kedusha and confusions will cease form the modes of the sustenance of reality. Then, people will be brought to their desired perfection by themselves, solely by the discernment of bitter and sweet, which was the first operator, prior to the sin of the Tree of Knowledge.

The prophets, too, speak only of this correction, as it is said, “All the prophets prophesied only for the days of the Messiah.” This is the meaning of the restoration of the modes of sustenance of the world under sorted Providence, as it was prior to the sin. “But for the next world” implies the end of the matter, which is the equivalence of form with the Maker, “neither hath the eye seen a God beside Thee.” It is also written that in the days of the Messiah, if Egypt does not rise, it will not rain on them, meaning through discernments of good and bad.

22) Now we understand the words of our sages that the Creator did not find a vessel that holds a blessing for Israel but peace. We asked, “Why was this statement chosen to end the Mishnah?”

According to the above, we understand that the eternal soul of life that the Creator had blown in his nostrils, only for the needs of Adam ha Rishon, has departed because of the sin of the Tree of Knowledge. It acquired a new form, called “Sweat of Life,” meaning the general has been divided into a great many particulars, tiny drops, divided between Adam ha Rishon and all his progeny through the end of time.

It follows, that there are no changes in the acts of the Creator, but there is rather an additional form here. This common Light of life, which was packed in the nose of Adam ha Rishon has expanded into a long chain, revolving on the wheel of transformation of form in many bodies, body after body, until the necessary end of correction.

It turns out that he died at the very day he ate from the Tree of Knowledge, and the eternal life departed him. Instead, he was tied to a long chain by the procreation organ (which is the meaning of the copulation, called “Peace”).

You find that one does not live for oneself, but for the whole chain. Thus, each and every part of the chain does not receive the Light of life into itself, but only distributes the Light of life to the whole chain. This is also what you find in one’s days of life: at twenty, he is fit to marry a woman; and ten years he may wait to bear sons; thus, he must certainly father by thirty.

Then he sits and waits for his son until he is forty years of age, the age of Bina (understanding), so he may pass onto him the fortune and knowledge he has acquired by himself, and everything he had learned and inherited from his forefathers, and he will trust him to not lose it for an ill matter. Then he promptly passes away, and his son grips the continuation of the chain in his father’s place.

It has been explained (Item 15) that the incident of the sin of the Tree of Knowledge was mandatory for Adam ha Rishon, as it is written, “Libel is terrible for the children of men.” This is so because one must add to one’s structure an outer Kli to receive the Surrounding Light, so the two opposites will come in one subject, in two consecutive times. During the Katnut period, he will be dependent on the Sitra Achra. His vessels of reception of the Vacant Space will grow to their desired measure by the separated pleasures that one receives because of them.

Finally, when one reaches Gadlut and engages in Torah and Mitzvot, the ability to turn the great vessels of reception in order to bestow will be readily available. This is the primary goal, called “The Light of Truth,” and “The Seal” (Item 14).

However, it is known that before one connects to the Kedusha, one must retire once more from any form of reception that he had received from the table of the Sitra Achra, as the commandment of love came to us, “with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” Hence, what have the sages done by this correction if one loses everything he has acquired from the Sitra Achra?

For this reason, His Providence provided the proliferation of the bodies in each generation, as our sages said, “He saw that the righteous were few, He stood and planted them in each generation.” This means that He saw that in the end, the righteous will repel the matter of self-reception altogether and thus their Surrounding Light would diminish, since the outer Kli that is fit for it will be repelled from them.

For this reason, He planted them in each and every generation, because in all generations, a large number of the people are created primarily for the righteous, to be the carriers of the Kelim of the Vacant Space for them. Thus, the Outer Kli would necessarily operate in the righteous involuntarily.

This is so because all the people in the world are attached to one another. They affect one another both in bodily inclinations and in opinions. Therefore, they necessarily bring the inclination for self-reception to the righteous, and in this manner they can receive the desired Surrounding Light.

However, accordingly, the righteous and the wicked should have been of equal weight in each generation. Yet, this is not so, and for each righteous, we find many thousands of vain ones. Yet, you must know that there are two kinds of governance in creation: a) a qualitative force; b) a quantitative force.

The force of those that hang about the feet of the Sitra Achra is meager, contemptible, and low, undesirable, and purposeless, and they are blown like chaff in the wind. Thus, how can such as those do anything to wise-hearted people whose way is clear with desire and aim, and a pillar of Upper Light shines before them day and night sufficiently to bring the tiny inclinations in their hearts?

Hence, He provided the quantitative force in Creation, as this force does not need any quality. I will explain it to you by the way we find the qualitative force in strength, such as in lions and tigers, where because of the great quality of their strength no man will fight them.

Opposite them, we find strength and power without any quality, as in the flies. But because of their numbers, no man will fight them. These wanderers roam man’s house and set table freely and it is man who feels weak against them.

However, with wild flies, insects, and other such uninvited guests, although the quality of their strength is greater than the domestic flies, man will not rest until he entirely banishes them from his domain. This is so because nature did not allot them the reproduction ability of flies.

Accordingly, you can see that there must necessarily be a great multitude for every single righteous. They instill their crude inclinations in him through the power of their numbers, as they have no quality whatsoever.

This is the meaning of the verse, “The Lord will give strength unto His people.” It means that the eternal Light of life, attained by the whole chain of creation, is called “Strength.” The text guarantees that the Creator will surely give us that strength.

Yet, we should ask, How so? Since every person is not whole in and of himself, as our sages have written, ‘It is better for one to not be born than to be born,’ why then are we sure of His eternity?”

And the verse ends, “the Lord will bless his people with peace,” meaning the blessing of the sons. It is as our sages said in Masechet Shabbat, “who makes peace in the house is idle.” It is so because through the sons, this chain is tied and linked through the end of correction. At that time, all the parts will be in eternity.

For this reason, our sages said, “The Creator did not find a receptacle that holds a blessing for Israel, but peace.” Because as His blessing is eternal, the receivers should be eternal.

Thus you find that through the sons, the fathers hold, and create among them the chain of eternity, fit to hold the blessing for eternity. It follows that it is peace that holds and conducts the wholeness of the blessing.

Hence, our sages ended the Mishnah with this verse, since peace is the vessel that holds the blessing of the Torah and all the Mitzvot for us until the complete and eternal redemption soon in our days Amen, and everything will come to its place in peace.

 

Notes

[21] Translator’s note: name of the weekly Torah portion.

[22] Translator’s note: Herev means sword, but it comes from the Hebrew word Harav (destroyed)

Preface to The Book of Zohar

Found in the book “Kabbalah for the student
Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag (Baal HaSulam)

 

1) The depth of wisdom in the holy Book of Zohar is enclosed and caged behind a thousand locks, and our human tongue too poor to provide us with sufficient, reliable expressions to interpret one thing in this book to its end. Also, the interpretation I have made is but a ladder to help the examiner rise to the height of the matters and examine the words of the book itself. Hence, I have found it necessary to prepare the reader and give him a route and an inlet in reliable definitions concerning how one should contemplate and study the book.

2) First, you must know that all that is said in The Book of Zohar, and even in its legends, is denominations of the ten Sefirot, called KHB (KeterHochmaBina), HGT (HesedGevuraTifferet), NHYM (NetzahHodYesodMalchut), and their permutations. Just as the twenty-two letters of the spoken language, whose permutations suffice to uncover every object and every concept, the concepts, and permutations of concepts, in the ten Sefirot suffice to disclose all the wisdom in the book of Heaven. However, there are three boundaries that one must be very prudent with, and not exceed them while studying the words of the book.

3) First boundary: There are four categories in the conduct of learning, called “Matter,” “Form in Matter,” “Abstract Form,” and “Essence.” It is the same in the ten Sefirot. Know that The Book of Zohar does not engage at all in the Essence and the Abstract Form in the ten Sefirot, but only in the Matter in them, or in the Form in them, while clothed in Matter.

4) Second boundary: We distinguish three discernments in the comprehensive, Godly reality concerning the creation of the souls and the conduct of their existence:

  • Ein Sof (Infinity);
  • The world of Atzilut;
  • The three worlds called BeriaYetzira, and Assiya.

You should know that The Zohar engages only in the worlds, BYA (BeriaYetziraAssiya), and in Ein Sof and the world of Atzilut, to the extent that BYA receive from them. However, The Book of Zohardoes not engage in Ein Sof and the world of Atzilut themselves at all.

5) Third boundary: There are three discernments in each of the worlds, BYA:

  • The ten Sefirot, which are the Godliness that shines in that world;
  • Neshamot (Souls), Ruchot (spirits), and Nefashot (life) [19] of people;
  • The rest of reality in it, called “angels,” “clothes,” and “palaces,” whose elements are innumerable.

Bear in mind that although The Zohar elucidates extensively on the details in each world, you should still know that the essence of the words of The Zohar always focuses on the souls of people in that world. It explains other discernments only to know the measure that the souls receive from them. The Zohar does not mention even a single word of what does not relate to the reception of the souls. Hence, you should learn everything presented in The Book of Zoharonly in relation to the reception of the soul.

And since these three boundaries are very strict, if the reader is not prudent with them and will take matters out of context, he will immediately miscomprehend the matter. For this reason I have found it necessary to trouble and expand the understanding of these three boundaries as much as I could, in such a way that they will be understood by anyone.

6) You already know that there are ten Sefirot, called HochmaBinaTifferet, and Malchut, and their root, called Keter. They are ten because the Sefira (singular for SefirotTifferet contains six Sefirot, called HesedGevuraTifferetNetzahHod, and Yesod. Remember that in all the places where we are used to saying ten Sefirot,which are HB TM.

In general, they comprise all four worlds ABYA, since the world of Atzilut is the Sefira Hochma; the world of Beria is the Sefira Bina; the world of Yetzira is the Sefira Tifferet; and the world of Assiya is the Sefira Malchut. In particular, not only does each and every world have ten Sefirot HBTM, but even the smallest element in each world has these ten Sefirot HB TM, as well.

7) The Zohar compared these ten SefirotHB TM, to four colors:

  • White for the Sefira Hochma;
  • Red for the Sefira Bina;
  • Green for the Sefira Tifferet;
  • Black for the Sefira Malchut.

It is similar to a mirror that has four panes painted in the above four colors. And although the light in it is one, it is colored when traveling through the panes and turns into four kinds of light: white light; red light; green light; and black light.

Thus, the Light in all the Sefirot is simple Godliness and unity, from the top of Atzilut to the bottom of Assiya. The division into ten Sefirot HB TM is because of the Kelim (Vessels) called HB TM. Each Kli(singular for Kelim) is like a fine partition through which the Godly Light traverses towards the receivers.

For this reason, it is considered that each Kli paints the Light a different color. The Kli of Hochma,in the world Atzilut,transports white Light, meaning colorless. This is because the Kli of Atzilut is like the light itself, and the light of the Creator does not suffer any change while traversing it.

This is the meaning of what is written in The Zohar about the world of Atzilut, “He, His Life, and His Self are one.” Hence, the Light of Atzilut is considered white light. But when it travels through the Kelim of the worlds BeriaYetzira, and Assiya, the Light changes and dims as it travels through them to the receivers. For example, the red Light is for Bina, which is Beria; the green Light, like the light of the sun, is for Tifferet, which is the world of Yetzira; and the black Light is for the Sefira Malchut, which is the world of Assiya.

8) In addition to the above, there is a very important intimation in this allegory of the four colors. The Upper Lights are called Sefer (book), as it is written (Book of Creation, Chapter One,Section One), “He created His world in three books: A book, an author, and a story.”

The disclosure of the wisdom in each book is not in the white in it, but only in the colors, in the ink, from which the letters in the book, in the permutations of wisdom, come to the reader. On the whole, there are three kinds of ink in the book: red, green, and black.

Correspondingly, the world of Atzilut, which is Hochma, is all Godliness, like the white in the book. This means that we have no perception in it whatsoever, but the whole disclosure in the book of Heaven is in the Sefirot BinaTifferet, and Malchut, which are the three worlds BYA, considered the ink in the book of Heaven.

The letters and their combinations appear in the three above-mentioned kinds of ink, and it is only through them that the Godly Light appears to the receivers. At the same time, we must note that the white in the book is the primary subject of the book, and the letters are all “predicates” on the white in the book. Thus, had it not been for the white, the existence of the letters and all the manifestations of Hochma in them would not be possible whatsoever.

Similarly, the world of Atzilut, which is the Sefira Hochma, is the primary subject of the manifestation of Hochma, which appears through the worlds BYA. This is the meaning of, “In wisdom hast Thou made them all.”

9) We have said above, in the third boundary, that The Zohar does not speak of the world Atzilut in and of itself, since it is regarded as the white in the book, but according to its illumination in the three worlds BYA. This is so because it is like to the ink, the letters, and their permutations in the book, in two manners:

  • Either the three worlds BYA receive the illumination of the world Atzilut in their own place, at which time the Light is greatly reduced, as it passes through the Parsa below the world Atzilut, until it is discerned as mere illumination of the Kelim of Atzilut.
  • Or in the way the worlds BYA ascend above Parsa, to the place of Sefirot BinaTifferet, andMalchut of Atzilut. At that time, they clothe the world of Atzilut and receive the Light in the place where it shines.

10) Yet, the allegory and the lesson are not quite comparable, because in the book of wisdom in this world, both the white and the ink in its letters are lifeless. The disclosure of the wisdom induced by them is not in their essence itself, but outside of them, in the mind of the scrutinizer.

However, in the four worlds ABYA, which are the book of Heaven, all the Lights in the spiritual and corporeal realities are present in them and extend from them. Thus, you should know that the white in it, which is the subject in the book, is the learned subject matter itself, while the three colors of the ink elucidate that subject.

11) Here we should study these four manners of perception, presented above in the first boundary:

  • Matter;
  • Form Clothed in Matter;
  • Abstract Form;
  • Essence.

Yet, I shall first explain them using tangible examples from this world. For example, when you say that a person is strong, truthful, or deceitful, etc., you have the following before you:

  • His matter, meaning his body;
  • The form that clothes his matter—strong, truthful, or deceitful;
  • The abstract form. You can shed the form of strong, truthful, or deceitful from the matter of that person, and study these three forms in and of themselves, unclothed in any matter or body, meaning examine the attributes of strength, truth, and deceitfulness and discern merit or demerit in them, while they are devoid of any substance.
  • The person’s essence.

12) Know that we have no perception whatsoever in the fourth manner, the essence of the person in itself, without the matter. This is because our five senses and our imaginations offer us only manifestations of the actions of the essence, but not of the essence itself.

For example, the sense of sight offers us only shadows of the visible essence as they are formed opposite the light.

Similarly, the sense of hearing is but a force of striking of some essence on the air. And the air that is rejected by it strikes the drum in our ear, and we hear that there is some essence in our proximity.

The sense of smell is but air that emerges from the essence and strikes our nerves of scent, and we smell. Also, the sense of taste is a result of the contact of some essence with our nerves of taste.

Thus, all that these four senses offer us are manifestations of the operations that stem from some essence, and nothing of the essence itself.

Even the sense of touch, the strongest of the senses, separating hot from cold, and solid from soft, all these are but manifestations of operations within the essence; they are but incidents of the essence. This is so because the hot can be chilled; the cold can be heated; the solid can be turned to liquid through chemical operations, and the liquid into air, meaning only gas, where any discernment in our five senses has been expired. Yet, the essence still exists in it, since you can turn the air into liquid once more, and the liquid into solid.

Evidently, the five senses do not reveal to us any essence at all, but only incidents and manifestations of operations from the essence. It is known that what we cannot sense, we cannot imagine; and what we cannot imagine, will never appear in our thoughts, and we have no way to perceive it.

Thus, the thought has no perception whatsoever in the essence. Moreover, we do not even know our own essence. I feel and I know that I take up space in the world, that I am solid, warm, and that I think, and other such manifestations of the operations of my essence. But if you ask me about my own essence, from which all these manifestations stem, I do not know what to reply to you.

You therefore see that Providence has prevented us from attaining any essence. We attain only manifestations and images of operations that stem from the essences.

13) We do have full perception in the first manner, which is Matter, meaning the manifestations of operations that manifest from each essence. This is because they quite sufficiently explain to us the essence that dwells in the substance in such a way that we do not suffer at all from the lack of attainment in the essence itself.

We do not miss it just as we do not miss a sixth finger in our hand. The attainment of the matter, meaning the manifestation of the operations of the essence, is quite sufficient for our every need and learning, both for attaining our own being and for attaining the all that exists outside of us.

14) The second manner, Form clothed in Matter, is a satisfactory and clear attainment, too, since we acquire it through practical and real experiments we find in the behavior of any matter. All our higher, reliable knowledge stems from this discernment.

15) The third manner is Abstract Form. Once the form has been revealed, while clothed in some matter, our imaginations can abstract it from any matter altogether and perceive it regardless of any substance. Such as that are the virtues and the good qualities that appear in moral books, where we speak of properties of truth and falsehood, anger, and strength, etc., when they are devoid of any matter. We ascribe them merit or demerit even when they are abstract.

You should know that this third manner is unacceptable to the prudent erudite, since it is impossible to rely on it one hundred percent, since being examined while not clothed in matter, they might err in them.

Take, for example, one with idealistic morals, meaning one who is not religious. Because of his intensive engagement in the merit of truth, while in its abstract form, that person might decide that even if he could save people from death by telling them a lie, he may decide that even if the whole world is doomed, he will not utter a deliberate lie. This is not the view of Torah, since nothing is more important than saving lives (Yoma, 82a).

Indeed, had one learned the forms of truth and falsehood when they are clothed in matter, he would comprehend only with respect to their benefit or harm to matter.

In other words, after the many ordeals the world has been through, having seen the multitude of ruin and harm that deceitful people have caused with their lies, and the great benefit that truthful people have brought by restricting themselves to saying only words of truth, they have agreed that no merit is more important than the quality of truth, and there is no such disgrace as the quality of falsehood.

And if the idealist had understood that, he would certainly agree to the view of Torah, and would find that falsehood that saves even one person from death is far more important than the entire merit and praise of the abstract quality of truth. Thus, there is no certainty at all in those concepts of the third manner, which are abstract forms, much less with abstract forms that have never clothed in any substance. Such concepts are nothing but a waste of time.

16) Now you have thoroughly learned these four manners—Matter, Form in Matter, Abstract Form, and Essence—in tangible things. It has been clarified that we have no perception whatsoever in the fourth manner, the essence, and the third manner is a concept that might mislead. Only the first manner, which is Matter, and the second manner, which is Form Clothed in Matter, are given to us by the Upper Governance for clear and sufficient attainment.

Through them, you will also be able to perceive the existence of spiritual objects, meaning the Upper Worlds ABYA, since there is not a tiny detail in them that is not divided by the four above manners. If, for example, you take a certain element in the world of Beria, there are Kelim there, which are of red color, through which the Light of Beria traverses to the dwellers of Beria. Thus, the Kli in Beria, which is the color red, is considered Matter, or object, meaning the first manner.

And even though it is only a color, which is an occurrence and manifestation of an operation in the object, we have already said that we have no attainment in the Essence itself, but only in the manifestation of an operation from the Essence. And we refer to that manifestation as Essence, or Matter, or body, or a Kli.

And the Godly Light, which travels and clothes through the red color, is the form clothed in the object, meaning the second manner. For this reason, the Light itself seems red, indicating its clothing and illumination through the object, considered the body and the substance, meaning the red color.

And if you want to remove the Godly Light from the object—the red color—and discuss it in and of itself, without clothing in an object, this already belongs to the third manner—Form removed from the Matter—which might be subject to errors. For this reason, it is strictly forbidden in studying the Upper Worlds, and no genuine Kabbalist would engage in that, much less the authors of The Zohar.

It is even more so with regards to the Essence of an element in Beria, since we have no perception whatsoever even in the essence of corporeal objects, all the more so in spiritual objects.

  • Thus you have before you four manners:
  • The Kli of Beria, which is the red color, considered the object, or the substance of Beria;
  • The clothing of the Godly Light in the Kli of Beria, which is the form in the object;
  • The Godly Light itself, removed from the object in Beria;
  • The essence of the item.

Thus, the first boundary has been thoroughly explained, which is that there is not even a single word of the third and fourth manners in the whole of The Zohar, but only from the first and second manners.

17) Along with it, the second manner has been clarified. Know that as we have clarified the four manners in a single item in the world of Beria, specifically, so are they in the general four worlds ABYA. The three colors—red, green, black—in the three worlds BYA, are considered the substance, or the object. The white color, considered the world of Atzilut, is the form clothed in the matter, in the three colors called BYA.

Ein Sof in itself is the essence. This is what we said concerning the first manner, that we have no perception in the essence, which is the fourth manner, concealed in all the objects, even in the objects of this world. When the white color is not clothed in the three colors in BYA, meaning when the Light of Hochma is not clothed in BinaTifferet, and Malchut, it is abstract form, which we do not engage in.

The Zohar does not speak in this manner whatsoever, but only in the first manner, being the three colors BYA, considered substance, namely the three Sefirot BinaTifferet, and Malchut, and in the second manner, which are the illumination of Atzilut, clothed in the three colors BYA, meaning Light of Hochma, clothed in BinaTifferet, and Malchut, which are in turn form clothed in matter. These are the two that The Book of Zohar is concerned with in all the places.

Hence, if the reader is not vigilant, restricting his thought and understanding to always learn the words of The Zohar strictly under the two above-mentioned manners, the matter will be immediately and entirely miscomprehended, for he will take the words out of context.

18) As the four manners in the general ABYA have been explained, so it is in each and every world, even in the smallest item of some world, both at the top of the world of Atzilut and at the bottom of the world of Assiya, because there is HB TM in it. You find that the Sefira Hochma is considered “a form,” and Bina and TM are considered the “matter” in which the form clothes, meaning the first and second manners that The Zohar engages in. But The Zohar does not engage in the Sefira Hochmawhen stripped of Bina and TM, which is form without matter, and much less with the essence, considered the Ein Sof in that item.

Thus, we engage in BinaTifferet, and Malchut in every item, even in Atzilut, and we do not engage in Keter and Hochma of every item itself, even in Malchut of the end of Assiya, when they are not clothed, but only to the extent that they clothe Bina and TM. Now the first two boundaries have been thoroughly explained. All that the authors of The Zohar engage in is matter or form in matter, which is the first boundary, as well as in BYA, or the illumination of Atzilut in BYA, which is the second boundary.

19) Now we shall explain the third boundary. The Zohar engages in the Sefirot in each and every world, being the Godliness that shines in that world, as well as in every item of the SVAS (Still, Vegetative, Animate and Speaking), being the creatures in that world. However, The Zohar refers primarily to the Speaking in that world.

Let me give you an example from the conducts of this world. It is explained in the “Introduction to the Book of Zohar” (item 42) that the four kinds, Still, Vegetative, Animate and Speaking in each and every world, even in this world, are the four parts of the will to receive. Each of them contains these own four kinds of SVAS. Thus, you find that a person in this world should nurture and be nourished by the four categories SVAS in this world.

This is so because man’s food, too, contains these four categories, which extend from the four categories SVAS in man’s body. These are a) wanting to receive according to the necessary measure for one’s sustenance; b) wanting more than is necessary for sustenance, craving luxuries, but restricting oneself solely to physical desires; c) craving human desires, such as honor and power; d) craving knowledge.

These extend to the four parts of the will to receive in us:

  • Wanting the necessary provision is considered the Still of the will to receive.
  • Wanting physical lusts is considered the Vegetative of the will to receive, since they come only to increase and delight one’s Kli (vessel), which is the flesh of the body.
  • Wanting human desires is considered the Animate in the will to receive, since they magnify one’s spirit.
  • Wanting knowledge is the Speaking in the will to receive.

20) Thus, in the first category—the necessary measure for one’s sustenance—and in the second category—the physical desires that exceed one’s measure for sustenance—one is nourished by things that are lower than the person: the still, the vegetative, and the animate. However, in the third category, the human desires such as power and respect, one receives and is nurtured from his own species, his equals. And in the fourth category, knowledge, one receives and is nurtured by a higher category than one’s own—from the actual wisdom and intellect, which are spiritual.

21) You will find it similar in the Upper, Spiritual Worlds, since the worlds are imprinted from one another from Above downward. Thus, all the categories of SVAS in the world of Beria leave their imprint in the world of Yetzira. And the SVAS of Assiya are imprinted from the SVAS of Yetzira. Lastly, the SVAS in this world is imprinted from the SVAS of the world of Assiya.

It has been explained in “Introduction to the Book of Zohar” (Item 42) that the still in the spiritual worlds are called Heichalot (Palaces), the vegetative is called Levushim (Clothes or Dresses), the animate is named Mala’achim (Angels), and the speaking is considered the Neshamot (Souls) of people in that world. And the Ten Sefirot in that world are the Godliness.

The souls of people are the center in each world, which are nourished by the spiritual reality in that world, as the corporeal speaking feeds on the entire corporeal reality in this world. Thus, the first category, which is the will to receive one’s necessary sustenance, is received from the illumination of Heichalot and Levushim there. The second category, the animate surplus that increases one’s body, is received from the category of Mala’achim there, which are spiritual illuminations beyond one’s necessary measure for sustenance, to magnify the spiritual Kelim that his soul clothes in.

Thus, one receives the first category and the second category from lower categories than one’s own, which are the HeichalotLevushim, and the Mala’achim there, which are lower than human Neshamot(souls). The third category, which is human desires that increase one’s spirit, is received in this world from one’s own species. It follows that one receives from one’s own species too, from all the Neshamot in that world. Through them, one increases the illumination of Ruach of his soul.

The fourth category of the desire, for knowledge, is received there from the Sefirot in that world. From them, one receives the HBD to one’s soul.

It follows that man’s soul, which is present in every single world, should grow and be completed with all the categories that exist in that world. This is the third boundary we have mentioned.

One must know that all the words of The Zohar, in every item of the Upper Worlds that are dealt with, the Sefirot, the Neshamot, and the Mala’achim, the Levushim, and the Heichalot, although it engages in them as they are for themselves, the examiner must know that they are spoken primarily with respect to the measure by which the human soul there receives from them and is nourished by them. Thus, all their words pertain to the needs of the soul. And if you learn everything according to that line, you will understand, and your path will be successful.

22) After all that, we have yet to explain all these corporeal appellations explained in The Book of Zohar concerning the ten Sefirot, such as that are up and down, ascent and descent, contraction and expansion, smallness and greatness, separation and mating, and numbers and the likes, which the lower ones induce through their good or bad deeds in the ten Sefirot.

These words seem perplexing. Can it be that Godliness would be affected, and would change in such ways because of the lower ones? You might say that the words do not refer to the Godliness itself, which clothes and shines in the Sefirot, but only to the Kelim of the Sefirot, which are not Godliness. Rather, they were generated with the creation of the souls, to conceal or reveal degrees of attainment in the proper ration and measure for the souls, to bring them to the desired end of correction. This resembles the mirror allegory with the four panes that are painted in four colors: white, red, green, and black. And there is also the white in the book, and the substance of the letters in the book.

All that is possible in the three worlds BYA, where the Kelim of the Sefirot are generated, and are not Godliness. However, it is not at all correct to comprehend that with respect to the world, Atzilut, where the Kelim of the ten Sefirot are also complete Godliness, one with the Godly Light in them.

It is written in the Tikkunim (corrections): “He, His Life, and His Self, are one.” He pertains to the essence of the Sefirot, which is Ein Sof. His Life pertains to the Light that shines in the Sefirot, called “Light of Haya.” This is so because the whole of the world, Atzilut, is considered Hochma, and the Light of Hochma is called the “Light of Haya.” This is why it is called, “Life.” His Self pertains to the Kelim of the Sefirot.

Thus, everything is complete Godliness and unity. How then is it possible to perceive these changes, which the lower ones induce there? At the same time, we must understand that if everything is Godliness in that world, and nothing of the generated creatures is to be found there, where then do we discern there the three above discernments in the Tikkunim of The Zohar, He, His Life, and His Self, since it is utter unity?

23) To understand that, you must remember the explained above, in Item 17. It explains that a necessary object is an essence that we have no perception of, even in the corporeal essences, and even in our own essence, all the more so in The Necessary One.

The world of Atzilut is a Form and the three worlds BYA are Matter. The illumination of Atzilut in BYAis Form clothed in Matter. Hence, you see that the name, Ein Sof, is not at all a name for the essence of The Necessary One, since what we do not attain, how can we define it by name or word?

Since the imagination and the five senses offer us nothing with respect to the essence, even in corporeality, how can there be a thought and a word in it, much less in The Necessary One Himself? Instead, we must understand the name, Ein Sof, as defined for us in the third boundary, that all that The Book of Zohar speaks of pertains precisely to the souls (Item 21).

Thus, the name, Ein Sof, is not at all The Necessary One Himself, but pertains to all the worlds and all the souls being included in Him, in the Thought of Creation, by way of “The end of an act is in the preliminary thought.” Thus, Ein Sof is the name of the connection that the whole of Creation is connected in, until the end of correction.

This is what we name “the First State of the souls” (“Introduction to the Book of Zohar,” Item 13), since all the souls exist in Him, filled with all the pleasure and the gentleness, at the final Height they will actually receive at the end of correction.

24) Let me give you an example from the conduct of this world: A person wants to build a handsome house. In the first thought, he sees before him an elegant house with all its rooms and details, as it will be when its building is finished.

Afterwards, he designs the plan of execution to its every detail. In due time, he will explain every detail to the workers: the wood, the bricks, the iron, and so on. Then he will begin the actual building of the house to its end, as it was arranged before him in the preliminary thought.

Know, that Ein Sof pertains to that first thought, in which the whole of Creation was already pictured before Him in utter completeness. However, the lesson is not quite like the example because in Him, the future and the present are equals. In Him, the thought completes, and He does not need tools of action, as do we. Hence, in Him, it is actual reality.

The world of Atzilut is like the details of the thought-out plan, which will later need to manifest when the building of the house actually begins. Know that in these two, the preliminary thought, which is Ein Sof, and the contemplated design of the details of the execution in its due time, there is still not even a trace of the creatures, since this is still in potential, not in actual fact.

It is likewise in humans: even though they calculate all the details—the wood, the bricks, and the metal—that will be required for carrying out the plan, it is essentially a mere conceptual matter. There is not even a trace of any actual wood or bricks in it. The only difference is that in a person, the contemplated design is not considered an actual reality. But in the Godly Thought, it is a far more actual reality than the actual, real creatures.

Thus, we have explained the meaning of Ein Sof and the world of Atzilut, that how all that is said about them is only with respect to the creation of the creatures. However, they are still in potential and their essence has not been revealed whatsoever, as with our allegory about the person who designed the blueprint, which does not contain any wood, and bricks, and metal.

25) The three worlds BYA, and this world, are considered the execution from potential to actual, such as one who builds one’s house in actual fact and brings the wood, the bricks, and the workers until the house is complete. Hence, the Godliness that shines in BYA clothes the ten Kelim KHB HGT NHYMto the extent that the souls should receive in order to reach their perfection. These are real Kelim, with respect to His Godliness, meaning they are not Godliness, but are generated for the souls.

26) In the above allegory, you find how the three discernments of one who contemplates building a house are interconnected by way of cause and consequence. The root of them all is the first thought, since no item appears in the planned blueprint except according to the end of the act, which emerged before him in the preliminary thought.

Also, one does not execute anything during the building, but only according to the details arranged before him in the blueprint. Thus you see, concerning the worlds, that there is not a tiny generation in the worlds that does not extend from Ein Sof, from the first state of the souls, which are there in their ultimate perfection of the end of correction, as in “The end of an act is in the preliminary thought. ” Thus, all that will manifest through the end of correction is included there.

In the beginning, it extends from Ein Sof to the world of Atzilut, as in the allegory, where the blueprint extends from the first thought. Each and every element extends from the world of Atzilut to the worlds BYA, as in the allegory, where all the details stem from the blueprint when they are actually executed during the building of the house.

Thus, there is not a single, tiny item, generated in this world, that does not extend from Ein Sof, from the first state of the souls. And from Ein Sof, it extends to the world of Atzilut, meaning specifically associated to the thing actually being generated in this world. And from the world of Atzilut, the generation extends to the three worlds BYA, where the generation appears in actual fact, where it stops being Godliness and becomes a creature, and to Yetzira and Assiya, until it extends to the lower one in this world.

It follows that there is no generation in the world, which does not extend from its general root in Ein Sof, and from its private root in Atzilut. Afterwards, it travels through BYA and adopts the form of a creature, and then it is made in this world.

27) Now you can understand that all these changes described in the world of Atzilut do not pertain to the Godliness itself, but only to the souls to the extent that they receive from Atzilut through the three worlds BYA. The meaning of the actuality of that world is in the relation of the blueprint to the preliminary thought, which is Ein Sof.

However, both in Ein Sof and in the world of Atzilut, there is still nothing in terms of souls, just like there is nothing of the actual wood, bricks, or metal in the blueprint of the person who designs it. The existence of the souls begins to manifest in the world Beria. For this reason, the Kelim of the ten Sefirot, which actually allot the ration to the souls, are necessarily not Godliness, but innovations. This is so because there cannot be any changes or numbering in the Godliness.

Hence, we ascribe the three colors—red, green, and black—to the Kelim of the ten Sefirot in BYA. It is inconceivable that they will be discerned as Godliness, since there is whatsoever no renewal in Him.

However, the Light clothed in the ten Kelim in BYA is simple Godliness and unity, unchanged at all. Even the Light clothed in the lowest Kli in Assiya is complete Godliness, without any change at all. This is because the Light itself is one, and all the changes made in its illumination are made by the Kelim of the Sefirot, which are not Godliness. In general, they comprise the three above shades; in particular, numerous changes were made of these three shades.

28) Yet, the Kelim of the ten Sefirot of BYA certainly receive from Atzilut every little item and detail of the changes, since there is the blueprint of all the details that will unfold in the actual building of the house in BYA. Hence, it is considered that the Kelim of the ten Sefirot HB TM in BYA receive from their corresponding feature in the HB TM in Atzilut, meaning from the blueprint there.

This is so because every detail in the execution stems from every detail in the blueprint. Hence, in this respect, we name the Kelim of Atzilut “white”, although it is not at all a color.

Nevertheless, it is the source of all the colors. And like the white in the book of wisdom, where although there is no perception of the white in it, and the white in the book is meaningless to us, it is still the subject of the entire book of wisdom. This is because it shines around and inside each letter and gives each letter its unique shape, and every permutation its unique place.

And we might say the opposite: we have no perception of the substance of the red, green, or black letters, and all that we perceive and know of the substance of the letters of the book is only through the white in it. It is so because through its illumination around each letter and within each letter, it creates shapes in them, and these shapes reveal to us all the wisdom in the book.

We can compare it to the ten Sefirot of Atzilut: even though they resemble the white color, it is impossible to discern anything in them, neither a number nor any change such as the described. Yet, all the changes necessarily come from the ten Kelim of the Sefirot of Atzilut in the illumination of the white to the worlds BYA, which are the three colors of the substance of the letters, although for itself there are no Kelim there, as it is all white. It is like the allegory of the white in the book with respect to the letters and their permutations, since its illumination to BYA makes the Kelim in them.

29) From what has been explained, you will see that the Tikkunim of The Zohar divide the world of Atzilut into three discernments—He, His Life, and His Self—although it is simple unity there, and there is nothing of the creatures there. He pertains to Godliness as it is in itself, in which we have no perception, and cannot perceive any essence, even the corporeal ones (Item 12). His Self pertains to the ten Kelim HB TM there, which we have likened to the white in the book of wisdom.

Even a number cannot be noted in the white, since there is no one there to make a number, as it is all white. Yet, we not only ascribe to them a number, but the multitude of changes that appear in BYA, which are the substance of the letters, are first found in the Kelim HB TM in Atzilut itself.

It is the conduct of the white, which gives all the shapes of the letters in the book, while in itself it has no form. Thus, you find that the white is divided into myriad forms, although in itself it has no form. Similarly, the ten Kelim are detailed with numerous changes, according to their illumination in BYA, as in the blueprint, executed in the actual work of building the house.

Thus, all these changes, carried out in BYA, are only from the illumination of the Kelim of the ten Sefirot HB TM of Atzilut. And the multitude of changes we find in the white relate to the receivers in BYA. And with relation to Atzilut itself, it is like the white in and of itself, unclothed in the ink in the letters; no number and nothing at all is found in it. Thus, we have thoroughly explained the Self, which are the Kelim, which, in themselves, are simple unity, as is He.

30) His Life pertains to the Light that is clothed in the white, which is the Kelim. We understand this Light only with respect to the souls that receive from Atzilut, and not in the Godliness itself. “He” means that when the three worlds BYA rise to Atzilut with the souls of people, the Light that they receive there is considered the Light of Hochma, called “the Light of Haya.”

It is in that respect that we name the Light there, “His Life.” This is also the meaning of what is written in the Tikkunim of The Zohar, that He, His Life, and His Self are one. All these three discernments relate to the receivers, where His Self is the illumination of the Kelim in the place of BYA under the Parsa of Atzilut, since the Light of Atzilut will never go below the Parsa of Atzilut, but only the illumination of the Kelim. The category, “His Life,” is the illumination of the Light of Atzilut itself, when BYA rise to Atzilut. And “He” pertains to the essence of Godliness, which is completely unattainable.

The Tikkunim of The Zohar say that although we, the receivers, should discern these three categories in Atzilut, it nonetheless pertains only to the receivers. Yet, with respect to the world of Atzilut itself, even “His Self” is considered “He,” meaning the essence of Godliness. For this reason, there is no perception whatsoever in the world of Atzilut itself. This is the meaning of the white color, in which there is no perception for itself, and it is all utterly simple unity there.

31) The Zohar describes the Kelim HB TM in Atzilut as growing or diminishing by people’s actions. Also, we find (ZoharBo, p 32b), “Israel… give anger and strength to the Creator,” meaning it is not to be taken literally in Godliness itself, as there cannot be any changes in Godliness whatsoever, as it is written, “I the Lord change not.”

Yet, since the Thought of Creation was to delight His creatures, it teaches us that He has a desire to bestow. We find in this world, that the givers’ contentment grows when the receivers from Him multiply, and He wishes to proliferate the receivers. Hence, in this respect, we say that the Lights in Atzilut grow when the lower ones are given the bestowal of Atzilut, or that they nurture it. Conversely, when there are no lower ones worthy of receiving His abundance, the Lights diminish to that extent, meaning there is no one to receive from them.

32) You might compare it to a candle. If you light a thousand candles from it, or if you light none, you will not find that it caused any changes induced in the candle itself. It is also like Adam ha Rishon: if he had progeny of thousands of offspring like us today, or if he had no progeny at all, it would not induce any change at all on Adam ha Rishon himself.

Likewise, there is no change at all in the world Atzilut itself, whether the lower ones receive its great abundance lushly, or receive nothing at all. The above-mentioned greatness lies solely on the lower ones.

33) Thus, why did the authors of The Zohar have to describe all those changes in the world of Atzilut itself? They should have spoken explicitly only with respect to the receivers in BYA, and not speak so elaborately of Atzilut, forcing us to provide answers.

Indeed, there is a very trenchant secret here: this is the meaning of, “and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes” (Hosea 12). The truth is that there is a Godly will here, that these similitudes, which operate only in the souls of the receivers, will appear to the souls as He Himself participates in them to greatly increase the attainment of the souls.

It is like a father who constrains himself to show his little darling child a face of sadness and a face of contentment, although there is neither sadness nor contentment in him. He only does this to impress his darling child and expand his understanding, so as to play with him.

Only when he grows will he learn and know that all that his father did was no more real than mere playing with him. So is the matter before us: all these images and changes begin and end only with the impression of the souls. Yet, by the will of God, they appear as though they are in Him Himself. He does that to enhance and expand the attainment of the souls to the utmost, in accordance with the Thought of Creation, to delight His creatures.

34) Let it not surprise you that you find such a conduct in our corporeal perception, too. Take our sense of sight, for example: we see a wide world before us, wondrously filled. But in fact, we see all that only in our own interior. In other words, there is a sort of a photographic machine in our hindbrain, which portrays everything that appears to us and nothing outside of us.

For that, He has made for us there, in our brain, a kind of polished mirror that inverts everything seen there, so we will see it outside our brain, in front of our face. Yet, what we see outside us is not a real thing. Nonetheless, we should be so grateful to His Providence for having created that polished mirror in our brains, enabling us to see and perceive everything outside of us. This is because by that, He has given us the power to perceive everything with clear knowledge and attainment, and measure everything from within and from without.

Without it, we would lose most of our perception. The same holds true with the Godly will, concerning Godly perceptions. Even though all these changes unfold in the interior of the receiving souls, they nevertheless see it all in the Giver Himself, since only in this manner are they awarded all the perceptions and all the pleasantness in the Thought of Creation.

You can also deduce that from the above parable. Even though we see everything as actually being in front of us, every reasonable person knows for certain that all that we see is only within our own brains.

So are the souls: Although they see all the images in the Giver, they still have no doubt that all these are only in their own interior, and not at all in the Giver.

35) Since these matters are at the core of the world, and I fear that the examiner will err in perceiving them, it is worth my while to trouble further and bring the golden words of The Zoharitself in these matters (Parashat Bo, item 215), and interpret them to the best of my ability: “Should one ask, ‘It is written in the Torah, ‘for ye saw no manner of form.’ Thus, how do we depict names and Sefirot in Him?’ It will answer, ‘I saw this form, as in the words, ‘and the similitude of the Lord doth he behold.’”

This means that the Sefira Malchut, where all the souls and the words are rooted, since she is the root of all the Kelim, by way of, “The ones that receive from her, and must acquire the Kelim from her,” she is considered a similitude to them. It is therefore said about her, “and the similitude of the Lord doth he behold.”

Even this similitude, which we name in the Sefira Malchut, is not in her place with respect to herself, but only when the Light of Malchut descends and expands over the people. At that time, it appears to them, to each and every one, according to their own appearance, vision, and imagination, meaning only in the receivers and not at all in the Sefira Malchut herself.

This is the meaning of, “and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.” Because of that, the Creator tells them: “Although I manifest to you in your forms, in vision and imagination, yet, ‘To whom then will ye liken Me, that I should be equal?’” After all, before the Creator created a similitude in the world, and before He formed a form, the Creator was unique, formless and imageless.

And one who attains Him there, prior to the degree of Beria, which is Bina, where He is beyond any similitude, it is forbidden to ascribe Him a form and an image in the world, neither in the letter Hey, nor in the letter Yod, or even call Him by the holy name HaVaYaH, or by any letter and point.

This is the meaning of the verse, “for ye saw no manner of form.” In other words, the verse, “for ye saw no manner of form,” pertains to the ones rewarded with attaining Him above the degree of Beria, which is Bina. This is because there is no form and imagination whatsoever in the two Sefirot Keterand Hochma, meaning Kelim and boundaries (item 18). The Kelim begin from the Sefira Binadownward.

This is the reason why all the implications in letters, in points, or in the holy names are only from Bina downward. They are also not in the place of the Sefirot themselves, but only with respect to the receivers, as with the Sefira Malchut.

36) There seems to be a contradiction in their words: first they said that the forms extend to the receivers only from the Sefira Malchut, and here he says that the forms extend to the receivers from Beria down, meaning from Bina downwards. The thing is that indeed, the form and the similitude extend only from Behina Dalet, which is Malchut. From her the Kelim extend to the place of the receivers, and nothing from the first nine Sefirot, which are KeterHochmaBina, and Tifferet.

Yet, the association of Midat ha Rachamim with Din was made in the World of Tikkun. This raised the Sefira Malchut, considered Midat ha Din, and brought her into the Sefira Bina, regarded as Midat ha Rachamim.

Hence, from that time on, the Kelim of Malchut have become rooted in the Sefira Bina, as he says here. For this reason, The Zohar begins to speak from the actual root of the pictures, which are the Kelim. It says that they are in Malchut, and then it says that they are in Beria, because of the association made for the correction of the world.

Our sages also said, “In the beginning the Creator created the world in Midat ha Din; He saw that the world cannot exist, He associated Midat ha Rachamim with her.” Know that the ten Sefirot KHBTMhave numerous appellations in The Book of Zohar, according to their manifold functions.

When they are called KeterAtzilutBeriaYetzira, and Assiya, their function is to distinguish between the anterior Kelim, called Keter and Atzilut, meaning Keter and Hochma, and the posterior Kelim, called BeriaYetziraAssiya, meaning BinaTifferet, and Malchut. This discernment emerged in them by the association of Midat ha Din with Midatha Rachamim.

The Zohar wishes to insinuate the matter of the association of Malchut in Bina. Hence, The Zoharcalls the Sefira Bina by the name Beria. This is so because prior to that association, there was no image or form in Bina, even with respect to the receivers, but only in Malchut.

37) It continues there: After it made that form of the Merkava of the Upper Adam, it descended and clothed there. It is named in it in the form of the four letters HaVaYaH, meaning the ten Sefirot KHBTM. This is because the tip of the Yod is KeterYod is HochmaHey is BinaVav is Tifferet, and the last Hey is Malchut. This is so that they would attain Him through His attributes, meaning the Sefirot, in every single attribute in Him.

38) Explanation of the matters: From Beria on, meaning from Bina, after it had been associated with Midat ha Din, which is Malchut, the similitudes and the forms extend to the receivers, which are the souls. Yet, not in her own place, but only in the place of the receivers.

He says that at that time he made the form of the Merkava of the Upper Adam and descended and clothed in the form of this Adam. In other words, the whole form of Adam, in his 613 Kelim, extend from the Kelim of the soul, since the soul has 613 Kelim, called 248 organs and 365 spiritual tendons, divided into five divisions according to the four letters HaVaYaH:

  • The tip of the Yod, her Rosh, is considered Keter;
  • From the Peh to the Chazeh it is Hochma;
  • From Chazeh to the Tabur it is Bina
  • From Tabur to Sium Raglin it is the two Sefirot Tifferet and Malchut.

Additionally, the Torah, as a whole, is considered Partzuf Adam, pertaining to the 248 positive Mitzvot, corresponding to the 248 organs. And the 365 negative Mitzvot correspond to the 365 tendons. It contains five divisions, which are the five books of Moses, called “The image of the Merkava of the Upper Adam,” meaning Adam of Beria, which is Bina, from which the Kelim begin to extend in the place of the souls.

He is called, “Upper Adam” because there are three categories of Adam in the Sefirot: Adam of Beria, Adam of Yetzira, and Adam of Assiya. In Keter and Hochma, however, there is no similitudeat all, which could be named by some letter and point, or by the four letters HaVaYaH. Since here it speaks of the world of Beria, it makes the precision of saying Upper Adam.

At the same time, you must always remember the words of The Zohar, that these images are not in the place of the Sefirot BinaTifferet, and Malchut, but only in the place of the receivers. Yet, these Sefirot dispense these Kelim and Levushim (Dresses) so the souls would attain Him through the Light that extends to them by measure and boundary, according to their 613 organs. For this reason, we call the givers by the name “Adam,” as well, although they are merely in the form of the white color (Item 8).

39) It should not be puzzling for you, since the four letters HaVaYaH and the tip of the Yod, are five Kelim, since the Kelim are always called “letters,” and they are the five Sefirot KHBTM. Thus, it is clear that there are Kelim in Keter and Hochma, as well, implied by the tip of the Yod and the Yod of HaVaYaH.

The thing is that the similitudes and the attributes it speaks of, which are the Kelim, begin from Beriadownward, meaning only the three Sefirot BinaTifferet, and Malchut, and not in Keter and Hochma, meaning from the perspective of the essence of the Sefirot.

Yet, it is known that the Sefirot are integrated in one another. There are ten Sefirot KHBTM in KeterKHBTM in HochmaKHBTM in Bina, as well as in Tifferet,and in Malchut.

Accordingly, you find that the three Sefirot BinaTifferet, and Malchut, that the Kelim come from, are found in each of the five Sefirot KHBTM. Now you see that the tip of the Yod, which is the Kelim of Keter, indicate Bina and TM that are incorporated in Keter.

The Yod of HaVaYaH, which is a Kli of Hochma, indicates Bina and TM incorporated in Hochma. Thus, the Keter and Hochma incorporated even in Bina and ZON, do not have Kelim, and in Bina and TMincorporated even in Keter and Hochma, there are Kelim.

In this respect, there really are five categories in Adam. The Bina and TM in all five Sefirot dispense in the form of the Merkava of Adam. For this reason, there is Adam in the category of Keter, called Adam Kadmon, and there is Adam in the category of Hochma, called “Adam of Atzilut.” There is Adam in the category of Bina, called “Adam of Beria,” Adam in the category of Tifferet, called “Adam of Yetzira,” and Adam in the category of Malchut, called “Adam of Assiya.”

40) He named Himself ElElokim, ShadaiTzvaot, and Ekie, so that every single attribute in Him would be known. The ten names in the Torah that are not to be erased pertain to the ten Sefirot, as it is written in The Zohar (Vayikra, item 168):

  • The Sefira Keter is called Ekie;
  • The Sefira Hochma is called Koh;
  • And the Sefira Bina is called HaVaYaH (punctuated Elokim);
  • The Sefira Hesed is called Kel;
  • The Sefira Gevura is called Elokim;
  • The Sefira Tifferet is called HaVaYaH;
  • The two Sefirot Netzah and Hod are called Tzvaot;
  • The Sefira Yesod is called El Hay;
  • And the Sefira Malchut is called Adni.

41) Had His Light not expanded on all creations by seemingly clothing in these holy Sefirot, how would the creatures come to know Him? And how would they keep the verse, “the whole earth is full of His glory”? In other words, by that it explains the Godly desire to appear to the souls as if all these changes in the Sefirot are in Him. It is in order to give the souls room for sufficient knowledge and attainment in Him, for then the verse, “the whole earth is full of His glory” shall come true.

42) Yet, woe unto one who ascribes any measure to Him, who would say that there is a measure in Him for Himself, even in these spiritual measures by which He appears to the souls. It is all the more so in the corporeal measures of the human nature, which are made of dust, and are transitory and worthless.

As we have said above, although it is a Godly wish for the souls to see that the changes in them are in the Giver, it should nonetheless be clear to the souls that there is no change and measurement in Him whatsoever. It is only a Godly wish that they will imagine so, as it is written, “and by the ministry of the prophets have I used similitudes.”

And should they err in that, woe unto them, for they will instantly lose the Godly abundance. It is even more so with the fools who ascribe Him some incident of the transitory, worthless flesh and blood incidents.

 

Notes

[19] Translator’s note: The usual translation for both Neshama and Nefesh is Souls, but here I had to choose a different word for Nefesh to distinguish it from Neshama.