The Gate of Unity – Chapter 26

[1] As previously explained, Abba and Imma correspond to the Partzufim (Statures) of the intellectual qualities of Chochmah and Binah (Insight and Comprehension) of the world of Atzilut.  In this chapter the Rebbe will explain how the intellectual sefirot of Atzilut function according to the various ways that influence is received from Arich Anpin (Desire).  (The three general ways that the intellectual Partzufim of Abba and Imma receive their influence from Arich Anpin was explained at length in the previous chapter.  Also, as mentioned at the beginning of the previous chapter, it is assumed that the reader has a fine grasp of everything that has been explained up to this point, specifically the first few chapters of the book which explained the workings of the intellect.)

[2] In the previous chapter, Chessed and Gevurah of Arich Anpin were referred to as the “Arms” of Arich Anpin which vest within Abba and Imma etc.

[3] This is an acronym for the sefirot of Netzach, Hod and Yesod.

[4] See Etz Chaim (Shaar Drushei HaNekudot) Shaar 8 Chapter 2.  See also Shaar 16 (Shaar Holadat Av”I V’Zu”N) Chapter 7.

[5] This is to say that we must understand how the intellect influences the emotions and actions which follow from the intellect and are below it. (These are called Zeir Anpin and Nukvah).

[6] Shabbat refers to the seventh day of rest, the Sabbath, while Yom Tov refers to the Jewish Holidays in which work it prohibited, such as Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot and Rosh HaShana. Nonetheless certain types of labor are permitted on these holidays, even though they are forbidden on Shabbat, such as cooking and carrying in a public domain. From this we understand that the holiness of a Yom Tov is an intermediate level, between the holiness of Shabbat and a regular week day.

[7] See Exodus 31:14, 15.  See Zohar Emor 95a.  See also Pri Etz Chaim (Shaar Mikra Kodesh) Shaar 20, Chapter 1.

[8] As mentioned in chapter 6, Shabbat is called Kodesh, which means “Holy” and “Separate”.  That is, just like the quality of Chochmah, it is a thing unto itself, and is removed from the mundane.  On Shabbat one does not interact with the world, but rather, it is a day for interaction with G-d.  Furthermore, it says in regard to Shabbat, “You shall call Shabbat pleasure”.  This is to say that the inner light of Shabbat is the pleasure (Atik) into G-dliness.  Likewise, as explained in the previous chapter, the inner light of the faculty of Chochmah – Insight, is the hidden pleasure and sublimation which one derives from understanding the subject of one’s pursuit.  As explained in the previous chapter, it is specifically the pleasure and sublimation to the subject, which is the source of insight into it.  If this pleasure and sublimation is lacking, there can be no Chochmah – Insight.  This, then, is the relationship between the sublimation and pleasure of Shabbat and that of Chochmah, as will soon be further explained.  (In contrast, in regard to Yom Tov – the Holidays, it states, “You shall be joyful on your holidays”.  Furthermore, on Yom Tov one is permitted to do various types of labor and interaction with the world, such as cooking etc.  We therefore understand the relationship between Binah, which (as explained in chapter 6) is the aspect of Joy, and Yom Tov.)

[9] As explained at length in the previous chapter (and in the previous footnote), the inner light of Chochmah – Insight, is the “hidden pleasure”, wherein one is so invested into the concept that he loses all awareness of himself.  This is to say that the inner light and source of insight is specifically the pleasure, which is Atik Yomin, to which Chochmah is sublimated.  This, then, is the meaning of the statement that “the inner light of Abba (Insight)is the innerness of Atik Yomin (pleasure).”

[10] Isaiah 58:13

[11] This is to say that although Shabbat (or Chochmah) is not the actual “delight” and “pleasure” of Atik Yomin itself, nonetheless, since Atik Yomin is it’s inner light to which it is sublimated, it is called after it.

[12] See commentary in the Siddur by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (The Alter Rebbe), Seder Seudah Shelishit, page 204c.

[13] Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:4

[14] In other words, just as Chochmah is only called “pleasure” because it receives and is sublimated to the “pleasure” of Atik Yomin, so too, Binah (Yom Tov) is only called “Holy”, because it receives and is sublimated to the “Holiness” of Chochmah (Shabbat).

[15] Psalms 113:9

[16] That is, as opposed to the pleasure of Chochmah which is an inner bliss and sublimation that is not tangibly felt, Binah is the spreading forth of this pleasure in a way of a felt and expressed joy. As explained in chapter 6 at length, this joy comes about as a result of the comprehension of Binah.

[17] The inner aspect of Binah is the depth of the comprehension (Omek HaMoosag).  This is the intangible flash of inspiration and insight which flashes from Chochmah into the comprehending mind of Binah.  The grasp of this essential point and depth of the comprehension is the sublimation of the mind of Binah – Comprehension, to the intangible point and flash from the mind of Chochmah – Insight.  It is here, in the depth of the comprehending mind of Binah, where the “somethingness” of Binah becomes sublimated to the “nothingness” of Chochmah.  This means that the aspect of the “sublimation” (Koach Mah) of Chochmah is also found in Binah. This is because in order for the comprehending mind of Binah to be able to receive insight, it must be sublimated to the mind of Chochmah.  (This sublimation is called, “the sublimation of the “somethingness” to the “nothingness”.)  Now, it is specifically the “cessation from work” of the day of Shabbat (Chochmah)which makes it “Holy” by separating it and removing it from the “days of the week”.  This cessation is the aspect of the sublimation of Chochmah to that which is above it (i.e. the pleasure of Atik Yomin).  Likewise, because the inner aspect of Binah (which is the depth and point of the comprehension) is sublimated to Chochmah, which is above it, therefore Yom Tov (i.e. Binah) is also called “Kodesh – Holy”, even though the actual holiness itself is in Chochmah (Shabbat).

[18] As explained in the previous footnote, the cessation from work on Shabbat represents the aspect of the sublimation (Bitul) of Chochmah to Atik Yomin.

[19] As mentioned previously, the “Koach Mah – The Potential Power of What” is a rearrangement of the letters of the word Chochmah.  This Koach Mah represents the aspect of sublimation (Bitul), as in Moshe’s statement, “V’Nachnoo Mah-and what are we?”

[20] That is to say, just as the inner aspect of Chochmah is the aspect of the sublimation to “the potential power to conceptualize” (Koach HaMaskeel) and the “hidden pleasure”, so too the inner aspect of Binah is the “Omek HaMoosag – the intangible depth of comprehension” which is the sublimation to Chochmah – Insight.

[21] In other words, Chochmah is termed “nothing” while Binah is termed “something”.  However, Chochmah also possesses the aspect of “something”, and similarly, Binah also possesses the aspect of “nothing”.  It is the “something of the nothing” of Chochmah which flashes into Binah to become the “nothing of the something”.  In other words, it is the tangible aspect of Chochmah which becomes the depth and the intangible point of Binah comprehension.  This is the flash of insight from the “something of the nothing” to become the “nothing of the something” where the two intellectual powers of Chochmah and Binah meet, and become united. (This inner unification is caused specifically through Hitbonenut – contemplation and analysis, for this is the only way to reach the Omek HaMoosag- “The intangible depth of the comprehension”, as explained at length in chapter one. It should also be noted that the process of Hitbonenut – Contemplation, which is analysis with the desire to understand, is termed “Ha’ala’at Mayim Nukvin – The rising of the feminine waters”.  That is, it is an arousal from below, which brings about an arousal and spreading forth of influence from above, which is termed, “Hamshachat Mayim D’churin – The drawing down of the masculine waters”.)

[22] Sefer Yetzirah chapter one, mishnah 4.

[23] In other words, through Hitbonenut-Contemplation a person causes a unification of the “something of the nothing” with the “nothing of the something”. This is to say that he causes a unification of the “tangible of the intangible” with the “intangible of the tangible”.  This is the innermost unification of the faculties of Chochmah and Binah (Insight and Comprehension), and their sublimation to that which is above them, to the very essence (i.e. the inner aspect of Atik Yomin – the pleasure).  Similarly, when this inner unification of Abba and Imma of Atzilut takes place, all the worlds, both the upper worlds and the lower worlds, become completely sublimated to and one with the very essence of Atik Yomin, which, in turn, is literally bound up with the Essence of G-d (Atzmoot Ohr Ein Sof), as previously explained.

[24] All of the above was an explanation regarding the inner unification of Chochmah and Binah, which is caused through the act of trying to understand the essential truth of G-d and his relationship to His world.  That is, he has a great desire to comprehend “what it is” and “how it is” etc.  For example, in the inner unification of Abba and Imma, one is simply trying to understand the nature of the “Truth of reality”.  This is not the case, however, in regard to the external unification of Abba and Imma, i.e. in their lower emotional sefirot.  There, in the external level, one is not investigating the simple “Truth of reality”, but rather, he accepts certain “truths” as being axiomatic and takes them for granted. Rather, his contemplation is only into “how to feel” or “how to act” in accordance to his preconceived notions of “reality”.  The external unifications of the emotional sefirot of Chochmah and Binah will now be discussed at greater length.

[25] The six directions of Abba (Vav Kitzvin D’Abba) refers to the three emotions, Chesed, Gevurah and Tiferet and the three gut emotions, Netzach, Hod Yesod, of Insight.  

[26] As will be explained in a moment, the emotions of Chessed and Gevurah of Chochmah are the emotional leanings towards either kindness or sternness before they have spread forth into the comprehension and reasoning of Binah.  That is, he cannot yet explain why this is his leaning and opinion, but, nonetheless, this is how he sees things.  These emotions of Chessed and Gevurah of Chochmah then radiate into the emotional sefirot of Chessed and Gevurah of Binah, which produces the tangible reasoning and explanations for why this is his intellectual position.  However, all of the above is still totally within the intellect, and is not at all a heartfelt arousal of emotion. This level of the intellect, relative to the previous level, may be compared to the difference between the intellectual debates of the Talmud (i.e. positive and negative intellectual positions in regard to what the emotional leaning should be towards any given issue), as opposed to the teachings of Kabbalah and Chassidut, which are called, Chochmat HaEmet- “The Wisdom of True Reality”. In Kabbalah and Chassidut the intellect is involved in understanding the true nature of reality, as opposed to how to act or how to feel about it.

[27] That is, he has an intellectual Chochmah leaning towards kindness or sternness, but as of yet, it is still higher than the comprehending mind of Binah. He can therefore not explain his reasoning for this position.  Rather, he intuitively “sees” or “senses” that it is this way.  (It is clear that as opposed to the previous inner level of the intellect which receives influence from the Mazalot of Arich Anpin (and higher), this level of intellect receives its influence from the “Arms”, i.e. Chessed and Gevurah of Arich Anpin.)

[28] See Tractate Betza 6a.

[29] This refers to a Talmudic incident in which Rav was challenged on the logic of his position and remained silent.  He did not concede to the opposing position, but neither did he argue against it. Instead he remained silent.  This is because he intuitively “knew” that he was correct in a way of Chochmah rather than in a way of Binah. On the level of Chochmah – Insight, he “sensed” that his position was correct, but he hadn’t yet brought it down to a comprehendible explanation on the Binah level.

[30] See Avot, Chapter 3, Mishnah 13.

[31] See Tractate Megilla 18a.

[32] A Selah was an ancient monetary currency used during Talmudic times.

[33] In this parenthesis, the Rebbe is pointing out the difference between the inner silence and sublimation that relates to the inner unification of Chochmah and Binah, as opposed to the “silence of Rav” which was mentioned immediately before this parenthesis.  The silence referred to here may be understood as follows:  When a person is involved in the contemplation of a subject, in trying to understand it clearly to its very depth, obviously there is something which he does not yet understand.  This is specifically why he is contemplating and analyzing the matter.  When he contemplates it deeply, until he literally reaches the “ceiling” of his intellect, then immediately before any flash of insight comes into his mind, there is an inner “silence” in his mind.  This “silence” is the same sublimation (Bitul) and “hidden pleasure” of the inner aspect of Chochmah and Binah which was explained previously.  It is this “silence of the mind” which precedes any flash of insight or intuition into the subject.  However, the inner silence of the mind mentioned here is different than the silence mentioned in the previous example of Rav being silent.  In that example, that was only an external silence, which stemmed from the intellectual leaning of the emotional sefirot of Chochmah, as opposed to the inner sublimation of the Koach Mah-The Potential Power of What.  He was silent simply because he did not know how to respond to the challenge rather that because of trying to understand the inner truth of the matter. This is because he had already determined his position on the matter.

[34] The matter of the “kidneys which council” has already been mentioned in chapter 21. Also see next footnote.

[35] Netzach and Hod have two general functions. In their function of deciding whether the influence will come out positively or negatively, Netzach and Hod are referred to as the kidneys and in their function of upholding that decision through strong mindedness, they are referred to as the legs (or thighs).

[36] As explained in previous chapters, the aspect of Netzach, Hod and Yesod is the intellectual scale, which measures how the predetermined influence of Chessed and Gevurah (and above) should be brought out, either to the recipient or to the heartfelt emotions which are below the intellect etc.  Since these are the intellectual sefirot of NeHi”Y, this can be seen as the intellectual determination of how one should act in any given situation based upon the predetermined intellectual leanings of Chessed and Gevurah of the intellect.  That is to say, when one encounters any circumstance, it is not necessary for him to go through the entire logic of his position each time the matter comes up.  Rather, he has already determined his position on the subject, and all he must do now is adapt it to this particular situation.  Netzach and Hod are sometimes also referred to as the “two legs” (see Patach Eliyahu).  Likewise, the aspects of Netzach and Hod of the intellect are the “legs” which uphold the “body” of the intellect.  In other words, this is the strength of mind in one’s intellectual position.  We find that there are two aspects in the aspect of NeHi”Y of the intellect.  There is the matter of the spreading forth of the influence below, and there is the matter of the strength of mind in one’s intellectual position.  Now, these two explanations of the aspect of Netzach and Hod are not in conflict, but rather, they are interdependent.  It is because of his strength of mind in his position that he will be able to bring this influence forth, into heartfelt emotions, action, or to a recipient.  For example, if he does not have a strong position in a certain matter, it is certain that his emotions will not become aroused towards an opposing opinion.  On the contrary, his position will falter and he will retreat in the face of any opposition.  From this we see that these two matters are interdependent, and are part and parcel of the same faculty.  (This will be understood even more clearly from the next paragraph of the text, and its explanation.)

[37] In other words, usually, one’s emotions become aroused only by the most external level of his intellect, which is the unification NeHi”Y of Abba and Imma.  Moreover, even one’s actions are generally only from this most external level of the intellect.  Most of the time a person is not contemplating the “Truth of  Reality” or attempting to understand what is really going on, i.e. how or why we are here etc.  Rather, he already holds strong opinions which he feels are self evident (NeHi”Y of Abba and Imma) regarding the nature of his existence (which usually did not originate with him, but are rather learned opinions which he accepted from others), and he conducts himself accordingly.   However, because the influence to the emotions and actions comes about only from the most external level of the intellect, it therefore lacks the vitality of the pleasure, sublimation, and complete self-investment which do take place when he invests the inner levels of the intellect (as explained above).  Because of this lack of sublimation and self-investment, most people go through life by rote. It is as if they are just “going through the motions”, completely on automatic, with almost no inner life and vitality.  Because man below usually conducts himself in this fashion, even when studying Torah or fulfilling the commandments of G-d, so too, G-d responds in kind, and therefore, generally, all the worlds, both the upper and the lower worlds, are created only through this type of influence, from a unification of the externality of NeHi”Y of Abba and Imma.  This is to say that there is a constant unification the NeHi”Y of Abba with the NeHi”Y of Imma, which gives vitality to the world, but only in an external way, like a person who does something by rote, but whose mind and self is really invested elsewhere. (This explains the statement that Abba and Imma (Insight and Comprehension) are “Two lovers who never separate”.  On this external level they are constantly unified, for otherwise all the worlds would not continue to exist. At least this level of unification of Chochmah and Binah is necessary to maintain the existence of the world.  However, this is a most external issuance of vitality, as explained above.  In the inner levels of Abba and Imma, however, it is possible for them to be separated. This type of external unification and influence is referred to as “Chol – the weekday”, in contrast to the inner unification and influence of  Shabbat and Yom Tov, as explained above.)  The above will now be further explained.

[38] The difference between these two types of unification, the inner and the external, was explained in the previous footnote, and may be further understood as follows:  The inner unification of Chochmah with Binah is considered to be a unification “for themselves”, because, here the desire is solely to understand the “Truth of Reality”, which is the reality of G-d.  As explained before, this unification is brought about specifically through Hitbonenut – Contemplation and Analysis, and even more specifically, this is the study and intellectual toil of Chassidut and Kabbalah.  Now, this analysis and contemplation is what causes a unification of Chochmah and Binah, thus instigating a flash of insight into “Reality”, and a glimpse into the truth of G-d’s existence.  As mentioned previously (in chapter 5), this “vision” with the mind’s eye is what is called, L’Eestakla B’Yeekra D’Malka – “Gazing at the preciousness of the King”.  The only way this intellectual seeing may be attained is through Hitbonenut – Contemplation of Torah, (since Torah is the Divine body of knowledge), and specifically through Hitbonenut – Contemplation intothe inner aspect of the Torah (which is Kabbalah and Chassidut).  However, the actual source and cause of this flash of insight into the reality of G-d, is specifically the “hidden pleasure” and the complete sublimation and investment of himself, to the point where he is not even aware of himself.  The reason he is not aware of himself is because he is so completely invested into his perception and awareness of G-d, and although he will have a powerful arousal of emotions of love and awe of G-d, he will, nonetheless, be totally unaware of it.  This is because his emotions are totally bound up with, and completely sublimated to the flash of insight into reality and awareness of G-d.  Moreover, because of his awareness of the reality of G-d’s presence, he will be greatly motivated with great enthusiasm and vitality to fulfill G-d’s commandments (The Mitzvot) .  This level of unification with G-d is called Shabbat. This is because Shabbat is a day which is “Holy” and separated from all mundane matters, as explained above, and is totally bound up to G-d.  Now, when man, below, activates this inner unification and sublimation of Chochmah and Binah through Hitbonenut- contemplation, this causes an inner unification of Abba and Imma of Atzilut, the sublimation to G-d and the awareness of His presence in all the worlds, both the upper worlds and the lower worlds.  The ultimate realization of this will take place with the revelation of Moshiach and finally, in HaOlam HaBah – “The World to Come”, which is called, Yom SheKoolo Shabbat – “A day which is all Shabbat”. This will come about in the seventh millennium.  The above explains the inner unification of Abba and Imma, in their upper three sefirot.  In contrast, the external unification of Abba and Imma is only in the aspect of NeHi”Y.  Here, the person is not contemplating the truth of reality, and is not necessarily contemplating anything at all.  Rather, he has certain preconceived notions of reality (which he did not necessarily arrive at through his own contemplation and understanding), and he conducts his life according to these preconceived notions.  Although these notions may also include “G-d” in them, nonetheless, since there is no sublimation to G-d or self-investment and “hidden pleasure” into Him, all of which come about through Hitbonenut – contemplation, the person therefore conducts himself in an external fashion, with very little vitality or true enthusiasm, even when he is serving G-d.  This is because he has no “insight” or “perception” of G-d’s presence or the truth of G-d’s reality. He will therefore have little to no sublimation to G-d, and if he does have any, it will only be external.  Because of this, even if he does perform G-d’s commandments, he will lack the self-investment and sublimation to G-d, and therefore, he will be entirely aware of himself, and will certainly not be bound up with G-d or aware of His absolute singularity.  (Even if he “hypes” himself up in order to induce an arousal of emotions toward G-d, this will actually only create a more heightened awareness of himself.  This is because, as explained in chapter 5, if there is a lacking in the contemplation and comprehension, then there certainly will be a lacking in the sublimation, as well.)  It follows, that when man below conducts himself in this fashion, with only an external unification of Chochmah and Binah, then likewise above, the worlds will be conducted and created by G-d in a similar fashion, measure for measure.  In other words, there will only be an external unification of NeHi”Y of Abba and Imma of Atzilut, just to maintain the existence of the world.  However, because the sublimation of all the worlds to the Essence of G-d (Atzmoot Ein Sof) is lacking, and G-d only investments Himself into all the worlds in an external fashion, therefore, the worlds and all the entities therein, perceive themselves as separate entities, separate and apart from G-d.  This type of reality is referred to as “Chol – the weekday”.  (These are the six millennia of the world, which precede the aforementioned seventh millennium of Shabbat and are also called HaOlam HaZeh – This World.)

[39] In the Shema recital, the words “Havayah Elokeinu – HaShem our G-d” refers to the unification of Chochmah and Binah, i.e. the inner contemplation of the reality of G-d’s existence.  If one contemplates this in a manner in which he gives himself over to G-d with complete self-sacrifice and self investment, then he will grasp its inner depth and point.  As previously explained, this grasp is called, L’Eestakla B’Yeekra D’Malka – “Gazing at the preciousness of the King”.  As explained in the beginning chapters of the book, the automatic outcome of this is that his entire being, including his emotions and actions, become sublimated and included in the Oneness of G-d.  (This refers to the various levels of love of G-d and awe of G-d which are aroused through Hitbonenut – Contemplation into G-d’s unity.)  This, then, is the meaning of the continuation of the verse, “Havayah Echad – HaShem is One”.  That is, his entire being (and the being all of the worlds) becomes bound up and sublimated to G-d’s Essential singularity and unity.  This also is the meaning of the statement said in our prayers, “For the sake of unifying the Yud-Heh (of G-d’s name) with the Vav-Heh (of His name) etc.”  On a more general level, as explained in previous footnotes, this contemplation causes the presence of G-d to be revealed in all worlds, both the upper worlds and the lower worlds, thereby bringing about the complete sublimation of all the worlds to G-d.  Also, the Rebbe points out here that this is specifically due to giving ourselves over to G-d with complete self-sacrifice, i.e. the complete self-investment into the comprehension of G-d’s unity.  Without this self-investment, which is the “hidden pleasure” in G-d, with great desire, to the point that one’s entire being is involved in it, there can be no insight into this reality.  It is therefore specifically due to complete self-sacrifice and self-investment that one can attain a true realization and awareness of the unity of G-d.  (The emotions of  “You shall love HaShem etc.”, which is  the verse which immediately follows, come about as an automatic result of the above contemplation and realization.)

[40] This has already been explained at length in footnotes 37 and 38 of this chapter.

[41] This refers to the ten great Sages who were cruelly tortured and murdered at the hands of the Romans because they continued to teach Torah even after the Romans had outlawed it.

[42] As mentioned in chapter 15, the feminine waters – Mayim Nukvin, represent an arousal and flow of influence from below to above, from the recipient to the Giver of Divine influence.  As noted in footnote 20, the process of Hitbonenut – Contemplation, which is analysis with a great desire to understand, is termed “Ha’ala’at Mayim Nukvin – The rising up of the feminine waters”.  In other words, this is an arousal from below, which causes an arousal and spreading forth of influence from G-d above, which is called, “Hamshachat Mayim D’churin –The drawing down of the masculine waters”.  However, as explained, this “arousal from below” must be done with complete self-investment and “hidden pleasure” in order for the reciprocal influence from above to below to come about.  All the above is true not only in the contemplative sense, but in the practical sense as well, in regard to the complete self-investment and self-sacrifice in the fulfillment of the G-d’s commandments.  It is explained in Kabbalah and Chassidut that through giving themselves over to G-d with complete self-sacrifice, to the point of death, these ten Martyrs caused enough influence to be drawn down into the world to sustain it until the time of the final redemption, with the coming of Moshiach, may it be speedily in our days, Amen.

[43] This has been explained at length in chapter two (and three).

[44] This is referring to the three emotions (Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferet) and the three gut emotions (Netzach, Hod, Yesod) of the insight-Chochmah.

[45] This is referring to the three emotions (Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferet) and the three gut emotions (Netzach, Hod, Yesod) of the comprehension-Binah.

[46] Tvunah is the spreading forth of the light of Binah, while Yisrael Saba is the spreading forth of the light of Chochmah, in orderto bring out the depth of the light of the intellect to that which is below the intellect, either to the heartfelt emotions, or into practical application.

[47] See HaGahot Tzemach on Etz Chaim, (Drush Igullim V’Yosher) Shaar 1, Anaf 5.  This will also be discussed later in chapter 34.

[48] This refers to the spreading forth of the light of the Mazalot of Arich Anpin, which was previously explained.  The upper Yisrael Saba is the spreading forth of the light of Chochmah of Arich Anpin, while the upper Tvunah is the spreading forth of the light of Binah of Arich Anpin.  As explained in the previous chapter, the inner unification of Abba and Imma is caused by the unification of the two Mazalot in their source.

[49] In other words, new souls are brought forth into the worlds through the unification of Abba and Imma of Atzilut.  However, in order to bring forth a new soul, it is necessary that there be an inner unification of Abba and Imma, with the sublimation and pleasure of Arich Anpin and Atik Yomin.  This is because the souls are a “Chelek Eloka MeeMa’al Mamash – Literally aPart of G-d from above”, and are literally from the Essence of G-d Himself. They must therefore issue forth from the Essence (Atzmoot).  As explained in chapter twenty four, it is the pleasure (Atik Yomin) which draws out the Essence of the Infinite Light (Atzmoot Ohr Ein Sof).  Therefore, in order for there to be an issuance of influence from the Essence, it is necessary for there to be additional influence of pleasure and desire, as explained previously.  This may be clearly understood from the conception of a new human being in this world.  In order for a child (i.e. a new soul) to be born, it is necessary for there to be an inner unification of Abba (Father) and Imma (Mother).  Moreover, in order for the seminal drop to issue forth, the essential self of the person must be invested into it. This is drawn out through the great pleasure.  This, then, is the meaning of the above statement that in order to give birth to souls, it is necessary for there to be a unification of Abba and Imma in the inner intellect, in their root within the two Mazalot of Arich Anpin.  (Another way that this may be understood is that in order for there to be “Soul” in one’s Divine service, or in order to bring forth and reveal deeper levels of one’s soul in an inner way, there must be an inner unification of Abba and Imma (Insight and Comprehension), which is brought about through Hitbonenut – Contemplation.)  From all of the above it is apparent that although the actual influence and birth of souls in the world comes about through the aspects of Netzach, Hod and specifically Yesod, nonetheless the real source of this influence is actually from a higher level. Its real source is from the inner unification of Abba and Imma, which draws out influence from the very Essence of G-d Himself (Atzmoot Ein Sof).

[50] See Tractate Moed Katan 28a.

[51] That is, they are dependant upon the inner unification of Abba and Imma as they receive from their source in the Mazalot of Arich Anpin – the desire, (and even higher, in Atik Yomin – the pleasure).

[52] See beginning of Amidah prayer.  See also Pri Etz Chaim (Shaar Ha’Amidah), Shaar 9, Chapter 3.

[53] The name E-L is an appellation for Chochmah. Therefore E-L Elyon (The Supernal G-d) refers to the inner light of Chochmah-Insightas it ascends to receive from the Mazal of Notzer of Arich-Desire.

[54] As mentioned in the previous chapter, and as will be explained later, Yesod is called “good” and is an aspect of kindness, since it is the aspect of the bestowal of influence to the recipient.

[55] As will be explained later, Yesod is also called “Kol – All”, since everything (i.e. all the preceding lights)gather in Yesod in order to spread forth as influence to the recipient.

[56] That is to say, the birth of souls physically (and spiritually in one’s Divine service) must be spawned through the inner unification of the intellectual sefirot of Chochmah and Binah, and their sublimation to their source, which are the Mazalot of Arich Anpin.  This is the perceptual awareness and revelation of the presence of the “Supernal G-d”.  It is only then that this essential light may be drawn forth through the influence of Yesod, to bring out new G-dly light into the created worlds.

[57] The “Fathers” refers to Abba (Chochmah) and to its sublimation and perception of the inner light of the Essence of the “Supernal G-d”, (i.e. the Mazalot of Arich Anpin (desire) and Atik Yomin (pleasure) within which Atmoot Ohr Ein Sof – The Essence of the Infinite Light of G-d is vested.  It is only through this level of self-sacrifice (i.e. self-investment) and pleasure into the Divine service that there can be awareness of the “Supernal G-d”.  It is specifically through the toil of Hitbonenut – contemplation (in Chassidus and Kabbalah) that this inner sublimation to G-d is aroused, thereby eliciting an arousal from above, which brings about a flash of insightful revelation of G-d’s presence in the world.  This, then, is the meaning of the continuation of the prayer, “and brings the redeemer to their children’s children”.  In other words, the redemption is entirely dependant on everything that was explained above.  This is because the entire matter of the redemption is specifically the revelation of G-d within the world, and, as explained, this revelation is dependant upon the toil of Hitbonenut- contemplation in Chassidus and Kabbalah.

[58] As explained in chapter two, all of the above is only possible because of his firm grasp and “sight” into the intangible essential truth of the concept (Omek Hamoosag), and his sublimation to it.  It is because he grasps the essential depth and the Heyulie point of it, that he is capable of drawing out all manner of different explanations and insights from this depth.  Similarly, when one has a good grasp and “sight” of the essential G-dliness of the concepts of Chassidut and Kabbalah in his mind, he will be capable of bringing it out into his emotions, his actions, and into the world at large.  That is, he will be a man of Tvunah who is capable of drawing out the very depths themselves into revelation, as explained in chapter two.  (As mentioned previously, this sublimation to the essential G-dliness in the Divine body of knowledge is called the “Choosh HaChassidut – The Sense of the Chassidut”, i.e. the perceptual sight of the intangible essence of G-d.)

[59] In other words, he does not grasp the depth and essential point of the concept, but only the external explanations of it, rather than its inner light.  He will therefore only be capable of repeating the explanations as he received them, but he will not be capable of drawing out new light from the Heyulie depth of the concept.  Moreover, as explained in chapters two and three, because he does not have this inner sublimation and perception of the intangible essence, his emotions will not become aroused in his Divine Service, and he will be incapable of bringing the concepts out into revelation.  (On the contrary, as mentioned previously, he will question the need of this type of study altogether etc, because it all remains completely abstract to him.)

[60] Refer back to chapters two and three.

[61] This is to say that in order to draw out an entirely new issuance of influence to the recipient (or into the worlds), it is necessary for there to be an inner unification of Abba and Imma, in which the intellect becomes bound up to the potential power of conceptualize of Arich Anpin itself.  In other words, it is necessary for there to be a flash of insight and perception of the essential Heyulie depth of the concept. This only happens when there is sublimation and complete self-investment, in the way of a “hidden pleasure” into the subject.  Without this, it is impossible to draw out new insights or explanations.  Similarly, above in G-dliness, for there to be an entirely new influence, which is the perception and revelation of G-dliness in the worlds, there must be an inner unification of Abba and Imma, wherein the worlds become sublimated and bound to the essential G-dliness which continuously creates and vitalizes them, and although this influence is actually revealed through the lower aspect of Yesod, nonetheless, its source is from a much higher level, within the very essence of Arich Anpin and Atik Yomin, and ultimately within the very Essence of the Infinite Light itself.

[62] All of this has already been explained in the previous footnotes of this chapter.

[63] See Introduction of Zohar 14a.  Also see Zohar Terumah 136a, and Vayakhel 204b.