Section: The World of Nekudim (Openings 36–50)
This is the unit's central repair-chapter. After the breaking (Op. 46), Op. 47 narrates how the repair proceeded — level by level, one by one — and why it is incomplete. Two parts: (Part 1) The Emanator selected and cleansed the levels of the garments one by one, so that instead of being directed to evil they would evade it. Each level then passed the task of producing evil to the level below it. (Cross-ref Op. 30: the Other Side has levels corresponding to all the holy Sefirot — this is how that correspondence was instituted: evil ejected from the level above produced one level of the Other Side.) On each successive level the same happened, until all of ABYA were cleansed as they are now — they left the task to Malchut of Asiyah, the lowest. All ready to receive light except this last level — light can only spread in a vessel cleansed of evil. Two complementary metaphors describe the process: a grainpile from which portions are taken one at a time, and a successive descent in which evil descends one level at a time — Keter cleansed, task passes to Chochmah-and-below; Chochmah cleansed, passes to Binah-and-below; etc. Both true (¶25-26). The historical archetype is Israel's exile-and-redemption: exile lasts as long as it takes for all levels of evil to unfold, then the Supreme Will is revealed. Genesis 1:2 ("the earth was desolate and void") = the destruction; Genesis 1:3 ("Let there be light") = sifting begins. The Four-Letter Names (forces of creation) emerge from destruction. The new repaired mode: Sefirot in balanced columns + Partzufim. BYA-of-Nekudim transforms into ABYA proper. (Part 2) All this is only the repair of the garments — Beriyah, Yetzirah, Asiyah of Nekudim. Their rule continues until birurim are complete. The first Atzilut is not revealed again as long as Malchut maintains evil. Malchut = 'robbed' / 'despoiled' (the ARI: must be rescued from the oppressor — the Other Side). Distance from evil determines light received. Even distance is residual connection — so even the higher Sefirot lack the first Atzilut while Malchut still maintains evil. The proof of incompleteness: one level is still devoid of light. Op. 48 will turn to human service to repair Malchut.
This is the unit's longest and most architecturally consequential chapter. Op. 46 narrated the breaking; Op. 47 narrates the repair step by step and shows why it cannot be completed without human service (the bridge to Op. 48).
Part 1 — The selection and cleansing. Levels rectified one by one. Each evades evil and passes the task to the level below. Other Side has levels corresponding to all Sefirot (Op. 30) — this is how. All ABYA cleansed until task sits in Malchut of Asiyah. Grainpile and successive descent metaphors both correct (¶25-26). Israel's exile-redemption is the historical archetype. Genesis 1:2-3 = destruction-then-light. Four-Letter Names (forces of creation) emerge from destruction. New mode: balanced columns + Partzufim. BYA-of-Nekudim → ABYA proper.
Part 2 — Why incomplete. All this is only repair of garments (BYA of Nekudim, not the first Atzilut). Their rule continues until birurim complete. Malchut = robbed (ARI). Distance from evil = light-received-greatness. Even distance is residual connection. First Atzilut not revealed as long as Malchut maintains evil. Proof: one level still devoid of light. Op. 48 forecasts human service.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
מהלך תיקון הכלים מהרע:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> The repair of the vessels from evil, albeit incomplete Plain English: Theme: the repair of the vessels from evil — albeit incomplete.
Concepts: tikkun_repair, vessel_kli.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
כשרצה המאציל ית"ש לתקן עניני הלבושים האלה, היה מברר מדרגותיהם אחת אחת, שלא תהיינה פונות אל הרע, אלא יחזרו פניהם להסתלק ממנו. ואז כל.מדרגה היתה מניחה ענין הוצאת הרע למדרגה שלמטה ממנה. ונמצא, שהיה לה חלק בזה, רק שהיתה מסתלקת ומתנקית ממנו. ואז היא היתה ראויה לקבל אור. וכן כל מדרגה למדרגה שתחתיה, עד שנתבררו כל המדרגות של אבי"ע. כמו שהם עתה. והניחו ענין הוצאת הרע אל המדרגה התחתונה שבכל המדרגות - במלכות דעשיה. ואז הוכנו כולם לקבל את האור, חוץ מזאת האחרונה, באשר שאין לאור להתפשט אלא בכלי שנוקה מן הרע.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> When the Emanator, blessed be He, wanted to rectify these garments, He selected and cleansed their various levels, one by one, so that instead of being directed towards evil they would turn around to evade it. Each level in turn then left the task of producing evil to the level below it. The upper level thus had a share in this, except that it was in the process of evading and being cleansed of it, and it was then fit to receive light. The same happened on each successive level in relation to the level below it, until all the levels of Atzilut, Beriyah, Yetzirah and Asiyah were cleansed, as they are now, and they then left the task of producing evil to the lowest of all levels, that of Malchut of Asiyah. They were then all ready to receive the light except for this last level, because the light can only spread in a vessel that is cleansed of evil. Plain English: Six-step proposition Part 1: (1) Emanator wanted to rectify garments; (2) selected/cleansed levels one by one; (3) each level evades instead of being directed to evil; (4) leaves task to level below; (5) all ABYA cleansed as they are now; (6) Malchut of Asiyah is the last — light can only spread in a vessel cleansed of evil.
Concepts: selection_and_cleansing, tikkun_repair, evil_descends_one_level, bya_becomes_abya, nukva.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
וכל זה נקרא רק תיקון הלבושים של הנקודים, שכמו שהיו הכלים מתוקנים - כך היה האור הולך ונכנס בהם. וכל כלי שהוא רחוק יותר במדרגתו מענין הרע - ראוי לאור יותר גדול. אך האצילות הראשונה לא חזר ונתגלה, כי זה לא נקרא תיקון שלם של אלה הלבושים כל זמן שיש מדרגה זאת האחרונה כך - פונה להוציא הרע, וריקה מן האור בשבילו:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> All this is called only the repair of the garments of Nekudim. To the extent that the vessels were repaired, so the light would successively enter into them. The more remote the level of a given vessel from anything that has to do with evil, the greater the light it was fit to receive. However, the first Atzilut was not revealed again, for the repair of all these garments cannot be called complete as long as this lowest level is still directed to the production of evil and thus devoid of the light. Plain English: Part 2: all this = only repair of garments of Nekudim. Light progressively entered per vessel-repair. Distance from evil → greater light. First Atzilut not revealed as long as lowest level still devoted to evil and devoid of light.
Concepts: world_of_nekudim, light_enters_progressively, degree_of_repair, bya_becomes_abya.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
מי שחפץ להבין ענין אחד היטיב, צריך שיקבל מתחלה ציור אחד מספיק מכללות הענין ההוא מן הראש ועד הסוף, אחר כך ילך לפרטים. והטעם לזה פשוט, תחלת המחשבה סוף המעשה, וכל המעשים הראשונים נעשים על פי המחשבה המכוונת למה שבא אחרי המעשה ההוא. אם כן אי אפשר להבין המעשים הראשונים ההם, על מה הם באים, אלא בידיעת מה שבא אחריהם, כיון שהכוונה בהם למה שיבוא אחריהם. וכן עד סוף כל המעשים, שהרי הכל נעשה בעבור הסוף.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> When a person wants to attain a deep understanding of a given subject, he should start by gaining a sufficient overall picture of the entire subject from beginning to end and then go into the details. The reason for this is simple: the end goal of the completed project is present in the mind from the very outset, and all the early stages in the execution of the project are carried out in accordance with the initial intention, which is directed to what is to come later. If so, it is impossible to understand those initial stages and their purpose except through knowing what comes after them, since their purpose is to lead to what follows them. This applies to every stage until the execution of the project is complete, for everything is done for the sake of the end goal. Plain English: Methodological framing: deep understanding requires overall picture first, then details. End-goal present from outset; early stages serve later. Cannot understand initial stages except via knowing what comes after.
Concepts: (framing only)
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
והנה תנאי המעשים הם לפי מה שמכוון בהם, אך מה שמכוון בהם הוא מה שבא אחריהם. וסוף המכוון הוא המעשה שיבוא בסוף הכל. אם כן מי שירצה להבין עניני המעשים הקודמים - צריך שידע בתחלה הילוכם עד הסוף, ואחר כך יחזור לפרטיהם. ואז לא יצטרך להיות תלוי ועומד בהבנת פרטי הראשונים עד הגיעו לסוף. אלא כשכבר ידוע לו ההילוך, כל פרט ופרט יבינהו במקומו.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> We thus see that the various actions performed are governed by what is intended through them. Yet what is intended through them is what comes after them: the final goal is the finished work that will come at the end of everything. If so, someone who wants to understand the purpose of the earlier actions must first understand the general direction until the end. Then afterwards he can go back to investigate the details. This way he will not have to remain in suspense until the end while seeking to understand the details of the early stages. When he already has a grasp of the overall direction, he will be able to understand each successive detail in its place. Plain English: Actions governed by what is intended through them = what comes after. To understand purpose of earlier actions: first understand the general direction until the end; then go back to details.
Concepts: (framing only)
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ועל כן עכשיו שהתחלנו לפרש ענין הלבושים, איך שניתן להם שליטה בפני עצמם כדי שיוציאו הרע מהם, ואחר כך יהיו ראויים להתחבר בהם האור, הנה צריך לפרש בכלל כל הילוך ענינם עד הסוף - שבאים לתיקון. ואחר כך יובנו כל הפרטים שנדבר בהם במעשים הקודמים לזה הסוף:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Accordingly, having begun discussing the "garments" and how they were given independent control in order to bring out the evil from them so that they would afterwards be fit for the light to join with them, we must first explain the overall direction until the end, when things will reach a state of repair. By explaining this first, all the details we will discuss later in connection with the initial stages will be understandable in the light of the end goal. Plain English: Application: garments given control to bring out evil. First explain overall direction to the end (state of repair); then details understandable in light of end-goal.
Concepts: (framing only)
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
חלקי המאמר הזה ב'. ח"א, כשרצה המאציל ית"ש וכו', והוא ענין תיקון חזרת הכלים לקבל אורם. ח"ב, וכל זה נקרא וכו', והוא שכל זה הוא רק ענין [תיקון] הלבושים, ולא תשלום התיקון:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> The proposition consists of two parts: Part 1: When the Emanator… This explains the repair whereby the vessels could again receive their light. Part 2: All this is called... This explains that all this is only the process of the rectification of the garments, but not the complete repair. Plain English: Two parts: (1) repair whereby vessels could receive light; (2) all this is only rectification of garments, not complete repair.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
חלק א: כשרצה המאציל ית"ש לתקן עניני הלבושים האלה, והיינו כי היו המלכים שבורים כל כך זמן כמו שנותנים כחות הרע שנתגלה מהם. ופירוש זה הדבר, הנה ישראל ירדו בגלות, יש להם לעמוד כל כך זמן כמו כל כך מדרגות שיש ברע השולט עליהם. כך אלה המלכים היו עומדים בחורבן כל כך זמן, והיינו כל כך מדרגות כמו שנותן חלקי הרע. ואחר כך יתגלה הרצון העליון ויתקן בסוד היחוד, כאמור למעלה. כי הרע, אדרבא, הולך ומתגבר בכל יום, אלא שהרצון העליון ישים קץ בסוף הכל.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Part 1: When the Emanator, blessed be He, wanted to rectify these garments... For the Primordial Kings remained broken for just as long as it took to let the powers of evil be revealed from them. To explain this more fully: Israel went down into exile and must remain there for as long as it takes for all the levels that exist in the evil which rules over them to unfold (until the people of Israel are rectified through suffering or until they overcome all the tests to their faith, such as idolatry, philosophy, secularism, etc.). In a similar way, these kings remained in their state of destruction for just as long a time – i.e. on just as many levels – as was required to produce the different divisions of evil. Then afterwards, the Supreme Will will be revealed and will repair everything through the mystery of unity, as explained above. For we see that evil is getting stronger every day, but the Supreme Will will put a stop to it in the end. Plain English: Primordial Kings remained broken just as long as required for evil's powers to be revealed. Israel's exile archetype: must remain in exile for as long as it takes for all levels of ruling evil to unfold (rectified through suffering or overcoming tests — idolatry, philosophy, secularism, etc.). Same with the kings: as many levels of destruction as were needed for the divisions of evil. Then the Supreme Will will be revealed, repairing all through the mystery of unity. Evil getting stronger every day; Supreme Will will put a stop to it in the end.
Concepts: primordial_worlds, kings_who_ruled, breaking_of_the_vessels, exile_redemption_archetype, israel_faith_in_exile, return_evil_to_good.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
והנה שורש כל זה הוא ענין המלכים האלה. על כן ירדו ונשברו, ועמדו שבורים לפי ענין הרע שהיה הולך ומתגבר במדרגותיו. וכשרצה הרצון העליון - שם קץ לזה הדבר, וחזר ותקנם. וזה עצמו זמן עמידת ישראל בגלות וגאולתם. והיינו כי הרע אינו מתקיים אלא עד שישלימו כחות הספירות, שהם כחות דמות אדם, לעשות את שלהם. כי הלא הכוונה כבר נתפרשה למעלה שהקב"ה רצה להראות, שמה שכנגד כל כח של הספירות - יכולה הס"א לקטרג. אך כנגד כח היחוד השולט לא יכלה לעמוד אפילו רגע אחד, וזהו גילוי יחודו, כמפורש למעלה.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Now the root of all this lies in the Primordial Kings, and this is why they went down and broke, remaining broken in proportion to the increasing power of evil on its various levels. However, when the Supreme Will so desired, He put an end to this and repaired them again. In the same way, the people of Israel remain in exile for a given length of time, which is followed by their redemption. This is because the evil only exists until the powers of the Sefirot – the powers of the Likeness of Man – complete their mission. For the intention was as explained earlier: the Holy One, blessed be He, wanted to show that while the Other Side has the power to raise a challenge against the entire power of the Sefirot, it cannot stand for even a moment against the power of His unity, which is in control, and this is the revelation of His unity, as explained above (see Opening 30, end). Plain English: Root of all this in Primordial Kings. They went down/broke in proportion to evil's increasing power. When Supreme Will desired, He put an end and repaired them. Same with Israel's exile/redemption. Evil exists only until Sefirot's powers complete their mission. The intention (Op. 30 end): Other Side has power to challenge all Sefirot, but cannot stand for even a moment against His unity — this is the revelation of His unity.
Concepts: primordial_worlds, exile_redemption_archetype, sitra_achra, dmut_adam, return_evil_to_good.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
וזה מה שנעשה במלכים האלה, כי הניח כל הכחות התלויים בדמות אדם - שכנגדם יהיה הרע שולט, והם כל כך מדרגות של רע שכנגד כחות האלה, ועל כן לא היה מגלה יחודו. וכך היו הולכים הדברים תמיד, אדרבא, הרע הולך ומתחזק יותר. אך כשנשלמו אלה הכחות של הספירות - אז גלה רצונו, ורצה בכח שליטתו לתקן הכל.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> And this is what was accomplished through these kings. For He allowed evil to hold sway against all the powers that depend on the Likeness of Man – the number of levels of evil corresponds exactly to the number of these powers – and accordingly He did not then reveal His unity. Things continued in the same way, and indeed the evil became ever stronger. But when these powers of the Sefirot were completed, He then revealed His will, wanting to rectify everything through the power of His rule. Plain English: Through these kings: He allowed evil to hold sway against all Likeness-of-Man powers. Number of levels of evil corresponds exactly to the number of these powers. He did not yet reveal His unity. Things continued; evil became ever stronger. When Sefirot's powers completed, He revealed His will to rectify all through the power of His rule.
Concepts: kings_who_ruled, sitra_achra, dmut_adam, tikkun_repair.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
והנה מאז והלאה הוקבעו כחות של הרע, כי כבר נתגלו, והיינו כנגד כל מה שהיה כח בספירות - כך יצאו כחות של הרע. ואחר כך נתגלה הרצון. וכן הוא עתה להיות הס"א שולטת בכל מדרגותיה, והם הם כנגד מדרגות הספירות. אך הרצון כבר נקבע להגלות בסוף מדרגות אלה, והוא יום הגאולה:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> From that point on (after the emergence of the Primordial Kings) the powers of evil were instituted, having already been revealed. Against every power in the Sefirot, there emerged corresponding powers of evil. Then afterwards the will (of unity) becomes revealed. So it is now, inasmuch as the Other Side holds sway on all its levels, which correspond directly to the levels of the Sefirot. However, the will is already set to be revealed at the end of these levels, and this is the day of redemption. Plain English: From that point on: powers of evil instituted. Against every power in the Sefirot, there emerged corresponding powers of evil. Will of unity becomes revealed afterwards. So it is now: Other Side holds sway on all its levels. Will is already set to be revealed at the end — the day of redemption.
Concepts: sitra_achra, kelipot, sefirot_class, exile_redemption_archetype, tikkun_repair.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
היה מברר מדרגותיהם אחת אחת, שלא תהיינה פונות אל הרע, כי בתחלה היה בחק המדרגות הוצאת הרע, והם הם שיעורי הנמצאים בלתי מתוקנים, שכך יצאו אחר כך אפילו למטה, והיינו, "והארץ היתה תהו ובהו". כי בתחלה נבראת, ואחר כך נחרבה. והיינו נבראת מלאה מן הרע, עד שיצא הרע שבה והחריב אותה עצמה, שלא היה מניח לשום בריה מציאות. אחר כך, "ויאמר אלקים יהי אור", והתחילו להתברר הנבראים אחד אחד.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> ...He selected and cleansed their various levels, one by one, so that instead of being directed towards evil... For initially included in the law of these levels was the production of evil, i.e. the measures of the creations when in a state of disrepair, for this is the state in which the creations later came forth down below too, as it is written: "And the earth was desolate and void" (Genesis 1:2). First it was created and afterwards destroyed. In other words, it was created full of evil, until the evil in it came forth and actually destroyed it by not allowing anything to exist. Afterwards – "And God said, Let there be light" (ibid. 3). This was when the creations started being sifted and cleansed one by one. Plain English: Genesis 1:2: "And the earth was desolate and void" = first created, then destroyed. Created full of evil; evil destroyed it. Genesis 1:3: "And God said, Let there be light" = sifting and cleansing of creations one by one.
Concepts: earth_was_void_archetype, selection_and_cleansing, breaking_of_the_vessels.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ועם כל זה לא עבר הרע מן העולם, אלא שהנברא לא היה הוא עצמו מלא רע, אלא היה מבורר מן הרע, ומכוון עצמו להסתלק ולהנצל ממנו, והרע היה נשאר כפוי ונשפל. אלא שלפי שלא היה מתוקן לגמרי הנמצא ההוא, יוכל אותו הרע לחזור ולהתגבר ולהחריבו, אך לא יהיה דבר מוכרח זה הענין כמו שהיה מתחלה. כי מתחלה היה הרע כבר מוכן ועומד להתגבר, ועכשיו אדרבא, הוא משוקע ועומד להיות שוקט במקומו, אלא שיוכל להתעורר. ולא עוד, אלא שהחלק היותר קשה של רע שהיה גורם התגברות הראשונה - אינו עוד. פירוש - כי הנה בתחלה - לא די שהיה בכל הנמצאים רע גדול, אלא שלא היו החלקים מסודרים בדרך שיוכל אותו סדר לצאת לפועל, וזה עצמו הוא רע גדול.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Nevertheless, evil did not disappear from the world. However, each individual creation was not itself full of evil but rather, it was cleansed of the evil and was trying to evade and escape it, leaving evil subdued and humiliated. Yet since that creation was not completely repaired, the same evil could still return and attack and destroy it. However, this was not inevitable in the way it had been at first. For at first the evil was ready and waiting to attack, whereas now it remains sunk quietly in its place, although it could still be aroused. More than that, the hardest part of the evil, which caused the initial attack, is no more. For initially, not only did all the creations contain great evil but also, the various parts were not arranged in a way that would allow order to come about in actuality, and this itself was a great evil. Plain English: Evil not gone. But each individual creation now cleansed; evading and escaping. Evil subdued and humiliated. Could still return and attack — but not inevitable as before. At first: evil ready and waiting. Now: sunk quietly in its place, though still arousable. Hardest part of evil — that caused the initial attack — is no more. Initially: not only great evil, but also parts not arranged for order — itself a great evil.
Concepts: tikkun_repair, evil_outside_them, kelipot.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
והנה אחר כך נעשו הדברים בהדרגה, כי נסדרו הדברים בדרך אחר, וניתן מציאות חדש לנבראים עצמם, יותר נבחר ומתוקן, שמה שהמציאות הראשון לבדו היה גורם כל זה החורבן, מציאות השני הזה אינו גורם זה. ולא די זה, אלא שבהיות גם המציאות הראשון עמו - הוא עצמו נסדר בסדר, מה שלא היה לו מתחלה, עד שגורם לו שלא יהיו החלקים הרעים כך עומדים לצאת, אלא משוקעים במקומם. והרי אבד החלק הקשה, שהוא חסרון הסדר, כי הרי הסדר ניתן. ואז הרע אינו עומד להתגבר עוד תגבורת כל כך גדול. אדרבא, עומק הכוונה הולך לעשות שאותם החלקים שנשארו, יתהפכו סוף סוף לטובה.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Afterwards, however, things were made in a graded order, for everything was arranged in a different way and a new, improved and better repaired mode of existence was given to the creations themselves. For while the first mode of existence (BaN) alone was the cause of this entire destruction, the second mode of existence (MaH) did not cause this. More than this, since the first mode of existence was also with it, this first mode itself became organized in a new order, so that instead of the evil parts waiting to emerge, they remain sunk inactive in their place. Thus the hard part – the lack of order – was gone, because order was introduced (through the ordering of the Sefirot in balanced columns and the construction of the Partzufim). Evil no longer stood ready to attack with such great power. On the contrary, the deepest intention was directed to making the remaining parts turn to good in the end. Plain English: Graded order. New mode given. BaN alone = cause of all destruction; MaH did not cause this. With MaH joining BaN, the first mode itself organized in new order: evil parts sunk inactive instead of waiting to emerge. Hard part (lack of order) gone — order via Sefirot in balanced columns + Partzufim. Evil no longer ready to attack with great power. Deepest intention: remaining parts turn to good in the end.
Concepts: ban_expansion, mah_expansion, new_mah, breaking_of_the_vessels, partzuf, tikkun_repair.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
והנה כל זה הוא למטה, ושורש כל זה הוא למעלה. כי שיעור הנמצאים הוא הוא ההנהגה. ובתחלה היו הספירות חוקים של ההנהגה, כוללים בהם ענין הרע להוציאו לפועל, כדי שאחר כך בתיקונו יגלה היחוד. ועל כן כל מדרגה בפרט, בזמן הנפילה, שניתן ללבושים שליטתם, היתה הכוונה בהם להוציא הרע. ועל כן חסר מהם השלמות לגמרי, שהוא המבטל הרע, כדי שיוציאו הרע. והנה הוציאו אותו, והיה גורם להם עצמם חורבן, והיינו שלא היו הכחות הטובים שבהם אלא בדרך שלילה, והכחות של ההפסד הם השולטים.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Now all of this manifests itself down below, but the root of it all lies above. For the measure of all that exists is the governmental order. Initially the Sefirot were laws of government which included in them the production of evil as an actual reality so that afterwards, through its repair, God's unity would be revealed. Accordingly, the intention in each individual level at the time of the fall, when control was given over to the garments, was to produce evil. They therefore still lacked the complete perfection that nullifies evil, because the intention was precisely that they should produce evil. And after having produced it, the evil itself was causing their own destruction in the sense that the good powers within them existed only in the mode of negation, powerless to function, while it was the powers of destruction that held sway. Plain English: All this manifests below, but root above. Measure of all = governmental order. Initially: Sefirot = laws of government including production of evil as actual reality — for the sake of repair revealing unity. At fall, intention = produce evil; therefore lacked complete perfection that nullifies evil. After producing evil, evil caused their own destruction; good powers in mode of negation, powerless; powers of destruction held sway.
Concepts: sefirot_class, hanhagah_governmental_order, kelipot, breaking_of_the_vessels, return_evil_to_good.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
אחר כך שיערה המחשבה העליונה הנמצאים היוצאים מן החורבן, והוא ההויות יוצאות מן ההפסד, ונתן להם מציאות, לכל הויה בפני עצמה. ואין הכוונה עוד עתה להוציא הרע, אלא אדרבא, לצאת מן הרע, בסוד היחוד העליון, שאף על פי שהיה הרע - יבוא התיקון, והיינו גילוי השלמות שנתעלם בראשונה. אך לא נתגלה כל השלמות בבת אחת, שלא ישאר עוד רע בעולם, אלא מעט מעט. הנה התחילו להמצא הנמצאים שהרע היה מחריב אותם, ולא החריבם עוד הרע כבראשונה. אלא שלא נקבע מציאותם לגמרי, כי יכול עוד הרע להתגבר עליהם ולהחריבם.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Afterwards the Supreme Mind calculated the measure of the creations as they are when they emerge from the state of ruin, this measure being the forces of creation (הויות, Four-Letter Names) that emerge from the destruction, and He gave them existence, each one by itself. The intention now was no longer to produce evil but quite the opposite, to depart from evil through the mystery of the Supreme Unity, whereby even though evil exists (since it serves to reveal the unity), the repair will come, this being the revelation of the unity that was concealed at first. However, not all the perfection was revealed at one time since this would have left no more evil in the world. Rather, the perfection was revealed little by little. Thus the creations which evil had been destroying began to endure, and the evil no longer destroyed them as at first. However, their existence was not entirely secure, because evil can still attack and damage them. Plain English: Afterwards Supreme Mind calculated measure of creations as they emerge from ruin = Four-Letter Names (forces of creation) emerging from destruction. He gave each existence by itself. New intention: no longer to produce evil but to depart from evil through mystery of Supreme Unity. Evil exists (serves to reveal unity), but repair will come = revelation of the unity concealed at first. Not all perfection at once (else no evil would remain). Little by little. Creations that evil destroyed began to endure; evil no longer destroyed as at first. Not entirely secure: evil can still attack.
Concepts: havayot_forces_of_creation, breaking_of_the_vessels, return_evil_to_good, light_enters_progressively.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
אבל תבין ההפרש הגדול שיש בין מצבם הראשון ובין מצבם זה. שבראשונה היו מדרגות שכוונתם להוציא הרע. והיה נקרא שהענין היה בהם עצמם בכל חלק וחלק, שכל חלק וחלק היה לו להוציא הרע שכנגדו. אך עתה כל מדרגה שהיתה נתקנת, ר"ל שהיתה יוצאה מענין הזה של הוצאת הרע, אדרבא, עומדת ליתקן מן הקלקול שהיה הרע גורם לה, אלא שלא עבר הרע מן העולם כנ"ל. ואם כן נמצא שהיה הרע עומד יכול לקלקל המדרגה ההיא, כי לא נקבע ענינה בשלמות לגמרי, שיוכל לשלוט ולהתקיים לעולם. אך נקרא שהרע חוץ מהם, פירוש - חוץ מענינם. והיינו, כי הנה עתה המדרגות מתבררות מן הרע, ענינם היפך ענין הרע, יען ענינם עתה התיקון, ולא הקלקול כמו שהיה מתחלה, שהיה אדרבא, בענינם להוציא הקלקול כנ"ל. אלא שכיון שיש הרע בעולם, ר"ל שאין ענינם נמלט מן הקלקול, שיכול לבוא עליהם ממקום אחר, אך לא שהם סיבה לו, על כן נאמר שהרע חוץ מהם.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Understand the great difference between their initial state and this one. Initially, they were levels intended to produce evil, and it could be said that this purpose permeated every single part of them, because each part had to produce its corresponding evil. Now, however, as each level was repaired – in the sense of emerging from this task of producing evil – it stood to be rectified of the damage caused to it by the evil, except that evil did not disappear from the world, as stated above. If so, it means that evil remained able to damage that level since it was not yet fully and completely established so as to be able to rule and endure for ever. Nevertheless, we say that the evil was outside them in the sense of being outside of and separate from their mission. For now, the various levels that were sifted out and cleansed of the evil had a purpose opposite to that of evil, since now their mission was that of repair and not of destruction as it had been at first, when their function was rather to cause the destruction we spoke about above. However, since evil exists in the world – meaning that they are not immune to destruction, which, though not caused by themselves, may come upon them from elsewhere – we may therefore say that evil is outside them. Plain English: Great difference. Initially: levels intended to produce evil; purpose permeated every part. Now: each repaired level emerges from the task; stood to be rectified. Evil did not disappear from world; can still damage. Evil outside them = outside their mission. Purpose opposite to evil: mission of repair, not destruction. Evil exists in world (not immune to destruction-from-elsewhere) → evil outside them.
Concepts: evil_outside_them, tikkun_repair, return_evil_to_good.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ונמצא שהבירור שהיה נעשה, היה - שהיתה מדרגה אחת יוצאת מתוך החורבן, שהיה מחריב אותה, והיתה נקבעת חק בהנהגה - שאין עוד ענינה להוציא הרע כלל, אלא אדרבא, תיקון, אחר שכבר היה הרע וקלקל, וכדלקמן:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Thus the process of selection and cleansing that took place was such that as each individual level emerged from the destruction that had engulfed it, it became fixed as a law in the governmental order whose purpose was no longer to produce evil at all but on the contrary, to contribute to the repair now that evil and destruction already existed. And thus: Plain English: Process of selection-and-cleansing: as each level emerged from destruction, it became fixed as a law in the governmental order whose purpose was no longer to produce evil at all but contribute to the repair.
Concepts: selection_and_cleansing, hanhagah_governmental_order, tikkun_repair.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
אלא יחזרו פניהם להסתלק ממנו, שאף על פי שמצד טבעם היה להוציאו, הנה עתה הם שמים עצמם להתקן בדרך היחוד, ומסתלקים מענין זה. והוא גילוי השלמות שזכרתי למעלה, שזהו כל ענין התיקון של הספירות. שכיון שנתגלה בהדרגה, גם תיקון הספירות הולך בהדרגה, פירוש - עתה הם חזרו לדרך היחוד להתקן. אך הרע לא נתבטל. והאמת, מה שהרע לא נתבטל - לפי שלא כל הספירות נתקנו לגמרי בדרך זה, אלא נשארה מלכות, כדלקמן. וזה ודאי, שאם היו כל הספירות נתקנות לגמרי - הנה לא היה מציאות לרע כלל.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> ...they would turn around to evade it. For even though it had been in their nature to produce it, they were now intent on being repaired through the path of unity and leaving the previous mission behind. And this is the revelation of the perfection that I mentioned above, which constitutes the entire repair of the Sefirot. For since it is revealed gradually, the repair of the Sefirot likewise proceeds gradually. This means that they now returned to the path of unity in order to be repaired, but evil was not nullified. And the truth is that the reason evil was not entirely nullified is that not all the Sefirot were repaired completely in this way, for Malchut remained, as will be discussed below. Certainly, if all the Sefirot had been completely rectified, evil would have had no existence whatever. Plain English: Evade it. Once their nature was to produce evil; now intent on being repaired through path of unity and leaving previous mission. Revelation of the perfection (= entire repair of Sefirot). Revealed gradually → repair gradual. Returned to path of unity; evil not nullified. Reason: not all Sefirot repaired this way — Malchut remained. If all Sefirot completely rectified, evil would have no existence whatever.
Concepts: tikkun_repair, return_evil_to_good, nukva, light_enters_progressively.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
אך נמצאת למד שכל תיקון הספירות הוא רק גילוי השלמות, שאז נהפכות המדרגות לדרך היחוד, ונמצאו מסתלקים מענין הוצאות הרע, והרע הוא רק חוץ מהם, כי הוא רק ענין באותה המדרגה שלא נתקנה כך, וכדלקמן:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> You thus learn that the entire repair of the Sefirot is none other than the revelation of the perfection, when the levels change over to the path of unity, thereby departing from the mission of producing evil. Evil then exists only outside them, for it remains functional only on the level not yet repaired in this way, as the proposition goes on to state: Plain English: Entire repair of Sefirot = revelation of perfection when levels change to path of unity, departing from mission of producing evil. Evil only outside them; functional only on level not yet repaired.
Concepts: tikkun_repair, evil_outside_them, return_evil_to_good.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ואז כל מדרגה היתה מניחה ענין הוצאת הרע למדרגה שלמטה ממנה, בתחלה היו המדרגות כולם פונות להוציא הרע, וכולם נחרבו. והנה נחשוב עתה כללות כל הנחרב - כללות אחד, והמדרגות יוצאות מתוך הכללות הזה, אחד אחד. והנה כל מדרגה שיוצאה מן הכלל, להיות נקבעת חק בהנהגה - הרי ענינה הטוב נקבע. אך ענין הרע שיצא ממנה אינו מתבטל עתה. וזה, כי לא הגיע גילוי השלמות, אלא לקבוע הנהגה אחת שתצא מן הרע, אך לא שתבטל הרע.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Each level in turn then left the task of producing evil to the level below it. Initially all the levels were intent on producing evil, and all of them were destroyed. We will now think of the entirety of all that was destroyed as one whole, with the levels coming forth out of this totality one by one. Now as each level emerged from the totality to be established as a law in the governmental order, its good purpose was determined. However, the evil purpose that had left it was not now negated. This is because the revelation of the perfection had come only to establish one governmental law and allow it to come forth from the evil, but not in order that evil should be nullified. Plain English: Each level passes task to next. Initially all levels intent on producing evil; all destroyed. Think of all destroyed as one whole. Levels come out one by one. As each level emerges from totality to be established as law: good purpose determined. But evil purpose that left it not negated. Revelation of perfection came only to establish one law and let it come out of the evil — not to nullify evil.
Concepts: evil_descends_one_level, selection_and_cleansing, hanhagah_governmental_order.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ואמנם אין דבר בלא שורש, ואם אנו אומרים שהרע אינו מתבטל, מאין הוא מתקיים? אך הענין הוא, כל מדרגה היתה מתחלה מוציאה הרע, וכשנעשה הבירור - נברר לחק בהנהגה מה שיוצא מן הענין ההוא. ועם כל זה נשאר איזה שורש לרע מצד המדרגה ההיא עצמה, כי לא נגלה השלמות לגמרי עדיין, אלא שאותו השורש לא נחשב עוד למדרגה הנתקנת כלל. כי המדרגה הנתקנת היא חק אחד נקבע לפי התיקון, ואין שייכות לאותו החלק בזה. ועל כן נשאר אותו הענין לחוץ, עם כללות כל השאר מה שלא נכנס בבנין המדרגה הנתקנת.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> However, there is nothing that does not have a root, and if we say that evil was not nullified, where did it get the power to endure? The answer is that each level was initially engaged in the production of evil, and when the process of selection and cleansing took place, whatever departed from that purpose was picked out as a law in the governmental order. Even so, some root for evil remained because of that very level itself, for as yet the perfection was not completely revealed, except that this root was no longer considered to be at all related to the rectified level. For the latter is a single law established in the mode of repair, to which that part bears no relation, and therefore that root remains outside together with the rest of the overall totality which did not enter into the construction of the repaired level (i.e. the other levels, which had not as yet been cleansed. And since that root of evil remained, the evil – albeit limited – could, through sin, again become a part of that level.) Plain English: Question: if evil not nullified, where did it get endurance? Answer: each level engaged in producing evil. When selection-and-cleansing took place, whatever departed from that purpose was picked out as a law. Some root for evil remained (perfection not completely revealed) — but not related to the rectified level. Rectified level = single law in mode of repair, no relation to that part. That root remains outside with the rest of totality (other levels not yet cleansed). Through sin, evil — albeit limited — could again become a part of that level.
Concepts: evil_outside_them, selection_and_cleansing, kelipot.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ואחר כך יצאה מדרגה אחרת תחתיה, ונתקנה בדרך זה, והניחה השורש של קיום הרע שלה, וכן השורש של המדרגה הראשונה, עם כללות כל השאר. אמנם כשבאה להתברר המדרגה השניה מן הכללות, הנה בכללות היה מה שלא נברר עדיין, שבו כל הרע העומד להדחות, וכן מה שנדחה מן המדרגה הראשונה. כי הרי היה הכל כמו כרי אחד שנוטלים ממנו מעט מעט, וזורקין השאר, עד שסוף סוף נברר הכל.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Afterwards, another level emerged beneath it and was repaired in the same way, leaving in place its root for the existence of evil and likewise the root left by the previous level, together with the totality of all that remained. However, when the second level came to be cleansed and sifted out of the overall totality, this totality included not only what had not yet been cleansed, in which all the evil was waiting to be rejected, but also what had been rejected from the first level. For the overall totality was like one grainpile from which a little more is taken each time while the rest is thrown aside until at the very end everything is sorted out. Plain English: Another level emerged beneath it; same repair. Leaving in place its root + root left by previous level + totality of remainder. When second level cleansed and sifted out of overall totality: totality includes both (a) what had not yet been cleansed (with all evil waiting), and (b) what had been rejected from the first level. Overall totality = one grainpile from which a little more is taken each time, rest thrown aside until at end everything is sorted out.
Concepts: grainpile_metaphor, selection_and_cleansing, birurim_selection_purification.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ונמצא, שבהתברר דרך משל כתר, הניח מה שהניח ממנו, כי הוא אינו מקיים עוד הרע שלו, אלא איזה בחינה מה שנשאר עדיין, יען לא נגלה השלמות לגמרי. אך זה אינו נחשב לבחינת כתר, אלא לבחינת החכמה שעדיין לא נבררה, ויש בה מה שמוציא הרע עדיין, שם הולך גם כן שורש ענין זה. ונמצא, אפילו הרע שנדחה מן הכתר - עתה מקויים מן החכמה שבאה אחריו. וכן החכמה נבררת, והרע נדחה ממנה, ועדיין הוא מקויים, אלא הקיום של הרע נשאר לבינה שבאה אחריה, והיינו קיום הרע של הכתר וגם הרע של חכמה.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Thus when Keter, for example, was selected and cleansed, it left a certain aspect of itself behind, for it no longer sustained the evil that had come from it with the exception of some aspect that still remained inasmuch as the perfection was still not revealed completely. However, this is not considered an aspect of Keter but rather an aspect of Chochmah, which had not yet been cleansed, and which still contained something that produced evil. And this is where the root of evil that had been in Keter went. Thus even the evil rejected from Keter was now being sustained through Chochmah, which came after it. Chochmah was then similarly cleansed, and the evil was rejected from it, yet the evil was still sustained, this time through Binah, which came after Chochmah. This included sustaining the evil that came from Keter as well as the evil that came from Chochmah. Plain English: When Keter selected and cleansed: it left certain aspect behind (no longer sustaining its evil — except some still remaining since perfection not completely revealed). But not considered an aspect of Keter — rather aspect of Chochmah (not yet cleansed). Where the root of evil from Keter went. Even Keter-rejected-evil now sustained through Chochmah. Then Chochmah cleansed; evil rejected; sustained through Binah (Keter-evil + Chochmah-evil).
Concepts: evil_descends_one_level, selection_and_cleansing, sefirot_class.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
עד שסוף נשאר כל הרע למדרגה אחרונה דמלכות דעשייה, שהיא מקיימת כל הרע של הספירות העליונות גם כן, והיא ספירה אחת שגם נבררה מן החורבן, שאם לא כן לא היתה נמצאת, אך נבררה מעט, והיינו שאדרבא, היא נמצאת להעמיד הס"א כל זמן שצריך, אבל להעמידה מנוהגת מן הקדושה, בסוד, "ומלכותו בכל משלה". אך יען ענינה עדיין הוא לקיים הס"א - נקרא שלא נבררה כאחרים, וכדלקמן.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> And so it went on from level to level, until in the end, all the evil was left to the last level of Malchut of Asiyah, which sustained all the evil left by the higher Sefirot too. Malchut is itself a Sefirah which was also salvaged from the destruction, for if this were not so, Malchut would not exist. However, it was cleansed only a little, for on the contrary, it exists to maintain the Other Side for as long as necessary while still leaving it under the rule of holiness in accordance with the mystery contained in the verse, "And His kingship (Malchut) rules over all" (Psalms 103:19). However, since its task was still the maintenance of the Other Side, we say that it was not cleansed and purified like the others, as will be discussed further later on. Plain English: Level by level, until in the end all evil left to Malchut of Asiyah — sustaining all evil left by higher Sefirot. Malchut itself a Sefirah salvaged from destruction (else she would not exist). Cleansed only a little: she exists to maintain Other Side for as long as necessary while still leaving it under rule of holiness. Psalms 103:19: "And His kingship rules over all". Since her task is maintenance of Other Side, she was not cleansed and purified like the others.
Concepts: nukva, shechinah, evil_descends_one_level, malchut_robbed, sitra_achra.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
יש להקשות, אמרנו תרתי דסתרי אהדדי, כי אמרנו שהוא כמו הכרי שנוטלים אחד אחד, וזורקים השאר לכרי, ואמרנו שקיום הרע של כתר נשאר לחכמה, וכן של חכמה לבינה. והלא אין דה משל הכרי, כי הכרי הוא הכללות, ולא בהבחנת מדרגות, ובאמת כן מסתברא יותר, כי מה יש יחס לחכמה לקיים את הרע של כתר יותר מן האחרים.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> It could be objected that we have said two things that contradict each other. On the one hand we have made the comparison with a grainpile, from which a small portion is taken each time while the rest is thrown back. On the other hand, we have said that the maintenance of the evil of Keter is left to Chochmah and that of Chochmah to Binah, etc. But this is inconsistent with the metaphor of the grainpile, for the pile is an overall whole and cannot be considered a series of levels. This, indeed, makes more sense – for why does Chochmah have a stronger connection to the maintenance of the evil of Keter than the others? Plain English: Apparent contradiction: grainpile (overall whole) vs. successive descent (Chochmah maintains Keter-evil, etc.). Grainpile cannot be considered a series of levels. Why does Chochmah have stronger connection to Keter-evil than others?
Concepts: grainpile_metaphor, evil_descends_one_level.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
תשובה, האמת הוא שגם בזה הדבר יש הדרגה, פירוש - שהרע עצמו בתחלה היה לו שורש גדול, שהיה משתרש גם בכתר. אחר כך ירד מדרגה אחת, ולא נשתרש אלא מחכמה ולמטה. ואחר כך ירד ולא נשתרש אלא מבינה ולמטה. וזה מורה תיקון העולם - שאין שייך הרע אלא בחלקים התחתונים, ולא בעליונים. ועל כן אף על פי שמצד אחד נראה שנזרק הפסולת לכרי, אך האמת שהיה מגיע הדבר מיד לחכמה, ומכל שכן משם ולמטה. ובהתברר חכמה - היה מגיע רק לבינה, וכן כולם, עד שנשאר במדרגה התחתונה שזכרתי:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> The answer is that it is true that the maintenance of evil does indeed involve gradation – in the sense that evil itself initially had a great root, having also been rooted in Keter, but afterwards it descended one level, and was rooted only in Chochmah and below. Then afterwards it descended even further and was rooted only in Binah and below. This shows how the world is on the way to repair, since evil has some affinity only with the lower levels but not with the higher ones. Thus although in one aspect it appears as if the waste was "thrown back into the pile", the truth is that the maintenance of evil passed immediately to Chochmah and all the more so to the levels below it. (That is to say, the task of maintaining evil fell to all that remained unpurified – in terms of the metaphor, it fell into the grainpile as a whole – except that it still relates to Chochmah and even more so to the levels below it.) However, when Chochmah was purified, it reached only Binah, and so it was in all cases until it remained on that bottom level which I mentioned. Plain English: Both true. Maintenance of evil involves gradation: evil's great root initially in Keter; descended one level → rooted only in Chochmah-and-below; descended again → only in Binah-and-below. World on way to repair: evil's affinity only with lower levels, not higher. Waste "thrown back into pile" AND maintenance passed immediately to Chochmah: task fell to all unpurified (the pile as whole) — but still relates to Chochmah and even more to those below. When Chochmah purified → reached only Binah, and so on.
Concepts: evil_descends_one_level, grainpile_metaphor, selection_and_cleansing, tikkun_repair.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ונמצא שהיה לה חלק בזה, כי הנה ודאי הוא שצריך שיהיה בס"א מה שמקביל לכל הספירות הקדושות. וההקבלה כך היא נעשית - שכנגד הטוב נדחה הרע לחוץ, ונעשה מדרגה אחת מן הס"א. אם כן צריך שלכל הספירות יהיה חלק בה:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> The upper level thus had a share in this... For the Other Side certainly must contain levels corresponding to all the holy Sefirot. This parallelism came about through the fact that the evil corresponding to the good on each level was ejected, thereby bringing one level of the Other Side into being. If so, it must be that all the Sefirot have a share in it (in order that the Other Side will have the ability to rise up against all the Sefirot). Plain English: Each upper level had a share. Other Side must contain levels corresponding to all holy Sefirot (Op. 30). Parallelism: evil corresponding to the good on each level was ejected → brought one level of Other Side into being. So all Sefirot have a share — for Other Side to rise up against all.
Concepts: sitra_achra, kelipot, sefirot_class.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
רק שהיתה מסתלקת ומתנקית ממנו, והיינו כי זה הוא התיקון - להסתלק מן הרע שהיה יוצא ממנו: ואז היא היתה ראויה לקבל את האור, והיינו מה שפירשנו למעלה, שצריך בתחלה שיטהרו הכלים מהוצאת הרע - אז יקבלו האור. ועל כן כל מדרגה שהיתה מתבררת - היה האור נכנס בתוכה:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> ...except that it was in the process of evading and being cleansed of it... For this is the repair – to escape the evil that was emerging from it. ...and it was then fit to receive light. For as explained above, first the vessels must be purified from their involvement in the production of evil, and then they can receive the light. Accordingly, as each level was sifted out and cleansed, so the light entered into it. Plain English: Repair = escape the evil. Then fit to receive light. Vessels purified → can receive. Each level sifted/cleansed → light enters.
Concepts: tikkun_repair, light_enters_progressively, evil_outside_them, degree_of_repair.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
וכן כל מדרגה למדרגה שתחתיה, עד שנתבררו כל המדרגות של אבי"ע: כמו שהם עתה, אחר שנעשו מבי"ע - אבי"ע, וכדלקמן:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> The same happened on each successive level in relation to the level below it, until all the levels of Atzilut, Beriyah, Yetzirah and Asiyah were cleansed, as they are now... i.e. after Beriyah-Yetzirah-Asiyah turned into Atzilut-Beriyah-Yetzirah-Asiyah, as will be discussed below. Plain English: Same on each successive level. All ABYA cleansed, as they are now — after BYA turned into ABYA.
Concepts: bya_becomes_abya, atzilut, beriyah, yetzirah, asiyah, selection_and_cleansing.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
והניחו ענין הוצאת הרע אל המדרגה התחתונה שבכל המדרגות - במלכות דעשייה. ואז הוכנו כולם לקבל את האור, חוץ מזאת האחרונה, שבכולם יש האור הפנימי, ובזאת אינו. והוא מה שכתב הרכ זללה"ה - שנקראת עשוק, שצריך להצילה מיד עושקה. באשר שאין לאור להתפשט אלא בכלי שנוקה מן הרע, זהו הטעם מה שביארנו למעלה לכל ענין הבירור הזה:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> ...and they then left the task of producing evil to the lowest of all levels, that of Malchut of Asiyah. They were then all ready to receive the light except for this last level... For the inner light is found in all the others, but not in this one. This was the intention of the ARI in writing that Malchut is called "robbed" or "despoiled" and must be rescued from the hands of the oppressor. (This means that the rejected waste of all the other levels remains in the Sefirah of Malchut, which has to maintain the Other Side, and in this sense the latter "oppresses" Malchut.) ...because the light can only spread in a vessel that is cleansed of evil. This is the underlying reason for this entire process of cleansing, as explained above. Plain English: All ready except Malchut of Asiyah. Inner light in all others, not in this. The ARI: Malchut called "robbed/despoiled" — must be rescued from hands of the oppressor. (Rejected waste of all other levels remains in Malchut, which maintains Other Side; this "oppresses" Malchut.) Light can only spread in a vessel cleansed of evil.
Concepts: malchut_robbed, nukva, sitra_achra, selection_and_cleansing, light_enters_progressively.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
חלק ב: וכל זה נקרא רק תיקון הלבושים של הנקודים, אף על פי שעכשיו יש אבי"ע. הנה האמת הוא שכל זה רק בי"ע של הנקודים. ונקרא כל זה ששלטו הלבושים עד שנתקנו. ועדיין לא נשלמה שליטתם, כי לא נשלמו מעשיהם עד שיהיו נשלמים כל הבירורים:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> Part 2: All this is called only the repair of the garments of Nekudim. Even though we now have Atzilut, Beriyah, Yetzirah and Asiyah (and it might appear that the garments are subsidiary to Atzilut), the truth is that all this is only Beriyah, Yetzirah and Asiyah of Nekudim, and thus we speak in terms of the garments ruling until they were repaired. Their rule has still not come to an end, for their work will only be complete when all the processes of sifting and cleansing are complete. Plain English: Part 2. All this = only repair of garments of Nekudim. Even though we now have ABYA (and might appear garments subsidiary to Atzilut), truth: this is only BYA of Nekudim. Garments still ruling until repaired. Their work complete when birurim complete.
Concepts: world_of_nekudim, bya_becomes_abya, garments_as_concealing_veils, selection_and_cleansing.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
שכמו שהיו הכלים מתוקנים - כך היה האור הולך ונכנס בהם, שהרי כל הענין של עשיית אבי"ע אינו אלא הנקיון של הכלים, כי מי שמתנקה יותר - מתעלה יותר, ומקבל אור יותר גדול. אך עם כל זה לא בא עדיין האור הגדול השלם, שהוא האצילות שנתעלם, כי הלבושים עצמם לא השלימו תיקונם, כדלקמן:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> To the extent that the vessels were repaired, so the light would successively enter into them. For the entire process of making Atzilut, Beriyah, Yetzirah and Asiyah was a matter of cleansing the vessels. Whatever is cleansed more thoroughly becomes more elevated and receives a greater light. However, the complete great light has still not come as yet, this being the Atzliut that was concealed. For the garments themselves have not yet completed their repair, as it goes on to say later. Plain English: Light enters per repair. Entire process of making ABYA = cleansing the vessels. More thorough → more elevated → greater light. But complete great light not yet come = Atzilut that was concealed. Garments themselves not yet completed repair.
Concepts: degree_of_repair, light_enters_progressively, atzilut, bya_becomes_abya.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
וכל כלי שהוא רחוק יותר במדרגתו מענין הרע - ראוי לאור יותר גדול, שההדרגה נמצאת בענין הריחוק, [והוא] נמשך מהדרגה של קיום הרע, שהמדרגה התחתונה שבכל המדרגות הנה היא המקיימת את הרע כנ"ל. והמדרגה העליונה ממנה וסמוכה לה, אף על פי שאינה מקיימתו, אך על כל פנים אינה רחוקה הרבה ממנו. והעליונה יותר - רחוקה יותר. וכנגד זה האורות גדולים בכלים לפי נקיונם:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> The more remote the level of a given vessel from anything that has to do with evil, the greater the light it was fit to receive. The gradation found in the respective distance from evil of the various levels derives from their gradation in terms of the maintenance of evil. (The ability of any given Sefirah to receive the light depends on its distance from the level of the lowest Sefirah, which is the one that maintains the evil.) For it is the lowest level of all that maintains evil. The level immediately above it, although not responsible for maintaining that evil, is nevertheless not far from it, while the next level above is still further away. The greatness of the lights in the vessels corresponds to the degree to which they have been cleansed. Plain English: Distance from evil → greater light. Gradation of distance derives from gradation of maintenance of evil. Sefirah's light-capacity = distance from lowest Sefirah (which maintains evil). Lowest level maintains evil; level above is not far from it; next still further. Greatness of lights = degree of cleansing.
Concepts: degree_of_repair, light_enters_progressively, evil_descends_one_level, nukva.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
אך האצילות הראשונה לא חזר ונתגלה, זה מבואר בכל מה שכתבתי למעלה, שכל זמן שהלבושים שולטים להשלים בנינם - אין שייכות לאצילות שם: כי זה לא נקרא תיקון שלם של אלה הלבושים כל זמן שיש מדרגה זאת האחרונה כך - פונה להוציא הרע, ענין הלבושים בכלל לא נתקן עדיין כל זמן שיש חלק אחד מקיים הרע. ולא עוד, אלא כי לכל שאר המדרגות גורמות חסרון, כי הנה נשאר בכלים ריחוקם מן הרע. אך על כל פנים יש להם שייכות עמה. ועל כן לא נתגלה עתה מן האצילות שום חלק, כי לא נשלם הלבוש:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> However, the first Atzilut was not revealed again... It should be clear from everything I have written above that as long as the garments ruled in order to complete their construction, Atzilut had no affinity with this. ...for the repair of all these garments cannot be called complete as long as this lowest level is still directed to the production of evil... Overall, the garments are still not rectified as long as one part continues to maintain the evil. Moreover, this causes a deficiency in all the other levels, because even the fact that the vessels remain distant from evil indicates that they still have some connection with it. (The vessels have a residual connection with evil in the sense that they may be nearer to or further away from it.) For this reason no part at all of (the first) Atzilut is now revealed, because the garment is not complete. Plain English: First Atzilut not revealed again: as long as garments ruled to complete construction, Atzilut had no affinity. Garments not rectified as long as one part maintains evil. Causes deficiency in all other levels: even distance is residual connection (vessels nearer to or further from evil). No part of first Atzilut now revealed because garment is not complete.
Concepts: atzilut_concealed_for_construction, garments_as_concealing_veils, tikkun_repair, bya_becomes_abya.
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
וריקה מן האור בשבילו, הנה זאת ראיה - שלא נשלם עדיין תיקון זה, כי עדיין הדברים היפך הכוונה התכליתית, שאנו רואים, שיש מדרגה אחת שהיא ריקה מן האור, והלא כל המדרגות צריכים שיהיה בהם האור, שזהו שלמותם, אלא שלא נשלמו הדברים עדיין:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
> ...and thus devoid of the light. This is the proof that this repair is not yet complete, for things are still the opposite of the ultimate intention. For we see that there is one level that is void of light, and it is surely necessary for all the levels to contain the light, for this is their perfection. This is the proof that so far things are still not complete. Plain English: Devoid of light = proof that repair not complete. One level void of light; necessary for all levels to contain light = their perfection. Proof things not complete.
Concepts: tikkun_repair, nukva, malchut_robbed, laws_of_perfection.
Op. 47 is the long repair-chapter. It opens with a methodological meta-framing (¶4-6): to understand initial stages, you must first grasp the end-goal; the chapter therefore outlines how the whole repair proceeds and why it is incomplete, before the unit's later chapters fill in further details. The repair proper is level by level: the Emanator selects and cleanses each Sefirah-level, so that instead of being directed to evil it evades it. As each level passes the task to the level below, evil's affinity descends one level at a time — Keter cleansed → evil at Chochmah-and-below; Chochmah cleansed → at Binah-and-below; … until Malchut of Asiyah sustains all the evil left by the higher Sefirot. Two metaphors describe this jointly (¶25-27): a grainpile of total unpurified material (from which a portion is taken each time) AND a successive descent in which evil's affinity moves down level-by-level. Both true: grainpile = the unpurified totality; gradation = the affinity-relation. Israel's exile-and-redemption is the historical archetype (¶7-10): exile lasts as long as it takes for all levels of evil to unfold, then the Supreme Will is revealed and repair comes; the Other Side has the power to challenge against all the Sefirot, but cannot stand for even a moment against His unity (Op. 30). Genesis 1:2-3 anchors the cosmic move: "the earth was desolate and void" (the destruction) → "Let there be light" (sifting begins). The Four-Letter Names (forces of creation) emerge from destruction. The new repaired mode: balanced columns + Partzufim. Crucially: BYA-of-Nekudim becomes ABYA proper (¶29) — but this is not the first Atzilut that withdrew. Part 2 nails the incompleteness: all this is only the repair of the garments of Nekudim. The garments still rule until birurim complete. The first Atzilut is not revealed again as long as Malchut maintains evil. The ARI's "Malchut robbed/despoiled" names her condition: she sustains the rejected waste of all higher levels and must be rescued from the oppressor (the Other Side). Even distance from evil is residual connection — so even the higher Sefirot lack the first Atzilut while Malchut bears the evil. The proof of incompleteness: one level is still devoid of light. Op. 48 turns to the human service by which Malchut will be rectified.
selection_and_cleansing, havayot_forces_of_creation, evil_outside_them, grainpile_metaphor, evil_descends_one_level, malchut_robbed, earth_was_void_archetype, bya_becomes_abya, exile_redemption_archetype.Op. 47 is THE REPAIR chapter — the structural counterpart to Op. 46. Selection-and-cleansing level by level; grainpile + successive descent (Genesis 1:2–3); Four-Letter Names; BYA-of-Nekudim becomes ABYA proper; Malchut robbed; first Atzilut still concealed. Forecasts Op. 30, 48.