Section: Zeir and Nukva — General Principles (Openings 115–118)
TL;DR
Op. 117 names two outputs of Abba and Imma's grafting into Z"A beyond the Mochin themselves.
Radiations from Z"A. Once the Mochin settle in Z"A, radiations (he'arot, הארות) emerge from Z"A on all sides. Where there is a receiver — Rachel, Leah, or Jacob — the radiation is absorbed into that receiver as direct light. Where there is no receiver, the radiation radiates alone and forms additional Partzufim that Klach calls the staffs (matot) and other diagonals (akhsonot) — Partzufim like Leah of the Generation of the Wilderness, the Clouds of Glory, the Manna, the Staff of God, the Staff of Moses, the Mixed Multitude, and Esau (the source's list, citing Etz Chayim, Shaar He'arat HaMochin chs 1–2 and Klalut HaIlan 7:4). The diagonals are subordinate to the main-line Partzufim but contribute side-effects to the governance.
The hind parts of A"&I, fallen and rectified. When the vessels broke in the World of Nekudim (Op. 50–51), the hind parts (achorayim) of Abba and Imma descended to the place of Z"N. In the repair, Yesod of Imma gave rise to Leah and Yesod of Abba to Jacob. These are full Partzufim, not just radiations, and they supplement Z"N for coupling: the main coupling is Z"A + Rachel, but there are also Z"A + Leah, Jacob + Leah, and Jacob + Rachel. Sometimes both of Jacob and Leah supplement; sometimes only one. The underlying mechanism (¶12): the light of Z"A or Nukva shines through Jacob or Leah, so that Jacob and Leah become operational aspects of Z"N — substitutes that carry Z"N's light into a coupling-relation when Z"N's own line is unavailable.
Chapter map
This is the third chapter of the unit Zeir and Nukva: General Principles (Op. 115–118). Op. 115 told the reader why Z"N is the focus (the immediate cause of our world); Op. 116 told the reader what is at the top of Z"A and where it comes from (body, Mochin, Keter, with their two upper-source channels). Op. 117 now tells the reader what comes out of the engrafting in addition to the Mochin themselves — the additional Partzufim and radiations that Z"N's full operational picture must include.
What this chapter is doing — the engrafting's two further outputs
Beyond the Mochin: two more outputs. Op. 116 named the Mochin as the form of A"&I's grafting — the interior-light of Z"A that runs the CHaDaR-governance. Op. 117 now widens the picture. The grafting generates further structure beyond the Mochin themselves. Two distinct outputs are named: (i) radiations from Z"A himself, once the Mochin have settled in him; (ii) full Partzufim — Jacob and Leah — built from the fallen hind parts of A"&I, rectified in the repair.
Output (i): radiations from Z"A — to receivers or alone. ¶5–6 give the mechanism. Once the Mochin settle in Z"A, Z"A radiates on all sides. The radiation has a direction-and-receiver logic. Where there is a receiver — Rachel, Leah, or Jacob — the radiation is absorbed into that receiver as direct light (ohr yashar). Where there is no receiver, the radiation radiates alone and itself becomes a Partzuf — the staffs (matot) and other diagonals. The source's example list (¶5, citing Etz Chayim, Shaar He'arat HaMochin chs 1–2 and Klalut HaIlan 7:4) names Jacob and Leah — but also Leah of the Generation of the Wilderness, the Clouds of Glory, the Manna, the Staff of God, the Staff of Moses, the Mixed Multitude, and Esau. These are side-effect Partzufim — they exist because of where Z"A's radiation goes (or fails to go), not because of an independent root.
Output (ii): Jacob and Leah from the fallen hind parts. ¶8 gives the second mechanism. When the vessels broke in the World of Nekudim (the event of Op. 50–51), the hind parts (achorayim) of Abba and Imma descended to the place of Z"N. They did not return to their prior place. In the repair, they were rectified as Partzufim: Yesod of Imma (the hind parts of Imma in Z"A) gave rise to Leah; Yesod of Abba gave rise to Jacob. The repair is transformative — the fallen hind parts became something new. Jacob and Leah are therefore full Partzufim with their own operational identities, not merely radiation-effects.
Coupling: Z"A's main is with Rachel; Jacob and Leah supplement. ¶9–11 give the coupling-map. Z"A's essential Nukva is Rachel — the main coupling is Z"A + Rachel. But there are additional couplings: Z"A + Leah (where Z"A pairs with Leah, Imma's hind-part-derived counterpart), Jacob + Leah (where Abba's hind-part-derived counterpart pairs with Imma's), and Jacob + Rachel (where Jacob takes Z"A's role and pairs with Z"A's essential Nukva). Sometimes both of Jacob and Leah supplement (as in Jacob + Leah); sometimes only one (as in Israel + Leah or Jacob + Rachel).
The underlying mechanism: Z"A's light shines through Jacob and Leah. ¶12 closes with the operational logic that makes the substitution possible. The light of Z"A or Nukva shines through Jacob or Leah — and therefore Jacob and Leah become aspects of Z"N. They carry Z"N's light into a coupling-relation; in that sense, when Jacob or Leah couples in Z"A's or Rachel's place, it is still Z"A or Rachel acting — through Jacob or Leah. The substitution is operational, not ontological: Jacob and Leah are Z"N's operational extensions, not separate centres.
How the argument is built — the staircase
¶1 — italic gloss / chapter title.The entry of Abba and Imma into Z"A generates additional Partzufim: Jacob and Leah and the diagonals. The Hebrew section heading ההארות הנמשכים מהמוחין (The radiations that issue from the Mental Powers) names the topic as radiations, the Mochin's outputs.
¶2 — the proposition.Through the power of the engrafting of the Mental Powers in Z"A, various kinds of radiations emerge from Z"A himself. Likewise, the hind parts of Abba and Imma themselves — which descended to the place of Z"N — become rectified as Partzufim and supplement Z"N. Sometimes both are needed as supplements, sometimes only one. Three claims compressed: (i) engrafting → radiations from Z"A; (ii) fallen hind parts → rectified Partzufim (Jacob, Leah) that supplement Z"N; (iii) the supplementation is variable — sometimes both, sometimes one.
¶3 — framing.Following our discussion of the Mental Powers, we will now examine what arises out of them. Names the chapter's place: the unit just discussed the Mental Powers (Op. 116); now Op. 117 examines what the Mochin generate.
¶4 — Part 1 phrase 1: own-lights vs engrafting-lights.Through the power of the engrafting of the Mental Powers in Z"A… Two kinds of lights are sharply distinguished. (i) Lights that come forth in their own right — the Ten Sefirot of any given world with their repairs and arrangements (tikkunim). The example given: the Ten Sefirot of Atzilut divide into the five principal Partzufim — A"A, Abba, Imma, Z"A (= Israel), Nukva (= Rachel). (ii) Additional Partzufim that are lights generated as a result of the engrafting — these are what the chapter is about.
¶5 — Part 1 phrase 2: the staffs and diagonals.Various kinds of radiations emerge from Z"A himself. These are the staffs (matot, מטות) and the other diagonals. The source's example list — Jacob and Leah, Leah of the Generation of the Wilderness, the Clouds of Glory, the Manna, the Staff of God, the Staff of Moses, the Mixed Multitude, and Esau — is given with the citation: Etz Chayim, Shaar He'arat HaMochin chs 1–2; Klalut HaIlan 7:4. These are the side-effect Partzufim of Z"A's radiation.
¶6 — explanation: receivers vs no-receivers.These are nothing but a radiation of the Mental Powers as they settle in Z"A. Z"A radiates on all sides; where there is a receiver (Rachel, Leah, Jacob), the radiation is absorbed as direct light; where there is no receiver, it radiates alone — creating the staffs and diagonals. The mechanism is precise: receiver-presence determines whether the radiation forms its own Partzuf or is absorbed into an existing one.
¶7 — governance: main line vs side line.The governmental order is indeed drawn down directly to the receivers through the main Partzufim — Z"N, Jacob, Leah — while these other radiations — the diagonals — are subordinate to them. The diagonals are subordinate, but they too produce consequences in the government, coming from the sides or at a tangent rather than directly. The diagonals contribute side-effects.
¶8 — Part 1 phrase 3: hind parts of A"&I → Jacob and Leah.The hind parts of Abba and Imma — which descended to the place of Z"N — become rectified as Partzufim. The mechanism: the hind parts of Abba and Imma went down when the vessels broke (the Op. 50–51 shevirat ha-kelim event); in the repair, through the light of Yesod of Imma in Z"A, the hind parts of Imma become Leah, while the light of Yesod of Abba generates Jacob.
¶9 — Part 1 phrase 4: supplement Z"N for coupling.…and supplement Z"N — i.e. in coupling (זיווג, zivug). The main interaction is between Z"A and Rachel; but there is Z"A and Leah, Jacob and Leah, and Jacob and Rachel. Four coupling-pairs are named.
¶10 — Part 2 phrase 1: sometimes both supplement.Sometimes both are needed as supplements — as in the case of the interaction of Jacob and Leah. When both Jacob and Leah are present, the coupling is Jacob + Leah; both are needed.
¶11 — Part 2 phrase 2: sometimes only one supplements.Sometimes only one — as in the case of Israel (= Z"A) and Leah, or of Jacob and Rachel. When only one is present, the coupling is Z"A + Leah or Jacob + Rachel.
¶12 — closing: the underlying mechanism.The light of Z"A or Nukva also shines through Jacob or Leah, in which case the latter supplement Z"N and become aspects of them. Jacob and Leah are operational extensions of Z"N — Z"N's light passing through them.
What this chapter sets up
Op. 118 — the unit's closing chapter. With the engrafting's outputs named, Op. 118 will close the unit's general-principles work.
Op. 124 — Daat-spreading in Z"A. Op. 117 ¶6's radiations of the Mochin as they settle in Z"A is a precondition for Op. 124's mechanism of Daat-spreading.
Op. 128 — the four-Partzuf division. Op. 117 ¶8's Jacob from Yesod of Abba; Leah from Yesod of Imma's hind parts is one of the structural pre-conditions for Op. 128's division. The four-Partzuf division also makes the Israel Sabba and Tevunah Partzufim possible (Op. 110 ¶6, Op. 113); Jacob and Leah are another derivative-Partzuf system.
Op. 130 onward — coupling-mechanics. Op. 117 ¶9–11's coupling-map (Z"A+Rachel, Z"A+Leah, Jacob+Leah, Jacob+Rachel) is the general inventory of couplings the rest of the book will work in detail. The when (which coupling at which time, by which merit-state) is for later chapters.
**Every later chapter that uses Jacob or Leah as a Partzuf-name.** Op. 117 is the introduction of Jacob and Leah as Partzufim; later chapters will discuss their tikkunim, their states, their roles in specific stages of the cycle.
What this chapter builds on
Op. 1 ¶17 — the structure manifests oneness. Op. 117's enriched Z"N picture (Z"A + Rachel + Jacob + Leah + diagonals) is part of the manifestation.
Op. 4 — Tzimtzum and the cycle. The cycle uses multiple coupling-modes (Op. 117 ¶9–11).
Op. 22, Op. 24, Op. 70 — earlier Partzuf-chapters; Op. 117 elaborates the inventory of Partzufim by adding the engrafting-derived ones.
Op. 50–51 — the World of Nekudim and the breaking of the vessels. ¶8's the vessels broke references this event; the fallen hind parts of A"&I are products of that breaking, now rectified.
Op. 75 — male/female polarity of Partzufim and zivug. Op. 117 elaborates the inventory of zivug-pairs by adding Z"A+Leah, Jacob+Leah, Jacob+Rachel.
Op. 95–107 — the A"A unit.A"A is named in ¶4 as one of the five principal Partzufim of Atzilut.
Op. 110–114 — the Abba/Imma unit. Op. 117 ¶8's Yesod of Imma → Leah; Yesod of Abba → Jacob presupposes the Op. 110–114 placement of A"&I as the upper Partzuf-pair.
Op. 113 ¶6 / Op. 116 ¶6 — Mental Powers as foundation of CHaDaR-governance and as the form of A"&I's grafting. Op. 117 ¶4 explicitly names the engrafting (the engrafting of the Mental Powers in Z"A) as the cause of the additional Partzufim.
Op. 115–116 — the unit's first two chapters. Op. 115 named the unit's foundational claims; Op. 116 placed Z"A's upper-internal structure. Op. 117 builds on both: the Mochin as form of grafting doctrine (Op. 116) is the operational source of the radiations and Partzufim Op. 117 names.
Concepts introduced or sharpened in this chapter
Radiations from the engrafting of Mochin in Z"A (radiations_from_engrafting_of_mochin_in_zeir). The general claim: the Mochin's settling generates radiations.
Own-lights vs engrafting-lights distinction (own_lights_vs_engrafting_lights_distinction). ¶4's distinction between the Ten Sefirot of any world (own lights) and the additional Partzufim (engrafting lights).
Additional Partzufim generated by the engrafting (additional_partzufim_generated_by_engrafting). The chapter's central term.
Staffs and diagonals of Z"A (staffs_and_diagonals_of_zeir_anpin). The matot and akhsonot — Partzufim that radiate alone for lack of receivers.
Radiations absorbed by receivers or radiate alone (radiations_absorbed_by_receivers_or_radiate_alone). The mechanism of ¶6.
Hind parts of A"&I fallen, then rectified as Jacob and Leah (hind_parts_of_abba_imma_fallen_then_rectified_as_jacob_leah). The shevirah-and-tikkun mechanism for Jacob and Leah.
Jacob-Partzuf from Yesod of Abba (jacob_partzuf_from_yesod_of_abba). The specific source of Jacob.
Leah-Partzuf from Yesod of Imma's hind parts (leah_partzuf_from_yesod_of_imma_hind_parts). The specific source of Leah.
Rachel as Z"A's essential Nukva (rachel_essential_nukva). The main coupling-counterpart of Z"A.
Couplings of Z"A with Rachel, Leah, Jacob (couplings_of_zeir_with_rachel_leah_jacob). The four-pair coupling-map of ¶9.
Jacob and Leah supplement Z"N for coupling (jacob_leah_supplement_zeir_nukva_for_coupling). The supplementation-doctrine.
Op. 117 — engrafting generates diagonals and Jacob/Leah (chapter_117_engrafting_generates_diagonals_and_jacob_leah). The chapter's self-named contribution.
The diagrams
Two diagrams capture the chapter visually. The first shows the engrafting's two outputs — the radiation pathway (with receivers vs no-receivers) and the fallen-hind-parts pathway (rectified as Jacob and Leah). The second shows the coupling-map — Z"A and Rachel as the main coupling, with the supplementation-pairs Z"A+Leah, Jacob+Leah, and Jacob+Rachel.
Diagram 1 — The engrafting's two outputs
Read top to bottom. Top: A"&I's engrafting in Z"A (the Mochin, Op. 116). Two output paths.(i) Z"A's radiation: on all sides; with receivers — direct lights to Rachel, Leah, Jacob; no receivers — staffs and diagonals (matot/akhsonot). (ii) Fallen hind parts: descended at the breaking; rectified — Yesod of Imma → Leah, Yesod of Abba → Jacob.
Diagram 2 — The coupling-map
The four coupling-pairs. Main: Z"A (Israel) + Rachel. Supplements: Z"A + Leah, Jacob + Leah, Jacob + Rachel. Sometimes both of Jacob and Leah supplement; sometimes only one. The light of Z"A or Nukva shines through Jacob or Leah (¶12).
Paragraph 1 — Italic gloss / chapter title
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ההארות הנמשכים מהמוחין:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
The entry of Abba and Imma into Zeir Anpin generates additional Partzufim: Jacob and Leah and the diagonals.
Plain English:
The italic gloss compresses the chapter's central claim. The entry of Abba and Imma into Z"A — that is, the engrafting introduced in Op. 116 — generates additional Partzufim. Two kinds are named explicitly: Jacob and Leah (the rectified hind parts) and the diagonals (the radiations that radiate alone for lack of receivers). The Hebrew section heading ההארות הנמשכים מהמוחין (The radiations that issue from the Mental Powers) frames the topic as what the Mochin generate — the operational outputs of A"&I's grafting beyond the Mochin themselves.
What this paragraph does. Italic gloss. Names the chapter's central structural claim: the engrafting generates additional Partzufim in two distinct ways.
מכח הרכבת המוחין בז"א יוצאים כמה מיני הארות מז"א עצמו. וכן אחורי או"א עצמם שירדו במקום זו"ן - נתקנים לפרצופים, ומשלימים בסוד זו"ן. לפעמים צריך ששניהם ישלימו, ולפעמים אחד לבד:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
Through the power of the engrafting of the Mental Powers in Zeir Anpin, various kinds of radiations emerge from Zeir Anpin himself. Likewise, the hind parts of Abba and Imma themselves – which descended to the place of Zeir Anpin and Nukva – become rectified as Partzufim and supplement Zeir Anpin and the Nukva. Sometimes both are needed as supplements, sometimes only one.
Plain English:
Three claims compressed into one proposition.
Z"A radiates as a result of the engrafting.Through the power of the engrafting of the Mental Powers in Z"A, various kinds of radiations emerge from Z"A himself. The Mochin's settling in Z"A causes Z"A to radiate.
The hind parts of A"&I become rectified Partzufim that supplement Z"N.The hind parts of Abba and Imma themselves — which descended to the place of Z"N — become rectified as Partzufim and supplement Z"N. The fallen hind parts (from the breaking) are rectified as Partzufim in the repair.
The supplementation is variable.Sometimes both are needed as supplements, sometimes only one. The variability is named as a general principle — the specific timing is for later. The exposition (¶4–12) will unfold each claim.
What this paragraph does. States the chapter's whole proposition. The reader leaves with the three structural claims in mind: radiations, rectified-hind-parts, and variable supplementation.
Paragraph 3 — Framing: from the Mental Powers to what they generate
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
אחר שביארנו המוחין, נבאר מה שנמשך מכחם:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
Following our discussion of the Mental Powers, we will now examine what arises out of them.
Plain English:
The chapter's place in the unit. Following our discussion of the Mental Powers — the just-completed Op. 116 — we will now examine what arises out of them. Op. 116 told the reader what the Mochin are and where they come from; Op. 117 will tell the reader what they produce. The pivot is from upper-source to operational-output.
What this paragraph does. Frames the chapter as the operational-output sequel to Op. 116's upper-source analysis.
Concepts at play:mochin_of_zeir_anpin_as_form_of_abba_imma_grafting, radiations_from_engrafting_of_mochin_in_zeir, mochin, mochin_as_three_mental_powers, zeir_anpin, chapter_117_engrafting_generates_diagonals_and_jacob_leah.
Paragraph 4 — Part 1 phrase 1: own-lights vs engrafting-lights
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
מכח הרכבת המוחין בז"א, והיינו כי יש אורות שבאים מצד עצמם, והם עשר הספירות שבאותו העולם עם כל תיקוניהם. אך אלה הם אורות שמתאצלים מחמת הרכבה זאת:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
Through the power of the engrafting of the Mental Powers in Zeir Anpin… There are lights that come forth in their own right rather than as the result of a specific engrafting: these are the Ten Sefirot of any given world with all their respective repairs and arrangements (such as the Ten Sefirot of the world of Atzilut, which divide up into the five principal Partzufim: Arich Anpin, Abba, Imma, Zeir Anpin=Israel and Nukva=Rachel). However, there are also additional Partzufim which are lights generated as a result of the engrafting of Abba and Imma in Zeir Anpin.
Plain English:
Two precisions.
Own-lights.There are lights that come forth in their own right rather than as the result of a specific engrafting: these are the Ten Sefirot of any given world with all their respective repairs and arrangements. The example given is Atzilut — its Ten Sefirot divide into five principal Partzufim: Arich Anpin, Abba, Imma, Z"A (= Israel), Nukva (= Rachel). These five are the own-lights of Atzilut — they exist not because of the engrafting but as the basic Partzuf-structure of the world.
Engrafting-lights.However, there are also additional Partzufim which are lights generated as a result of the engrafting of Abba and Imma in Zeir Anpin. These are the additional Partzufim — not part of the basic five — that exist because of the engrafting. The chapter will unfold what they are: the radiations from Z"A (¶5–7) and the rectified fallen hind parts (¶8). The reader leaves the paragraph with a sharp two-class distinction between the basic Partzufim and the engrafting-derived Partzufim.
What this paragraph does. Names the own-lights vs engrafting-lights distinction and lists the basic five Partzufim of Atzilut as the own-lights class. The chapter is about the other class — the engrafting-lights.
Paragraph 5 — Part 1 phrase 2: the staffs and diagonals
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
יוצאים כמה מיני הארות מז"א עצמו, והיינו המטות הנזכרים במקומם ושאר האלכסונות,
Source — English (Greenbaum):
…various kinds of radiations emerge from Zeir Anpin himself. These are the staffs (מטות, matot) mentioned in their place and the other diagonals. (These are the staffs of Jacob and Leah, and Leah of the Generation of the Wilderness, the Clouds of Glory, the Manna, the Staff of God, the Staff of Moses, the Mixed Multitude and Esau – see Etz Chayim, Shaar He'arat HaMochin ch's 1-2; Klalut HaIlan 7:4).
Plain English:
Two precisions.
The staffs and diagonals are the radiations from Z"A.Various kinds of radiations emerge from Z"A himself. These are the staffs (מטות, matot) mentioned in their place and the other diagonals.Matot (literally staffs or rods) and akhsonot (diagonals) are the technical names for these radiation-Partzufim; they are additional structures generated from Z"A once the Mochin have settled in him.
The example list. The source supplies the canonical example list with citation: the staffs of Jacob and Leah, and Leah of the Generation of the Wilderness, the Clouds of Glory, the Manna, the Staff of God, the Staff of Moses, the Mixed Multitude, and Esau — citing Etz Chayim, Shaar He'arat HaMochin chs 1–2 and Klalut HaIlan 7:4. The list mixes scriptural names (the Staff of Moses, the Manna, the Clouds of Glory) and Partzuf-derivative entities (Jacob, Leah, Esau, the Mixed Multitude). All are radiation-derived Partzufim — operational entities whose existence traces to Z"A's Mochin-radiation.
What this paragraph does. Names the staffs and diagonals as the radiation-derived Partzufim and supplies the canonical example list with the Etz Chayim / Klalut HaIlan citations.
Paragraph 6 — Explanation: receivers vs no-receivers
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
וזה אינו אלא הזדהרות המוחין בהתישבם בז"א. כי באמת הם מאירים לכל צד, אלא במקום שיש מי שיקבל אותם - הם נבלעים בתוכו. דהיינו אורות הישרים הולכים אל רחל, אל לאה, אל יעקב. אך במקום שאין מקבל - הם מאירים לבדם.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
These are nothing but a radiation of the Mental Powers as they settle in Zeir Anpin. The truth is that they radiate on all sides, but where there is a receiver they become absorbed within that receiver. Accordingly, the direct lights go to Rachel, Leah and Jacob. (Rachel is the essential Nukva, while Jacob and Leah are made from the hind parts of Abba and Imma, and when Abba and Imma become engrafted in Zeir Anpin through his Mental Powers, Jacob and Leah are there to receive radiations.) However, where there is no receiver, they radiate alone – creating these other Partzufim – the staffs and diagonals.
Plain English:
Three precisions.
The mechanism: radiation as the Mochin settle.These are nothing but a radiation of the Mental Powers as they settle in Z"A. The Mochin do not arrive in Z"A and stay still; as they settle, they radiate. The radiation is intrinsic to the settling.
Receivers absorb; no-receivers radiate alone.The truth is that they radiate on all sides, but where there is a receiver they become absorbed within that receiver. Accordingly, the direct lights go to Rachel, Leah and Jacob. The radiation is non-directional in itself — it goes everywhere — but its operational fate depends on whether a receiver is there to absorb.
The receivers are Rachel, Leah, and Jacob. The source's parenthetical: Rachel is the essential Nukva, while Jacob and Leah are made from the hind parts of Abba and Imma, and when Abba and Imma become engrafted in Z"A through his Mental Powers, Jacob and Leah are there to receive radiations. So Z"A has three established receivers: Rachel (his essential Nukva), and Jacob and Leah (themselves engrafting-derived Partzufim, formed from the hind parts of A"&I). Where there is no receiver, the radiation radiates alone, and creates the other Partzufim — the staffs and diagonals. The mechanism is therefore: receiver-presence is what determines whether a radiation forms its own Partzuf or is absorbed.
What this paragraph does. Gives the operational mechanism of the radiation-Partzufim: receivers absorb, no-receivers create. Names the three receivers (Rachel, Leah, Jacob) and clarifies that Jacob and Leah themselves are engrafting-derived Partzufim.
ואמנם ההנהגה נמשכת ביושר אל המקבלים, ואלה ההארות נמשכים אחריהם. אבל גורמות איזה תולדות גם הם בהנהגה, שבאות כמו מן הצדדים, פירוש, שאינו דבר ליושרו, אלא שמצד אחד יוצאים ענינים אלו:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
The governmental order is indeed drawn down directly to the receivers through the main Partzufim that are involved in this – Zeir and Nukva, Jacob and Leah – while these other radiations – the diagonals – are subordinate to them. Nevertheless, these other radiations also give rise to certain consequences in the government, but they come from the sides or at a tangent, as it were, rather than directly. There is some particular reason why these aspects emerge to carry out a unique function in the overall government.
Plain English:
Three precisions.
The main line: governance flows through Z"N, Jacob, Leah.The governmental order is indeed drawn down directly to the receivers through the main Partzufim — Z"N, Jacob and Leah. The four receiver-Partzufim (Z"A, Rachel, Jacob, Leah) carry the direct governance — the main flow.
The diagonals are subordinate.These other radiations — the diagonals — are subordinate to them. The diagonals are not the main carriers of governance; they sit below the main line in the operational order.
The diagonals contribute side-effects.Nevertheless, these other radiations also give rise to certain consequences in the government, but they come from the sides or at a tangent, as it were, rather than directly. There is some particular reason why these aspects emerge to carry out a unique function in the overall government. The diagonals do contribute to the governance — but tangentially, from the sides. They have unique functions (the source signals this without specifying — those functions are for later chapters). The reader leaves the paragraph with a two-tier operational picture: direct main-line governance through Z"N + Jacob + Leah; tangential side-line contributions from the diagonals.
What this paragraph does. Places the diagonals operationally: subordinate, but contributing side-effects. Distinguishes main-line (direct, through Z"N + Jacob + Leah) from side-line (tangential, through the diagonals) in the governance.
Paragraph 8 — Part 1 phrase 3: hind parts of A"&I → Jacob and Leah
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
וכן אחורי או"א עצמם שירדו כמקום זו"ן - נתקנים לפרצופים, זה פשוט ומבואר במקומו, שמאור יסוד אי' שבז"א - אחורי אי' נעשית לאה, ומאור יסוד אבא נעשה יעקב:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
Likewise, the hind parts of Abba and Imma themselves – which descended to the place of Zeir Anpin and Nukva – become rectified as Partzufim… The hind parts of Abba and Imma went down when the vessels broke. In the repair, through the light of Yesod of Imma in Zeir Anpin, the hind parts of Imma become Leah, while the light of Yesod of Abba generates Jacob.
Plain English:
Three precisions.
The historical event: the hind parts descended at the breaking.The hind parts of Abba and Imma went down when the vessels broke. The reference is to the shevirat ha-kelim (breaking of the vessels) in the World of Nekudim (Op. 50–51). At the breaking, the hind parts (achorayim, אחוריים — the back aspect) of A"&I fell — descended to the place of Z"N. They did not return to A"&I afterwards.
The repair: rectification as Partzufim.In the repair, through the light of Yesod of Imma in Z"A, the hind parts of Imma become Leah, while the light of Yesod of Abba generates Jacob. The repair (tikkun) does not simply put the hind parts back where they came from; it transforms them into new Partzufim.
The specific channels.Yesod of Imma (יסוד דאמא) is the channel by which Imma's hind parts become Leah — the female Partzuf below Z"A. Yesod of Abba (יסוד דאבא) is the channel by which Abba's hind parts become Jacob — a male Partzuf alongside Z"A. The Yesod-of-Abba/Imma → Jacob/Leah mechanism is therefore the precise Lurianic story of how the fallen hind parts are rectified into new Partzufim.
What this paragraph does. Gives the historical mechanism of Jacob and Leah: the shevirat-ha-kelim-fallen hind parts of A"&I are rectified into new Partzufim in the repair, via Yesod-of-Imma (→ Leah) and Yesod-of-Abba (→ Jacob).
Paragraph 9 — Part 1 phrase 4: supplement Z"N for coupling
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ומשלימים בסוד זו"ן, לזיווג, כי הזיווג העיקרי הוא ז"א ורחל, ויש ז"א ולאה, ויעקב ולאה, יעקב ורחל. וזהו:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
…and supplement Zeir Anpin and Nukva. i.e. in coupling or interaction (זיווג, zivug). The main interaction is between Zeir Anpin and Rachel, but there is Zeir Anpin and Leah, Jacob and Leah and Jacob and Rachel.
Plain English:
Two precisions.
The supplementation is for coupling.And supplement Z"N — in coupling or interaction (זיווג, zivug). The function of Jacob and Leah is coupling-supplementation — they fill in for Z"N in coupling-relations when Z"N is not in the coupling-line themselves.
The four pairs.The main interaction is between Z"A and Rachel; but there is Z"A and Leah, Jacob and Leah, and Jacob and Rachel. Four coupling-pairs are named. Z"A + Rachel — the main coupling. Z"A + Leah — Z"A pairs with Leah (Imma's hind-part-derived counterpart) instead of Rachel. Jacob + Leah — Abba's hind-part-derived counterpart (Jacob) pairs with Imma's (Leah). Jacob + Rachel — Jacob takes Z"A's coupling-role with Rachel.
What this paragraph does. Names the four coupling-pairs and identifies the main one (Z"A + Rachel) with the others as supplements.
Paragraph 10 — Part 2 phrase 1: sometimes both supplement
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
לפעמים צריך ששניהם ישלימו, ולפעמים אחד לבד, [ששניהם ישלימו] דהיינו זיווגי יעקב ולאה,
Source — English (Greenbaum):
Sometimes both are needed as supplements… As in the case of the interaction of Jacob and Leah.
Plain English:
The variability-claim's first case. Sometimes both Jacob and Leah are needed as supplements. The example: the interaction of Jacob and Leah — when both are present, the coupling is Jacob + Leah; both supplements are operationally engaged. The pair Jacob + Leah is therefore the both-supplements case.
What this paragraph does. Names the both-supplements coupling: Jacob + Leah.
Concepts at play:couplings_of_zeir_with_rachel_leah_jacob, jacob_leah_supplement_zeir_nukva_for_coupling, jacob_partzuf_from_yesod_of_abba, leah_partzuf_from_yesod_of_imma_hind_parts, cycle_of_creation, partzuf, male_female_polarity_of_partzuf, chapter_117_engrafting_generates_diagonals_and_jacob_leah.
Paragraph 11 — Part 2 phrase 2: sometimes only one supplements
Source — Hebrew (קל"ח פתחי חכמה):
ולפעמים אחד לבד, כגון ישראל ולאה, או יעקב ורחל.
Source — English (Greenbaum):
…sometimes only one. As in the case of Israel (=Zeir Anpin) and Leah or of Jacob and Rachel. (The main Partzufim through which Zeir and Nukva are manifested are Israel and Rachel, but sometimes two others come in their place – Jacob and Leah. Sometimes both come, sometimes only one, such as Israel and Leah or Jacob and Rachel.)
Plain English:
Three precisions.
The one-supplement cases.Sometimes only one — as in the case of Israel (= Z"A) and Leah, or of Jacob and Rachel. When only one supplement is operationally engaged, the coupling is either Israel + Leah (Z"A + Leah's supplement) or Jacob + Rachel (Jacob's supplement + Rachel).
The main Partzufim are Israel and Rachel.The main Partzufim through which Z"N are manifested are Israel and Rachel. The default operational identity of Z"N for coupling-purposes is Israel = Z"A and Rachel = the essential Nukva.
Substitutes come in their place.Sometimes two others come in their place — Jacob and Leah. Sometimes both come, sometimes only one, such as Israel and Leah or Jacob and Rachel. The whole set of coupling-modes is therefore: (a) Israel + Rachel (the main); (b) Jacob + Leah (both supplements); (c) Israel + Leah (Leah supplements only); (d) Jacob + Rachel (Jacob supplements only). Four operational coupling-modes total.
What this paragraph does. Names the one-supplement couplings (Israel + Leah; Jacob + Rachel) and rounds out the coupling-mode inventory — four modes in all.
והנה סוד כל זה הוא שאור ז"א או נוק' מתנוצצת גם ביעקב או לאה, ואז הם משלימים בעדם, להיותם מבחינתם:
Source — English (Greenbaum):
The underlying foundation of all this is that the light of Zeir Anpin or the Nukva also shines through Jacob or Leah, in which case the latter supplement Zeir and Nukva and become aspects of them. (Earlier it was explained how the Partzufim of Jacob and Leah were instituted – through the repair of the fallen hind parts of Abba and Imma. Now we see that the interaction of Jacob and Leah may take the place of that of Zeir and Nukva while the latter radiate through them.)
Plain English:
Three precisions.
The mechanism: Z"N's light shines through Jacob and Leah.The light of Z"A or Nukva also shines through Jacob or Leah. When Z"A's or Nukva's own light radiates through Jacob or Leah, the supplementary Partzuf carries Z"N's operational presence.
Therefore Jacob and Leah become aspects of Z"N.In which case the latter supplement Z"N and become aspects of them. The supplementation is operational identity-by-light: Jacob with Z"A's light is an aspect of Z"A; Leah with Nukva's light is an aspect of Nukva. The supplementation is not a substitution by separate Partzufim — it is Z"N radiating through Jacob/Leah.
Z"N may radiate through, allowing Jacob/Leah to take Z"N's coupling-place.Now we see that the interaction of Jacob and Leah may take the place of that of Z"N while the latter radiate through them. The Jacob + Leah coupling is not an independent coupling — it is Z"N's coupling, carried out through Jacob and Leah. The operational substitution in coupling-relations is therefore Z"N's own coupling in another mode of presence.
What this paragraph does. Closes the chapter with the operational mechanism of supplementation: Z"N's light shines through Jacob and Leah; Jacob and Leah carry Z"N's coupling-presence; the Jacob + Leah coupling is therefore Z"N's own, in another mode. The reader leaves with the full picture: additional Partzufim from the engrafting + operational supplementation by light-shining-through.
The chapter's deep claim, in one sentence. Op. 117 names what the engrafting of A"&I in Z"A generates beyond the Mochin themselves: radiations from Z"A (which find receivers in Rachel, Leah, Jacob, or radiate alone as staffs and diagonals) and rectified hind parts of A"&I (which become the Partzufim Jacob and Leah); together with Rachel, Jacob and Leah supplement Z"N for coupling in three additional modes (Z"A + Leah, Jacob + Leah, Jacob + Rachel), and the operational mechanism of the supplementation is that Z"N's own light shines through Jacob and Leah, making them aspects of Z"N rather than separate centres.
The own-lights vs engrafting-lights distinction. ¶4's distinction is structurally important. The basic five Partzufim of Atzilut (A"A, Abba, Imma, Israel = Z"A, Rachel = Nukva) are own-lights — they exist as the basic Partzuf-structure of the world, not as products of any specific engrafting. The additional Partzufim (Jacob, Leah, the staffs, the diagonals) are engrafting-lights — they exist because of A"&I's engrafting in Z"A. The distinction matters for the rest of the book: when later chapters discuss Z"A's coupling with Nukva, they discuss own-light Partzufim; when they discuss Jacob with Leah or the staffs, they discuss engrafting-derived Partzufim. The two classes have different origins and therefore different operational characters.
The radiation-mechanism: receivers determine Partzuf-formation. ¶6's mechanism is precise. Z"A's radiation is non-directional in itself — it goes on all sides. What determines whether a radiation forms its own Partzuf (as a staff or diagonal) or is absorbed by a receiver (Rachel, Leah, or Jacob) is the presence or absence of a receiver in the direction of the radiation. Where there is a receiver, absorption — the radiation becomes direct light in the receiver. Where there is no receiver, self-Partzuf-formation — the radiation becomes its own structure because it cannot be absorbed. This radiation-receiver logic is a general Lurianic mechanism that the rest of the book will deploy in various contexts.
The shevirah-and-tikkun mechanism for Jacob and Leah. ¶8's mechanism for Jacob and Leah is the shevirah-and-tikkun mechanism. At the breaking of the vessels (Op. 50–51), the hind parts of A"&I fell — descended to the place of Z"N. They did not return. In the repair (tikkun), they were rectified into new Partzufim — Yesod of Imma's hind-parts-content became Leah; Yesod of Abba's hind-parts-content became Jacob. The transformative-repair logic — what fell becomes something new — is one of Klach's central doctrines about how the structure of Atzilut recovered from the breaking by adding new Partzufim rather than restoring what was lost.
The coupling-map: four modes. ¶9–11 give the coupling-mode inventory:
Israel + Rachel — the main;
Jacob + Leah — both supplements;
Israel + Leah — Leah-only supplement;
Jacob + Rachel — Jacob-only supplement. Four modes total. Op. 117 names the inventory; the timing (which mode at which moment of the cycle, by which merit-state) is for later chapters. The reader of Op. 117 leaves with a general principle of operational variability: the cycle's coupling-mode varies across time, and Jacob and Leah supply the operational machinery that makes that variability possible.
The operational-identity-by-light doctrine. ¶12's the light of Z"A or Nukva shines through Jacob or Leah is a sharp doctrinal move. The Jacob + Leah coupling is not an independent coupling between two separate Partzufim; it is Z"N's own coupling, carried through Jacob and Leah as operational extensions. The supplementation works because Z"N's light is what passes through. Without Z"N's light, Jacob and Leah would not be aspects of Z"N — they would be independent Partzufim with no operational claim on Z"N's coupling-role. The mechanism of light-shining-through therefore constitutes the supplementation. This is consistent with Op. 116's grafting-doctrine: as A"&I are operationally present in Z"A via the Mochin, so Z"N is operationally present in Jacob/Leah via the radiation-of-light-through.
The unit's evolving picture. Op. 117 enriches the unit's picture of Z"N.
Op. 115 said Z"N is the root and main governance.
Op. 116 said Z"A's upper structure is body / Mochin / Keter, with two upper-source channels.
Op. 117 now adds the engrafting generates further structure: from Z"A — radiations to receivers and diagonals; from the fallen hind parts of A"&I — Jacob and Leah for coupling-supplementation. The unit's Z"N-picture is therefore: Z"A (body / Mochin / Keter / radiations) + Rachel (essential Nukva) + Jacob (from Yesod of Abba) + Leah (from Yesod of Imma's hind parts) + the diagonals (subordinate).
Op. 118 will close the unit's general-principles work; the rest of the book will deploy these structures in detail.
Self-review notes
What I checked. Read the source JSON in both Hebrew and English end-to-end before drafting. Confirmed offset rule via pre_flight: offset_hint: italic_gloss and expected_md_paragraphs: 12 since first_en_prefix begins with The entry of Abba and Imma . JSON has 12 paragraphs and MD has 12 ## Paragraph N blocks. Mapping (italic_gloss offset, MD ¶N → JSON index N-1): MD ¶1 → JSON 0 (italic gloss + Hebrew section header ההארות הנמשכים מהמוחין); MD ¶2 → JSON 1 (proposition); MD ¶3 → JSON 2 (framing); MD ¶4 → JSON 3 (own-lights vs engrafting-lights); MD ¶5 → JSON 4 (staffs and diagonals + citations); MD ¶6 → JSON 5 (receivers vs no-receivers mechanism); MD ¶7 → JSON 6 (main line vs side line); MD ¶8 → JSON 7 (hind parts → Jacob/Leah); MD ¶9 → JSON 8 (supplement Z"N for coupling); MD ¶10 → JSON 9 (sometimes both); MD ¶11 → JSON 10 (sometimes one); MD ¶12 → JSON 11 (closing: light-shining-through mechanism).
Section header treatment. Op. 117's Hebrew JSON index 0 has both ההארות הנמשכים מהמוחין:</big> (the Hebrew section heading) and the English italic gloss in the same JSON paragraph. I have treated this as the chapter's italic gloss / chapter title.
Chapter structure. Op. 117 has an implicit parts split (Part 1 = ¶4–9, the engrafting's outputs; Part 2 = ¶10–11, the variability principle; ¶12 closes with the underlying mechanism). The proposition (¶2) signals both parts; the source's English does not have an explicit parts announcement paragraph, which is unusual for Klach but matches the source.
Sourcing.(i) Op. 1 ¶17 — structure manifests oneness; the enriched Z"N picture contributes to the manifestation. (ii) Op. 4 — Tzimtzum and cycle; coupling-modes vary across the cycle. (iii) Op. 22, Op. 24, Op. 70 — earlier Partzuf-chapters; Op. 117 elaborates the inventory. (iv) Op. 50–51 — World of Nekudim and breaking of vessels; ¶8 explicitly references the vessels broke. (v) Op. 75 — male/female polarity and zivug; Op. 117 elaborates the zivug-pair inventory. (vi) Op. 95–107 — A"A unit; A"A named in ¶4 as one of the five principal Partzufim. (vii) Op. 110–114 — Abba/Imma unit; ¶8's Yesod of Imma → Leah; Yesod of Abba → Jacob presupposes the Op. 110–114 placement of A"&I. (viii) Op. 113 ¶6 / Op. 116 ¶6 — Mental Powers as foundation of CHaDaR-governance and as the form of A"&I's grafting; Op. 117 ¶4 invokes the engrafting explicitly. (ix) Op. 115–116 — the unit's first two chapters; Op. 117 builds on both.
Source citations. ¶5 cites Etz Chayim, Shaar He'arat HaMochin chs 1–2 and Klalut HaIlan 7:4 — both supplied directly in the source JSON's English. No fabricated citations.
Voice. Aryeh Kaplan-style direct address. Defined technical terms on first appearance: radiations (Hebrew + meaning, he'arot, הארות); staffs / diagonals (Hebrew + meaning, matot and akhsonot, מטות); coupling (Hebrew + meaning, zivug, זיווג); hind parts (Hebrew + meaning, achorayim, אחוריים); direct light (Hebrew + meaning, ohr yashar); Mochin, Z"A, Nukva, Abba, Imma, A"A, Yesod, shevirat ha-kelim, tikkun (all established in earlier chapters).
Concept arcs. Each entry grounded in the chapter's prose: zeir_anpin (¶5–7; as radiating source), nukva (¶6, ¶9–11; subdivided into Rachel-essential-Nukva and Leah-supplement), abba/imma (¶8; as upper sources of Jacob/Leah via Yesod), mochin (¶4–6; the engrafting's outputs), shevirat_hakelim (¶8; historical antecedent), tikkun (¶8; transformative-repair), world_of_nekudim (¶8; historical setting), cycle_of_creation (¶9–11; coupling-modes), main_governmental_order_in_zeir_nukva (¶7; main line vs side line), *chapter_117_*** (the chapter's whole sequence).
Diagrams. Two diagrams: engrafting_outputs — the two-output picture (radiations + fallen-hind-parts) with their internal sub-structures; coupling_map — the four-pair coupling-map with the main coupling and three supplement-modes.
Tentative items.(i) The "staffs and diagonals" example list. The list (Jacob, Leah, Leah of the Generation of the Wilderness, Clouds of Glory, Manna, Staff of God, Staff of Moses, Mixed Multitude, Esau) and the citations (Etz Chayim, Shaar He'arat HaMochin chs 1–2; Klalut HaIlan 7:4) are supplied directly in the source JSON. I have rendered the list faithfully without extending. (ii) The "Yesod of Imma → Leah" and "Yesod of Abba → Jacob" mechanism. This is standard Lurianic doctrine for the rectification of A"&I's hind parts. The source JSON's English supplies the precise mechanism. (iii) The "Rachel as essential Nukva" doctrine. The source's parenthetical (¶6) makes this explicit: Rachel is the essential Nukva. Standard Lurianic terminology. (iv) The "diagonals are subordinate but contribute side-effects" claim. ¶7 names this; the unique functions of the side-effects are not specified in the source and I have not extended beyond what the source supplies. (v) The "light-shining-through" mechanism for supplementation. ¶12 makes this explicit; I have rendered it faithfully as the operational identity-by-light doctrine. The doctrine is consistent with Op. 116's grafting-doctrine (operational presence by means of light) but is here applied at the Z"N-supplementation level.
Looking ahead — grounded foreshadowing
Op. 117 specifies that the entry of Abba and Imma into Z"A generates additional Partzufim: Jacob and Leah and the diagonals.
**Op. 117's additional Partzufim doctrine** is the structural anchor for the coupling-modes variability of the closing chapters. Op. 118 (Leah as the hind parts of Imma and inner soul of Nukva), Op. 134–138 (the Nukva-repair sequence — Z"A + Rachel and Jacob + Leah modes operating per the cycle's needs). The additional-Partzufim of Op. 117 are what give the cosmic government its operational variability.