Concept slug: kav
First introduced: Op. 16
Last advanced: Op. 92
Appearance count: 7 chapters
Kav (קו, "Line") is the line of light Eyn Sof drew into the chalal after the Tzimtzum. The Kav is the active partner of the Line-and-Residue cosmogonic pair; it illuminates the Reshimu and produces the Sefirot.
The Kav enters at Op. 16 (within the Tzimtzum the governmental order proceeds — the Line is the operational mechanism). Op. 26 (details of the Residue — the Kav is what interacts with it). Op. 27 (how the Line governs the Residue — the operational claim that anchors all subsequent cosmogonic action).
Op. 28 (the Line divides into Inner and Encompassing Light within the Sefirot). Op. 29 (the Line shines within the Sefirot through a garb — the cosmogonic seed of the entire hitlabshut doctrine).
Op. 31 (Adam Kadmon = the Tree of the Four-Letter Name; the Kav forms the central Tree of AK). Op. 41 (the Line cannot join the Residue at the outset of Nekudim).
Op. 64 (MaH (gematria 45) = Line, BaN (gematria 52) = Residue*) is the structural completion of the Kav doctrine: the Kav of the Tzimtzum unit becomes MaH of the Repair unit. From Op. 64 onward, the Kav is operationally re-named MaH and the Residue is re-named BaN; the same cosmogonic pair, sharpened operationally.
Kav travels with Tzimtzum (the act that opens the chalal the Kav enters), Reshimu (the receptive partner), MaH (the operational re-naming per Op. 64), garb / levush (the mediation through which the Kav shines), and Adam Kadmon (the Tree the Kav forms).
The Kav is Eyn Sof's perfect action entering the contracted space. It carries the cosmic government's directives downward; it illuminates what the Reshimu can receive; it produces the Sefirot; and it transforms operationally into MaH for the second half of the book.