Baal HaSulam, The Study of the Ten Sefirot, Part 1, “Table of Questions and Answers for the Meaning of the Words”: Question 18. What is Hochma? This Light is the basis of the life of the emanated being.

From the perspective of the emanated being, the upper Light which has created the desire to enjoy is divided into two forms because two types of attitudes arise in the emanated being: 1) the attitude toward fulfillment and 2) the attitude toward the Giver of this fulfillment. Therefore, when speaking about the Light which has created the desire to enjoy, fills the desire, and cares for it, this Light is called Hochma (Wisdom). And when we are talking about the Light of correction which fills the emanated being with the quality of bestowal, it is called the Light of Hassadim (Mercy).

In truth, the Light outside of the emanated being is uniform. The upper Light always remains at absolute rest. And all the qualities and phenomena in it, such as the “round Light” and a “line” or “Inner” and “Surrounding” Lights, are nothing but the creature’s impressions from the influence of that same Light.

When referring to the life of the emanated being, this Light is called the Light of Hochma, and when speak of our bestowal to the Creator, it is called the Light of Hassadim. These are the two main types of Light, which further divide into many sub-types.

In conclusion, the Light that acts through the creature’s desire to enjoy is called the Light of Hochma.
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From the 3rd part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 6/21/11, Talmud Eser Sefirot

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