Thus, the sages have found an adequate language without trouble by which they could convey ‎their attainments to each other by word of mouth and in writing from generation to generation. ‎They have taken the names of the branches in this world, where each name is self-explanatory, ‎as though pointing to its upper root in the system of the upper worlds….

For this reason, the sages of Kabbalah have chosen a special language that we can call “the ‎language of the branches” (Baal HaSulam, “Study of the Ten Sefirot,” Vol. 1, Part 1, Inner Observation).

The language of branches is a language for communication, not for attainment.

For example, when listening to physicians, I may understand certain commonly accepted terms, but not their inner meaning because I am not a doctor. I do not know exactly what they are saying about the functioning of organs, medical parameters, tests, and so on. That is, the language of doctors may consist of words familiar to me, yet I lack the knowledge required to comprehend and evaluate them.

The same applies to Kabbalah: I may read Kabbalistic books in any language, and at the same time understand nothing in them. Therefore, there is a difference between knowing the words and understanding their meaning.

The language of branches does not speak about the mechanical meaning of words such as “screen,” “restriction,” “reflected light,” “direct light,” Hassadim, Hochma, and so on. Rather, it speaks about the fact that a word in our world designates a branch stemming from its root in the spiritual world.

When perceiving a certain word, I hear the name of a branch in our world and instantly imagine its root in the upper world: the quality of bestowal, closeness, separation, connection, and so forth, that is, everything relating to the interaction of parts within the single system of creation.

Question: Can a Kabbalist not know which spiritual root corresponds to a particular branch?

Answer: It is entirely possible. It depends on the level of the Kabbalist.

In general, the system of HaVaYaH is revealed relatively quickly, and afterward all kinds of nuances begin to appear, secondary and tertiary discernments, and so on. These harmonics add a great deal of feelings, and very important ones at that, because the quality of perceiving spiritual properties and actions depends on them. Therefore, even the slightest shades produce a tremendous effect and add depth to spiritual information.

Question: Suppose The Book of Zohar describes people, animals, gardens, the fruits of trees. Why was it necessary to convey everything specifically in this way?

Answer: Because this is the language of branches. The authors of The Book of Zohar could not write otherwise since these are the names of parts of our soul.

Question: Why then did Baal HaSulam write differently, using Kabbalistic terms such as Zeir Anpin, Malchut, and so on?

Answer: The matter is that in describing spiritual properties, there are four languages. Baal HaSulam used the language of Kabbalah, not the language of branches.
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From the Daily Kabbalah Lesson in Russian 4/1/18

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