Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 76

What Does the Upper One Do After the Lower One Raises MAN?

“By this, the upper raises his AHP. ‘Raising’ means that the upper one can show the lower one the merit and the pleasure that exists in the Kelim of AHP that the upper one can reveal. Thus, from the perspective of the lower one, it follows that he raises the Galgalta Eynaim of the lower one, and by this itself, the lower one sees the merit of the upper one. It follows that the lower one ascends together with the AHP of the upper one.”

All levels consist of ten Sefirot. The Sefirot Keter, Hochma, and Bina are called “Galgalta ve Eynaim” (GE), and the Sefirot Zeir Anpin and Malchut are called “Awzen, Hotem, Peh” (AHP). This structure applies to every upper and lower one. The upper one lowers its AHP (its Zeir Anpin and Malchut) into the lower one and seemingly empties them, as though there is nothing within it.

If the upper one’s AHP is empty and devoid of light, the lower one feels emptiness. Why does the upper one empty its AHP? So that the lower one can correct its GE, as the AHP of the upper one resides within the GE of the lower one—its “vessels of bestowal.”

What are “vessels of bestowal”? These are vessels that want nothing for themselves. If we want nothing, we feel no emptiness. Therefore, the emptiness brought about by the upper one is meant to help the lower one acquire the correct measure, and understand the level and extent to which it needs to correct its GE.

Initially, there is a flaw in the GE of the lower one. The lower one must bring these vessels to a state of “delighting in mercy” (Hafetz Hesed), desiring nothing for itself, vessels of bestowal. When these vessels reach the state of delighting in mercy, the lower one will no longer hold a negative and empty perception of the upper one. This is how the upper one shows the lower one its emptiness and provides a measure for the extent in which the lower one needs to correct itself.

In our current state, we feel a harsh sense of emptiness, as though we have nothing. This is the influence of the upper one’s AHP. We should not dismiss this feeling or deny our state. Instead, we should add effort.

Therefore, it is written, “Everything that is in your power to do, do.” This happens so that we add vessels, screens, and forces that enable us to sense that even in our current state, where it seems that the upper one has nothing, we suddenly begin to feel that the upper one contains everything. The upper one is perfection; it lacks nothing. This realization is not because we become indifferent due to a lack of vitality, but because the upper one is inherently good, contains everything, and nothing is lacking.

Related Material:
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 75
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 74
Talks about the Steps of the Ladder, Part 73

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