…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).
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.