This prevented the proper spread... We have already said that the breaking of the vessels was the root of all the damage. And since it was necessary for the Sefirot to be made in such a way that they could be flawed – i.e. darkened – they were made to fragment, which was the preparation for this flaw. Likewise the break-up of the “back parts” of Abba and Imma was a preparation for the state of damage. However, there can be no damage in Abba and Imma themselves. Rather, the damage is in the same aspect in which the breaking of the vessels took place, i.e. that which relates to the seven lower Sefirot. Accordingly, the damage is in what relates to the seven lower Sefirot – i.e. that the power of Abba and Imma does not continually spread into the seven lower Sefirot in order to repair them.