Having discussed the three first Sefirot, we must now discuss the lower seven.
The proposition consists of two parts. Part 1: The root of Zeir Anpin’s essential nature... This introduces the idea of how the Sefirot connect and bond together. Part 2: This is what was lacking... This explains how this applies in the case of the Primordial Kings.
Part 1: The root of Zeir Anpin’s essential nature lies in Imma’s stern judgments (דינים, dinim)... The function of Zeir Anpin is to govern according to strict Judgment, as brought out by the comment in the Zohar on the verse, “HaShem, He is God” (Kings I, 18:39): “‘HaShem’ (YKVK=Kindness) applies to Atik (=Arich Anpin); ‘God’ (אלקים, Elokim=Judgment) applies to Zeir Anpin” (Idra Rabba, Naso 138b). For Arich Anpin is the rule of Chessed and every aspect of mitigation – mitigating all the stern judgments wherever they may be. But the function of Zeir Anpin is the opposite. Its root lies in stern judgment, except that the powers of mitigation hold sway over it. However, these powers of mitigation can depart from Zeir Anpin, leaving the stern judgment in its full force, which can cause total devastation. This is not so in the case of Arich Anpin, which is intrinsically inclined to Kindness and does not require mitigation by others, with the result that it is always on the side of Kindness.