Thus, the impact of the partition on the supernal light does not lead to any change or loss. This is the mystical meaning of the Zohar’s statement “The unification of Ein Sof is not actualized until it receives its female half.”48Zohar Ḥadash 2:71b. The receiving vessel, which is continually modified and expands until it is capable of receiving the supernal light is referred to here as the “female half,” the receiving partner, that completes the “male half,” the supernal light that emanates from Ein Sof.
In the meantime, that is, until that time, this light of Ein Sof becomes surrounding light, which means that it is ready to be enclothed in the fourth level subsequently, but for now it surrounds and shines on the fourth level only from the outside with a partial illumination. This illumination drives the fourth level to incrementally expand according to the system of rules that will lead it to receive this surrounding light in the full and original measure that Ein Sof, blessed be He, extended to it at the outset.