In this manner, Ab emerges from the partzuf of Keter, Sag from the partzuf of Ab, Mah from the partzuf of Sag, and likewise the other levels in the worlds of Nekudim and Atzilut (Emanation), Beria (Creation), Yetzira (Formation), and Asiya (Actualization). However, it still remains to be understood why the ten sefirot of Ab emerge only from the third level of opacity (ovyut) within the partition rather than from the fourth level, and likewise Sag emerges only from the second level.
In other words, each subsequently emerging lower partzuf is one level lower, in terms of the levels of lights it contains, than the one higher than it and preceding it. Why don’t they all emerge one from another at the same height, with the same number of vessels and lights?53The question that the author of the Sulam is asking here is in reference to the incremental decrease in the heights of the structures of the partzufim after each purification and subsequent collision.
Why is the emerging partzuf considered a “son” to the preceding one given that it emerges from the partition of the mouth of the head just like the preceding one? In other words, if the body of the first partzuf emerged from the mouth of the head of the first partzuf, and so did the second partzuf (the Ab), why are these viewed as two separate entities in which Ab is an “offspring” of the first partzuf, instead of being viewed as all part of one partzuf, like the head and body of the first partzuf?
Additionally, why is the emerging partzuf smaller in height, lacking some vessels below and some lights above, than the preceding one, given that they were both formed using the partition of Malkhut of the head?