Rabbi Avin said two [statements]. Rabbi Avin said: This is analogous to a king who had a wine cellar. He placed guards there, some of them nazirites and some of them drunkards. At evening time, he came to give their wages.
He gave the drunkards two portions and the nazirites one portion. They said to him: ‘Our master the king, did we not all guard as one? Why are you giving them two portions and us one portion?’ The king said: ‘They are drunkards and they are accustomed to drink wine; that is why I am giving them two portions and you one portion.’
So too, supernal beings, because they do not have an evil inclination, they have but one sanctity, as it is stated: “By the statement of the holy ones” (Daniel 4:14). But earthly beings, because the evil inclination dominates them, if only it would be that they withstand it with two sanctities. That is what is written: “Speak to the entire congregation of the children of Israel [and say to them: You shall be holy].”
And it is written: “You shall sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy” (Leviticus 20:7). Rabbi Avin said another [statement]: This is analogous to residents of a province who crafted three crowns for the king. What did the king do? He placed one upon his head and two upon the heads of his sons.
So too, each and every day, the supernal beings crown the Holy One blessed be He with three sanctifications.13This is expressed in the verse in which they are described as saying: “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory” (Isaiah 6:3). What does the Holy One blessed be He do? He places one upon His head and two upon the head of Israel. That is what is written: “Speak to the entire congregation of the children of Israel [and say to them: You shall be holy,” and]: “You shall sanctify yourselves, and you shall be holy.”