We've talked before about how things that are identical in form are considered spiritually unified. Well, the flip side of that is that when a distinction emerges—when we can discern a clear difference—that’s when separation happens. And in the world of partzufim, that separation is akin to a birth. A new entity, a new partzuf, is recognized as having come into being, distinct from its predecessor. As the Sulam Commentary explains, this distinction is key to understanding the emergence of new spiritual forms.
So, imagine these two "heights," Ḥesed, Gevura, and Tiferet (loving-kindness, strength, and beauty – the emotional attributes), emerging from within Netzaḥ, Hod, and Yesod (endurance, splendor, and foundation – the building blocks of manifestation). This happens through the "incorporation of the partition," a complex idea involving the fusion and collision within the "head" of the upper partzuf. These emerging heights are distinguishable as new and different. It's this difference that signifies a birth.
Now, what happens next? These new partzufim, plural because we're dealing with both the "female" vessel structure and the "male" structure contained within it, descend and enclothe the "body" of the upper partzuf. Think of it like layers, one fitting inside the other. The Sulam Commentary is clear: a partzuf born from a fusion in the head of its upper partzuf always descends and enclothes the body above. This new, enclothing partzuf has its own "head" and "body," both situated below the "mouth" of the preceding, higher partzuf. If these are the partzufim of the first three Sefirot (Ḥesed, Gevura, and Tiferet), they enclothe those first three of the body. If they're the partzufim of the six extremities (Tiferet, Netzaḥ, Hod, Yesod, and Malkhut), they enclothe those extremities from the chest down.
They also draw light from the upper partzuf. This flow of light causes Malkhut (kingship, the manifest realm) to descend from the forehead to the apertures of the eyes. And here's a crucial detail: at this point, Malkhut regains the opacity of the first level, much like what happened in the partzufim of Nekudim (the world of points), as noted in the Sulam Commentary. Remember, the world of Nekudim was built out of a fusion against a partition of the first level, the level of Ze'er Anpin (small face). So, when the partition returns to this level, it regains that initial opacity.
Then, Ḥesed, Gevura, and Tiferet also acquire the attribute of vessels. Why is that important? Well, because the partition now has that opacity, it can generate a fusion that creates vessels of the level of ruaḥ (spirit). This allows these Sefirot to emerge as their own height in their own vessels, rather than being confined within the vessels of Netzaḥ, Hod, and Yesod.
As a result of this "drawing of the light," what the Sulam Commentary, using the Hebrew term yenika (also meaning "suckling"), calls the phase of "infancy," Ḥesed, Gevura, and Tiferet spread out and emerge from within Netzaḥ, Hod, and Yesod. The partzuf then attains a complete structural height of ruaḥ.
So, what does all this mean? It gives us a glimpse into the dynamic and intricate processes at play within the Kabbalistic cosmos. It's a reminder that creation is not a static event but an ongoing process of differentiation, separation, and ultimately, renewed unity on a higher level. It speaks to the continuous birth and rebirth, the constant unfolding of the Divine within all things. Can we see echoes of this process in our own lives, in the ways we grow and change, differentiating ourselves only to find new connections and understandings?