We're talking about the world of Adam Kadmon, a primordial spiritual realm. Within Adam Kadmon, we have different configurations, or partzufim, which are like faces or profiles of the divine. Specifically, we're focusing on the first three: gulgalta, Ab, and Sag. Think of them as progressively refined expressions of the divine will.
In these first three partzufim of Adam Kadmon, something interesting was happening with the sefirot. The sefirot, those ten divine emanations that act as vessels for the divine light, were arranged "on one line, one below the other." Imagine a single, vertical column of light, each sefirah neatly stacked.
But then comes the world of Nekudim, or Points. This world "enclothes" itself from the navel and below of Adam Kadmon. What does "enclothes" mean here? Think of it as one layer operating within the spiritual environment defined by another. In this case, Nekudim exists in the lower realms of Adam Kadmon. According to the Sulam commentary, this positioning is crucial.
And here's where things get interesting. In the world of Nekudim, a "rectification of lines" occurred, but only in the first three sefirot. What does this mean? Well, it's a process resulting from the Second Restriction, or Tzimtzum Bet. The Sulam explains that after this restriction, Malkhut (the final sefirah representing manifestation), ascended and mingled with Binah (the sefirah of understanding).
Before this Second Restriction, the sefirot were stacked in that single column. Why? Because each sefirah had only one "partition" of Malkhut interacting with the direct light. This opacity created the returning light, which then enclothed the direct light, forming that single column.
However, after the Second Restriction, each sefirah now has two imprints of Malkhut and Binah. Essentially, two partitions. This generates two columns of light! These two columns are called "lines," and they need a third line to mediate between them. As we find in the teachings, this is where the rectification comes in.
But the story doesn't end there. In the world of Atzilut, often called the world of Emanation, the rectification of lines happened in the seven lower sefirot as well. So, while Nekudim only saw this shift in the upper realms, Atzilut experienced it fully.
So, what does all this mean? Well, it points to a dynamic process of refinement and organization within the divine structure. It's a story of light, restriction, and ultimately, rectification. It hints at how the universe, and perhaps even ourselves, are constantly being shaped and reshaped, moving towards a state of greater harmony and balance. It's a complex idea, for sure, but one that offers a glimpse into the profound depths of Kabbalistic thought.