In the Kabbalah, particularly as understood through the teachings of Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Ari), Abba (Father) and Imma (Mother) are elevated Sephirot – divine attributes or emanations. Specifically, they represent the intellectual powers of Wisdom (Ḥokhma) and Understanding (Binah). But it’s their relationship, and how they interact with the even higher realms, that’s really interesting.
Our text, a section from the introduction to the Sulam commentary, delves into their unique role. The Sulam, meaning "ladder," is a comprehensive interpretation of the Zohar by Rabbi Yehuda Leib Ashlag (also known as the Baal HaSulam). It aims to make these complex mystical ideas accessible.
The passage states: "The Abba and Imma are considered the Ḥokhma of the right, because even when they are situated below the head, they are as complete as they were in the head, and they are always united with the sealed Ḥokhma in the head of Arikh Anpin."
Whoa, okay, a lot to unpack there. Arikh Anpin, also called "Long Face" or "Long Patience," is another Sephira, representing divine patience and long-suffering. It’s considered a higher manifestation of Keter (Crown), the first and most sublime Sephira. Think of it as the source of all blessing and emanation. The "sealed Ḥokhma in the head of Arikh Anpin" refers to the hidden, primordial wisdom contained within this highest realm.
So, Abba and Imma, even though they're "below the head" (meaning lower on the Sephirotic tree), retain their completeness and are constantly connected to that ultimate source of wisdom in Arikh Anpin. They're like antennas, always attuned to the highest frequencies.
But here’s the kicker: "Only they do not receive from it, since they are always in the state of the mystical meaning of 'for He delights in mercy.'" This is key. According to the Sulam, Abba and Imma don't receive directly from that sealed wisdom. Instead, they are channels of giving, embodiments of divine mercy.
As the text continues, "Abba and Imma do not draw or receive the light of Ḥokhma into themselves, as their essence is the light of giving." They are pure conduits of grace, constantly bestowing blessings without taking for themselves. for a minute. It challenges our usual understanding of reciprocity. We often think of relationships as a give-and-take, a balanced exchange. But here, we have a model of pure, selfless giving. Abba and Imma are archetypes of boundless compassion, existing solely to emanate the divine light outward.
This concept, while profoundly mystical, has real-world implications. It encourages us to consider our own motivations for giving. Are we giving with the expectation of receiving something in return? Or can we strive to emulate Abba and Imma, offering our gifts freely and unconditionally, knowing that the true reward lies in the act of giving itself? Can we, even for a moment, embody that pure, unadulterated flow of divine mercy?