It’s a question that’s occupied Kabbalists for centuries! Today, let's delve into a fascinating concept from the Sulam Commentary, specifically point 48, where we explore the idea of different "levels" and what they reveal about the divine wisdom, or Ḥokhma.
The text introduces us to a third level called Ze’er Anpin and Nukba. Now, these are complex terms, so let's unpack them a bit. Think of Ze’er Anpin as the "Small Face" or "Impatient One," often associated with the lower six sefirot, the divine attributes or emanations. Nukba is generally considered the feminine aspect, the "Female." Together, they represent a specific stage in the unfolding of creation.
The Sulam tells us that in this level, Ḥokhma, the divine wisdom, is revealed "from the chest and below." What does that mean? Well, Kabbalah often uses the human body as a metaphor for the structure of the partzufim, divine countenances. The chest area, in this analogy, corresponds to those lower six sefirot associated with Ze’er Anpin. So, we're talking about a specific zone where this wisdom becomes manifest. This zone is not the highest level.
Why is this significant? Because Ze’er Anpin contains "the light of giving with an illumination of the light of Ḥokhma within it." In other words, this level is characterized by both bestowal and wisdom. It’s a context where the light of Ḥokhma, which the text calls the "brain" of existence, is contained within a "matured vessel." This maturity comes after previous constrictions – specifically, the first and second constrictions which are hugely important concepts in Lurianic Kabbalah. This level is one stage further down the line, in the process of creation.
The text then refers to this level as the tzaddi of tzelem. Tzelem means "image." So what does this mean? It relates to the numerical value of the Hebrew letter tzaddi. The text points out that Ze’er Anpin and Nukba together contain nine sefirot, each comprised of ten sub-sefirot. Nine times ten equals ninety, which is the numerical value of the letter tzaddi.
But why is this numerical connection important? It's a classic example of gematria, a Kabbalistic method of interpreting texts through the numerical values of Hebrew letters. This connection hints at a deeper, hidden relationship between the structure of Ze’er Anpin/Nukba and the concept represented by the letter tzaddi.
Finally, the text notes that from Arikh Anpin (the "Long Face" or "Patient One," a higher partzuf) downward, the original sefira of Malkhut (Kingdom, often associated with the Shekhinah, the Divine Presence) is missing. According to this tradition, the original Malkhut belongs to higher realms, beyond the effects of the second constriction. And, because of the inverse relationship between vessels and lights – that is, the loss of a lower vessel meaning the loss of a higher light – the light of Keter (Crown, the highest sefira) is also lacking in these lower levels.
So, what do we take away from all this? It’s a complex picture, no doubt. But at its heart, this passage is about understanding the layered nature of reality, the way divine wisdom manifests through different levels, and the interconnectedness of all things. It's about recognizing that even in what might seem like a "lower" level, there is still a spark of the divine, a reflection of the ultimate source. As we delve deeper into Kabbalah, it’s important to remember these fundamental ideas, as they shape our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it.