Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition, has a fascinating way of describing how divine energy flows—or sometimes doesn't flow—and how we can influence that flow. Today, we're diving into a concept involving faces turned away, lights that yearn to be given, and the delicate dance of divine parents.

We're going to be talking about the relationship between different aspects of the divine, specifically how Ze’er Anpin (often translated as "Small Face" or "Impatient One") interacts with Abba and Imma Ila’in, the "Supernal Father and Mother" from the level of Bina (Understanding).

Now, according to the Sulam Commentary, these first three sefirot (divine emanations) of Bina—that's Abba and Imma Ila'in—they usually show their "back" to Ḥokhma (Wisdom). What does that mean? Well, metaphorically, it means they aren't seeking to receive from Ḥokhma. Instead, they're focused on giving, on radiating outwards. This is connected to the idea that "He delights in mercy," as we've discussed earlier (section 43).

Think of it like this: imagine a flashlight, Ḥokhma, shining its light. Abba and Imma Ila’in aren’t trying to soak up all that light for themselves. They're acting as reflectors, directing the light outwards.

But here's the twist. Yisrael Sabba and Tevuna, which are other, lower aspects of Bina, do need to receive Ḥokhma. According to the Sulam Commentary (section 44), they can only get it through Abba and Imma. So how does that work if Abba and Imma have their backs turned?

This is where Ze’er Anpin comes in. Ze’er Anpin, in its yearning for the light, "raises up the feminine waters" to Yisrael Sabba and Tevuna. What are the "feminine waters?" In Kabbalah, this refers to a stirring from below, an arousal of desire that ascends upwards.

And when this happens, something amazing happens. Abba and Imma "remove their backs" from Ḥokhma! Suddenly, the light of Ḥokhma can flow through them, onward to Yisrael Sabba and Tevuna. The blockage is removed.

This process, we’re told, is drawn from the Bina of the "direct light," extending the illumination of Ḥokhma in the light of giving for Ze’er Anpin. As explained in Petiḥa LeḤokhmat HaKabbala, section 5, it's all about Ze'er Anpin’s "desire" for the light of giving, which then sparks a flow of Ḥokhma.

In essence, whenever Ze’er Anpin raises up the feminine waters, Abba and Imma awaken to draw Ḥokhma to Ze'er Anpin (as we'll see in section 83). So, to recap, Ze'er Anpin wants the light of giving with an illumination of Ḥokhma. This desire activates the flow of Ḥokhma from above and prompts Abba and Imma to "turn to face" the flow, so that the light can pass through to Ze'er Anpin.

Yisrael Sabba and Tevuna play a key role here because they are the lower sefirot of Bina. They have an affinity for the light of giving illuminated by the light of Ḥokhma, just like any lower set of seven sefirot.

So, what does all this complex Kabbalistic imagery mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that sometimes, the things we need most come through unexpected channels. Maybe it's about understanding that even divine energies have their own rhythms and flows, and that our desires can, in a way, influence that cosmic dance. It certainly gives you something to think about, doesn’t it?