Let’s dive into a fascinating corner of Kabbalistic thought, where we find some answers.

According to the Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, the source of strict judgment, what we might even call "stern judgments," isn't immediately obvious in the supernal realms. Up there, divine kindness holds sway. Think of it like a radiant, all-encompassing love. But as this divine energy descends and reaches Yesod of Imma – and here's where things get interesting – it arrives at a point where it can be revealed.

Now, Yesod means "foundation," and Imma is often translated as "mother" – specifically, the archetypal divine mother. So, at the foundation of the divine feminine, something remarkable happens. It is here, the text says, that five “mighty powers” (gevurot) are produced. These gevurot are associated with strength, severity, and, yes, judgment.

The Zohar, that foundational text of Kabbalah, tells us that “stern judgments are stirred up through her (i.e. Imma)” (Zohar, Vayikra 65a). The wording here is crucial, isn't it? It's not that Imma is inherently judgment, but rather that the attribute of judgment derives from her. Think of it as a mother setting boundaries – it comes from a place of love, but it's still a form of judgment.

These five mighty powers in Yesod of Imma then enter the category of revealed judgment. And from there, says Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, stems the root of Zeir Anpin, which constitutes the governmental order of Justice (mishpat). Zeir Anpin, often referred to as the "Small Face" or the "Son," represents the active, manifest aspect of God in the world. His essence is primarily strict judgment.

However – and this is a crucial "however" – at certain times, the power of mitigation gains strength and holds sway over it. So, even within strict judgment, there's always the potential for mercy and compassion.

This brings us to a rather poetic and enigmatic saying of the sages: “Everything came from the earth (aphar), including even the sphere of the sun” (Zohar, Tzav 34b; Midrash Rabbah Bereishit 12:11). What does that mean?

Well, the "sun" here is an allusion to Zeir Anpin. The “earth,” or aphar, refers to the five mighty powers we talked about earlier, those powers of severity already present in Yesod of Imma. According to this teaching, Zeir Anpin – whose essence is mighty powers and stern judgment – was built out of this foundation. The power of mitigation, that tempering influence, only comes later.

So, what can we take away from all of this? It seems that even the most seemingly harsh aspects of the divine have their roots in a complex interplay of forces, a dance between judgment and mercy, ultimately stemming from the source of all creation. It reminds us that judgment isn't arbitrary; it's a structured process, born from a need for balance and order, and always tempered by the potential for compassion. Maybe understanding this delicate balance can help us better understand the judgments we face in our own lives, too.