Introduction to Sulam Commentary

Three Types of Ḥokhma in Atzilut 41. There are three types of Ḥokhma in the world of Atzilut:

a. The Ḥokhma in the ten sefirot of the direct light, which, in the partzufim, is the sealed Ḥokhma of Arikh Anpin.63The Ḥokhma of Arikh Anpin is described as sealed because it does not reach the lower levels in any direct form. As the previous sections have explained, the entire process of the rectification of lines allows for the illumination of Ḥokhma to reach the lower created beings. However, this ultimate illumination is only a reflection of the pure light of Ḥokhma that is manifest at the highest reaches of Atzilut.

b. The first three of Bina, which is Abba and Imma in the partzufim and which is called the Ḥokhma of the right.64Recall that the level of Bina of Arikh Anpin was ejected from its proper place because of the ascent of Malkhut in the second constriction (as explained in section 26 above). Bina itself has a higher aspect (its “first three”) and a lower aspect (Yisrael Sabba and Tevuna). The aspect of the first three (Abba and Imma Ila'in, literally, “supernal father” and mother”) is said to be the Ḥokhma of the right. This is because this Bina is part of Arikh Anpin, which is the Ḥokhma of Atzilut.

c. The lower seven of Bina, which is Yisrael Sabba and Tevuna in the partzufim and which is called the Ḥokhma of the left.65The illumination of Ḥokhma that is found in the lower aspect of Bina (Yisrael Sabba and Tevuna is called the Ḥokhma of the left and represents the left line referred to in previous sections.

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