Ramchal indicates at the beginning of Petach<\/i> 52 that t<\/b>he<\/b> source of the makeup of Zeir<\/i> Anpin <\/i>is <\/b>in fact Imma’s<\/i><\/b> Judgment <\/b>element — her five Gevurot<\/i> <\/b>[1].<\/i><\/p>\n
As we pointed out in our previous entry, the Partzuf<\/i> of Zeir<\/i> Anpin<\/i> is the next-to-last one, lying below Erich Anpin<\/i>, Abba<\/i>, and Imma<\/i>, and right atop Nukveh<\/i>.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ll be discussing Zeir<\/i> Anpin <\/i>because its six component Sephirot<\/i> (Chessed<\/i>, Gevurah<\/i>, Tipheret<\/i>, Netzach<\/i>, Hod<\/i>, and Yesod<\/i>) and Nukveh<\/i> comprise the Partzuf<\/i>-equivalent of the lower seven Sephirot<\/i> under discussion.<\/p>\n
His point here is that Zeir<\/i> Anpin<\/i> is rooted in Gevurah<\/i> (harsh judgment). Let\u2019s see what\u2019s significant about that.<\/p>\n
As he explains in his own comments here, \u201cthe whole thrust of Zeir<\/i> Anpin<\/i> is to govern according to (harsh) Judgment\u201d [2]. \u201cFor while Erich<\/i> Anpin<\/i> governs through kindness and (it allows for) every aspect of mitigation by mitigating all judgments wherever they may be [3], Zeir Anpin<\/i> is just the opposite\u201d.<\/p>\n
After all, we\u2019re taught that God is \u201ccompassionate and gracious, slow to anger — Erich<\/i> Anpin<\/i> in Aramaic — and abundant in loving kindness and truth, preserving loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and rebellion and sin\u201d (Exodus 34:6-7).<\/p>\n
Notes:<\/p>\n
[1] For more on what\u2019s depicted in Petach<\/i> 52 see Iggerot Pitchei Chochma v\u2019Da\u2019at<\/i> 38, and Klallim Rishonim<\/i> 15-16, 23.<\/p>\n
[2] See Petach<\/i> 53; Ma\u2019amar HaVichuach<\/i> 136; Pitchei Chochma v\u2019Da\u2019at<\/i> 83; Adir Bamarom<\/i> pp. 28a, 92b; Zohar, Iddrah Rabbah<\/i>, Parshat Naso<\/i> 138b; Eitz Chaim<\/i>, Sha\u2019ar HaKavannot Yom HaKippurim<\/i> 102b.<\/p>\n
[3] See Iddrah Rabbah <\/i>129; Da\u2019at Tevunot<\/i> 154.<\/p>\n
(c) 2013 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman<\/p>\n
Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org<\/a><\/p>\n ———————————————————-<\/p>\n AT LONG LAST! Rabbi Feldman’s translation of Maimonides’ “Eight Chapters” is available here<\/a> at a discount.<\/p>\n You can still purchase a copy of Rabbi Feldman’s translation of “The Gates of Repentance” here<\/a> at a discount as well.<\/p>\n Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has also translated and commented upon “The Path of the Just” and “The Duties of the Heart” (Jason Aronson Publishers).<\/p>\n Rabbi Feldman also offers two free e-mail classes on www.torah.org entitled “Spiritual Excellence<\/a>\u201d and \u201cRamchal<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ramchal indicates at the beginning of Petach 52 that the source of the makeup of Zeir Anpin is in fact Imma’s Judgment element — her five Gevurot [1]. As we pointed out in our previous entry, the Partzuf of Zeir … Continue reading