Chapter IV

Arich encompasses all the Sefiros of Chochmah through Malchus in lengthened form. Just as the laws in their lengthened form are like a different matter when compared to the abbreviated versions, so too is Arich in comparison to the Ten Sefiros. Though Arich includes each of the Ten Sefiros that later emerge from it, by dint of Arich' s length [i.e., the additional illumination of the Sefiros as they are contained within Arich], the Sefiros appear there in a totally different fashion.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Sefiros in Arich are spiritually superior to the Sefiros as they emerge as individual entities, the level of Arich has a connection to the lower world [i.e., the one coming into existence through Keser]. Arich, then, has a direct connection to the lower world, while Atik has a connection to the higher world [from whence both Atik and Arich, the two levels of Keser, emanate].

The Sefirah of Keser, which acts as an intermediary level between the upper [pre-existing] world and the lower world [about to come into existence], is thus composed of two distinct levels, Atik and Arich. Atik is connected to the higher world and Arich to the lower. Both Atik and Arich are rooted in the Sefirah of Malchus of the higher world, i.e., the Sefirah of Malchus contains both Atik and Arich.

Though Malchus is the last of the Ten Sefiros, it alone is able to become the source of and Keser for the lower world. This is because the source of Malchus is loftier than [the sources of] all other Sefiros.

We observe this to be so regarding an individual's soul powers; the power of dominion is above all others. The Sefirah of Malchus too, is rooted more deeply in Keser than are the other Sefiros, as stated in Jewish writings:1 "The first [level] is [more] deeply embedded in the last [level, than in the intermediate levels]."

In every world, the Sefirah of Keser is the first level, and the Sefirah of Malchus is the last. "The first is embedded in the last" then means that Keser is tied more closely to Malchus than to the other Sefiros, and Malchus contains within it more of the Sefirah of Keser than do the other Sefiros.

We find this to be so concerning a person's body as well. A person's feet can lead his head to a place where the head alone cannot go. Also, there are times when a person can alleviate his headache by healing his feet. So too with regard to Malchus: the first and foremost Sefirah, Keser, is most firmly implanted within Malchus. It is for this reason that Malchus in particular becomes the source, i.e., the Keser, of the lower world.

This is also why Malchus is the final hei of G-d's Ineffable Name, and as such includes man's years [of life]. For the ultimate purpose of life is to purify and elevate the world, which is created and sustained through the Sefirah of Malchus.

It is for this reason that, "Better for me the Torah of Your mouth," which is learned by the soul in this physical world, "than thousands [of pieces] of gold and silver," i.e., the previous spiritual service of the soul [prior to its descent into this world], for through the study of Torah and performance of mitzvos in this world, the soul is elevated.

In summary: Just as the laws which are explained at length with all their ramifications, rewards and punishments in the Gemara and by the codifiers are quite different from the version outlined in the Abbreviated Code of Law, so too is Arich different from the Ten Sefiros. The Sefirah of Malchus refers to the Congregation of Israel.