Chapter XXXI

It is known that the verse,1 “G-d established the earth with wisdom,” refers specifically to the wisdom of Torah, for only in it can the [infinite] Ein Sof -light be enclothed and revealed. For Torah preceded the world,2 as it is written:3 “And I (Torah)4 was unto Him…delights,” referring to the “Supernal delights” (sha’ashuim atzmi’im) called “the delights of the King in His Essence”5 pure, essential delight, totally superior to the level of Chochmah. The “delights” include or chozer [lit., “reflected light”], and or yashar [lit., “direct light”].6 This is indicated by the above word for “delight,” שעשועים , which contains the letters shin (ש) and ayin (ע) twice.7 The root שעה means movement and turning, as in the verse, “And G-d turned (וישע) [to Hevel and his offering].”8 The repetition of the two key root letters represents the two antithetical movements the “delight of or chozer ” and the “delight of or yashar ” which are combined, as discussed elsewhere. This [also] corresponds to the joining of Chessed and Gevurah within the pure Delight of the Ein Sof Itself. [This presence of Chessed and Gevurah is alluded to in the Tikkunei Zohar :9] “the [infinite] Ein Sof -light extends upward without end and descends downward without limits.”

This [Divine light] descends from the Supernal delights of the Ein Sof to delight in the Chochmah (“wisdom”) of the Holy Torah (which [comes about through the study of the innermost] reasons of Torah). On this level of Torah as well, there is an interrelation of Chessed and Gevurah , as it is written,10 “Giving them from amid fire [Gevurah] the Torah [that was written] with His right hand [Chessed].” Torah has this quality [of unifying opposites], rooted as it is within the “Supernal delights” of the Ein Sof which combines Chessed and Gevurah , for “the Ein Sof -light extends upward [the direction of the influence of Gevurah] and descends downward [the direction of Chessed].” Therefore, even as the Torah has descended and been drawn down within the order of hishtalshelus , it combines the two levels of Chessed and Gevurah. Torah is therefore called “truth,” for it is the mediator which includes the ascent and descent of Chessed and Gevurah. And this is why there is no enclothement of the Ein Sof -light except in the wisdom of Torah.

Summary:
Torah’s source is the “Supernal delights” which combine two antithetical movements or chozer and or yashar. The Torah therefore combines Chessed and Gevurah , and within it is enclothed the Ein Sof -light.