Concerning this our Sages of blessed memory said, "Originally it arose in [G‑d's] thought to create the world with the attribute of stern judgement; He saw, however, that the world could not endure, [so] He combined with it the attribute of mercy," that is, the revelation of G‑dliness through the Tzaddikim and the signs and miracles recorded in the Torah. And regarding this, it was stated in the Zohar, "Above, in the 'Side of Supernal Holiness,' there is right and left," namely, Chesed and Gevurah. This means that both are attributes of G‑dliness, above the intellect and comprehension of the creatures, for "He and His attributes are One in the world of Atzilut." Even the comprehension of Moses, our teacher, peace unto him, in his prophetic vision, was not in the world of Atzilut [itself], but only as it [ Atzilut ] becomes clothed in the world of Beriah; and even then, was not of these two attributes, Chesed and Gevurah, but only as they become clothed in attributes which are of lower levels than they, viz. the attributes of Netzach (victory, eternity), Hod (majesty), Yesod (foundation) [as is explained in Shaar HaNevuah].

It is only the Tzaddikim in Gan Eden who are granted the reward of comprehending the spreading forth of the life-force and light which issues from these two attributes, Chesed and Gevurah. And this [comprehension] is the "food" of the souls of the Tzaddikim who, in this world, occupied themselves with the study of Torah for its own sake. For from the spreading forth of these two attributes, a firmament is spread over the souls in Gan Eden, and this firmament is called Razah D'Oraytah ("The secret of the Torah"). In it is the secret of the twenty-two letters of the Torah which was given from these two attributes, as it is written, "From His right hand He gave unto them a fiery Law." And from this firmament drops dew as "food" for the souls, i.e., the knowledge of the secret of the twenty-two letters of the Torah. For this firmament is the "Secret of knowledge," and the Torah is the "food" of the souls in Gan Eden, and the precepts are "garments" [of the souls], as all this is explained [in Zohar Vayakhel, pp. 209-210 and in Etz Chayim, Shaar 44, ch. 3].