עקודיםLights Bound Together

akudimIn Gamatria ↗

The light withdrew, and what it left behind became the vessel.

From the mouth of Adam Kadmon the inner and surrounding lights come out joined through one channel, and here vessels begin. There is only a single vessel, though, holding ten lights 'bound' together: akudim, from Jacob's dream of 'ringed, speckled and spotted' flocks (Genesis 31:10). These lights come out deliberately incomplete and rise back to their source to be completed. As they rise, the coarser part cannot follow and thickens into a vessel. Each departing light leaves an impression (reshimu) behind to shine on the one below. Only Malkhut, with nothing beneath it, leaves none. Vital calls this a first, gentler 'nullification of kings', taken apart in order to be built.

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