Introduction to the Book of Zohar (PDF) - Kabbalah Media Archive

I N T RO D U C T I O N T O T H E B O O K O F Z O H A R
corrected it and achieve the third state, for “man cannot correct that
which is absent in him”.
The system of impure forces is necessary as storage of all the corrupted
desires. We extract and correct them one by one, and ascend the
ladder from the first state to the third one, getting closer to the Creator.
Thus, we need not ask how the impure system emerged from the first state
(which is perfect and eternal, because Malchut in the world of Infinity performed
the first restriction [Tzimtzum Aleph] and, having no other desires,
was merged with the Creator). These impure forces appeared so that we
would be able to correct them, and consequently attain the third state.
The gap between the first and the third states makes the impure
system necessary. It is expressed in our falling to the full depth of the
impure forces and subsequently ascending and correcting them in accordance
with the first state. This becomes the third state, because we have
now acquired the impure forces and corrected them.
Therefore, the difference between the first and the third states lies
in the correction of the impure forces and not merely in the reception of
additional forces, desires, and possibilities.
Malchut of the world of Infinity is but a point in the Light. In order
to fill the entire Infinity, the greater, outer circle, Malchut should acquire
impure desires that match the size of that circle. Malchut itself is just a
point in the circle that is surrounded by impure forces. It first acquires
and then corrects them, so they become pure forces of Malchut. Thus,
it fills up the entire circle, acquires the upper nine Sefirot and the point
turns to Partzuf, the Kli the size of Infinity.
The first state, Malchut, is just a point merged with the Creator. It
is perfect, albeit only a point. Malchut in the third state is a huge circle.
You might say that it is 620 times bigger than the first point. In truth, it
is impossible to measure just how much greater the circle becomes with
these 620 desires after it connects them to itself and uses them for the
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