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
We learn that the light is emanated from the Creator. This light
is referred to as a “zero (or root) phase”, which is afterwards called Keter
pertaining to the Sefirot. The zero phase builds for itself a Kli, phase one,
the will to receive, or Hochma. By acting inside the Kli, the light creates a
sensation of its source in it, i.e., of the zero phase.
Therefore, first, the light creates a desire in the zero phase, and
then gives it a sensation of itself. Since the desire wants to feel pleasure,
enter into it, connect with it, it reveals the root, the source of this desire,
namely the zero phase.
Thus, sub-phases emerge within phase one. A desire is created and
feels pleasure. Consequently, by feeling pleasure, the desire longs to enter
it, “cling” to it. While
being “inside”, it begins to
feel the source of pleasure,
and, naturally, this sensation
creates in it a new desire
to become similar to
the source.
This similarity to the
source of pleasure happens
to be a transition from
phase one to phase two.
Phase two wishes to become similar to the source, but this decision is
made at the end of phase one. Thus, it gives birth to a new desire – to
bestow. This second phase is called Bina.
Bina in its turn consists of several sub-phases. In this way, the light’s
influence inside the desire creates in it a series of consecutive transformations.
Here I see fit to emphasize that the Upper Light affecting us is able
to do with us absolutely everything: make us either similar or opposite to
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