Abba | אבא
In the figure of Abba, or Father, there are two parts: Abba Ilaa, the Higher Father, and the Partzuf of Israel Saba, the Grandfather. This figure is composed of the upper three Sefirot of Binah in MaH and the lower seven of Chokmah in BaN.
Although Abba is seen as a masculine force, its energy primarily comes from Binah in MaH. It's not like the energy of Chokmah in MaH, which is expansive. Instead, it has a retracting and limiting energy that comes from Binah in MaH. This introduces an element of limitation within the expansive energy of MaH, which is the left side, or Binah, of MaH.
When we study Abba, we see that the strongest energies are in the three Sefirot of Binah in MaH. These limiting energies are blended with the seven Sefirot of Chokmah in BaN, which are expansive energies but of a lower level. The limitations of Binah in MaH act as the first brake on the expansive universe of MaH. Thus, Abba unites these expansive energies just as they are first restrained.
This configuration shows expansive energies attempting to return to Ein Sof, though they can no longer do so entirely. The limiting energies within MaH provide the necessary balance to mingle with the energies of BaN.
Within Abba, the limiting energies of Binah in MaH work to restrain the expansive energies of MaH. They unite with the expansive energies below in Chokmah of BaN. Thus, the feminine (Binah) within the masculine (MaH) joins with the masculine (Chokmah) within the feminine (BaN).
The denser part of Abba, Malkhut of Abba, transforms into the Partzuf of Israel Saba. This transformation is an example of how expansive and restrictive energies interact, demonstrating the ever-changing nature of divine forces in the universe.
It's curious that although Abba began with an expansion of energy, this was curbed by the balancing energy of Ima. However, this interaction did not create a vessel or Keli, showing how intricate these energy interactions are.
Abba's energies are mostly expansive, but within its own Tree of Life, these energies become weaker. They descend through the Sefirot, taking on a form of self-limitation that leads to a specific balance. This balance allows the lower level, Malkhut of Abba or Israel Saba, to have expansive yet limited energy that pairs well with the capacities of Tevunah.
The specific parts of Netzaj, Hod, and Yesod in Israel Saba are crucial to how energies interact. These parts connect with Netzaj, Hod, and Yesod in Tevunah, initiating a kind of metaphysical union in Tevunah. This important connection causes the expansive energies of Israel Saba to enter Tevunah and begin the complex process of forming a Keli, or vessel. Ultimately, this process gives rise to the appearance of physical vessels related to Zeir Anpin.
However, it's the denser energy of Israel Saba that can enter Tevunah and combine with it to create Zeir Anpin. Specifically, in the Sefirot of Netzaj, Hod, and Yesod of Tevunah is where the energies of Israel Saba are contained in a way that allows the Kelim to take shape. The denser energies of Abba and Ima also compress and become denser, ultimately contributing to the creation of matter as we experience it in the real world.
Abba is a general figure that emerges in the world of Atzilut from the Sefirah of Chokmah, which means wisdom. In this context, Abba is considered the first conscious force or the first spark of new understanding that manifests in the soul's consciousness.
The general Abba breaks down into two subordinate figures called Abba Ilaah, which comes from the first three Sefirot of Abba, and Israel Saba, which comes from the last seven Sefirot of Abba.
This general Abba resides in the right arm of another figure called Arikh Anpin. Abba Ilaah extends from the chin to the chest of Arikh Anpin, while Israel Saba extends from the chest to the navel.
From a soul perspective, this means that the higher will to serve the Eternal with love, symbolized by the right arm of Arikh Anpin, gives life and energy to the capacity for perception (the general Abba). Each new understanding has a subconscious direction that can awaken and reveal divine love in the soul.
Abba Ilaah is the higher of the two main figures that come from the Sefirah of Chokmah, forming together what is known as the general Abba. As mentioned earlier, Abba Ilaah is located in the right arm of Arikh Anpin, from the chin to the chest. Additionally, Abba Ilaah draws nourishment from the eighth part of the Dikna of Arikh Anpin, which is the mazal elyon, or the upper source of divine influence. This mazal elyon represents an aspect of God's mercy known as notzer Jesed, meaning He guards loving-kindness.
The dynamic between Abba Ilaah and Ima Ilaah illustrates how divine wisdom and understanding interact. This model of interaction between the "higher father" and the "higher mother" gives us a strong sense of how divine perception and inspiration can work together to create higher understanding and consciousness. In summary, Abba Ilaah symbolizes a higher and deeper level of awareness in the quest for divine understanding.