"And Reuben went in the days of the wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field". (Gen. 30:14) Rabbi Yitzchak opened [his discourse by quoting] and explaining [the verse]: "how manifold are Your works, G‑d; in wisdom have You made them all, the earth is full of Your creatures". (Psalms 104:24) This verse has already been explained in several places. Yet [we will explain further:] who can count the works of G‑d? For there are many different armies and legions, more than can be numbered. They were [all created] at once. Just as a hammer striking a stone or a red hot iron produces sparks on all sides simultaneously, G‑d brought forth countless, different kinds of legions all at once.

Come and see! The world was formed by word and spirit together as it is written: "By the word of G‑d were the heavens made and all the host of them by the breath ('ruach') of His mouth". (Psalms 33:6) The "word of G‑d" is speech [which Zeir Anpin emanates to malchut] and "the breath of His mouth" is the spirit [the secret of Zeir Anpin which emanates from bina]. One cannot exist without the other and so they are included within each other [in the secret of unification] and several armies upon armies, legions upon legions [of angels] were issued all at once.

Come and see! When G‑d [referring to chochma] wished to create the worlds [the partzufim from bina until malchut], He produced one closed Light [of bina, that includes the first three sefirot]. From that light, all the revealed lights [chesed-gevura-tiferet-netzach-hod-yesod of Zeir Anpin] radiated and all other lights [of the partzufim of the worlds of Beriya, Yetzira, and Asiya] radiated from there. This is the supernal world.

That Supernal Light [of bina] spread further and from it, the Artisan Light that does not illuminate on its own [i.e. malchut that has nothing of its own]. Thus, He made the lower world. Because this light does not shine, it needs to be connected Above [to Zeir Anpin] and below [to the Children of Israel, who receive from it in the secret of Feminine Waters through their good deeds]. Through the connection below, it is connected so as to shine through the connection Above [through the elevation of Feminine Waters, malchut then receives the Masculine Waters from Zeir Anpin]

This light that does not shine of the connection Above [of malchut with Zeir Anpin] produces all the different armies and legions. This is the meaning of, "how manifold are Your works, G‑d in wisdom have You made them all" [through the secret of malchut, called the lower wisdom]. Whatever exists down on earth also exists Above. There is nothing in this world be it ever so small, which does not depend on something appointed over it Above. Thus, when something is aroused below, something appointed over it from Above is aroused because everything is united.

BeRahamim LeHayyim:: Why did the Ari and Chida choose this passage? What are we to learn?

The Zohar has just given over a principle we have reiterated over and over: 'There is nothing in this world be it ever so small, which does not depend on something appointed over it Above.'

So what is to be done with that knowledge?

Perhaps to know, really know, that we are not alone. That we are helped and held from Above. And that we really can make a significant difference. Life here is far than futile. Much more than the "Butterfly" Theory is at stake. Rather there is a whole world of repercussions. Seek oneness here, promote unity, bring together opposing forces, and that, that is our purpose.

What does the above mean to you, and why is it being revealed now??

Bracketed annotations from Metok Midevash and Sulam commentaries
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