The Ascent of Malkhut to Bina 15. It is important to fully understand the concept of the tempering of Malkhut in Bina, which is the root of the whole wisdom of Kabbala.²³ describes the formation and governing of the higher and lower worlds. The ascent of Malkhut to Bina is a fundamental conceptual component of this process. This ascent acts as the driver of these formations, the myriad structures that comprise the worlds of Atzilut, Beria, Yetzira and Asiya and their contents.  Malkhut is the mystical meaning of the attribute of judgment through which the world cannot exist.²⁴, which is the will to receive, was unable to directly receive the supernal light. As a result, Malkhut operates as a force that limits the light and imposes darkness upon the vessels. This limiting dynamic is the “attribute of judgement” discussed here. In contrast, Bina represents the “will to bestow,” which is not affected by the first constriction and is not a force that limits the supernal light. The limiting force of Malkhut is described in Kabbala as a harsh force, blocking out the supernal light. As a result, the ascent of Malkhut to Bina is meant to temper that harshness by mixing together the limiting force of Malkhut with the bestowing dynamic of Bina. Therefore, the Creator raised Malkhut to the sefira of Bina, which is the attribute of mercy. The Sages alluded to this idea: “Initially it was God’s intent to create the world through the attribute of judgment,” that is, through Malkhut alone, which is the attribute of judgment. “When He saw that the world could not exist with the attribute of judgment alone, He preceded it with the attribute of mercy, partnering it with the attribute of judgment” (Bereshit Rabba, end of 12). Through the ascent of Malkhut to Bina, Malkhut receives the form of Bina, which is the attribute of mercy, and then Malkhut directs the world through the attribute of mercy.

footnotes: ²³ The wisdom of the Kabbala ²⁴ After the first constriction, Malkhut

This ascent of Malkhut to Bina occurs in each and every level, from the beginning of the world of Atzilut until the end of the world of Asiya. There is no level that does not contain ten sefirot: Keter, Ḥokhma, Bina, Ḥesed, Gevura, Tiferet, Netzaḥ, Hod, Yesod, and Malkhut. The Malkhut that is in every level ascended to Bina in that level and was tempered there.