223. “The seventh commandment, etc.” The seventh commandment is to be circumcised at eight days and to remove the contamination of the foreskin. That creature [ḥaya], which is Malkhut, is the eighth level of all levels, i. e., [when counting] starting from Bina. That soul which flies from [Malkhut] must show itself before [Malkhut] at eight days, for it is the eighth level.

Explanation: The Nukba of Ze’er Anpin is called a “creature” [ḥaya] only through its ascent and enclothing of the Bina, which is the eighth level of the ten sefirot, [when counting] from below to above. The Malkhut, which is Nukba of Ze’er Anpin, is also called “eighth,” because it ascended eight levels, from [its own level] to the Bina. Only then is it also called a “creature” [ḥaya], like the Bina.

Now, the soul of man, which is born from the Nukba of Ze’er Anpin called a “creature” [ḥaya] and “eighth,” must show itself before the Nukba with the rectifications of circumcision and [the act of] uncovering [that precedes the circumcision], on the eighth day after [the soul’s] birth. [Through this] it is apparent and evident that the soul [comes] from that holy creature [ḥaya], and not from another side. [This is] because it is through the power of the circumcision and uncovering that the Sitra Aḥara is entirely rebuffed from that human soul, and [the soul] can receive the full lights of that creature [the Malkhut called ḥaya]. This is the meaning of “Let the waters swarm” [see next section]. Through this, the [soul] receives the supernal masculine waters [flowing from] [Ze’er Anpin] and Nukba and is completed through these waters.