228. “The eighth commandment, etc.” The eighth commandment is to love the convert who comes to be circumcised and to enter under the wings of the Divine Presence. She, the Malkhut, brings under her wings all those who separate themselves from the impure other side [Sitra Aḥara] and draw near to her, as it is stated: “Let the earth bring forth the living creature [nefesh ḥaya] after its kind” [Genesis 1:24].

Explanation: The topic of the wings of the Divine Presence is a lengthy and profound matter, but I will clarify it as much as necessary to understand this section. The Malkhut, which is the Nukba of Ze’er Anpin, is called the Divine Presence with respect to the [dynamic of] revelation. [The Malkhut] does not depart from us even when we are very far from it, in the mystical meaning of: “In every place where they were exiled, the Divine Presence is with them” [see Megilla 29a], and in the mystical meaning of: “That dwells [ha-shokhen] with them in the midst of their impurity” [Leviticus 16:16; see Yoma 56b]. From this perspective, Ze’er Anpin is called Shokhen, and the Nukba [is called the] Divine Presence. This revelation [of the Divine Presence] occurs only when [Ze’er Anpin] and Nukba are face-to-face at an equal height, since [in that state] the illumination of their pairing is very great, until the unification [of Ze’er Anpin and Nukba] is revealed even in the most remote and restricted places.

It is known that the structure of maturity of [Ze’er Anpin] and Nukba does not develop all at once. Rather, first the immaturity of [Ze’er Anpin] and Nukba is constructed with the brains of the six extremities. After this [construction, the brains of] maturity are drawn forth. This [process] applies to all levels of [Ze’er Anpin] and Nukba. Moreover, even when [Ze’er Anpin] and Nukba have the brains of maturity, the brains of immaturity are not nullified, Heaven forbid, because they too must assist in the pairings [of Ze’er Anpin and Nukba when they are in the state] of the brains of maturity. At that stage, [the brains of immaturity are] called “the wings of the Divine Presence.”

This is the mystical meaning of the verse: “And the cherubim shall spread out their wings on high, screening the ark-cover with their wings” [Exodus 25:20]. The main function [of the wings of the Divine Presence] is to spread their wings and cover the illumination of the pairings [of Ze’er Anpin and Nukba when they are in the state] of maturity, such that even the most distant will be able to receive from the light of the pairing without anything thereby reaching the kelippot. Those who are not in a state of complete purity are always rebuffed by the light of holiness, out of fear that they might transfer the shefa to the kelippot. However, by means of the covering of the wings [of the Divine Presence], there is a great protection of the shefa, until even the ones nearest to the kelippot cannot fail and [thereby] bring down the shefa to the kelippot, because the wings protect [those distant entities].

Therefore, one who comes to convert and be circumcised, because his body derives from the aspect of the foreskin – for his ancestors did not stand at Mount Sinai and the contamination of the snake was not removed from them – nevertheless, we still have the power to raise him to supernal holiness. [This is achieved] by raising feminine waters for the pairing of [Ze’er Anpin] and Nukba in the mature state of face-to-face. The wings of the Divine Presence rule there, spreading their wings and covering the light of that pairing, as stated. Then we can also raise the soul of the convert there, and he is sanctified by the light of that pairing.

Although [that convert] is not entirely pure, at that time he can receive from the illumination of the pairing, because the wings protect him so that the shefa [he receives] will not be transferred to the kelippot, Heaven forbid, despite the fact that he is near them. The reason why [the Zohar] states “under the wings of the Divine Presence” is because [the converts] can receive only from the light of Malkhut, and only from the wings [of Malkhut], i. e., the exterior of Malkhut. They cannot [receive] from the body of the Divine Presence, much less from Ze’er Anpin itself, as [the Zohar] will proceed to explain.

[The Zohar continues]: “She brings under her wings etc.” One might question [this by noting] that [the Zohar] previously stated “and to enter under the wings of the Divine Presence,” which implies that we must raise the convert [to be] under the wings of the Divine Presence. Here [however], [the Zohar] says that “she brings under her wings,” implying that the Divine Presence herself raises the [converts] up [to be under her wings].

The explanation is that it is only possible to draw the soul of the convert closer at the time of a pairing [of Ze’er Anpin and Nukba in the state] of maturity. Only then do the wings of the Divine Presence cover the illumination [generated by] the pairing, as stated. Consequently, we must first raise feminine waters, to arouse this pairing of maturity and draw the illumination of the pairing to our souls. Then the Divine Presence spreads her wings and covers the light of the Divine Presence, bringing the soul of the convert under her wings. Thus, we first elevate the soul of the convert by means of our feminine waters, and after [that soul] has ascended the Divine Presence will receive him under her wings.