44)

Now, also, in the book of the teaching of Rav Hamenuna the Elder it is
said, "And Hadar reigned in his stead." The word HDR, _Hadar_, is properly
to be expounded according unto that which is said, Lev. xxiii. 40, "The
fruit of trees which are HDR, _Hadar_, goodly."

"And in the name of his wife Mehetabel," as it is written (in the text
just cited), "branches of palm-trees."

Also it is written, Ps. xcii. 3, "The just man shall flourish as the
palm-tree." For this is of the male and female sex.

She is called "the daughter of Matred"; that is, the Daughter from that
place wherein all things are bound together, which is called AB, Father.

Also it is written, Job xxviii. 13, "Man knoweth not the price thereof,
neither is it found in the land of the living."

She is the Daughter of Aima, the Mother; from Whose side the judgments are
applied which strive against all things.

"The Daughter of Mizaheb;" because She hath nourishment from the two
Countenances (Chokmah and Binah, which are within Kether); and shineth
with two colors--namely from CHSD, _Chesed_, Mercy; and from DIN, _Din_,
Judgment.

For before the world was established Countenance beheld not
Countenance.(845)

And therefore were the Prior Worlds destroyed, for the Prior Worlds were
formed without (equilibrated) conformation.

But these which existed not in conformation are called vibrating flames
and sparks, like as when the worker in stone striketh sparks from the
flint with his hammer, or as when the smith smiteth the iron and dasheth
forth sparks on every side.

And these sparks which fly forth flame and scintillate, but shortly they
are extinguished. And these are called the Prior Worlds.

And therefore have they been destroyed, and persist not, until the Most
Holy Ancient One can be conformed, and the workman can proceed unto His
work.

And therefore have we related in our discourse that that ray sendeth forth
sparks upon sparks in 320 directions.

And those sparks are called the Prior Worlds, and suddenly they perished.

Then proceeded the workman unto His work, and was conformed, namely as
Male and Female.

And those sparks became extinct and died, but now all things subsist.

From a Light-Bearer of insupportable brightness proceeded a Radiating(846)
Flame, dashing off like a vast and mighty hammer those sparks which were
the Prior Worlds.

And with most subtle ether were these intermingled and bound mutually
together, but only