Kabbalah sa Genesis 18:33: Sha'arei Orah

The mystery of this third letter of the Name HaShem-יהו״ה, called Vav-ו, includes six names, corresponding to six Sefirot. These are E”l-א״ל, corresponding to the Sefirah of magnanimity-Gedulah, Elohi”m-אלהי״ם, corresponding to the Sefirah of might-Gevurah, HaShem-יהו״ה, corresponding to the Sefirah of splendor-Tiferet, HaShem of Hosts-HaShem Tzva’ot-יהו״ה צבאו״ת, corresponding to the Sefirah of victory-Netzach, God of Hosts-Elohi”m Tzva’ot-אלהי״ם צבאו״ת, corresponding to the Sefirah of majesty-Hod, and the Living God-E”l Chai-א״ל חי, corresponding to the Sefirah of foundation-Yesod. You thus have learned that the mystery of the Vav-ו of the Name HaShem-יהו״ה includes six holy names of HaShem-יהו״ה, blessed is He.

Upon conclusion of the judgment, all titles that derive merit return to their place, HaShem-יהו״ה withdraws from the judgments, and the titles of Elohi”m-אלהי״ם then conclude the sentence. This is the meaning of the verse,²⁹³Genesis 18:33 – Also see Rabbeinu Bachaye to the verse. “HaShem-יהו״ה departed when He had finished speaking to Avraham, and Avraham returned to his place,” at which point, the third name Elohi”m-אלהי״ם concludes the sentence. About this the verse states,²⁹⁴Genesis 19:29 “And so it was when Elohi”m-אלהי״ם destroyed the cities of the plain,” in which the verse specifies, “Elohi”m-אלהי״ם destroyed,” in that Elohi”m-אלהי״ם concludes and renders the judgment. For, the quality of E”l-א״ל, which is the quality of Avraham, and the quality of HaShem-יהו״ה, both returned to their place, and only Elohi”m-אלהי״ם remained to conclude and render the judgement.

Therefore, the banner of Yitzchak cannot go forth until the banner of Avraham concludes arguing for favor. This is the secret of the verse,³¹⁵Genesis 18:33 – Also see Rabbeinu Bachaye to the verse. “HaShem-יהו״ה departed when He had finished speaking to Avraham, and Avraham returned to his place.” Only then does the next verse state,³¹⁶Genesis 19:29 “And so it was when God-Elohi”m-אלהי״ם destroyed the cities of the plain.” Now, although the quality of Elohi”m-אלהי״ם wrought their destruction, however, when Elohi”m-אלהי"ם remembered Avraham, who is the quality of E”l-א״ל, Lot was saved, as the verse states, “And so it was when God-Elohi”m-אלהי״ם destroyed the cities of the plain, that God-Elohi”m-אלהי״ם remembered Avraham; so He sent Lot from the midst the upheaval, when He overturned the cities in which Lot had lived.” That is, He literally saved him in the middle of the upheaval. The reason is because,³¹⁷Genesis 22:6 “Avraham took the fire-HaAish-האש and the knife-HaMa’achelet-המאכלת in his hand.” Thus, on many occasions Avraham saves, even after judgement has already been decreed for death. This is the secret of his abundant kindness-Rav Chessed-רב חסד, as well as the secret of the titles Merciful-Rachum-רחום and Compassionate-Chanun-חנון, which are titles of the quality of Avraham.