קבלה אויף בראשית 14:20

This Divine quality is also called the Supernal God-E”l Elyon-א״ל עליון. Now, our forefather Avraham, peace be upon him, pursued this Divine quality – which is entirely kindness, mercy, and compassion – all the days of his life. He even accepted various afflictions and pain upon himself in order to merit it. Thus, because of his great toil in attaining it, and his love of it, he merited this Divine quality as his inheritance. This is the meaning of the verse,⁷Genesis 14:20 “Blessed is Avram to the Supernal God-E”l Elyon-א״ל עליון,” and as it similarly states,⁸Genesis 21:23 “He planted a Tamarisk in Beer Sheva, And he called there in the Name HaShem, God of the world-HaShem E”l Olam-יהו״ה א״ל עולם.”

Now, you sometimes will find the Name HaShem-יהו״ה unified with E”l-א״ל, as in the verse,⁵⁰Psalms 118:27 “HaShem is God-E”l HaShem-א״ל יהו״ה and He enlightens for us.” What is meant is that when E”l HaShem-א״ל יהו״ה is mentioned, the entire world is judged with Supernal kindness-Chessed Elyon and abundant mercies-Rachamim, and there is no judgment-Din there whatsoever. There is neither prosecutor, accuser, nor challenger, but rather, it all is with kindness-Chessed and mercy-Rachamim. At such a time, all the luminaries of the Sefirot are in a state of great perfection, the heavens-Shamayim-שמים are in a state of purity, and the earth-Aretz-ארץ is in a state of joy and illumination. For, His title E”l-א״ל is the matter of His Supernal kindness-Chessed Elyon,⁵¹See the second gate where the three aspects of kindness-Chessed were discussed. from which bestowal descends to the kindness of Avraham-Chessed Avraham. This is the secret of the verse about Avraham,⁵²Genesis 21:33 “And he called there in the Name of HaShem, God of the world-HaShem E”l Olam-יהו״ה א״ל עולם.” For, Avraham then acquired the quality of kindness-Chessed as his portion and adhered to it. This is why in the blessing “Magen Avraham-the Shield of Avraham” we recite,⁵³In the liturgy of the Amidah prayer. “Supernal God-E”l Elyon-א״ל עליון Who bestows bountiful kindnesses,” and the verse likewise states,⁵⁴Genesis 14:20 “Blessed is Avram to the Supernal God-E”l Elyon-א״ל עליון.”

This refers to the mystery of Avraham, about whom it says,³⁰⁷Genesis 14:20 “Blessed is Avram to the Supernal God-E”l Elyon-א״ל עליון.” It likewise is written,³⁰⁸Psalms 104:13 “He waters the mountains from His upper chambers-Aliyotav-עליותיו.” That is, the word, “His upper chambers-Aliyotav-עליותיו” refers to the “Supernal God-E”l Elyon-א״ל עליון,” which transcends the name Elohi”m-אלהי״ם, as explained before about the secret of the verse,³⁰⁹Psalms 95:3 “For HaShem is a Great God-E”l Gadol HaShem-א״ל גדול יהו״ה, and a great King over every Elohi”m-אלהי״ם.” For, it indeed is so, that the name E”l-א״ל is greater and over the name Elohi”m-אלהי״ם. This is the meaning of the title “Abundant in kindness-Rav Chessed-רב חסד,” for He certainly is abundant in kindness-Rav Chessed-רב חסד.³¹⁰That is, the quality of kindness-Chessed precedes and is dominant over the quality of judgment-Din, as explained before, and as will now be further explained.