Introduction of the Ra'avad, of blessed memory

(Precisely in the language of the Talmud) original: "mitin b'lashon talmud m'duka" because it is from the Knowledge of the World, and you must know this language. Similarly, it contains the likeness of every living thing, each according to its species. In the Scripture, these likenesses represent the essence of every form, and this is the secret of the Living Creatures running and returning original: "Chayot retzo va-shov," a reference to the angelic movement in Ezekiel 1:14, here signifying the dynamic pulse of creation. Man was made in His image and His likeness because in that high degree exists the form of all forms. Therefore, there is an Agent, a Form, and a Purpose. This is not according to the path of the philosophers who say that the form of everything exists only as a chain of Cause and Effect original: "ilah v'alul".

In the Book of Measurements Sefer Ha-Middot, just as there is an Agent, so too must there be ordered powers—both simple and complex—all arranged in this manner. For example, the power of the Imagination or "Form-giver," original: "Ha-Mitzayer" to draw is not weak or lacking; it follows an order that changes for the general death but not for the specific death. The Agent must possess the Power of Engraving original: "Koach Ha-Chakikah" to carve out the details of these great existences and to balance them.

Consider the intent: the bones are hollow and marrow-filled, and all the joints of the hand are shaped according to the specific needs of every individual part of the species, until every kind is perfected according to its "Upper Species." In this way, God is called Creator, Former, and Engraver. He must set limits through His engraving so that every being is sufficient to its kind.

The Heaven-Rider... and He is called the Encompasser because every single thing lives by His measure.

This applies to all hollow spaces, whether in the bones, the sinews, or the veins; some places are wider and stronger, some thick and some thin. It would be an error to call this "chance," for if it were so, the species would not align. All plants are formed in their specific details—length, thickness, and width—according to a general plan.

As an example: if you take a twenty-year-old man and a ten-day-old infant, you will see they are ordered according to the same proportions; the large parts are large and the small parts are small, each in their proper place. Thus, the Agent must have the Encompassing Power original: "Koach Ha-Makif" to distribute every lack or law according to its necessity—some parts recessed and some protruding—and they do not fluctuate by mistake, but are precisely strengthened.

This rule applies to all: the silent (mineral), the growing (vegetable), the living (animal), and the speaking (human), as well as the heavenly spheres. All this comes from the power of the name Shaddai. When parts change or reach their limit, it is known in every species and every part at a specific time. Our Sages of blessed memory explained the name Shaddai He-Shin-Dalet-Yud as: "He who said to His world, 'Enough!'" original: "She-amar l'olamo dai". This was to prevent the world from stretching out and expanding infinitely.

In the Book of the Boundary Sefer Ha-Gevul, it is said: He moved the world, and it shrunk and gathered together so they would not vanish or exceed their limit, neither in width nor in thickness.

Who poured out His kindness upon it? Every single detail of the living species has a limit and a measure; it shall not add nor subtract from its "nest" its established place. He gave it understanding and a boundary. This is hinted at by the "Palm tree that dwells over the multitude." This likely refers to a Kabbalistic configuration of the Sefirot, specifically the attribute of Malchut (Kingship) or the "Crown" (Atarah) which limits the flow of divine energy.

"Upon what were its foundations sunk?" Job 38:6 Know that every lack on earth is influenced by the Upper Heavens. There are Twelve Columns of the Earth, and Seven Columns, and this One Column—the Crown Atarah—upon which the world stands. Similarly, the attribute of Beauty Tiferet stands upon columns, and there are twelve boundaries of the diagonal. This is the meaning of "He hangs the earth upon nothingness" Job 26:7 and "The Lord by wisdom founded the earth."

"Or who laid its cornerstone?" Job 38:6 This refers to the "Stone" of Beauty, which is the Foundation Stone term: Even Shetiyah — In Jewish tradition, the spiritual center of the universe, located under the Holy of Holies in the Temple from which the world was founded. In the lack of its opposite, all the higher qualities are for the sake of kindness... The text here becomes a highly technical discussion of the "Seventy Facets" and the "Face and Back" of divine emanations.