96. HE INQUIRES: This verse should have been read this way, 'There is one who gives freely, and yet it will increase.' What is meant by "increases?" HE RESPONDS: It is this place where death resides, MEANING MALCHUT. It causes it an increase in life above AND DRAWS FROM THERE, and increases its LIFE. Rabbi Yehuda said in the name of Rabbi Chiya: The verse gives evidence that for whoever gives CHARITY to the paupers, the Tree of Life is awakened, THAT IS ZEIR ANPIN, to add life to the Tree of Death, WHICH IS MALCHUT. Then there is life and happiness above, IN MALCHUT, and that Tree of Life stands over the person who caused this, BY HIS GIVING OF CHARITY, in a time of need. That Tree of Death shields him and, therefore, it is proper to say, "Yet increases."