154. "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the water" (Beresheet 1:6). Rabbi Yehuda said that these words indicate that the upper water was separated from the lower water and that a "firmament" means the spreading of water. Hence, he continues, the words "and let it divide water from water," mean let there be a division between the upper and lower waters.

155. "And Elohim made the firmament" (Ibid. 7). THE WORDS "AND ELOHIM MADE" INDICATE THAT He acted by supernal greatness. It was not said 'there was a firmament,' but that He "made the firmament," indicating that He invested it with greatness.

156. Rabbi Yitzchak said that in the second DAY Gehenom was created for the wicked of the world. On the second DAY, conflict was created. The work was not finished on the second DAY, BUT ON THE THIRD. Thus the words "and it was good" were not used in conjunction with the second day. They were used only when the third day came, and the work was accomplished. Hence, "and it was good" was said twice, once for finishing the work started on the second day and once in reference to the third day's work. On the third day, the second day was corrected, and the conflict was settled FOR THE SAKE OF REVEALING THE RADIANCE OF BOTH. On the third day, mercy was extended to EXEMPT all of the sinners in Gehenom FROM PUNISHMENT. On the third day, the flames of Gehenom were moderated, OR COOLED, SO THAT THEY DID NOT SCORCH ANYMORE. Hence the second day was included in the third and completed by it.

157. Rabbi Chiya, who was sitting in front of Rabbi Shimon, asked him why, if the light emerged on the first day and if darkness, the separation of waters, and discord occurred on the second, was all not perfected by THE ILLUMINATION OF the first day, when the right embraced the left? SINCE THE LIGHT OF THE RIGHT, CONSIDERED THE ROOT OF THE SECOND DAY, HAD ALREADY EMERGED ON THE FIRST DAY, WHY WAS THE SECOND DAY MADE IN NEED OF THE THIRD DAY'S CORRECTION? RABBI CHIYA FURTHER POINTED OUT THAT THROUGH THE SECOND DAY'S CORRECTION BY THE THIRD DAY, ITS OWN RADIANCE WAS REDUCED, SUCH THAT IT COULD NOT SHINE DOWNWARD. IF THE SECOND DAY HAD BEEN CORRECTED BY THE FIRST DAY, THEN IT WOULD HAVE MAINTAINED ITS ESSENCE, AND NOT HAVE REDUCED ITSELF. RABBI SHIMON said that this was the reason for the conflict. Actually, THE FIRST DAY WANTED TO CORRECT THE DEFICIENCY OF THE SECOND, AS THE ROOT WANTS TO CORRECT THE BRANCH. BUT THE SECOND DAY WOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY CONTROL BY THE FIRST DAY AND DISSENTED. Hence, it was necessary for the third day to intervene, settle the conflict between them, and restore peace.