145. Rabbi Shimon opened the discussion, saying: "He reveals the deep and secret things. He knows what is in the darkness and the light dwells with Him" (Daniel 2:22). "He reveals the deep and secret things", means that the Holy One, blessed be He, reveals the deep and secret things. He reveals all the supernal, concealed depths, NAMELY, THE CENTRAL COLUMN THAT REVEALS THE DEPTHS OF THE TWO COLUMNS OF BINAH. Why did He reveal them? It is because "He knows what is in the darkness," NAMELY IN THE DARKNESS OF THE LEFT WHERE THE LIGHT OF CHOCHMAH SINKS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CHASSADIM. If there was not darkness, the light would not LATER be revealed THROUGH THE CENTRAL COLUMN. "He knows what is in the darkness," MEANING THAT HE INCLUDED IT IN THE RIGHT COLUMN. Therefore, He revealed deep and concealed things, for were it not for the darkness OF THE LEFT, the depths and the concealed would not be revealed. Then "The light dwells with Him". What is this light? It is the light that has been revealed from within the darkness, WHICH IS CHOCHMAH.

146. And from within the darkness that was in the wilderness, this light was revealed to us. May the Merciful One cause light to dwell with you in this world and in the World to Come. Rabbi Shimon and the friends followed him for three miles. RABBI SHIMON said to him: Why did they not go with you, YOUR FIVE PEOPLE, in the beginning, BUT RATHER THEY CAME JUST NOW? THE SAGE said to him: I did not want to bother anyone TO ACCOMPANY ME. But now that they have come, we will travel together. They left and Rabbi Shimon went on his way. Rabbi Aba said to him: We know the name OF THE SAGE, but he does not know the name of my master. He said to him: From him I learnt not to reveal myself, FOR HE DID NOT TELL ME HIS NAME BEFORE I ASKED HIM.