98. Rabbi Shimon said: It is written, "This is the sacrifice of Aaron and his sons, which they shall offer to Hashem" (Vayikra 6:13). Come and behold: the wicked in the world cause the Holy One, blessed be He, to depart from the Congregation of Yisrael. Hence, it is written: "A perverse man sows strife: and a mischief-maker separates close friends" (Mishlei 16:28). Who is the close friend? It is the Holy One, blessed be He, as written: "You are the close friend of my youth" (Yirmeyah 3:4). They separate zot ('this,' fem.), MALCHUT, from zeh ('this,' masc.), ZEIR ANPIN, which is household peace, NAMELY YESOD, they who are united together.
99. The holy Aaron and his sons came. By their efforts, the two were brought near and zeh, ZEIR ANPIN, joined zot, MALCHUT. Hence, "with this (Heb. zot) shall Aaron come into the Holy" (Vayikra 16:3), and, "this (Heb. zeh) is the sacrifice of Aaron and his sons." They mate the Holy Supernal King, ZEIR ANPIN, with the Matron, MALCHUT. Through them, the upper and lower are blessed and blessings abound in all the worlds. And everything is one without separation.
100. You may ask why it does not say: "This (Heb. zot) is the sacrifice," WHICH MEANS drawing near Zot, MALCHUT, to Her place, ZEIR ANPIN. WHY DOES IT SAY ZEH (LIT. 'THIS') IS THE SACRIFICE," (VAYIKRA 6:13) WHICH ONLY ALLUDES TO ZEIR ANPIN? IT IS MALCHUT THAT WE SHOULD DRAW NEAR ZEIR ANPIN, AND NOT THE OTHER WAY ROUND. HE ANSWERS: This is not so. WHEN THE PRIEST BRINGS THE SACRIFICE BELOW, the priest above, REFERRING TO THE SFIRAH OF CHESED, begins to bring about the union to the Congregation of Yisrael, MALCHUT, until he reaches Zeh, DENOTING ZEIR ANPIN, and attaches it to Zot, INDICATING MALCHUT, and brings them together. AS THE PRIEST BELOW DRAWS MALCHUT NEAR ZEIR ANPIN, SO DOES THE PRIEST ABOVE DRAW ZEIR ANPIN NEAR MALCHUT. The priest therefore completes the sacrifice and brings about the mating. Happy is their portion in this world and in the World to Come.