7. Rabbi Elazar began TO EXPLAIN THAT this verse refers to events after the circumcision of Abraham. Before the circumcision, the Holy One, blessed be He, spoke to him only through the lower grade - SPOKE THROUGH "A VISION," WHICH REFERS TO THE NUKVA WHILE IT IS STILL AT THE STAGE OF THE ILLUMINATION OF THE LEFT SIDE. AS IT IS WRITTEN, "AFTER THESE THINGS THE WORD OF HASHEM CAME TO ABRAHAM IN A VISION..." The upper grades were not attached to this grade, WHICH MEANS THAT THE UPPER GRADES OF ZEIR ANPIN WERE NOT ATTACHED TO THE NUKVA. As soon as Abraham was circumcised, "the flowers appeared on the earth." These are the lower grades, brought forth and established by the lower grade THAT IS CALLED "A VISION," SO THAT THEY MAY BE UNITED WITH ALL THE UPPER GRADES.