9. Come and behold, as long as Abraham was not circumcised, only that grade dwelt upon him, as we explained - THAT IS, THE GRADE OF NUKVA WHILE SHE WAS CALLED "A VISION." But after he was circumcised, it is written, "And Hashem appeared to him!" But it is not mentioned to whom, because it is not written, 'And Hashem appeared to AbrahamAbraham!' AND HE ANSWERS, IF IT WERE WRITTEN, 'to Abraham,' then what greater sort of praise would there be than that which existed before he was circumcised? Because even then it was written, "And Hashem appeared to Abraham" (Beresheet 12:7).