23. A deep mystery is found in the strength of Isaac's light OF HOLINESS, and from the dregs of wine, WHICH ARE KLIPOT. One shape emerged FROM BOTH, made of GOOD AND EVIL, male and female, as one. It is red as a rose and extends to many sides and paths, HAVING MANY ASPECTS. The male is called 'Samael' and the female is always included within him. As on the side of holiness, ZEIR ANPIN AND NUKVA ARE ALWAYS INCLUDED ONE WITHIN THE OTHER; so it is on the Other Side, a male and female are included within one another. The female of Samael is called a 'serpent,' "a wife of harlotry," "The End of all Flesh" (Beresheet 6:13), and the end of days.

24. Two evil spirits cling together. THE ILLUMINATION OF the spirit of the male is a thin light, NAMELY, ONLY THE SIX EXTREMITIES WITHOUT THE HEAD. And the spirit of the female materializes in many ways and paths, BEING AN ENTIRE PARTZUF, HEAD, AND BODY, FOR IN THE KLIPAH, THE FEMALE IS LARGER THAN THE MALE. She cleaves to the spirit of the male, wearing ample jewelry like an abominable whore standing on main roads and pathways to seduce men. THIS TEACHES US THAT SHE VALUES ONLY THOSE WHO START WALKING THE PATH OF HASHEM AND ARE APT TO FALL INTO HER TRAP. THEREFORE, SHE IS VIEWED AS STANDING AT THE MAIN (LIT. 'START OF') ROAD TO HASHEM'S DEVOTION. BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE ACCUSTOMED TO THE WAYS OF HASHEM, THE WHORE IS SEPARATED FROM THEM AND HAS NO POWER OVER THEM.

25. When a fool approaches her, she holds and kisses him, and she pours him wine full of dregs and snake's venom. After he drinks, he whores after her. When she sees him whoring after her and turning from the path of truth, she removes all the decorations she put on for that fool, AS WILL BE EXPLAINED.

26. Her seductive features include her hair, which is red as a rose, and her face, which is white and red. In her ears there are six earrings of Egyptian fabric. On her neck hang all the powers of Eastern lands. Her mouth is decorated by a small slit of a comely shape; her tongue is sharp as a sword; her speech as smooth as oil; and her lips as beautiful and red as a rose. Wearing purple and having forty decorations less one, she is sweeter than all that is sweet in the world.

27. The fool follows her, drinks of her wine, and fornicates with her. What does she do? She leaves him sleeping in his bed, goes up to denounce him, and receives permission TO KILL HIM. She then descends ON HIM. The fool awakes thinking of lusting after her, as before. At this point, she has taken off the decorations and has become a mighty oppressor who wears a garment of burning fire that causes great horror and frightens the body and soul. That oppressor has horrible eyes and a sharp sword on which there are bitter drops. The oppressor kills the fool and throws him into Gehenom.

28. Jacob went down to her, TO THE WIFE OF HARLOTRY, and went to her place, as it is written, "and went toward Charan," A PLACE OF WRATH AND JUDGMENTS. He saw all the decoration of her house there and was saved from her, AND SO HE RETURNED TO THE Land of Yisrael. Her male, Samael, was vexed THAT HE WAS SAVED FROM HER. He came down to fight with him but to no avail, as it is written, "and there wrestled a man with him..." (Beresheet 32:25). Then was he saved from them all, completely perfected, and raised by a whole grade. And he was named Yisrael, WHICH CONSISTS OF THE LETTERS LI-ROSH (LIT. 'IT IS MY HEAD'). Wholly perfected, he became the middle pillar, of which it is written, "And the middle bar..." (Shemot 26:28).

29. What is meant by: "he touched the hollow of his thigh" (Beresheet 32:26)? He could not prevail against him, so he touched the hollow of his thigh, denoting Nadab and Abihu, who came from Aaron's thighs. And of Jacob it is written, "and the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end" (We do not consider this paragraph part of the article.) End of Sitrei Torah (Secrets of the Torah).