161. "And he built there an altar" (Beresheet 35:7). Come and behold, it is written that "he built there an altar," but not that he offered libations and sacrifices. This is because he completed the grade worthy of perfection, "an altar to Hashem," means, he fixed the lower grade, THE NUKVA, and attached it to the upper grade, ZEIR ANPIN. Thus, "And he built there an altar" is the lower grade, THE NUKVA; "to Hashem" is the upper grade, ZEIR ANPIN; "and called the place El Bethel," WHICH IS the name HE GAVE THE NUKVA, is that of the supernal BINAH. For when THE NUKVA shone FROM ZEIR ANPIN, the daughter, THE NUKVA, became like her mother, BINAH. THEREFORE, JACOB NAMED HER EL, AFTER HER MOTHER. AND ALL IS ONE.

162. "Because there the Elohim was (lit. 'were') revealed to him." THIS VERSE SIGNIFIES THAT ANGELS "WERE REVEALED," IN THE PLURAL AND NOT IN THE SINGULAR. WHY DID HE CALL THE ALTAR "EL BETHEL?" BECAUSE they are found only with the Shechinah. These seventy angels are always with Her, and seventy thrones stand around the Shechinah. WHEREVER ANGELS ARE FOUND, THE SHECHINAH IS REVEALED. Therefore, THE SCRIPTURE SAYS, "Because there the Elohim were revealed to him," in an open place, THE NUKVA, as it is written, "And, behold, Hashem stood above it" (Beresheet 28:13), NAMELY, UPON THE LADDER, WHICH IS THE NUKVA.