Clarifying the Source of Chessed of Yishmoel
However, we still need clarification, since the Hamshocha to Yishmoel is from Avrohom, and since Avrohom is the kindness of holiness how could the 'Chessed' of the other side descend from there?
And even though our sages of blessed memory have stated in the 'Talmud' that "from Avrohom Yishmoel exited” - that he is in a state of exit, nevertheless, it is from him (from Avrohom).
It’s all very well regarding to Yitzchok that Eisov exited from him because Yitzchok's ethos is one of 'Gevuros’, and it is because of the many 'Gevuros' and contractions that a nurture was even possible to [exit to] the other side. But [the question remains] Avrohom whose ethos was 'Chessed', emitting light and revelation - how is it possible that it could go to the other side?
The Role of Tohu in the Birth of Yishmoel
However, the explanation is that the birth of Yishmoel occurred prior to Avrohom’s circumcision when Avrohom was still on the level of 'Tohu', and was operating in the realm of 'Chessed' of 'Tohu'. Therefore, Yishmoel who symbolises the 'Chessed' of the other side, was able to come out of him. This is because as the vessels of 'Tohu' collapsed and broke up and the sparks from the lights fell below, the sparks and light from Chessed of 'Tohu' were of such force and vigour that it brought about the 'Chessed' of Yishmoel below. This is the 'Chessed' of the 'Klipohs' and is given in the ultimate haughtiness and self-worth etc.
This will be better understood through that which is written in the 'Ohr Hachaim' regarding the lion which is a non-kosher animal, whereas the ox is a kosher animal. Seemingly, this needs clarification considering that on the supernal Divine chariot, the face of the lion is on the right side of the throne and on the left side there is the face of the ox. Spiritually the right side is always higher than the left (since the left is the weaker hand which alludes to a frailty) so it transpires that the face of the lion is higher than the face of the ox. Why then when they descend below does the lion become a non-kosher animal whereas the ox remains a kosher animal?
The 'Ohr Hachaim' answers: That it is specifically because the face of the lion stems from such a lofty spiritual level that when it enters into a state of collapse, falls, breaks up and descends below, it then falls even deeper into the other side.
