Rabbi
Moshe Chaim Luzzatto ("RaMChaL"):
138 Openings
of Wisdom
The Partzuf of Atik
Opening 74
Atik - Malchut of Adam Kadmon - is clothed in and governs Atzilut
Atik is the first Partzuf attributed to Atzilut. Atik is Malchut of Adam Kadmon, which extends with the repairs required for this and clothes itself in Atzilut in order to bind it with Adam Kadmon and to sustain it and govern it.
Until now we have been discussing the Partzufim in general. We will now begin to explain what the Partzufim are individually.
This proposition consists of two parts: Part 1: Atik is the first... This comes to explain that Atik is the first Partzuf. Part 2: Atik is Malchut... This explains its function.
Part 1: Atik is the first Partzuf attributed to Atzilut... In other words, it is one of the Sefirot of Adam Kadmon, as the proposition goes on to state, yet it is considered to relate to Atzilut.
Part 2: Atik is Malchut of Adam Kadmon... As already explained (see Opening 70), every Sefirah that rules on its own is called a Partzuf in its own right. Since Malchut of Adam Kadmon has a function of its own - namely, to govern Atzilut - it is therefore called a Partzuf.
...which extends with the repairs required for this... For in one place the Kabbalistic teachings state that Atik was made from MaH and BaN (see Etz Chayim, Shaar Atik ch. 1). Elsewhere, however, it appears that Atik is Malchut of Adam Kadmon (Etz Chayim, Shaar Seder Atzilut ch. 1) - and it cannot be said that Adam Kadmon was constructed of MaH and BaN. The explanation is that in order to govern Atzilut, it was necessary for Malchut of Adam Kadmon to take on these aspects (i.e. of MaH and BaN), and they are its repairs, for it is with this power that Malchut of Adam Kadmon governs Atzilut.
...and clothes itself in Atzilut... i.e. in Arich Anpin of Atzilut, which includes the entire world. ...in order to bind it with Adam Kadmon... This is clearly so, because the governmental bond requires the branch to be bound up with the root in order to receive maintenance and direction. Accordingly, the proposition continues: ...and to sustain it... i.e. the existence of the branch depends on the root. ...and govern it... The higher level governs the lower, and the latter is the effect of the former.