And when that strong Serpent beginneth to arise, Woe, then, unto thee, O World! who in that time art nourished by this Tzedeq. For then arise many slayers of men and executioners (of judgment) in thee, O World. Many just men are withdrawn from thee.
But wherefore is it thus? Because the Male is separated from the Female, and Judgment, Meshephat, is not united unto Justice, Tzedeq.
And concerning this time it is written, Prov. xiii. 23, “There is that is destroyed, because therein is not Meshephat.” Since Meshephat is departed from this Tzedeq which is not therefore restrained; and Tzedeq hath operation after another manner.
And concerning this (matter) thus speaketh Solomon the king, Eccles. vii. 16: “All these things have I seen in the days of my HBL, Hebel; there is a just man who perisheth in his Tzedeq,” etc.
Where by the word HBL, Hebel (which is usually translated “vanity”), is understood the breath from those supernal breathers forth which are called the nostrils of the King.
But when he saith HBLI, Hebeli, of my breath, Tzedeq, Justice, is to be understood, which is MLKVThA QDIShA, Malkutha Qadisha, the holy Malkuth (Sanctum Regnum, the Holy Kingdom).
For when She is stirred up in Her judgments and severities, [pg 330] then hath this saying place, “There is a just man who perished in his Tzedeq.”
For what reason? Because Judgment, Meshephat, is far from Justice, Tzedeq. And therefore is it said, Prov. xiii. 23, “And there is that is destroyed because therein is not Meshephat.”
Come and see! When some sublimely just man is found in the world, who is dear unto God the Most Holy One—may He be blessed!—then even if Tzedeq, Justice, alone be stirred up, still on account of him the world can bear it.
And God the Most Holy—may He be blessed!—increaseth His glory so that He may not be destroyed by the severity (of the judgments).