THE MATRIARCHS ACCORDING TO KABALLAH [#18689]

Rochel and Leah are both identified with the Shechinah. Why only them, and what are the roles of Sarah and Rivkah?

Rochel is a complete Sefirah, called Malchus, or the Partzuf of Nukva. Leah is a specific spiritual illumination called Malchus d’Tevunah, which eventually was turned into its own Partzuf. Sarah is neither an illumination of a Sefirah not an independent Partzuf. The Arizal (Eitz Chaim 11:8) says that Sarah is Rochel, and when she was called Sarai, she was Leah. The Arizal says elsewhere (Sefer HaLikutim) that Sarah is the secret of Binah, and the dinim (judgments) of Sarah are Tevunah. Elsewhere the Arizal says that Sarah was a degree of Keser, specifically Keser d’Malchus. As for Rivkah, she was a soul reincarnation of Chavah, as the Arizal says (Likutei Torah, parshas Toldos). Sefer Me’il Eliyahu says that Yitzchok was the masculine aspect of Gevuros while Rivkah was the feminine Gevuros. Sefer HaPardes says that Rivkah was Malchus. The Rema m’Pano writes that Rivkah and Rochel were in the place of Gevurah, while Sarah and Leah were in the place of Hod, or, Sarah and Leah are at Gevurah while Rivkah and Rochel are at Hod.