541) All of Jacob’s sons were set up in a complete order, meaning became a Merkava [chariot/assembly] to arrange high Sefirot. Each was blessed to the extent that he was worthy. And what does it say in this verse? “Asher, his bread shall be fat.”
542) Asher dwelt by the seashore. One who lives by the sea, at Yesod of Malchut, uses the delicacies of the world, meaning Mochin that are extended from Eden. Asher is the high opening of the righteous, Yesod, when he is blessed to impart blessings to the world. This opening is always known for the blessings of the world, and it is called “Asher.” It is a pillar, one of those on which the world stands.
The four sons of the maidservants are the four posteriors in the four Sefirot HG and NH. Asher is the posterior of Hod, where there are the judgments of screen of Hirik, on which the middle line comes out, which unites the two lines and brings the posterior back to being internality, as it is written, “All their posterior parts turned inward.” It was said that “Asher” is the upper opening of the righteous, since righteous, Yesod or middle line, receives the power of the screen of Hirik from the posterior of Hod, which is Asher. This is why Asher is regarded as the high opening for the Yesod.
Had it not been for the screen of Hirik that receives from Asher, he would not have blessings to impart upon the world. And even though he is judgments, still, the world, Nukva, stands on him. Without him, the middle line would not be able to unite the two lines in one another and the world would be ruined and dry.
543) A place that is called “Bread of affliction” is the Nukva, who receives only from the left line. He is established from that place, from Asher, from whom the screen was made for the middle line. It is written, “Asher, his bread shall be fat,” meaning that what was previously “Bread of affliction” has now become “a bread of delight” once more—once the two lines have united with one another. This is so because he bestowed and placed blessings in it.
And the end of the verse proves, as it is written, “And he will yield royal dainties.” “Royal” refers to the assembly of Israel, Malchut, from whom the world is nourished with the dainties of the world. And he, Asher, will give to this King, to Malchut, all the blessings, every joy and bounty. He gives to her, to Malchut, and from her it comes out to the lower ones.