35. THE WORDS, "and the earth was without form and void" (Beresheet 1:2) have already been explained. MOREOVER, the earth is the upper earth, THE FEMALE PRINCIPLE OF ZEIR ANPIN, which has no light of its own. "Was" INDICATES that it was originally in its ordered state, but now it has become formless, void, and dark. THE SCRIPTURE EMPLOYS the word "was" precisely TO DRAW OUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS COMPLETE. Later, it diminished itself and its light, AND IN IT THERE CAME ABOUT formlessness, void, darkness, and wind - these being the four worldly elements that were built into the EARTH.