זוהר שמות — דף לב ע”א

The arousal from below stirs the arousal from above: every stimulation from below triggers a response from above. Abraham s departure from Ur Kasdim was the beginning of his soul s rectification through separation from the impure realm. Rabbi Shimon explains Lech Lecha as: go for your own rectification. Rabbi Yossi and Rabbi Hiya discuss Sarai s barrenness and Hagar s bearing Ishmael. Ishmael was circumcised at 13 years, not at 8 days, which is why his descendants are distant from holiness. For 400 years the celestial minister of Ishmael pleaded before the Holy One Blessed Be He regarding the Covenant.