Editing Sefiras HaDaas (section)

==== Root of the Middot ("The Key that Contains Six") ====
Da'at is called in the Zohar "maftecha d'kalil shit" [the key that contains six], meaning it opens and enables the existence of the six middot that follow it. The reason for this: First, the concept of Da'at is a person's self-awareness; therefore, since one cares about oneself, one naturally loves good and hates evil (as we see, when a person is preoccupied and less self-aware, they care less about other things they usually love or hate). Similarly, the concept of Da'at is connection and recognition of the essence of a matter; therefore, since one feels the matter thoroughly, feeling naturally awakens toward it.

This is the reason for the connection between Da'at and rachamim (which is why both rachamim and Da'at belong to the same kav), since a person who has Da'at and recognizes and feels another's lowliness naturally awakens with rachamim for them; in contrast, a cruel person, despite intellectually understanding another's pain well, lacks the feeling of the essence of the matter.

Chassidus explains that the connection between Da'at and middot is a natural result - when one feels the essence of a matter, the appropriate feeling awakens within them automatically, without need for additional action. From this we learn that the main effort should be invested in yegiat hamoach - to engrave the matter well in one's mind until reaching feeling of its essence, and the proper middot will awaken automatically; rather than starting directly with work on the middot themselves.