“Ascend in degree, choose a bridesmaid.” That is, accept a friend as greater than you. “Descend in degree, choose a wife” (Yevamot 63a).
In other words, one who wants to connect to the Creator, meaning “Your friend and your father’s friend do not forsake,” must have pride, as it is written, “His heart was high in the ways of the Lord.” Afterward, he must take upon himself the burden of the kingdom of heaven, as it is written, “Who will find a woman of valor,” which is precisely through submission and annulment, meaning above reason, for only then can he take upon himself the burden of the kingdom of heaven.
Rabbi Elazar said, “What does it mean that it is written, ‘Should one tell you, ‘What is good, and what does the Lord demand of you?’ Only to do justice and to love mercy, and conceal yourself with the Lord your God.’ ‘To do justice’ is the judgment; ‘to love mercy’ is almsgiving, and ‘to conceal yourself with the Lord your God’ is taking out the dead, and bringing in the bride” (Sukkah 49b).