The Sparks of Kedusha

When the Kelim were broken, died, sparks remained with them, so that the Kelim can go up again. There are 288 sparks of Kedusha. Against this number is the count of 8 times 36 years.

We read that in the early stage of creation,

ורוח אלהים מרחפת על פני המים

The word מרחפת can be written as מ"ת רח"פ. So, 288 died, i.e. became close to this world, to lift it up, when they are lifted up.