There’s no English translation that I trust. Translators alter the words to fit their understanding as they translate and even add extra words. However, Baal HaSulam’s Study of the Ten Sefirot has the words of the Ari and then commentary.
Any of our shorter beginner books, the ones with Kabbalah in the title. Or Attaining the Worlds Beyond – but this one is for someone really searching for meaning.
Eventually all funds go to dissemination unless you specifically donate to the Help Haver fund. There’s no difference spiritually because Maaser is Maaser and that has to be a tenth.
It’s because if I receive into my ego when I could have instead added to the connection, it’s a crime, and like the criminal believes he is likely to avoid punishment, I’m working against an all-seeing Upper Law.