The Structure of the Sefirot and the Development of the Worlds According to Kabbalah

After we have touched on certain foundations concerning the creation according to the teachings of Kabbalah in the first two letters, Aleph and Bet, we will now provide a brief and fundamental introduction regarding the Ten Sefirot and the structure of the four worlds that evolved from one another until the formation of the visible universe. This introduction is essential for understanding the deeper layer of the secret of the letters. However, those who are not yet ready for this study may choose to skip this content for now.

The Four Worlds of Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah

The term "Abyia" is an acronym for the four stages of the universe's creation until the appearance of the material world. They are: Atzilut, Briah, Yetzirah, Asiyah. As stated in the letter Aleph, the universe did not suddenly appear as material from absolute nothingness, but began with a subtle spiritual illumination from which the spiritual world of Atzilut emanated. This illumination spread until the world of Beriah evolved from Atzilut. The world of Beriah is named so because it is where the first spiritual revelation began, which, in relation to Atzilut, can be defined as 'creation from nothing.'

This illumination continued to spread, and from the world of Beriah, the world of Yetzirah evolved, where concepts of form and quantity began to appear, though it was still a spiritual world, imperceptible to the senses.

From the world of Yetzirah, the world of Asiyah evolved, at the bottom of which the material world was formed, which is the universe familiar to us.

It is noted that the very beginning of the illumination that preceded the world of Atzilut constitutes a very pure spiritual world called "Adam Kadmon" (Primordial Man), represented by the "Yud" in Hashem's Name. The word "Adam" here is a designation for a very fine spiritual world, whose structure, like the structure of other worlds, is made up of the Ten Sefirot system, similar to the human body's structure as explained below. This structure of the higher spiritual worlds is the reason for the shape of the human body, a physical copy from the system's spiritual structure.

Ten Sefirot

The Ten Sefirot are, metaphorically, ten types of spiritual channels, composed together as a single system resembling the structure of the human body, through which the divine illumination of the one light passes into our world

Elijah the Prophet's Words on the Sefirot

In the introduction to the holy Tikunei Zohar, it is explained that when the Zohar was compiled by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his disciples, Elijah the Prophet gave his approval of this book in the presence of the holy sages, including Rabbi Shimon and his group, and all the heavenly academies, the higher and lower angels, and supreme souls, all agreeing with one will. In that assembly, Elijah the Prophet opened with his famous discourse known as "Petichat Eliyahu" (recited in many synagogues before prayer), where he disclosed the foundations of the mystical Torah. Within his words in this discourse, Elijah the Prophet explains the concept of the Ten Sefirot. Here are the translated words:

"You are the one who brought forth ten ornaments, which we call ten sefirot, to conduct with them hidden worlds that were not revealed and worlds that were revealed. In these sefirot, you conceal yourself from human beings. You are the one who connects them [to influence from one to another], and unifies them [for a single purpose]. Because you are within them, anyone who causes separation between them [through his transgressions] is considered as though he separated you [as if damaging, Heaven forbid, the unity of the Infinite One]."

In his book "138 Gates of Wisdom," Ramchal wrote that the Sefirot are luminescences given to revelation, something not possible in the infinite light of Hashem. Even though they are themselves divine light, there is a revelation to the receivers, thus they carry the name of emanated light. Furthermore, in chapter six of the same book, it is stated that the way of the Ten Sefirot is the way that the Infinite desired to act through in human actions. This is connected to what the sages said: "With ten utterances the world was created." The sefirot are not something external to the Infinite, nor are they secondary to it, but the will is united. What remains unrevealed is called Infinite, while what is revealed from this will is called Sefirot. They appear in various forms and states, both in collective and individual life, according to the type of sefira through which it passes, such as: states of peace or war, rain or drought, economic abundance or famine, health or illness, fertility or barrenness, companionship or solitude, and so on, where there are balanced states among them, all for the good.

Moreover, for the creation made by the Creator to endure, it must be 'connected' to a constant illumination from the Creator, which gives life and sustains the creation every moment, like the electric current necessary to sustain a projected image. This divine illumination acted in the world during creation and formed different foundations and compounds, resulting from the flow of the one light in different vessels and combinations, and it's this illumination that acts every moment to sustain the world in all its details, and also activates it according to human actions.

These vessels through which the infinite light passes are the twenty-two letters and the Ten Sefirot. Therefore, Sefer Yetzirah begins with the words: "In 32 mystical paths of wisdom, engraved Yah... and created His world." It continues to explain: "Ten Sefirot of nothingness, and 22 foundation letters." And further, Sefer Yetzirah writes about the sefirot:

"Ten Sefirot of nothingness, in the count of ten fingers. Five opposite five, and the covenant of unity is set in the middle, in the covenant of the tongue and in the covenant of circumcision.

Ten Sefirot of nothingness. Ten and not nine, Ten and not eleven. Comprehend with wisdom and be wise in understanding. Examine them, and explore from them, and establish every matter on its proper place and return the creator to his foundation.

Ten Sefirot of nothingness, their measure is ten, which have no end. The depth of beginning and the depth of end. The depth of good and the depth of evil. The depth of height and the depth of below. The depth of east and the depth of west. The depth of north and the depth of south. A unique master, a faithful king ruling over all from his sacred dwelling, forever and ever.

Ten Sefirot of nothingness, their vision is like the appearance of a flash, and their limit has no end, and His word in them is constantly rushing and returning, and to His speech like a whirlwind they pursue, before His throne they bow.

Ten Sefirot of nothingness, their end is embedded in their beginning, and their beginning in their end, like a flame tied to a coal. For a unique master, there is no second to Him. And before one, what can you count.

Ten Sefirot of nothingness. Close your mouth from speaking, and your heart from contemplating. And if your mouth runs to speak and your heart to contemplate, return to the place. Therefore it is said: "And the creatures run and return." And on this matter a covenant was made.

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