The Fourfold Name of Deity & 4 Worlds

The Fourfold Name of Deity & 4 Worlds

yod he vav he יהוה

• Yod: י
• He: ה
• Vav: ו
• He: ה

4(5) Worlds 0. Adam Kadmon

1. Atziluth
2. Briyah
3. Yetzirah
4. Asiyah

Adam Kadmon - Primordial Man.

The anthropomorphic metaphor "Adam" denotes the Yosher ("Upright") arrangement of the sefirot as the tree of life, which is then personified in the form of Man, though not yet manifest. "Kadmon" signifies "primary of all primaries", the first pristine emanation, still united with the Ein Sof. Adam Kadmon is the realm of "Keter Elyon" (Supernal Crown of Will), "the lucid and luminous light" (Tzachtzachot), "the pure lucid sefirot which are concealed and hidden" in potential. In regards to the future emergence of Creation, it represents Divine light with no vessels, the manifestation of the specific Divine plan for Existence, within Creation (after the Tzimtzum in Lurianic Kabbalah). In Lurianism, the lights from Adam Kadmon precipitate Tohu and Tikun. As Keter is elevated above the sefirot, so Adam Kadmon is supreme above the Worlds, and therefore it is generally not included whenever the Worlds are referred to.

ATZILUT: The World of Emanation

Archetypal Soul: Chayah, Life-soul Fire The term Atzilut is usually translated as “Emanation”, but literally means “closeness”. This is the “World”, or primordial Substance which is the first emanation out of God’s unique and pure Essence, and is therefore the “World” closest to Divinity. This Substance corresponds to Philosophic Fire, which – as opposed to literal fire – is best described as “living light”. The Substance of “living light” is intangible and has no definite, specific Form, but its dynamic qualities of vitality and illumination are distinguishable. Life and light are the two qualities that must be postulated as being prevalent in any Divinely creative act. Since these qualities can be discerned as having existence distinct from Essential Divinity, the emanation of the primal “living light” (Substance) is the preliminary phase of Divine Creation.

BRIYAH: The World of Creation

Creative

Soul: Neshamah/ Breath-soul Air

YETZIRAH: The World of Formation

Formative The energetic world of emotions, sensations, feelings

Soul: Ruach/ wind-water-soul Water

ASIYAH: The World of Action

Manifest The material, dualistic-seeming world of matter and energy

Soul: Nefesh, the ‘animal soul’, life-force Earth