Atzilus (Hebrew: אֲצִילוּת), which means "Emanation," is the very highest of the four main spiritual worlds. To understand creation, we learn about the chain of worlds, often called ABYA (Atzilus, Beriah, Yetzirah, Asiyah). Atzilus is at the top of this chain, making it the closest world to the Divine source of everything. Think of it as the blueprint and the very consciousness of G-dly light as it begins to form a plan for creation.
This entry lacks sufficient references.
What Makes Atzilus Special?
The world of Atzilus came to be through the Tzimtzum (Hebrew: צִמְצוּם). This is a very deep idea. Before creation, there was only the Ohr Ein Sof (Hebrew: אוֹר אֵין סוֹף), the simple, endless light of G-d. This light was everywhere, so much so that nothing else could exist. To make "room" for the worlds, G-d "contracted" or "hid" His infinite light. This created a type of spiritual vacuum or space. It is into this space that a measured line of light was shone, and from that light, the world of Atzilus was emanated.
Atzilus is fundamentally different from the other worlds because it is still considered to be one with its source. It is G-dliness itself, just in a state of revealing the potential for a world. The lower worlds are creations, but Atzilus is an emanation—like light coming from the sun. The light is not the sun, but it is also not separate from it.
Key Ideas in Atzilus
Malchus of Atzilus
The lowest Sefirah is Malchus (Hebrew: מַלְכוּת), or "Kingship." The Malchus of Atzilus is a very special concept. It is the "mouth" of Atzilus, from which all the lower worlds—Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah—are spoken into existence. Because of this, the influence of Malchus of Atzilus can be found within the Malchus of every other world below it. It's the G-dly seed planted in every level of reality.
How Atzilus Relates to Other Worlds
- Adam Kadmon: Before Atzilus, there is a higher, more primordial light called Adam Kadmon (Hebrew: אָדָם קַדְמוֹן), or "Primordial Man." Atzilus is drawn forth from Adam Kadmon. However, it is not a new creation. Instead, it is a revelation of what was already hidden within Adam Kadmon.
- Beriah: The world directly below Atzilus is Beriah (Hebrew: בְּרִיאָה), the world of "Creation." The difference between them is massive. Atzilus is a world of emanation, G-dliness revealing itself. Beriah is the first world that is a true creation "from nothing" (yesh me'ayin). It is fundamentally separate from the Divine light, whereas Atzilus is not. For this reason, we say Beriah is "incomparable" to the level of Atzilus.
Divine Names
Before the ten Sefiros of Atzilus can even be revealed, there are four foundational Divine names of G-d that are the source for them. These are known as the names of the Emanator Himself. They correspond to the four letters of the name Havayah (י-ה-ו-ה) and are expressed by their numerical value (Gematria):
- A"V (ע"ב) - 72
- Sa"G (ס"ג) - 63
- Ma"H (מ"ה) - 45
- Ba"N (ב"ן) - 52
These represent different "fillings" of the letters of G-d's name and are the deepest roots from which all of creation is powered.
Additional Points
- The light of Chochmah (Hebrew: חָכְמָה), or "Wisdom," as it exists in Atzilus is a direct emanation from the Essential Light of the Emanator. It is the first flash of intellect, the blueprint for all that will follow.
- In Kabbalah, each world is associated with one of the four letters of G-d's name, Havayah (י-ה-ו-ה). Atzilus is associated with the first and highest letter, the Yud (י). The Yud is like a single, dimensionless point, holding all the potential for everything that will ever be drawn from it—a perfect metaphor for the world of Atzilus.
References