The concept of hishtalshelus—literally “chain-like progression”—refers to the structured, stage-by-stage descent of Divine energy from its infinite source into finite reality. It explains how an unknowable, infinite G-d can create a world filled with limited, individual beings without undergoing any change Himself.
This system of descent is not random. It unfolds through a precise framework involving multiple layers of spiritual reality, each one concealing the Divine light more than the one before it. These stages are known as the Four Worlds—אצילות, בריאה, יצירה, and עשיה—which act as filters for the light of the Ein Sof (Infinite One), allowing for the emergence of creation as we know it.
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Etymology
The word השתלשלות is derived from the word שַלְשֶלֶת, which literally means “chain,” since, in the order o f existence, each realm or world is connected to the realm directly “above” and “below” it—much like a chain whose links are interconnected.[1]
General Principles of Hishtalshelus
Several foundational ideas structure this process:
- סדר השתלשלות – The "Order of Hishtalshelut" refers to the systematic step-by-step descent of Divine light through increasingly dense and defined stages.
- ספירות – Each world is structured around ten Divine attributes or emanations. These act as the inner anatomy of each world, governing how Divine light expresses itself there.
- אורות and כלים – Each world consists of "Lights" (אורות) that express Divine energy, and "Vessels" (כלים) that limit and shape that energy. As the descent progresses, the כלים become thicker and more material-like.
- יש מאין – From the world of בריאה downward, creation is described as “something from nothing”—a radical emergence of existence from nonexistence, distinct from the Divine Essence.
The Four Worlds
אצילות – World of Emanation
This is the highest of the four worlds, emanating directly from the Divine light after the initial concealment known as the צמצום. It is still fully within the realm of Divinity—so much so that it is not considered “created” in the typical sense.
The ten ספירות in אצילות are completely unified with the Divine and serve as the spiritual blueprint for all lower worlds. The Shechinah (Divine Presence) is identified with the מלכות of אצילות, which in turn becomes the כתר of בריאה.
There is no sense of otherness here. It is a world of pure Divine will and wisdom, untouched by ego or separation.
בריאה – World of Creation
Often referred to as the "World of the Throne" (עולם הכסא) or "World of Thought," this is the first world in which created beings—souls and high angels like the שרפים—exist as distinct entities. Here, something truly emerges from nothing.
The כתר of בריאה, called עתיק of בריאה, is drawn from the lowest point of אצילות. This world is dominated by Divine understanding—בינה. In fact, the "Supernal Mother" (אימא עילאה)—בינה of אצילות—“settles” in בריאה.
It is also the location of the supernal Garden of Eden (גן עדן העליון) and is associated with the archangel מטטרון.
יצירה – World of Formation
Known as the "World of Speech" or the "World of Angels," יצירה is defined by Divine emotions—מידות. The emotional attributes (collectively known as זעיר אנפין) of אצילות “settle” here, forming the inner dynamics of this world.
Its כתר is drawn from מלכות of בריאה through a מסך, and the world is populated by lower angels such as the חיות and אופנים, as seen in the vision of the prophet Ezekiel.
Forms and emotions that were only abstract in בריאה begin to take on distinct definition here. It is the realm of spiritual motion, passion, and prophetic inspiration—especially through נצח and הוד.
עשיה – World of Action
This is the lowest of the spiritual worlds and contains the physical universe we inhabit. The כתר of עשיה is formed from מלכות of מלכות of יצירה. This is the world where Divine intent becomes realized action.
Though it contains holy elements—souls, angels (especially the אופנים), and even the lower Garden of Eden (גן עדן התחתון)—it is also the realm of greatest concealment. It is here that קליפות (spiritual husks) and the סיטרא אחרא (the “other side”) operate most freely.
Yet precisely because it is the lowest world, it is the purpose of creation. As the verse says, “Everything that HaShem desired, He did (עשה).” Within the darkness of עשיה lies the ultimate potential for Divine revelation through human action.
Unity and Interconnection
A central teaching is that “their beginning is bound to their end, and their end to their beginning.” The very end of the chain—מלכות of מלכות of עשיה—is ultimately bound to the מלכות of the אין סוף, which becomes the כתר of אדם קדמון, the primordial spiritual prototype even above אצילות.
As Isaiah says, “I am first and I am last”[2], affirming that throughout the entire descent, the Divine Essence remains unchanged and present.
Through contemplating this vast chain—from the primal desire (רצון הקדום) to the final physical action—the soul learns to unify all multiplicity within the absolute oneness of God. Even the lowest world is not a departure from Divinity, but its ultimate expression. Thus, “Your kingdom is the kingdom of all worlds”[3], affirming that Divine sovereignty pervades from the highest emanations to the most material realities.
The Number 8
סדר השתלשלות is structured in series of seven,the number eight reflects a level above the structure of סדר השתלשלות.[4]
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