5 Worlds - Jewish Cosmology

In the Sod level interpretation of Isaiah, the Rabbis uncovered a hint at the cosmological design of creation. Often referred to in Hebrew as "Worlds" (Olamot), these help aid our understanding of how the Creator interacts with the created.

“All who are linked to My name, Whom I have created, Formed, and made for My glory”- Isaiah 43:7

When we decode this verse, we understand them in the following descending order.

• My Name = Adam Kadmon
• My Glory = Atzilut
• Created = Beriyah
• Formed = Yetzirah
• Made = Assiyah

Unlike modern philosophies centered upon materialism, the Bible presupposes that there is much more to life that exists outside of our perceptive capabilities. This hint is in the word for "World" (Olam/עוֹלָם), which is connected to the word "concealed" (Elam).

Above to Below

Though not to be taken literally, as we are talking about spiritual concepts, many graphic representations depict the worlds as cascading from above to below in an attempt to illustrate the differences between them. The upper worlds are ethereal and unified. As we move towards the lower worlds, existence becomes more separated from the ethereal until we reach a state of physicality and duality.

One ancient metaphor is that of a ladder, which is how some have interpreted Jacob's vision in Genesis 28. In that passage, Jacob received a comprehensive glimpse of the interactsions between the upper and lowers worlds.

Implied is the idea that, depending on its proximity to the Creator, each world contains a corresponding degree of Divine Light, which makes these worlds function as levels of perception or consciousness. The more ethereal, the more Divine Light.

In the meantime, it may help to envision them more as levels of spiritual awareness, or levels of consciousness, and less like physical universes. However, in the Kabbalah, the language toggles back and forth.³

Having discussed Adam Kadmon briefly, we'll unpack these worlds a bit more.