Keys to Understanding the Book of Hebrews

Over the last 50-60 years, Physicists have come to the idea that our universe is the result of a terrifying collapse from a 10-dimensional universe to the 4 dimensions we are innately familiar with (ie: length, width, height, and time).

Theoretical physicists point to dimensions outside of our space and time that exist just outside of our perceptions. They share common ground with the ancient Jewish tradition in their assessment, both indicating that there was, and is, more to our physical existence.

And, this is where we begin our journey to understanding the book of Hebrews.

The Worlds

When it comes to understanding the framework of creation, the author of Hebrews, and their audience, really knew this tradition!

As we discussed in a separate article, the initial state of Adam¹ (ie: mankind) and all of creation was something far and above our current ability to comprehend.

This higher existence somehow integrated the spiritual and physical components of humankind to the degree that would have been able to 'walk' with G_D.

However, in our collapsed reality, these components are no longer integrated as they were upon Adam's creation. As a result, we have been severed from these upper dimensions and spiritual capabilities.

Additionally, all living things will now experience physical death. This was not the original plan for creation, but the aftermath of a terrible miscalculation in the Garden.

Heavens, Worlds, Olam

In Jewish tradition, the spiritual (unseen) preceded the physical in order of creation, thus the heavens were formed before the earth. As we read in Hebrews 11:

By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at G_D’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible. - Hebrews 11:3

When we read worlds, we are not using our modern conception of planets in a solar system. Instead, we are using the ancient Hebrew equivalent, Olam, which is quite different.

Sometimes referring to a universe or an era of time - Olam also refers to the invisible and visible levels of creation. Staying with our physics model, think of worlds in terms of dimensions.

After the fall of humanity in the Garden, the spiritual and physical dimensions were separated from each other and prolapsed into a more gradated reality. Yet, these capabilities still exist outside of our perception.

The 5 Worlds

Traditionally, these dimensions/worlds (olamot, in plural) are represented by (5) levels.

In the spiritual mapping of this reality, the (5) worlds are: Adam Kadmon, Atzilut, Beriyah, Yetzirah, and Assiyah.

Here is a model that might help us build a visual.

In essence, ethereality is at the highest level; and corporeality is at the lowest. As we descend from level to level, we begin to move towards the levels of created beings, complex angels, simple angelic, and then humans, animals, plants, etc.

In the highest world, there is only the incomprehensible one-ness with the Creator. There is unification and wholeness.

It is in the lowest world (Assiyah) that we currently reside, there is duality, good vs evil; life vs death.

Yet, parts of the human soul still exist in these upper worlds. Our challenge in life is to strive to gain access to those upper dimensions of ourselves and bring that awareness into everything we do.

If we remain solely focused on the physical world, we fall short of our potential.

Heavens and Earth Passing Away

The Bible's conception of restoration is not a total annihilation of all that exists. Instead, it portrays a total restoration of all things - a reintegration of the upper dimensions.

Until that time, we have been given the wisdom of the Torah to guide our actions, words, and thoughts - to help us connect with these higher dimensions - if even for a moment at a time.

In other words, as long as we are still in the lower world (Assiyah), the Torah remains as important as ever. This is the meaning of Jesus' teaching in Mathew:

For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Torah...
- Matthew 5:18

The Upper Tabernacle

This should help us make sense of our place in time and space. As we learned, the upper worlds are the origin (and final destination) of humankind. In the Garden, we began, and back to the garden we're headed.

Moses, when on Mt Sinai, was given a glimpse of the spiritual temple above. From that model, the earthly Tabernacle and Temple would be built³.

In its time, the Temple thus served as a kind of Stargate, or a portal to the upper worlds - connecting us to what we lost.

The author of Hebrews writes that the [Spirit of ] Messiah descended from these upper worlds to help elevate humanity.

But now Messiah has come as the high priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, - Hebrews 9:11

Per tradition, the author refers to this future reality when the things to come, things not of this creation, undergo a final restoration.

This Present Age

In accordance, we presently reside in what is known as the Present age, (Olam HaZeh).

The great hope for humankind is that this present age will be renewed, and reintegrated within the Spiritual worlds above, ushering in what is known as the Olam HaBa, or, "the World to Come".

The author of Hebrews makes this distinction clear when referring to the World to Come:

For he did not put the world to come, about which we are speaking, under the control of angels. - Hebrews 2:5

From the graphic above, we know that our current location in Assiyah is beneath the angelic worlds - but the World to Come is far above the level of the angels.

Covenant Passing Away?

This framework is particularly useful when understanding Hebrews 8:13. Unaware of this backdrop, many have read Hebrews to the conclusion that the covenant with the Jewish people, the commandments, and the G_D ordained institution of the Temple is currently null and void.

When he speaks of a new covenant, he makes the first obsolete. Now what is growing obsolete and aging is about to disappear. - Hebrews 8:13

Instead, the early generation believed the restoration and final redemption was at hand and that the Present Age (Olam HaZeh) was on the precipice of renewal and reintegration back into the upper worlds. This, however, has [still] not happened yet.

Even this idea is part of the Rabbinic tradition. The Rabbis recognized that this renewal would dramatically change our interaction with the Torah and some of the offerings⁴.

"Rabbi Pinchas, Rabbi Levi and Rabbi Yochanan said in the name of Rabbi Menachem from Gallia: In the time to come (Messianic Era), all sacrifices will be annulled - but the sacrifice of thanksgiving will not be annulled. All prayers will be annulled, but the prayer of gratitude will not be annulled.

What is interesting, both Hebrews and this midrash quote Jeremiah's prophecy of the renewed covenant. This is because it is the same tradition.

In Conclusion

Indeed, the redemption is always a moment away, in potential. While gateways have been opened to the upper worlds for those who strive for them, we are still very much geo-located in the lower world of creation, awaiting our final renewal.

Until then, we still need the wisdom of the Torah to guide us to reveal the higher dimensions of our souls.

Notes:

¹ The Mission of Messiah: https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-mission-of-messiah/

² The Human Soul. https://www.thehiddenorchard.com/the-human-soul/

³ Hebrews 8:5

⁴ Leviticus Rabbah 9:6