www.asknoah.org - The Heavenly Worlds

By the Grace of G-d

www.asknoah.org

The Heavenly Worlds

© by Linda Frimer, www.lindafrimer.com

Above the Rainbow"

© by Linda Frimer, www.lindafrimer.com

QUESTION #34 : In the first chapter of the book "The Path of the Righteous Gentile," it talks about various levels of Heaven. I have never heard of this concept before. Also, it says that certain acts that Mankind did in the generations from Adam to Abraham pushed G-d back into farther levels of heaven. I don't understand this concept. If that is the case, wouldn't that seem to give Man some sort of power over G-d?
> S. Y.

ANSWER : Here is a broad "roadmap" of the range of spiritual levels, from "above to below". This involves some deeper spiritual topics which are discussed in Chassidus. [1] It may seem like an abrupt introduction with several new terms and concepts. But if you study it carefully detail by detail, it should make sense as a logical process.

Here is an outline of progressive levels:

G-d’s Essence

The Infinite G-dly Light

G-d’s Inner Thought to express Kindness through Sovereignty over mankind in a physical world.

The First "Tzimtzum": G-d’s contraction and hiding of the Infinite Light from one “point,” leaving only a point of impression called

The "Reshimu" (Point of Impression): This point is just an impression of the original Infinite G-dly Light. From this, G-d brings

The "Kav": A line of infinitely contracted and limited G-dly Light which contains the creative life force for all the subsequent worlds. Included within the Kav are the Hidden Worlds (which exist from G-d's Thought) and the Revealed Worlds (which exist from G-d's Speech). The Hidden Worlds culminate in the realm of

"Kesser" ("Crown"): This realm includes G-d’s Delight and Will for the creation of the four Revealed Worlds, which only exist for the ultimate purpose of culminating in a physical realm for the existence of mankind who will keep G-d’s Commandments. From the hidden world of Kesser, G-d reveals the world of:

Atzilus - “Next to” [G-d]:

[There is a good synopsis of the progression of the revealed spiritual worlds in the book "Kuntres Uma'ayon" (Discourse 19, Chap. 1), published by Kehot, which is a chassidic discourse by the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn. The outline below is based on that source.]

[The highest spiritual created world] Atzilus is removed from any comparative terms to relate it to the lower [three] worlds. In general [spiritual] terms the Four Worlds parallel the four fundaments, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. Atzilus would be [parallel to] the fundament of Fire. "Your G-d is a consuming fire" (Deut. 4:24), comparing G-d to fire. Fire has no connection with the other fundaments and has the tendency of constantly rising. Atzilus similarly has no common points with the lower worlds. Atzilus is G-dhood, no less, having no aspect of independent existence [thinghood].

Atzilus is the realm in which G-d first emanates the Ten Divine Attributes and "enclothes" Himself within them. The Ten Attributes are:

The 3 intellectual attributes: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding

The 6 emotional attributes: Lovingkindness, Judgement/Restraint, Beauty/Mercy, Eternity/Victory, Splendor/Humility, Foundation/Connection

The culminating attribute: Sovereignity

These G-dly Attributes are not separate entities, but each one contains all of the others within it, which reflects the essential Unity of G-d. The intensity of revealed G-dliness in Atzilus is too intense for the possibility of the existence of angels. It is the realm of the souls of the perfectly righteous, through which life-force is channeled to the lower created worlds.

Within the lowest attribute, Sovereignity, of Atzilus, G-d contracts and hides its G-dly Light, and only an infinitely contracted line of its Light, in which the Divine Attributes of Atzilus are enclothed, continues on to become the Life Force for the world of:

Beriah - “Creation”:

The Ten G-dly attributes are expressed within this world in a more limited way that can be apprehended by the highest types of angels (for example, the Serafim that are described in Isaiah’s vision), and the souls of very righteous individuals, who have a sense of existence as separate entities from G-d. The G-dly intellectual attributes predominate in this world, and the angels and souls at this level attain bliss through an intellectual understanding of G-dliness. This is the level of the “Upper Garden of Eden.”

Within the lowest attribute, Sovereignty, of Beriah, G-d contracts and hides its G-dly Light, and only an infinitely contracted line of its Light, in which the Divine Attributes of Beriah are enclothed, continues on to become the Life Force for the world of:

Yetzirah - “Formation”:

The Ten G-dly attributes are expressed within this world in a still more limited way, that can be apprehended by the lower types of angels (for example, the Chayos that are described in Ezekiel’s vision), and the souls of righteous individuals who have more of a sense of existence as separate entities from G-d. The G-dly emotional attributes predominate in this world, and the angels and souls at this level attain bliss through an emotional response of Love and Awe to the G-dliness which is revealed to them. This is the level of the “Lower Garden of Eden.”

Within the lowest attribute, Sovereignty, of Yetzirah, G-d contracts and hides its G-dly Light, and only an infinitely contracted line of its Light, in which the Divine Attributes of Yetzirah are enclothed, continues on to become the Life Force for the world of

Asiyah – “Action” (comprised of Spiritual Asiyah and Physical Asiyah)

The Ten G-dly attributes are expressed within the spiritual Asiyah in an even more limited way, that can be apprehended by the lowest types of angels (for example, the Ofanim that are described in Ezekiel’s vision), and the souls which are at lower levels, who have even more of a sense of existence as separate entities from G-d.

Within the lowest attribute (Sovereignty) of spiritual Asiyah, G-d contracts and hides its G-dly Light, and only an infinitely contracted line of its Light, in which the Divine Attributes of the spiritual Asiyah are enclothed, continues on to become the spiritual Life Force for the realm of “physical” Asiyah. At this point, no degree of infinite contraction of spirituality can ever result in the creation of an actual physical object, which is the ultimate of concealment of G-dliness. That is accomplished by the Essence of G-d.

From the above, it is therefore understood that the highest levels of G-dliness are present here in this phyisical world, enclothed within the progression of Divine Attributes of each of the spiritual worlds.

(Note: each of the four “general” worlds described above actually consists of infinitely many sublevels.)

Some sources refer to “the seven Heavens,” which are within the lower levels of the world of spiritual Asiyah. These levels serve as conduits for blessings that come into the physical realm.

***********************************

Let us now follow the flow of a G-dly influence from its inception in the world of Atzilus, down to its actualization in this physical world. This outline is based on "Kuntres Uma'ayon," Discourse 19, Chap. 1, published by Kehot (a chassidic discourse by the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn).

...The beneficence [G-dly influence] as it is in Atzilus has no vestige of the physical form of kindness of This World [the physical world]. [For example, when] an effusion of [G-d's] Kindness issues forth [in Atzilus] … it is all still in a state of spiritual Kindness at this stage.

But this ethereal [G-dly] Kindness must [descend through the three lower worlds to] become life and beneficence in the material sense, in terms of children, health, and prosperity. This is effected by [the culminating attribute of] Sovereignity of Atzilus investing itself in Beriah, Yetzirah, and [spiritual] Asiyah.

We find that even ... at special times [such as the Sabbath on the seventh day of each week, and other Biblical Festivals] when Kindness of Atzilus is completely clothed in Kindness of Beriah, it vivifies the physical world through passage by way of Kindness of Yetzirah and [spiritual] Asiyah. This too is properly called investment, for otherwise it [would remain so spiritual that it] could not effect the physical aspects of This World.

On ordinary weekdays it is by complete investment in Kindness of Yetzirah and [spiritual] Asiyah; this is also through the union of the "masculine" and the "feminine" G-dly attributes of Yetzirah. The investment in Kindness of Yetzirah is insufficient by itself, for the [attribute of Sovereignty] of Yetzirah is not in any category yet of being a source for the flow of Kindness of Asiyah. Vitality for Asiyah could not issue from it. Rather the flow proceeds THROUGH Sovereignty of Yetzirah, and the very Light of Yetzirah becomes contracted [until it can become the life force for the next lower world of spiritual Asiyah].

In spiritual Asiyah too there must be the union of the "masculine" and the "feminine" G-dly attributes of Asiyah. The primary force for the emergence of a [seemingly] totally discrete existence must be from [the G-dly attribute of] Sovereignty, for "There is no king without subjects." Then [each physical benificence] issues forth from these [spiritual] beneficences into the physical Asiyah here below, … through the six "boundaries" [i.e. the six G-dly emotional attributes] of the lower worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah. [These 6 spiritual "boundaries" express themselves all the way down to the lowest level, the 6 directions of physical space - Up, Down, North, South, East and West].

In all of these spiritual worlds and levels described above, the revealed Divine Presence within each world is called "Shechina" (Indwelling of G-dliness). At the creation of Adam and Chava (Eve), the Essence of the Shechina was revealed here in this physical world. With the sin of Adam and Chava, and the sins of the subsequent generations up to Noah, the Essence of the Shechina became more hidden in this world, and its revelation withdrew to higher levels within the Seven Heavens. Its revelation began to return through the divine service of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the following generations of outstanding righteous individuals, until Moses brought its revelation back into this world, on Mt. Sinai and then in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle which the Jews built in the wilderness. Eventually its revelation moved to the Holy of Holies in the Temple which Solomon built in Jerusalem. It will again be revealed there when the Messiah builds the eternal Third Temple.

Footnote:

[1] Many of these details can be found in some form in the ancient book of Zohar, which includes parts that were authored by Abraham (Sefer Yetzirah, The Book of Formation) and by Moses (Raya Mehemnah, The Faithful Shepherd). This remained a very mystical and highly specialized part of the Oral Torah until it was formalized as a book by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai after the destruction of the Second Temple. These matters remained mostly as esoteric information, until Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the "Ari Zal") revealed that is was time to teach them openly among the Jewish people. It was the Chabad dynasty of seven Rebbes, starting with Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, whose chassidic teachings opened up detailed, open and practical understanding of these concepts, as a prelude to the spiritual revelations of the approaching Messianic Era.

Question: If there is kindness in this world, it is because there is Kindness from a G-dly attribute in Atzilus?

Answer: Yes. The Ten G-dly attributes are the “building blocks” for the entire spiritual and physical creation, as they can be combined in infinitely many different ways.

Question: Masculine & Feminine attributes of G-d? What does that mean? Is it linguistically gender related like in French? Or are these human terms? I don’t understand this.

Answer: First of all, the fact that there is an existence of male and female creations within the physical world is a reflection of the fact that there are two different types of spiritual attributes that exist in the spiritual realms. The “masculine” type of G-dly attributes take the spiritual beneficence flowing from above and give it over to the “feminine” type of attributes. The “feminine”-type attributes receive the beneficence from the “masculine” attributes, and in this way the flow of beneficence can be passed on to created beings and created worlds on lower levels. In this context, each of the G-dly attributes has a “masculine” or “feminine” nature, depending on whether its main tendency is to give over or receive the flow of beneficence. More generally, the G-dly attribute of Sovereignty is the main “feminine” (i.e. receiving) aspect, and the other six emotional attributes as a group comprise the main “masculine” aspect (which gives over the beneficence that flows down from above).

In the more common context by which we refer to G-d in general as “He,” mankind and each individual is the “she.” We arouse G-d to send blessings to us by our prayers, by our fulfillment of the Divine commandments, and by our acts of goodness and kindness to others.

Question: If the Garden of Eden is split between Beriah and Yetzirah, it never existed on Earth in Asiyah?

Answer: The original Garden of Eden was on Earth, because Adam and Chava were created as immortals and G-d was dwelling together here with them. If they had not sinned, the state of ultimate spiritual bliss would have always existed in the physical world, as G-d desired it to be. Their sin brought death into the world, by which the soul is separated from the body. Until the culmination of the future Messianic Era when the world is perfected (may it come speedily in our days!), the souls must suffice with receiving their reward in the spiritual worlds.

Send your questions or comments to .

View Selections from our Guestbook

Home page: www.asknoah.org

© '07 by Ask Noah International

QUESTION #34 : In the first chapter of the book "The Path of the Righteous Gentile," it talks about various levels of Heaven. I have never heard of this concept before. Also, it says that certain acts that Mankind did in the generations from Adam to Abraham pushed G-d back into farther levels of heaven. I don't understand this concept. If that is the case, wouldn't that seem to give Man some sort of power over G-d? > S. Y. ANSWER : Here is a broad "roadmap" of the range of spiritual levels, from "above to below". This involves some deeper spiritual topics which are discussed in Chassidus. [1] It may seem like an abrupt introduction with several new terms and concepts. But if you study it carefully detail by detail, it should make sense as a logical process. Here is an outline of progressive levels: G-d’s Essence The Infinite G-dly Light G-d’s Inner Thought to express Kindness through Sovereignty over mankind in a physical world. The First "Tzimtzum": G-d’s contraction and hiding of the Infinite Light from one “point,” leaving only a point of impression called The "Reshimu" (Point of Impression): This point is just an impression of the original Infinite G-dly Light. From this, G-d brings The "Kav": A line of infinitely contracted and limited G-dly Light which contains the creative life force for all the subsequent worlds. Included within the Kav are the Hidden Worlds (which exist from G-d's Thought) and the Revealed Worlds (which exist from G-d's Speech). The Hidden Worlds culminate in the realm of "Kesser" ("Crown"): This realm includes G-d’s Delight and Will for the creation of the four Revealed Worlds, which only exist for the ultimate purpose of culminating in a physical realm for the existence of mankind who will keep G-d’s Commandments. From the hidden world of Kesser, G-d reveals the world of: Atzilus - “Next to” [G-d]: [There is a good synopsis of the progression of the revealed spiritual worlds in the book "Kuntres Uma'ayon" (Discourse 19, Chap. 1), published by Kehot, which is a chassidic discourse by the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn. The outline below is based on that source.] [The highest spiritual created world] Atzilus is removed from any comparative terms to relate it to the lower [three] worlds. In general [spiritual] terms the Four Worlds parallel the four fundaments, Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. Atzilus would be [parallel to] the fundament of Fire. "Your G-d is a consuming fire" (Deut. 4:24), comparing G-d to fire. Fire has no connection with the other fundaments and has the tendency of constantly rising. Atzilus similarly has no common points with the lower worlds. Atzilus is G-dhood, no less, having no aspect of independent existence [thinghood]. Atzilus is the realm in which G-d first emanates the Ten Divine Attributes and "enclothes" Himself within them. The Ten Attributes are: The 3 intellectual attributes: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding The 6 emotional attributes: Lovingkindness, Judgement/Restraint, Beauty/Mercy, Eternity/Victory, Splendor/Humility, Foundation/Connection The culminating attribute: Sovereignity These G-dly Attributes are not separate entities, but each one contains all of the others within it, which reflects the essential Unity of G-d. The intensity of revealed G-dliness in Atzilus is too intense for the possibility of the existence of angels. It is the realm of the souls of the perfectly righteous, through which life-force is channeled to the lower created worlds. Within the lowest attribute, Sovereignity, of Atzilus, G-d contracts and hides its G-dly Light, and only an infinitely contracted line of its Light, in which the Divine Attributes of Atzilus are enclothed, continues on to become the Life Force for the world of: Beriah - “Creation”: The Ten G-dly attributes are expressed within this world in a more limited way that can be apprehended by the highest types of angels (for example, the Serafim that are described in Isaiah’s vision), and the souls of very righteous individuals, who have a sense of existence as separate entities from G-d. The G-dly intellectual attributes predominate in this world, and the angels and souls at this level attain bliss through an intellectual understanding of G-dliness. This is the level of the “Upper Garden of Eden.” Within the lowest attribute, Sovereignty, of Beriah, G-d contracts and hides its G-dly Light, and only an infinitely contracted line of its Light, in which the Divine Attributes of Beriah are enclothed, continues on to become the Life Force for the world of: Yetzirah - “Formation”: The Ten G-dly attributes are expressed within this world in a still more limited way, that can be apprehended by the lower types of angels (for example, the Chayos that are described in Ezekiel’s vision), and the souls of righteous individuals who have more of a sense of existence as separate entities from G-d. The G-dly emotional attributes predominate in this world, and the angels and souls at this level attain bliss through an emotional response of Love and Awe to the G-dliness which is revealed to them. This is the level of the “Lower Garden of Eden.” Within the lowest attribute, Sovereignty, of Yetzirah, G-d contracts and hides its G-dly Light, and only an infinitely contracted line of its Light, in which the Divine Attributes of Yetzirah are enclothed, continues on to become the Life Force for the world of Asiyah – “Action” (comprised of Spiritual Asiyah and Physical Asiyah) The Ten G-dly attributes are expressed within the spiritual Asiyah in an even more limited way, that can be apprehended by the lowest types of angels (for example, the Ofanim that are described in Ezekiel’s vision), and the souls which are at lower levels, who have even more of a sense of existence as separate entities from G-d. Within the lowest attribute (Sovereignty) of spiritual Asiyah, G-d contracts and hides its G-dly Light, and only an infinitely contracted line of its Light, in which the Divine Attributes of the spiritual Asiyah are enclothed, continues on to become the spiritual Life Force for the realm of “physical” Asiyah. At this point, no degree of infinite contraction of spirituality can ever result in the creation of an actual physical object, which is the ultimate of concealment of G-dliness. That is accomplished by the Essence of G-d. From the above, it is therefore understood that the highest levels of G-dliness are present here in this phyisical world, enclothed within the progression of Divine Attributes of each of the spiritual worlds. (Note: each of the four “general” worlds described above actually consists of infinitely many sublevels.) Some sources refer to “the seven Heavens,” which are within the lower levels of the world of spiritual Asiyah. These levels serve as conduits for blessings that come into the physical realm. *********************************** Let us now follow the flow of a G-dly influence from its inception in the world of Atzilus, down to its actualization in this physical world. This outline is based on "Kuntres Uma'ayon," Discourse 19, Chap. 1, published by Kehot (a chassidic discourse by the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom DovBer Schneersohn). ...The beneficence [G-dly influence] as it is in Atzilus has no vestige of the physical form of kindness of This World [the physical world]. [For example, when] an effusion of [G-d's] Kindness issues forth [in Atzilus] … it is all still in a state of spiritual Kindness at this stage. But this ethereal [G-dly] Kindness must [descend through the three lower worlds to] become life and beneficence in the material sense, in terms of children, health, and prosperity. This is effected by [the culminating attribute of] Sovereignity of Atzilus investing itself in Beriah, Yetzirah, and [spiritual] Asiyah. We find that even ... at special times [such as the Sabbath on the seventh day of each week, and other Biblical Festivals] when Kindness of Atzilus is completely clothed in Kindness of Beriah, it vivifies the physical world through passage by way of Kindness of Yetzirah and [spiritual] Asiyah. This too is properly called investment, for otherwise it [would remain so spiritual that it] could not effect the physical aspects of This World. On ordinary weekdays it is by complete investment in Kindness of Yetzirah and [spiritual] Asiyah; this is also through the union of the "masculine" and the "feminine" G-dly attributes of Yetzirah. The investment in Kindness of Yetzirah is insufficient by itself, for the [attribute of Sovereignty] of Yetzirah is not in any category yet of being a source for the flow of Kindness of Asiyah. Vitality for Asiyah could not issue from it. Rather the flow proceeds THROUGH Sovereignty of Yetzirah, and the very Light of Yetzirah becomes contracted [until it can become the life force for the next lower world of spiritual Asiyah]. In spiritual Asiyah too there must be the union of the "masculine" and the "feminine" G-dly attributes of Asiyah. The primary force for the emergence of a [seemingly] totally discrete existence must be from [the G-dly attribute of] Sovereignty, for "There is no king without subjects." Then [each physical benificence] issues forth from these [spiritual] beneficences into the physical Asiyah here below, … through the six "boundaries" [i.e. the six G-dly emotional attributes] of the lower worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah and Asiyah. [These 6 spiritual "boundaries" express themselves all the way down to the lowest level, the 6 directions of physical space - Up, Down, North, South, East and West]. In all of these spiritual worlds and levels described above, the revealed Divine Presence within each world is called "Shechina" (Indwelling of G-dliness). At the creation of Adam and Chava (Eve), the Essence of the Shechina was revealed here in this physical world. With the sin of Adam and Chava, and the sins of the subsequent generations up to Noah, the Essence of the Shechina became more hidden in this world, and its revelation withdrew to higher levels within the Seven Heavens. Its revelation began to return through the divine service of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the following generations of outstanding righteous individuals, until Moses brought its revelation back into this world, on Mt. Sinai and then in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle which the Jews built in the wilderness. Eventually its revelation moved to the Holy of Holies in the Temple which Solomon built in Jerusalem. It will again be revealed there when the Messiah builds the eternal Third Temple. Footnote: [1] Many of these details can be found in some form in the ancient book of Zohar, which includes parts that were authored by Abraham (Sefer Yetzirah, The Book of Formation) and by Moses (Raya Mehemnah, The Faithful Shepherd). This remained a very mystical and highly specialized part of the Oral Torah until it was formalized as a book by Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai after the destruction of the Second Temple. These matters remained mostly as esoteric information, until Rabbi Yitzchak Luria (the "Ari Zal") revealed that is was time to teach them openly among the Jewish people. It was the Chabad dynasty of seven Rebbes, starting with Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, whose chassidic teachings opened up detailed, open and practical understanding of these concepts, as a prelude to the spiritual revelations of the approaching Messianic Era.
Question: If there is kindness in this world, it is because there is Kindness from a G-dly attribute in Atzilus? Answer: Yes. The Ten G-dly attributes are the “building blocks” for the entire spiritual and physical creation, as they can be combined in infinitely many different ways.
Question: Masculine & Feminine attributes of G-d? What does that mean? Is it linguistically gender related like in French? Or are these human terms? I don’t understand this. Answer: First of all, the fact that there is an existence of male and female creations within the physical world is a reflection of the fact that there are two different types of spiritual attributes that exist in the spiritual realms. The “masculine” type of G-dly attributes take the spiritual beneficence flowing from above and give it over to the “feminine” type of attributes. The “feminine”-type attributes receive the beneficence from the “masculine” attributes, and in this way the flow of beneficence can be passed on to created beings and created worlds on lower levels. In this context, each of the G-dly attributes has a “masculine” or “feminine” nature, depending on whether its main tendency is to give over or receive the flow of beneficence. More generally, the G-dly attribute of Sovereignty is the main “feminine” (i.e. receiving) aspect, and the other six emotional attributes as a group comprise the main “masculine” aspect (which gives over the beneficence that flows down from above). In the more common context by which we refer to G-d in general as “He,” mankind and each individual is the “she.” We arouse G-d to send blessings to us by our prayers, by our fulfillment of the Divine commandments, and by our acts of goodness and kindness to others.
Question: If the Garden of Eden is split between Beriah and Yetzirah, it never existed on Earth in Asiyah? Answer: The original Garden of Eden was on Earth, because Adam and Chava were created as immortals and G-d was dwelling together here with them. If they had not sinned, the state of ultimate spiritual bliss would have always existed in the physical world, as G-d desired it to be. Their sin brought death into the world, by which the soul is separated from the body. Until the culmination of the future Messianic Era when the world is perfected (may it come speedily in our days!), the souls must suffice with receiving their reward in the spiritual worlds.
Send your questions or comments to . View Selections from our Guestbook Home page: www.asknoah.org © '07 by Ask Noah International