The Four Worlds of Creation
In Kabbalistic cosmology, the Four Worlds (ארבעה עולמות, Arba'ah Olamot) represent successive stages of reality emanating from the Ein Sof. Each world represents a different degree of divine concealment and revelation, forming a hierarchical structure from pure divinity to physical manifestation.
The concept is rooted in multiple biblical verses and developed extensively in the Zohar and Lurianic Kabbalah. The four worlds correspond to the four letters of the Tetragrammaton (יהוה), the four elements (Fire, Air, Water, Earth), and the four levels of the soul (Neshama, Ruach, Nefesh, and Chaya).
Each of the 72 Names of God manifests uniquely in each of the Four Worlds, creating 72 × 4 = 288 Sparks. A Name in Atziluth represents its pure archetypal essence, while the same Name in Assiah represents its physical manifestation.
The Four Levels of Reality
The Descent of Divine Light
The Four Worlds describe how infinite divine light descends and contracts through successive stages to create finite existence. This process is called Tzimtzum (צמצום, contraction).
Correspondences:
| World | Letter (YHVH) | Element | Soul Level | Sparks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atziluth | Yod (י) | Fire | Chaya | 72 |
| Beriah | Heh (ה) | Air | Neshama | 72 |
| Yetzirah | Vav (ו) | Water | Ruach | 72 |
| Assiah | Heh (ה) | Earth | Nefesh | 72 |
| Total: | 288 | |||
Interworld Dynamics
The Worlds are not spatially separate but rather represent different levels of consciousness and reality. Each world contains within it a complete Tree of Life (all 10 Sefirot), creating a fractal structure where each Sefirah in each World itself contains all Four Worlds.
Key Principles:
Related Across the Mythos
The 10 Sefirot
Divine Emanations
Each World contains all 10 Sefirot
The 288 Sparks
72 Names x 4 Worlds
Levels of Soul
Nefesh, Ruach, Neshama, Chaya