Keser Eliyon
Keser Eliyon is the intermediary between the Emanator and the emanated. Its inner dimension is the lowest level of the Ein Sof (which itself contains several aspects, and is called Atik Yomin), and its outer dimension is the Keter of the world of Atzilut, called Arich Anpin.
It is elevated above Atzilut (similar to how engraved letters are superior to written letters), but in relation to the Infinite Light (Ohr Ein Sof) before the Tzimtzum, it is said in the Tikunim that "Keter Elyon, although it is pure light, refined light, it is dark before the Cause of all causes."
Atik Yomin and Arich Anpin[edit | edit source]
Keter Elyon divides generally into two parts: Atik Yomin and Arich Anpin.
In "Arich" are found the roots of the Sefirot called "Stimaah" and so forth. The analogy for this in the soul is the hiyuli powers (or hidden powers) which are the source of the revealed powers. Like the "power of intellect" which is the root of intelligence - every person has an IQ, determining the extent of their grasp and memory, which fields they are more talented in, which powers are more developed in them. Through study and effort, their powers change and improve - the person absorbs faster and understands more deeply. Through study and effort, their powers change and improve. And similarly with the other powers of man.
The revealed intellect is developed to a certain extent, and there is a hidden source of intellect from which the intellect comes and is drawn, and the more a person exerts himself and uses the power, he "draws" more from the source of the power, from the hiyuli power.
An example of this above: the source of the ten Sefirot of Atzilut is in the Sefirot included in Keter, which is why it is called "Arich Anpin" - long and great face. This means it is the same concept as "Zeir Anpin" in Atzilut, except that it is "greater" and more elevated. The ten Sefirot included in "Arich" in the manner of "Stimaah" are not actual entities of Sefirot, but rather a hiyuli source for the revealed Sefirot. The Sefirot exist there in a concealed state that exists in reality, like a flame included in a coal.
Just as in a coal there is the fire included in it, and there is the essence of the coal itself, so too in the soul, at this level of hiyuli powers found within the soul, the soul itself is simple and unlimited, and within it are included, in a concealment that exists in reality, in a hidden extension, the hiyuli powers. And so it is above, that the Sefirot found in "Arich" in the manner of "Stimaah," in a concealment that exists in reality, are included within the simplicity of the Holy One, blessed be He, who is infinite and without limit.
In very general terms - this is the concept of "Atik," which is "extracted and separated" from the emanated because it is something completely different from them; it is nothing but the infinite simplicity of the Holy One, blessed be He, except that included within it is also the source of the Sefirot, which is "Arich[1]".
- ↑ In "Arich" and "Atik," there are, of course, many additional aspects, such as the concept of will and pleasure, and more. Here we've only touched upon how the roots of the Sefiros exist within them. This is comparable to the soul, which in addition to its essential powers, also contains "encompassing powers."Parallel to "Arich" is the "World of Tohu," also called the "World of Nekudim," where the manner of "drawing down" and revealing the Sefiros occurred in a different form, which led to the "Breaking of the Vessels" and the "falling" of the sparks to the worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah, from which the Klipos were formed. We won't elaborate on this here either. This isn't really part of the regular "Order of Hishtalshelus," but rather like a "deviation" to the side of a different manner of evolution, and establishes a blessing for itself.