Worlds of ABY"A in General Hishtalshelut

Worlds of ABY"A in the general hishtalshelut (chain of spiritual descent) describe the descent of worlds from Ohr Ein Sof down to the world of Atzilut. These worlds include those that precede the particular world of Atzilut, since the particular world of Atzilut is only Adam D'Asiyah in the general hishtalshelut.

Atzilut HaKlalit (General Atzilut)

The name Atzilut HaKlalit refers to Ohr Ein Sof (the Infinite Light) before the Tzimtzum (contraction). Ohr Ein Sof extends from concealment to revelation, and is emanated from the Maor (Source of Light), therefore it is called Atzilut HaKlalit. Malchut of Ohr Ein Sof is the lowest level of the Maatzil (Emanator) that extends to become the Keter for Adam D'Briah, which is Adam Kadmon. Since it extends to become the soul for the root of Atzilut, it is appropriate to speak of ten sefirot within it, and this is what is called the Ten Hidden Sefirot.

Adam D'Briah (Man of Creation)

The name Adam D'Briah refers to Adam Kadmon, which is the title and level of the world standing at the head of the order of hishtalshelut after the First Tzimtzum. This world is incomparably lower than Atzilut HaKlalit, just as there is no comparison between the world of Briah and the world of Atzilut.

In this world, there is no division of sefirot at all, because the sefirot within it exist in complete abstraction.

Adam D'Yetzirah (Man of Formation)

Adam D'Yetzirah includes the partzufim (spiritual configurations) of Atik Yomin and Arich Anpin of Keter Elyon, meaning the Keter of the world of Atzilut.

Alternatively, Adam D'Yetzirah is the world of Akudim and the world of Nekudim.

In the world of Akudim, the ten sefirot are bound (akudim) in one vessel, and do not divide into different vessels. In this world, the Name of SaG (72) dwells, which represents the sefirah of Chochmah and bitul (self-nullification), and because of this, the sefirot are united without any division. In this world, the lights are of great intensity, and yet they are bound in one vessel, due to the power of bitul within them. This is what is stated in Sefer Yetzirah: "Before the One, what do you count?"

The world of Nekudim is also called the world of Tohu. In this world, the sefirot exist in ten different vessels, but they have no integration with each other, and therefore in this world there was Shvirat HaKeilim (Breaking of the Vessels). The intensity of the lights in this world is like in the world of Akudim, but they lack the intensity of bitul.

Adam D'Asiyah (Man of Action)

The name Adam D'Asiyah refers to the world of Atzilut. The world of Atzilut is also called the world of Berudim, and is also called the world of Tikkun. In this world, the sefirot exist in ten divided vessels, but each sefirah includes all the other sefirot, through the Name of MaH (45), which represents bitul. In this world, there are diminished lights in broad vessels. The intention is to draw down the intensity of the lights of the world of Akudim into the broad vessels of the world of Berudim.