Editing Adam HaElyon (section)

== Level ==
When the prophets describe the Divine Chariot (Merkavah), they describe the Throne of Glory and the One sitting upon it:<blockquote>"I saw the L-rd sitting on a high and lofty throne" — Sefer Yeshayahu 6:1</blockquote><blockquote>"And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it" — Sefer Yechezkel 1:26</blockquote>The essence of this level, as well as other various titles like "the hand of Hashem" and similar expressions, refer only to G-dliness as it was contracted and clothed in the ten sefirot, and because of this it is called "Adam" (man); but in the Infinite Light (Ohr Ein Sof) itself that is beyond embodiment, there it is not appropriate to call it by the name "Adam," but rather it is called "Lo Adam" (not man), and the embodiment in the aspect of "Adam" is through great contractions (tzimtzumim).

This mode of light's embodiment in the sefirot is also called "temunah" (image), because the word "temunah" has the same gematria (numerical value) as "partzuf adam" (human countenance). Regarding this it is said, "And he beholds the image of Hashem," but regarding the light that is beyond this embodiment, it is not applicable, and about it is written, "For you saw no image," "And you saw no image."

Generally, the title 'Adam' refers to the ten sefirot in the world of Atzilut, and specifically (to Zeir Anpin), to the sefirah of Tiferet within it (as it is written "as the beauty of Adam").

But in a more general sense, the title 'Adam' also applies to Keter of Atzilut, since even though it is not a 'human countenance,' it is a 'human skull.' Similarly, the general Keter is called 'Adam Kadmon' (Primordial Man). Thus, when it is in a state of 'smallness,' it is called 'Zeir Anpin' (the ten sefirot of Atzilut); when it is in a state of 'greatness,' it is called 'Arich Anpin'; and when it is in an even greater state of 'greatness,' it is called 'Adam Kadmon.'