R. Ḥayyim Vital, after the Ari · Safed, c. 1572–159020 teachings
עץ חייםEtz Chaim.
Before there was a world, there was only light.
Etz Chaim tells how it withdrew, broke, and is being gathered back.
The Heichal of Adam Kadmon
8
- Iצמצם את עצמוThe WithdrawalTo make room, the Infinite drew back from its own center.
- IIקו אחד ישרThe Single LineOne thin channel, and suddenly there is above and below.
- IIIכגלדי בצלים זה תוך זהCircles Within CirclesOur world is the dimmest point at the heart of every ring.
- IVצלם אדם ישרThe Upright ImageCircle and column: both maps of the sefirot are true.
- Vאדם קדמון לכל הקדומיםThe Primordial HumanThe first form is all window and no face.
- VIאזן חוטם פהBreath and GazeBreath becomes light; a gaze turns it into a vessel.
- VIIטעמים נקודות תגין אותיותFour Kinds of ScriptEvery letter is built from smaller marks of light.
- VIIIעקודיםLights Bound TogetherThe light withdrew, and what it left behind became the vessel.
The Heichal of Nekudim
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- IXעולם הנקודיםThe World of PointsTen points, each standing alone: a world not yet joined.
- Xואלה המלכים אשר מלכו בארץ אדוםThe Seven KingsEach king could carry only its own light, and they came all at once.
- XIהשבירה היתה בכלים לא באורותThe Breaking of the VesselsThe vessels fell; their lights stayed close enough to keep them alive.
- XIIשם מ"ה החדשThe New NameThe eighth king does not die; he gathers the seven.
- XIIIשבירתן זו היא טהרתןBreaking as PurificationWhat breaks is also what gets cleansed.
The Partzufim of Atzilut
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- XIVחמשה פרצופיםFive Faces of AtzilutScattered points become faces turned toward one another.
- XVרפ"ח ניצוציןThe 288 SparksInside every shard, a spark kept alive for its return.
- XVIעיבור יניקה ומוחיןGestation, Nursing, MindJoined in the womb, the separate become one figure.
- XVIIמיין נוקביןThe Rising WatersWhat rises from below calls down what is above.