Introduction to the Book of Zohar (PDF) - Kabbalah Media Archive

P R E FAC E T O T H E B O O K O F Z O H A R
• The essence that creates reality is a mystery substance, which cannot
be comprehended by us, in the essences of the material world.
This refers to the Worlds of Infinity and Adam Kadmon, which we
call the unattainable essence.
• The World of Atzilut
is the form.
• Three Worlds of BYA
are the matter.
• The luminescence of
Atzilut in BYA is the form
dressed onto matter.
Now let us take a look
at the drawing in order to understand where we are in our research of
“The Book of Zohar.” There exist the Worlds of Infinity, Adam Kadmon,
Atzilut, Beria, Yetzira, and Assiya. The Worlds of Infinity and Adam Kadmon
represent the essence; the World of Atzilut is the form, while the
Worlds of Beria, Yetzira, and Assiya constitute matter. Below them are
Machsom, or Sium, and this world.
We spend our time in this world only during a preparation period
before we enter the Upper World. Kabbalah tells us about a stage that
begins after we cross the Machsom and commence our ascent. From that
moment, matter (our desire) gradually emerges in us, and takes the form
of the World of Atzilut. That is to say, the World of Atzilut dresses into
matter and gives it its form of bestowal. Matter is reception, desire to
receive. This desire begins to acquire the form of bestowal.
Now let us try to understand how we attain Infinity. What is “Infinity”
for us? Is it simply a lack of comprehension? In such a case it may
not be called this name. If we use a certain word to denote something,
it means that we first attain, grasp, weigh and graduate it within us, and
only then do we give this sensation or state a name. That is to say, if I call
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