Akudim

The realm known as Akudim is one of the many worlds described by Kabbalah as being part of the order of development that G-d utilized to create the physical world. Akudim is the first world to result from Adam Kadmon and is the first stage in the creation of "lights" and "vessels".

The source of the world of Akudim

The world of Akudim is formed of the vapor that emanates from the "mouth" of Adam Kadmon.

"Lights" and "Vessels" in the world of Akudim

In this world, all the ten Sfirot, or Heavenly Attributes, are bound within one vessel, hence then name "Akudim" (meaning "binding"), for all the lights are bound into one vessel.

The lights, unable to "settle" well into the one vessel, enter into a "dynamic" referred to as mati v'lo mati, literally "reaching and not reaching." The lights descend from the "mouth" of Ak to enter the vessel of Akudim and then "about-face" to (partially) ascend back to their source in the "mouth" of Ak, and so, back and forth forever.

Expressions of Akudim in human beings

By a human being this is represented by a situation in which all of one's attributes, be they emotional or intellectual, have only one way to express itself. One can compare this to an infant who possesses the sole medium of "crying" (or a single word) that he can utilize to express his myriad attributes.