Seder hishtalshelus

Seder Hishtalshelus, which literally means the "order of the chain" is the Kabbalistic term for the chain of descent G-d used to go from His self, until the creation of the physical world as we know it. The Tanya. states that learning about the Seder Hishtalshelus will bring a person to a "complete heart".

The basic stations

The basic stations of this process from above to below are:

-Ohr Ein Sof before the Tzimtzum ("the Infinite Light before the contraction")

-The Reshimu ("The Impression)

-The Kav ("Line of light")

-Adam Kadmon ("Primordial Man")

-Atzilus ("Wold of Emanation")

-Beriya ("World of Creation")

-Yetzira ("World of Formation")

-Asiya ("World of Action")

Although these are the basic stations, there are infinite details to each level. In order for one to understand Seder Hishtalshelus properly, one must first understand how all of these levels exist within himself. Once he has mastered this, he can begin to see how all of these levels exist in the world. Once one has mastered this, one should be able to take any event or aspect of creation and trace it up the Hishtalshelus to G-d Himself, then back down to the original view and see how G-d is literally here with us, relating to us directly. The purpose of learning about Seder Hishtalshelus is not to know about many distinct levels, on the contrary, the purpose should be to be able to see how all the levels in between us and G-d are transparent and irrelevent, and in truth G-d is relating to us directly, and there is "none besides for Him".

This is much like two friends talking on the phone. There are many stages one's voice must undergo before it reaches the other. Yet we say that they are talking to eachother, not to their phones. The stages in between become irrelevant and transparent in that situation.

Internal links

Tzimtzum

Merkabah

Jewish meditation

External links

Explanations of Seder Hishtalshelus

An Audio Sereis Explaining Seder Hishtalshelus

Kabbalah Online