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Four Worlds

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Kabbalah distinguishes between four different "worlds" or "planes,"[1] based on the verse in Isaiah 43: 7,

Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

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  1. Atziluth (אֲצִילוּת), or "World of Emanations", on this level the light of the Ain Sof radiates and is still united with its source.
  2. Beri'ah (בְּרִיאָה) or "World of Creation", on this level the first concept of creation ex nihilo however without any shape or form. This is also where the Highest Ranking Angels are to be found.
  3. Yetzirah (יְצִירָה) or "World of Formation" on this level the created being assumes shape and form.
  4. Asiyah' (עֲשִׂיָּה) or "World of Actions", on this level the creation is complete, however it is still in a spiritual level. At a later stage there is the 'physical Asiyah' comprising our physical world with all its creatures.

Each of these worlds are progressively grosser and further removed from any revealed Godliness, however the ten Sephirot manifest in all of them.