כללות ענין אבי”ע הוא עולם אחד עם שלושה לבושים. והיינו כי האצילות עצמו אינו שלם אלא עם לבושיו.
אמנם כשנבחין הלבושים כל אחד בפני עצמו, נקראים כל אחד עולם בפני עצמו. ובאמת יש לכל אחד פעולה בפני עצמה. נמצא, כשנבחין בי”ע עם האצילות – לא יחשבו אלא ללבושי האצילות. וכשנחשבים לפי פעולותיהם – נקראים עולמות בפני עצמם:
In general terms, the seemingly four separate worlds of Atzilut, Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiyah that comprise the world of Nikkudim are actually one world which is over-covered with three “garments”, given that Atzilut is only complete in its functions with these “garments”.
But the difference is as follows: when we examine these “garments” of Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiyah individually, each one is termed a world, since each one of them serves a unique function. That’s why when we consider Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiyah along with Atzilut altogether, then Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiyah are only considered Atzilut’s “garments”, yet when they’re considered in light of their functions, Briah, Yetzirah, and Assiyah are termed and taken to be separate worlds.
(c) 2012 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman
Feel free to contact me at feldman@torah.org
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Rabbi Yaakov Feldman has also translated and commented upon “The Path of the Just” and “The Duties of the Heart” (Jason Aronson Publishers).
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