Partzufim-reconfigured Sephirot
The four realms of our created existence are together called the World of Tikkun ("Fixing"). In Tikkun, the Sephirot evolve into new arrangements, where they can unite together. The different realms Tikkun are characterised as lower lights and stronger vessels.
Subsequent to the interinclusion of the 10 Sephirot within each other, in Lurianic Kabbalah they then develop into "Partsufim" ("Personas"). Wide discussion of the Partsufim is found in the Medieval Kabbalah of the Zohar, before Isaac Luria. In the Zohar, Shimon bar Yochai expounds upon the spiritual roles of the Parsufim, by talking about them as independent spiritual manifestations. "The Holy Ancient of Days", or "The Long Visage", two of the different Parsufim, are not just alternative adjectives for God, but are particular spiritual manifestations, levels and natures. Lurianic Kabbalah focused on the role of the Parsufim as the fully evolved stage of the primordial evolution of the Sephirot, in the beginning of Creation. Instead of each of the 10 Sephirot merely including a full subset of 10 Sephirot as latent potential forces, the first stage of their evolution, in the Parsufim the Sephirot become fully autonomous and interrelated. The name of each Partsuf denotes that the Sephirah from which it derived, has now become an independent scheme of 10 fully functioning Sephirot in the "Upright" (Yosher) form of "Man". This reconfiguration is essential in Lurianic Kabbalah to enable the opposing spiritual forces of the Sephirot to work together in harmony. Each Parsuf now operates independently, and unites with the other Parsufim. So, for example, "The Long Visage" is said to descend, and become enclothed within the lower Parsufim. The Sephirot now harmonise, to enable the Lurianic scheme of Tikkun (Rectification) to begin. The names of the fundamental Partsufim and their English translations:
Sephirah: |
Partsuf: |
---|---|
Above conscious Crown: Keter |
Inner Keter: Atik Yomin "Ancient of Days" Outer Keter: Arich Anpin "Long Face/Visage" (Macroprosopus) |
Intellectual Wisdom: Chochma |
Abba "Father" |
Intellectual Understanding: Binah |
Imma "Mother" |
6 Emotional Sephirot: Chesed Gevurah Tiferet Netzach Hod Yesod |
Zeir Anpin "Small Face/Visage" (Microprosopus) Male son |
Last Emotional Sephirah: Malchut |
Nukvah "Feminine" Counterpart of Zeir Anpin Feminine daughter |
Read more about this topic: Sephirot