Seder hishtalshelus

In Kabbalistic and Hasidic philosophy, seder hishtalshelut or hishtalshelus (Hebrew: סדר השתלשלות) refers to the chain-like descent of spiritual worlds (Olam/Olamot) between God and Creation. Each spiritual world denotes a complete realm of existence, resulting from its general proximity or distance to divine revelation. Each realm is also a form of consciousness reflected in this world through the psychology of the soul.

The theosophical tradition in Kabbalah is concerned with defining in great detail the esoteric nature, particular divine manifestations, and functional role of each level between the infinite and the finite. Each spiritual realm embodies a creative stage God continually uses to go from his self to the creation of the physical world, the material Universe being the end of the chain, and the only physical realm. Hasidic thought applies the Kabbalistic scheme to its own concern of perceiving divine omnipresence in this material world. In this, Hasidism varies in its use of Kabbalah, Mainstream-Hasidism avoiding Kabbalistic focus, while Chabad thought explains seder hishtalshelus in relation to man's psychology. In contrast to the functional aim of Kabbalah, this contemplates seder hishtalshelus as a vehicle for relating to the divine unity with creation.^[1]^[2]

The term Seder Hishtalshelus is sometimes used restrictively to refer to the actually emergent Created Order (the comprehensive Four Worlds). More broadly, all preceding levels are included, as their function underlies resulting Existence. This page lists and links to all the main spiritual levels described in Lurianic Kabbalah, the scheme of Isaac Luria (1534–1572), the basis of modern Jewish mysticism. Its listing incorporated, expanded and explained earlier Medieval/Classical Kabbalah. After Luria, esoteric Kabbalists broadened explanation within the Lurianic listing. The supra-rational doctrines of Luria described Chokhmah (wisdom) levels of Divinity (Tzimtzum, Shevira) that preceded the "rationally" perceived Binah (understanding) levels of Medieval Kabbalah and Moshe Cordovero.^[3] In turn, the Habad Hasidic exploration described Keter (will) levels of Divine intention that preceded Creation.^[4]^[5]

^ Chassidut: Kabbalah's Final Frontier Archived 2013-05-27 at the Wayback Machine from inner.org
^ Divine Omnipresence and the Kabbalah of the Baal Shem Tov Archived 2013-03-13 at the Wayback Machine from inner.org. Here Yitzchak Ginsburgh refers to Hasidic thought as a final stage in Kabbalah: "The dimension of Kabbalistic thought introduced by the Baal Shem Tov is what allowed for a fuller appreciation of God's omnipresence within Creation. Although the concept of God's immanence within the created realm was always a central one within Kabbalah, the implications of this concept as expounded by the Baal Shem Tov amounted to an entirely new revelation. According to the Baal Shem Tov, Divine immanencer implies a direct equivalence between God and all other levels of reality, as expressed by the Hasidic aphorism: 'All is God and God is all'. The proper understanding of this idea, especially as it differs from that of pantheism, represents the supreme insight to be attained prior to the Messianic age. The presumption of a stratified reality, be it one which is statically hierarchic (as described by Moshe Cordovero) or dynamically interactive (as described by Isaac Luria), is one intuited by finite minds unable to grasp the true nature of existence. Although both the systems of Cordovero and Luria play an important role in advancing our awareness of the Divine element within Creation, they are only stepping stones on the path to a fully liberated consciousness capable of seeing God within all reality and thus attesting to His absolute exclusivity of Being."
^ The Development of Kabbalah in Three Stages from inner.org: "Whereas the revealed law of the Torah realized its greatest revelation at Sinai, only to have its clarity diminish over time, the hidden tradition experienced a virtually opposite situation; its doctrine has come into sharper focus with every passing generation. Each stage in the historical revelation of Kabbalah represents a conceptual approach to understanding Kabbalistic tradition. Each system of thought served to advance the evolution of Kabbalistic theory by providing new and more illuminating frameworks within which to organize the totality of Kabbalistic doctrine existing up to their time."
^ Ohr Ein Sof: Ten stages of God's Infinite Light before the beginning of the creative process from inner.org
^ Overview of Hasidic thought from inner.org: "By using the individual’s own inner experience as an allegorical model for understanding the deepest mysteries of the universe, Hasidut both elevates the consciousness of the ordinary Jew as well as expands the conceptual territory of Kabbalistic thought. Indeed, the classical tradition of Kabbalah can be considered superficial relative to that of Hasidut. By focusing upon immediate experience, Hasidut identifies aspects of Divinity that the highly formal and abstract system of Kabbalistic induction leaves unexplored."

[1] Chassidut: Kabbalah's Final Frontier Archived 2013-05-27 at the Wayback Machine from inner.org

[2] Divine Omnipresence and the Kabbalah of the Baal Shem Tov Archived 2013-03-13 at the Wayback Machine from inner.org. Here Yitzchak Ginsburgh refers to Hasidic thought as a final stage in Kabbalah: "The dimension of Kabbalistic thought introduced by the Baal Shem Tov is what allowed for a fuller appreciation of God's omnipresence within Creation. Although the concept of God's immanence within the created realm was always a central one within Kabbalah, the implications of this concept as expounded by the Baal Shem Tov amounted to an entirely new revelation. According to the Baal Shem Tov, Divine immanencer implies a direct equivalence between God and all other levels of reality, as expressed by the Hasidic aphorism: 'All is God and God is all'. The proper understanding of this idea, especially as it differs from that of pantheism, represents the supreme insight to be attained prior to the Messianic age. The presumption of a stratified reality, be it one which is statically hierarchic (as described by Moshe Cordovero) or dynamically interactive (as described by Isaac Luria), is one intuited by finite minds unable to grasp the true nature of existence. Although both the systems of Cordovero and Luria play an important role in advancing our awareness of the Divine element within Creation, they are only stepping stones on the path to a fully liberated consciousness capable of seeing God within all reality and thus attesting to His absolute exclusivity of Being."

[3] The Development of Kabbalah in Three Stages from inner.org: "Whereas the revealed law of the Torah realized its greatest revelation at Sinai, only to have its clarity diminish over time, the hidden tradition experienced a virtually opposite situation; its doctrine has come into sharper focus with every passing generation. Each stage in the historical revelation of Kabbalah represents a conceptual approach to understanding Kabbalistic tradition. Each system of thought served to advance the evolution of Kabbalistic theory by providing new and more illuminating frameworks within which to organize the totality of Kabbalistic doctrine existing up to their time."

[4] Ohr Ein Sof: Ten stages of God's Infinite Light before the beginning of the creative process from inner.org

[5] Overview of Hasidic thought from inner.org: "By using the individual’s own inner experience as an allegorical model for understanding the deepest mysteries of the universe, Hasidut both elevates the consciousness of the ordinary Jew as well as expands the conceptual territory of Kabbalistic thought. Indeed, the classical tradition of Kabbalah can be considered superficial relative to that of Hasidut. By focusing upon immediate experience, Hasidut identifies aspects of Divinity that the highly formal and abstract system of Kabbalistic induction leaves unexplored."

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