Mapping the Spiritual Architecture of Reality through Lurianic Kabbalah
According to Kabbalah, reality is not one-dimensional—it is layered, ascending through realms of increasing divine closeness. These realms are known as the Four Worlds: Asiyah (Action), Yetzirah (Formation), Beriah (Creation), and Atzilut (Emanation). Together, they represent the dynamic unfolding of divine light from the Infinite to the finite.
This course introduces students to the Kabbalistic map of the spiritual worlds and how they correspond to the human soul, Torah, mitzvot, and the process of spiritual ascent. Using Baal HaSulam’s Introduction to the Book of Zohar as the primary text, students will receive a structured, accessible entry into the Lurianic cosmology. Supplementary texts will include teachings from Etz Chaim, Talmud Eser Sefirot, and the Ramchal.
In this course, students will explore:
The structure and purpose of the Four Worlds (Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, Asiyah)
The nature of divine light (Ohr) and its filtering through vessels (Kelim)
The process of descent from Ein Sof to creation (Seder Hishtalshelut)
The soul’s origin, its journey, and where it resides in each world
How mitzvot and prayer elevate sparks and draw divine light through the worlds
The correspondence between the Four Worlds and the levels of Torah interpretation, human consciousness, and sefirotic structure
Baal HaSulam’s teachings on the purpose of creation and the soul’s elevation through these worlds
How understanding the Four Worlds changes the way we relate to reality, identity, and spiritual effort
This course provides a vital framework for understanding how spiritual cause and effect function, and how divine light reaches the individual. It is ideal for students seeking to gain clarity on how Kabbalah maps the universe, and how to engage the world with heightened awareness of its layered divine structure.
Course Workload and Expectations
This is a 3-credit, 12-week seminary-level course requiring approximately 6–9 hours of study and engagement per week. The course is designed to develop both intellectual mastery and inner alignment with the spiritual system described by the Kabbalists. Students will be guided through highly structured texts, visual diagrams, and experiential exercises that explore the inner and outer structure of creation.
Students will engage in the following weekly workload:
Assigned readings from Introduction to the Book of Zohar by Baal HaSulam, supplemented with selections from Etz Chaim, Talmud Eser Sefirot, and writings of the Ramchal
Video lectures breaking down the structure and dynamics of the Four Worlds, including visual schematics and conceptual summaries
Weekly written assignments focused on the nature of divine light, world descent, and soul placement within the cosmological system
Short essays exploring spiritual ascent through mitzvot and Torah learning as explained by Baal HaSulam and the Arizal
Journaling and mapping exercises to visualize the spiritual hierarchy and reflect on personal alignment with these realms
Weekly check-ins or discussion submissions for accountability and feedback from course administrators
A final integrative project such as a personal spiritual map, comparative essay, or applied teaching presentation on the Four Worlds
This course is intended to meet the standards of advanced seminary education, providing not only a conceptual framework of Kabbalistic cosmology but also practical tools for integrating this awareness into daily life and spiritual practice.
This course is also available for 100% online, self-paced personal study, and may be purchased individually for those seeking personal spiritual growth and character development outside of a formal degree program. Mentorship is available for this course at an additional cost.
NOTE: This class is temporarily unavailable to new students until AFTER you've completed the prerequisite class: Spiritual Attainment in Jewish Kabbalah.
