The Elementary Light: A Study of the Evolution of the Concept of Man in Jewish Mysticism

There are many concepts associated with light in Jewish mysticism, and all its meanings are attributed to the verse of light from the book of Beresheet (1:3). The origin of all lights is the light of Ein Sof “the infinite light”, that all other lights emanate from, which are called Sefirot. Among them is the primordial light associated with man. In this article, we try to explain the concept of primitive light within the development of the concept of man. This study aims to clarify the various meanings associated with the concept of man and its development.
   The study concludes that the concept of man has a mystical dimension linked to the world of Sefirot. The first of these is the heavenly man "Adam Harishon", which corresponds to Elohim in his image, and whose association with the Sefirot represents the human organs. Adam Harishon contrasts with the earthly Adam, who is composed of a body and a soul, where his soul is connected to Elohim and it is the element of his Sefirutic connection.
   The second concept is Adam Kadmon, considering him a primary light linked to creation within the worlds of “Abia” within the level of “Keter”. Then this concept develops to represent the entire universe within the Lurian tsumtsum theory. The third concept is related to the light of the Mashiah, and at the beginning of its creation is called the primordial light, while it is called Adam Kadmon within the reform process “Tikun” the end of time.