In kabbalistic literature, Ein Sof, or the Infinite One, has two meanings. One is the initial stage of creation, what is referred to as the Creator’s intent for creation, before the first constriction (tzimtzum), when the light and vessel are infinite. That is, there is an infinite will to receive that draws into it infinite light. The other meaning of Ein Sof is a “relative” Ein Sof, which is the Keter of each level of reality, because in relation to the levels beneath it, Keter is regarded as absolute light, without vessel or limitation. Thus, for example, the world of Adam Kadmon is defined as Ein Sof in relation to the worlds of Atzilut, Beria, Yetzira, and Asiya, because the world of Adam Kadmon is the Keter level of the lower four worlds. Similarly, the partzuf called Atik (literally, “Ancient”), the highest partzuf of an individual world, is the Keter of its respective world, and is defined as Ein Sof in relation to that world. The same applies to the sefira of Keter in each partzuf: It is defined as Ein Sof relative to that partzuf. The focus of most of the Zohar is on this relative Ein Sof.
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