Parsa

In Kabbalah, Parsa (פַּרְסָא) refers to a spiritual barrier, screen, or dividing membrane that separates levels of reality while still allowing a measured flow of divine light to pass through. It is not a wall that blocks completely, but a filter that limits, softens, and adapts the light so that lower worlds can receive it without being overwhelmed. The concept of the Parsa is essential for understanding how infinite divine energy descends into finite creation in an orderly and sustainable way.

The Holy Ari explains that the primary Parsa stands between the world of Atzilut and the lower worlds of Beriah, Yetzirah, and Asiyah. Above the Parsa, the light is unified, direct, and close to its source; below it, the light becomes increasingly concealed and fragmented, allowing for individuality, free will, and physical existence. The Parsa thus creates the conditions for spiritual work: because the light is hidden, human beings must engage in Torah, mitzvot, and prayer to elevate sparks and draw the light back upward in rectified form. In this sense, the Parsa is not an obstacle but a necessary instrument of tikkun, enabling both creation and the meaningful role of humanity within it.