kli

Kli is a Hebrew noun meaning "vessel" or "container." It denotes any object that holds or carries something, from everyday items such as pots, jars, and plates to tools that function as receptacles. In modern Hebrew, the word is common in both literal and metaphorical usage, appearing in a wide range of expressions and technical terms.

In Jewish mysticism, particularly Kabbalah and Hasidic thought, kli denotes the spiritual receptacle that receives divine light. The character of a kli—its strength, purity, and capacity—determines how fully and in what form the light is clothed within creation. Central to this idea is the notion of shevirat ha-kelim, the "breaking of the vessels," an event in Lurianic philosophy explaining why the world contains confined energy and how human action can repair or elevate it (tikkun).

Outside of religious literature, kli remains the standard term for physical containers and is used in idiomatic phrases across secular Hebrew. As an acronym, KLI can refer to various organizations or programs, depending on context. The term's versatility across religious and secular domains explains its enduring presence in Hebrew language and Jewish thought.