"In Jewish tradition there are two meanings to the word adam, man:
The first comes from the word adamah, earth, defining his physical existence; according to this meaning, the three letters of the Hebrew word adam – aleph, dalet, mem – stand for efer (ash), dam (blood) and marah (bile).
The second meaning sees the word adam as derived from the phrase edame la'elyon – 'I resemble the Supernal One,' man in God's image (Genesis 1:27).
According to the laws of optics, when a broad ray of light goes through a small aperture, it preserves the shape of its luminous source.
Similarly, the Divine light that travels through the universe is reflected through this tiny slit called 'man' – while remaining Divine Light, albeit on a human scale."
--Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
From an essay, "Man of Light" by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
