Reader

Tikkunei Zohar Reader

Read Tikkunei Zohar in source order, passage by passage, with the close English translation where available and the original source text for checking.

Page 5 of 21 · passages 161-200Tikkunim – Tikkunei Zohar 291:5Work Overview →

Contents on This Page40
Contents on This Page
161Tikkunei Zohar 53:5162Tikkunei Zohar 53:9163Tikkunei Zohar 53:10164Tikkunei Zohar 53:12165Tikkunei Zohar 53:14166Tikkunei Zohar 53:17167Tikkunei Zohar 53:21168Tikkunei Zohar 54:4169Tikkunei Zohar 54:6170Tikkunei Zohar 54:8171Tikkunei Zohar 54:10172Tikkunei Zohar 54:12173Tikkunei Zohar 54:15174Tikkunei Zohar 54:18175Tikkunei Zohar 54:21176Tikkunei Zohar 54:24177Tikkunei Zohar 55:3178Tikkunei Zohar 55:5179Tikkunei Zohar 55:8180Tikkunei Zohar 55:10181Tikkunei Zohar 55:12182Tikkunei Zohar 55:16183Tikkunei Zohar 55:19184Tikkunei Zohar 56:1185Tikkunei Zohar 56:3186Tikkunei Zohar 56:5187Tikkunei Zohar 56:8188Tikkunei Zohar 56:10189Tikkunei Zohar 56:12190Tikkunei Zohar 56:15191Tikkunei Zohar 56:16192Tikkunei Zohar 56:20193Tikkunei Zohar 56:22194Tikkunei Zohar 57:1195Tikkunei Zohar 57:4196Tikkunei Zohar 57:6197Tikkunei Zohar 57:8198Tikkunei Zohar 57:11199Tikkunei Zohar 57:13200Tikkunei Zohar 57:15
161

Source Text

He showed him the ‘reward of the bride’ (agra) de-khalah [Var. of the Shekhinah]. And She is the ‘heart of the fire’ between the thorns, who are the wicked, when they oppress the Shekhinah and Israel. Their reward is ‘ending’ (kalah). Shekhinah, the khalah (bride), exits from amongst them. And the ‘groom’ shall arrive for Her sake, and this is ‘the reward of the conference (kalah) is the crush’,liiiBT Berakhot 6b and He will redeem them from exile, because of Her.

And the oppression of Israel by the mixed multitude in exile, hastens the redemption for them, while their easing of exilic conditions delays the redemption for Israel.

162

Source Text

And therefore, it the angel appeared to Moses, in a flame of fire from the midst of the bush (Ex. 3:2), from within thorns.

When he approached there to see this activity, the blessed Holy One said to him: (Ex. 3:5)... do not approach here, remove your shoes...

Here He alluded, that he Moses should shed his body, which was ‘a shoe’ (na)’al relative to the other body, in which he became enclothed when he approached.

And there is one who says that it the shoe is his wife. And it is all truth: this opinion and that.

163

Source Text

And so did He show him, that the Temple, which is built by humans, is destined to be destroyed, and it will be built at another time, by the hand of the blessed Holy One. It is this that is written: [ (Deut. 33:27) The abode of the God of old, and it is written: (Ex. 15:17)... the sanctuary of Ha-Shem, Your hands have established] (Hag. 2:9) Great shall be the glory of this House, the latter more than the first... Because it is stated of it: (Zech. 2:9) And I shall be for it, says Y”Y, a wall of fire round about...

164

Source Text

It is stated of the Temple: (Ps. 147:2) The builder of Jerusalem is Ha-Shem. And it is stated there, about Adam: (Gen. 2:22) And Y”Y ELQYM built the rib, which He took, from the man... – this is Ḥokhmah,... and He brought her to the man – this is the Middle Pillar, the level of Moses.

And this rib is most certainly ‘the bride of Moses’, and upon it is stated: (Ex. 3:2) And there appeared to him, an angel of Y”Y, in the heart (labat) of the fire – for She is an only daughter (bat), from whom emerged the light of the Torah.

165

Source Text

Similarly, it is stated: (Ex. 2:6)... and she opened, and she saw the boy...... and she saw... – this is the Shekhinah,livShemot Rabbah 1:24 for he was crying because of Her. Then immediately:... and she took pity upon him... And this is: (Jer. 31:8) With crying they shall come, and with supplications I shall lead them... with supplications, most certainly, to fulfil: (Is. 54:7)... and with great mercies I shall gather you.

At that time: all the ḥayot (angelic-beasts) will be aroused in voice, and birds will chirp in song, to receive the daughter in joy and with music, to receive the ‘rites of sanctification’ (qidushin) from the groom – which are (Is. 6:3)... Holy (qadosh), holy, holy... etc. And there is no sanctity less than ten.lv

166

Original

And the ‘rites of sanctification’, they are from the aspect of ‘wisdom’∞ḥokhmah,lvi which is Yod י, (Jer. 2:3) Holy is Israel to Y”Y, the reishyt∞first☉Ḥokhmah of His produce... – the first (reishyt), specifically.

And They are blessed with 7 blessings, from the aspect of Higher Mother (Binah), Who is ‘blessing’ (brakhah). And upon Her it is stated: (Ez. 44:30)... to cause blessing to rest upon your house.

And there are seven blessings: ‘in the morning service: 2 before it the Shema and 1 after it, and in the evening service: 2 before it the Shema, 2 after it.’lvii

167

Source Text

And they are seven sephirot that are included in the unity of the groom and the bride. And this is: (Deut. 6:4) Hear O Israel... etc. Behold, here is holiness, and blessing, and unity.

At that time, David is aroused by ‘the harp which plays by itself’,lviiiBT Berakhot 3b with ten types of tunes, the First of which, is with Ashrei (Fortunate)... and this is Be-REiShYT...

(Gen. 1:1) Be-REiShYT (In-the-beginning) – there in these letters is ASHReY (Fortunate). And this is: (Ps. 1:1) Fortunate (ashrey) is the man... And it is: (Ex. 3:14) EHYeH (I-am) that which (ASHeR) EHYeH... – the Head of all

168

Source Text

And about it is stated: (Song. 7:6) Your head is upon you like the Carmel – and this is the ‘phylacteries of the head’,... and the braid (dalat) of your head is like purple – this is the ‘phylacteries of the hand’. And in them they praise the daughter (bat) with this ashrey (happy).

It is this that is written: (Gen. 30:13)... in ‘my happiness’ (oshri), because daughters have rendered me happy (ishruni).

Who is worthy of raising Her to there? (Ps. 1:1)... he that (asher) has not walked in the counsel of the wicked – which is evil advice, from the side of: (Gen. 2:17)... the tree of knowledge of good and evil...

169

Source Text

(Ps. 1:1)... and in the way of sins he has not stood... What is the way of sins? That of which it is stated: (Prov. 30:20) So is the way of an adulterous woman, she eats and wipes her mouth... etc.

(Ps. 1:1)... and who has not sat in the company of mockers... Who is the company of mockers? This is Lylyt – ‘mother of the mixed multitude’,lixZ 1:27b who contaminates in her ‘sitting’ (moshavah) like a menstruant. And so does the mixed multitude, contaminate the righteous through their company (moshavam), when they ‘sit’ amongst them like a menstruant.

170

Gift of Torah and the Crown

Tikkunei Zohar 54:8CC-BYOriginal Hebrew/Aramaic

Original

And whoever cleaves to this ashrei (fortunate), which is the crown and head of the Torah, it is stated of him: (Ps. 1:3) And he shall be like a tree planted by rivulets of water... – and this is the Tree of Life, of which it is stated:... and its leaves shall not wither – and this is the first tiqun.

The second type of music is with ‘song’ (shyr) – this is Ḥokhmah – composed of ShaR (sings) and Yod י. And there are three Yods – י־י־י, – and they are the top and end and middle of the letter י Yod. And they are alluded to in the concealed Name, which is YOD QeY VAV QeY (=63).

171

Original

With these three, King David praised the Daughter of the King (Malkhut). It is this that is written: (Ps. 121:1) A song La-Ma’alot (of) degrees... Lamed ל (=30) degrees (ma)’alot there are, specifically, – there are thirty levels, through which Daughter ascends towards Father.

With five strings of the harp – which are the ‘five mentions’ of the Name, with which Y”Y is mentioned five times in this Psalm 121: one is my help is from Y”Y (ibid.), 2 is may Y”Y guard you, 3 is Y”Y is your shade, 4 is may Y”Y protect you from all evil, 5 is may Y”Y guard your going out and your coming in.

172

Source Text

And with them does the King say [Var. the King comes], to the bride: (Is. 10:30) Lift your voice in joy, O daughter of the waves (galim) – daughter of ten ‘rollings’ (galgalim), through which YOD QE VAV QE ascends in ten forms of music, and with the four angelic-beasts∞ḥayot that ascend, [Var. which are] of YQV”Q [Var. YOD QE VaV QE] – with simple song, doubled, tripled, quadrupled – which is YQV”Q.

For its sound ascends like the waves of the sea – and the waves of the sea above are ten circles, and upon them it is stated: (Song. 5:14) His hands are wheels of (gelilei) gold, filled with tarshish. With two arms of the Daughter, and in which there are six parts, and they are ‘the six levels of the throne’: (1 King. 10:19) Six ‘degrees’ to the throne.

173

Original

And when ו Vav ascends through them, the seraphim are aroused towards it, to receive it with their wings.

It is this that is written: (Is. 6:2) Seraphim standing above it, six wings... etc. And the one who ascends upon their wings, and flies with them, is Vav ו (=6), comprising the six words of the Unity: (Deut. 6:4) Hear O Israel... And because of it, is stated: (Ecc. 10:20) For the bird of the heavens... etc.

And when Daughter ascends, She ascends through the two arms, – which are Ḥesed and Gevurah – in which there are six parts, which are the letter Vav ו (=6). And the mystery of the matter: (Song. 2:6) His left-hand is beneath my head, and his right-hand embraces me...

174

Original

When this [Var. in this ] song ascends, it ascends in the six words which are Hear O Israel... etc. (Deut. 6:4) And when it descends, it descends in six, which are: “Blessed is the Name of His Kingdom’s Glory for ever and ever.”lxLiturgical: the recital of the Shm’a

And when the melody rises in pitch, it ascends in six, and when it lowers, it lowers in six, and about them it is stated: (Song. 5:15) His thighs are pillars of shesh∞marble (six).

And ten wheels are Yod י (=10), which correspond to ten fingers, which strum the music, five in five, and they are Hei-Hei ה־ה (=5),5 which ascend through Yod (hand), through the six levels, which is the letter Vav (=6), in which they rise and descend.

175

Tale of David

Tikkunei Zohar 54:21CC-BYOriginal Hebrew/Aramaic

Original

And it is like a ladder, of which it is stated: (Gen. 28:12)... and behold a ladder was set in the earth... etc.,... and behold angels of ELQYM were ascending and descending in it (BO)... meaning ‘in ו’ Vav And all is YQVQ, YOD QE VAV QE – YaD (hand, =14), (1 Sam. 19:9)... and David was playing by hand (yad).

Vav ו is the body, its wings are Hei-Hei ה־ה, its head is Yod י, through it, ascends the voice of music.

And furthermore: Vav ו is the candelabrum (menorah). ה־ה Hei-Hei are (Ex. 25:32)... three branches of the menorah from one of its sides... etc. ו Vav is the middle of the menorah the candle upon its top is י Yod when it sits on the letter ו Vav, it is made into the letter ז Zayin (=7). And the mystery of the matter: (Num. 8:2)... the seven candles shall illuminate, thus corresponding to the menorah which is Vav ו and the six branches of the menorah which are: ה־ה Hei-Hei – formed by six ‘Vavs’.

176

Original

And the mystery of the matter: (Zech. 4:2)... seven and seven pipes... until they add up to 14∞YaD, which are the 14 letters of YQVQ YOD QE VAV QE – and this is... and David playing by ‘hand’ (yad, =14). (1 Sam. 19:9)

YaD (hand corresponding to YaD, =14), and [the lesser] letter Hei ה ascends through the letter Vav ו, after which Vav ו (=6) ascends through Yod י (=10), six times ten, until it adds up to sixty.

And they are ‘the cleaving letters’ of the recitation of the Shm’a, for the sake of which it is stated:lxiBT Berakhot 15b ‘Anyone who places a space between the cleaving letters – they cool down

177

Source Text

And about Solomon, it Scripture says: (Song. 3:7) Behold the bed of Solomon, sixty warriors surround it... And they are ‘the guardians [Var. the takers] of his couch’, and corresponding to them are: (Song. 6:8) There are sixty queens...

These are male and these are female. Those of the recitation of the Shm’a, which Moses established – male, those of Solomon – female. And these are a receptacle for these: the levels of Solomon are a receptacle for the levels of Moses. And when all are joined together, then ‘Solomon’ (Sh-LOMoH) is transformed to the word ‘to Moses’ (Le-MOSheH).

178

Yod in Paradise

Tikkunei Zohar 55:5CC-BYOriginal Hebrew/Aramaic

Original

With the constructs of the 4 letters of the Name, was ‘song’ (shyr) established [Var. bound], and about them it is stated: (Gen. 28:12)... and behold the angels of ELQYM etc. Two ascend, and they are Y-Q, and two descend, and they are V-H. And so, the cyclic-waves of the sea [Var. day] ascend in ten, and they are YOD QE VAV QE, and the four angelic-beasts.

When Daughter ascends in song, the ‘eagle’ takes י Yod in the mouth and upon her head. ו Vav in the body, ה־ה Hei-Hei with her wings. ADaM (Human, =45), YOD QE VAV QE (=45) rides above everything: (Ez. 1:10)... and the image of their faces was the face of a man – this ascends above all, the face of a lion to the right of the four of them – this is YQVQ, and ‘the face of [Var. and thus with] an ox’, and ‘the face of [Var. and thus with] an eagle’ – they are a chariot (merkavah) for the Name of YQVQ, and ADaM is above all.

179

Source Text

When She ascends through all these ‘constructs’, He praises Her. It is this that is written: (Song. 4:3) Like a thread of scarlet are your lips, and your speech is beautiful... Behold two types of music in which King David offered praise: with ashrey (fortunate), with shyr (song).

The third type of music is with ‘blessing’ (brakhah) – and this is Higher Shekhinah. And about Her it is stated: (Ps. 103:1) Let my soul bless Y”Y... From this is a person given the ‘soul-breath (nishmat) of life’.

For it is stated of it the soul five constructs:lxiiSee BT Berakhot 10a

180

Original

Just as the blessed Holy One sustains the whole world, so does the soul sustain the whole body. Just as the blessed Holy One sees but is not seen, so the soul sees but is not seen. Just as the blessed Holy One dwells in the innermost chambers, so does the soul dwell in the innermost chambers. Just as the blessed Holy One fills the whole world [Var. the earth of His glory], so does the soul fill the whole body. Just as the blessed Holy One judges the whole world, so does the soul judge the body.

And the mystery of the soul being equal to the blessed Holy One: it is Binah also referred to as MiY (Who). And about Her it is stated: (Is. 40:25) And to whom (MiY) will you liken Me, that I may be compared?... to MiY∞whom (Binah), specifically! And behold the Masters of the Mishnah established these five things, five specifically, because they are of the aspect of higher Hei ה (=5).

181

David's Spiritual Journey

Tikkunei Zohar 55:12CC-BYOriginal Hebrew/Aramaic

Original

And they are all constructs of the heart, as the Masters of the Mishnah have established:lxiiiBT Berakhot 61a and Qohelet Rabbah 1:36 the heart understands, the heart sees, the heart hears. Behold three! Hei ה it actually is [Var. breath]. And the ‘spirit-wind∞ruḥa of the mouth’, through which ascend voice, and utterance and speech, – this is Vav ו, the arteries of the heart are like soldiers following their King.

And the mystery of the matter: (Ez. 1:12) To wherever the ‘spirit’∞ruaḥ was to go, they would go... Thus, do the arteries of the heart behave in relation to the spirit [like with those above]. Behold you have the wind∞ruaḥ in the heart, which emerges from the left ‘ear’ of the heart, it was ‘the northern wind that strummed upon David’s harp.’lxivBT Berakhot 3b And with this spirit did he strum the five strings of the harp, which are the five ‘wings’ lobes of the lung.

182

Original

And through the windpipe, does voice ascend to the heart. And it is a consuming fire from the right ‘ear’ of the heart, which is opposite the liver, and from which emerges speech. It is this that is written: (Jer. 23:29) Is not My word thus like fire? And if not for the wings of the lung blowing upon the heart, it would burn up the whole body.

For Hei-Hei ה־ה are utterance and speech. Vav ו – the voice – incorporates all.

The fourth type of music is with ‘hymn’ (mizmor) – and this is the right arm. It is this that is written: (Ps. 98:1) A hymn: Sing to Y”Y! A new song! For He has done wonders, His right hand has saved... And about that is stated: (Ps. 60:7)... Save with Your right-hand!

183

Original

And it the right-hand of YQV”Q is in exile with the Shekhinah, and It supports Her. And the mystery of the word is: (Is. 53:1) And the arm of Y”Y – upon whom (miy) has it been revealed?

And through It is the promise of redemption. It is this that is written: (Is. 62:8) Y”Y has sworn by His right-hand, and by His arm of strength... And furthermore: (Ruth 3:13)... as Y”Y lives, lie down until the morning.

And why is it called the ‘arm of Y”Y’? Because the palm of the hand has within it a י Yod [Var. YOD יוד ], the five fingers are Hei ה (=5), the windpipe of the right, which is the arm, Vav ו, the shoulder has within it Hei ה. And this is ‘the Middle Pillar’ (Tipheret), which is bound with the right, to raise up the Shekhinah in exile.

184

Source Text

And of Moses, who is the image of the Middle Pillar, it is stated: (Is. 63:12) He leads to the right of Moses, the arm of His glory (Tipheret)... And He ‘splits’ the waters of the Torah, towards the seed of Abraham, who is the right-hand side, to be for him... an eternal Name (shem)...

And he Moses is bound with the Hei (=5) of AbraHam, which is the five books of the Torah, and through which is perfected the name of Moses (MoSheH). And as soon as it his name is perfected, the right-hand is revealed upon him. And this is: (Is. 53:1)... and the arm of Y”Y, upon whom has it been revealed?

185

Source Text

The fifth type of music is ‘tune’ (nigun), [which is ‘garden’ (gan, =53) – that suspend] because from this tune ascend many tunes. ’Uleiman are from the left side, from where the northern wind would descend upon David’s harp,lxvSee BT Berakhot 3b and it would play of itself. It is this that is written: (2 King. 3:15)... and it was as the musician played...

And from there do thunderclaps (re-)’amin emerge. It is this that is written: (Job 26:14)... and the thunder (ra-)’am of His mighty deeds (gevurot), – who can understand?

186

Source Text

And from there: (Is. 24:19) Utterly broken (ro)’ah hitro’a’ah will be the land... – with the ram’s horn sound te-ru’ah – from the side that inclines towards Ḥesed,... trembling, trembling will be the land... – with the ram’s horn sound te-qi’ah (piercing) – crumbled, crumbled will be the land, – with the ram’s horn sound she-varim (breakages).

At that time: the three Patriarchs will become bound to Gevurah, and are made thereby the ram’s horn sounds of te-ru’ah, she-varim, te-qiah, and through them: Utterly broken (ro)’ah hitro’a’ah... etc. And this will be at the end of days, and all these signs, in the Land of Israel they shall be, because Hebron is there, where the Patriarchs are buried.

187

Original

The sixth type of music is: ‘Praise YaH!∞hale-luyaH Praise Him!’ (hale-luhU) – and this is Hei-Vav ה־ו. About that is stated: (Ex. 12:42) It is a night of observances (shimurim) for Y”Y. And this is the Middle Pillar.

And the mystery of the word: (Jer. 31:6)... Let be heard! Praise! And say: Save O Y”Y, Your people, the remnant of Israel! To fulfil the scriptural verse: (Mic. 7:15) Like the days of your exodus from the land of Egypt, I shall show him wonders.

And the mystery of the word MoSHeH (Moses) is an acronym of: (Ecc. 1:9) Mah (What) Shehayah (which) was Hu (he) is that which will be. And regarding it MoSHeH (Moses) is an acronym of: (Ps. 33:14) Mim-khon (From-the-place-of) Shivto (His-dwelling) Hishgiaḥ∞He-looked-out – for he is the image of the Middle Pillar.

188

Original

At that time: the mystery of the Mishnah will be fulfilled, which says:lxviMishnah Pesaḥim 1:4 ‘One may eat the whole of the four hours, and keep it in suspense all the fifth...’ – which is ‘the fifth millennium’ – ‘... and burn it at the beginning of the sixth hour’, – which is ‘the sixth millennium’.

And in order that they not separate between ‘the six’ (shesh), which is the Middle Pillar, and ‘the seven’, which is its coupling partner, one needs to destroy the yeast and the leaven, which are the mixed multitude, for they must not be seen, between six – which is Vav (=6) ו – and seven, of which it is stated: (Ps. 119:164) Seven times in the day I praise you...

189

Original

Because the mixed multitude separated between ‘six’ and ‘seven’, at the Giving of the Torah, as it says: (Ex. 32:1) And the People saw that Moses delayed (vo-shesh)... And they the sages establishedlxviiBT Shabbat 89a that vo-shesh means ‘in six’ (ba-shesh) – in these six hours they made the golden calf, and they separated between Vav ו (=6) and Qei ה (=5), which are between six to seven. So will the blessed Holy One separate them, between the sixth millennium and the seventh.

For because of them, She Shekhinah was as ‘a broken unleavened-bread’, (Deut. 16:3)... the bread of poverty... Poverty, specifically!

190

Original

And at that time the future, She will be whole, like Her companion, Who is a ‘complete unleavened-bread’. It is this that is written: (Is. 30:26) And the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun...

And why was She a broken unleavened-bread? Because ו Vav, Her leg, had withdrawn or ascended from Her, thus preventing Her from being like a precept (mitzvah). And a broken unleavened-bread remains a Dalet ד (poor) and because of that: The ‘broken’ MaTzaH is ד Dalet A ‘complete’ MaTzaH is ה Hei

And because of this, we say both a complete Hallel, and a Hallel that is not complete, on the Passover, corresponding to: complete matzah and broken matzah.

191

Original

And we talk about the bitter herb (maror), because of the Vav ו that became separated from the Hei ה. And this caused for them: (Ex. 1:14) And they embittered (va-yemare-ru) their lives. He became maror (bitter) herb and She became marah (bitter). It is this that is written: (Ruth 1:20)... call me bitter (marah), because ShaDaY has embittered (heimar) me greatly. (Ex. 1:14)... with harsh (qashah) servitude... – with ‘question’ (qushya),... with mortar∞ḥomer... – with ‘a fortiori argument’ (qal) va-ḥomer, when they are among the nations of the world.

192

Original

And what caused this? The Yod י from ShaDaY – the ‘impression of the covenant’ of circumcision – which Moses gave the mixed multitude.

Because of this, Moses was lowered from his level. It is this that is written: (Ex. 32:7)... Go! Descend! For your people have corrupted... Your people and not “My people.”

And by his Moses’ hand, the Shekhinah is destined to be united with the blessed Holy One, because he separated them, he needs to unite them – to fix what he had done wrong.

All the companions rose and kissed him, and they each said: ‘If we had not come to the world except to hear this, it would have been enough.’

193

Source Text

The seventh type of music is with ‘conducting’∞nitzu-aḥ, which is The Eternal∞netzaḥ of Israel. And about it is stated: (1 Sam. 15:29) And also, the Eternal of Israel does not tell falsehood... And about it is stated: (Ps. 22:1) To the conductor∞me-natze-aḥ on ayelet ha-shaḥar... (Ps. 12:1) To the conductor: Upon the eighth (shminit)... What is the eighth? Hod. And it is Netzaḥ which is upon it.

The eighth type of music is with ‘thanksgiving’ (hoda-ah). And David praised with it: (Ps. 136:1) Give thanks (hodu) to Y”Y... And this is most certainly Hod. To the conductor:∞me-natze-aḥ – Give thanks (hodu) – with those they allude to Netzaḥ and Hod, and they are ‘miracles’.

194

Source Text

And with it Hod Moses praised ‘then’ (az, =8). It is this that is written (Ex. 15:1) Then (az) did Moses sing... Because it is Hod that He gave to Moses. (Is. 58:9) ‘‘Az’ (Then) you shall call, and Ha-Shem shall answer...

And it is [Var. and they are] the eight days of circumcision, and, following them, the covenant (bryt) which is Yesod – the ‘Righteous-One of the world’, and through which is revealed

the Yod of circumcision – the tenth of the ten sephirot.

195

Original

And Hod is the eight days of the festival of Ḥanukah, after twenty-four days of Kislev, which are the 24 letters of: ‘Blessed is the Name of the glory of His Kingdom for ever and ever’.

And immediately when (Gen. 8:11)... it had torn-off an olive leaf in its mouth... Kh-H כה (=25) resides upon Israel on the 25th of Kislev, and these are ‘the 25 letters of unity’, which are (Deut. 6:4) Hear O Israel... etc. And this is Ḥanukah – composed of ḥanu (they-encamped) and kh-h (thus, =25).

But of Netzaḥ it is stated: (Gen. 8:4) And the ark rested in the seventh month... because Netzaḥ alludes to Noah, the righteous (tzadiq).

196

Original

And through it (Hod): (Gen. 7:19) And the waters greatly prevailed... When Israel does not observe the covenant of circumcision, the nations of the world prevail, [who are ‘the raging waters’ ], but when they observe it, it is stated of them: (Gen. 8:5)... and the waters were continually decreasing, until the tenth month... – this is the Yod of circumcision, which is Malkhut, tenth of the ten sephirot. [and this is: (Gen. 9:13) My bow I have placed in the cloud... which is ‘covenant’ (bryt) ]

And of Ya’AQoV (Jacob) – with that [Var. with this] thigh – it is stated of him: (Gen. 32:32)... and he was limping on his thigh. For the letter Yod י had flown away from him, and he remained’AQEV (heel). And the mystery of the matter: (Gen. 3:15)... he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.

197
Editorial adaptation — no source text has been imported for this passage yet. This is a JewishMythology.com retelling, not the original.

Jewish mysticism, especially the Zohar, the central text of Kabbalah, grapples with this feeling. It explores the idea of completeness, and how we achieve it, not just as individuals but as a universe. And in Tikkunei (spiritual repair) Zohar 57, we find a fascinating piece of this puzzle.

The passage begins by referencing the completion of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary the Israelites carried through the desert. It says that when the Tabernacle is completed with its yerekh, that's its "thigh," or side, it recalls the verse "And Jacob arrived complete." (Genesis 33:18). What does Jacob have to do with the Tabernacle?

Jacob, specifically, is seen as the image of the Middle Pillar in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. Now, the Tree of Life is a complex diagram representing the structure of the divine and the cosmos. It's made up of ten Sephirot, divine emanations, arranged in three pillars: the Pillar of Mercy, the Pillar of Severity, and the Middle Pillar, which balances the two.

But there's a twist! That Jacob represents the Middle Pillar from the outside aspect. Moses, on the other hand, represents the Middle Pillar from the inside aspect. One is the body, the other the soul. It's a powerful metaphor for the different facets of ourselves, and of the divine. So, if Jacob is the Middle Pillar, he needs to be "built" to be complete.

And how does this completion happen? The two thighs of the Middle Pillar, the Sephirot of Netzach (Eternity) and Hod – Endurance and Splendor – need to be complete.

But here's the real kicker: when will the Middle Pillar be truly complete?

When it joins with the SAFE0 (the Divine Presence).

The Shekhinah is the Divine Presence, the feminine aspect of God, often seen as dwelling among us, in the world. It’s the immanent, accessible face of the Infinite.

The Tikkunei Zohar brings in the verse, "And Jacob travelled to Sukkot, and he built for himself a house.." (Genesis 33:17). This refers to the holiday of Sukkot, where we build temporary dwellings. But on a deeper level, it suggests that Jacob is building a dwelling place for the Shekhinah.

And finally, the text references the creation story: "..and Y”Y ELQYM built the rib.." (Genesis 2:22). This is a coded reference to God building Eve from Adam's rib. In Kabbalistic thought, this mirrors the joining of the masculine and feminine, a union that brings wholeness. Y”Y ELQYM is a specific spelling of God's name with connotations of Divine building and perfection.

So, what does it all mean?

It suggests that true completion, for ourselves and for the cosmos, comes from the union of seemingly separate parts. The Middle Pillar needs its "thighs," Netzach and Hod. Jacob, representing the outer aspect, needs the inner essence represented by Moses. And ultimately, everything needs the grounding, unifying presence of the Shekhinah.

It's a reminder that we are all part of a larger whole, and that our individual journeys are intertwined with the divine dance of creation. Maybe that feeling of something missing isn’t a flaw, but an invitation. An invitation to seek connection, to build bridges, and to find completeness in the embrace of the Shekhinah.

198

Original

At that time, when He is joined with Her, (Gen. 33:18) And Jacob arrived complete... At that time: the tabernacle (SUKaH) will be complete, composed of K-U כ־ו (=26) H-S ה־ס (=65): Y-A-Q-D-V-N-Q-Y.

Arose Rabbi El’azar and said: ‘Father! Father! Why is it stated of the first day of the Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot): (Lev. 23:40) And you shall take for yourselves, on the first day, the fruit of a stately tree...?’

He said to him: ‘My son, one takes the weapons of war in the right hand, and with these weapons of war, Israel are inscribed as victorious in judgement.’

199

Source Text

A parable of a king, who had dispute and war with the ‘70 nations’, and no-one knew who had won the dispute. And they asked him the king: ‘who was victorious in the dispute?’ He said: ‘Look at those who are depicted, with weapons of war in their hands, and you will know who has won the dispute.’lxviiiSee Vayiqra Rabbah 30:2.

And you shall take for yourselves, on the first day, the fruit of a stately tree... – this is the citron (etrog), which is the Shekhinah, the heart,lxixVayiqra Rabbah 30:14 which is the primary of all the limbs of the body, which are three strands of myrtle (hadas), and the palm-branch (lulav), and two strands of willow (’aravah) – the heart is in the middle, and the limbs are round about it. And thus, the etrog is the Shekhinah.

200

Source Text

And thus did the sages of the Mishnah establish:lxxSee Mishnah Sukkah 3:6 and BT Sukkah 35b ‘If its peduncle [Var. its nipple ] was removed, and if scarring had risen over most of it, it is unfit’, – because it the etrog is like the Shekhinah, of which it is stated: (Song. 4:7) All of you is beautiful, my beloved, and there is no defect in ‘her’ you.

Date-palm fronds – this is the lulav. And upon it is stated:lxxiMishnah Sukkah 3:1 ‘if its leaves are separated, it is unfit’, because he is one who ‘cuts off the shoots’, [for behold the lulav is the binding and the unity of all] whoever makes a blessing over it such a lulav on the first day of Sukkot. Because it the lulav is the binding and unity of all, the ‘ḥaiy (life-force, =18) of the worlds’, which corresponds to the 18∞ḥaiy vertebrae of the spine. And because of this, the sages of the Mishnah established:lxxiiVayiqra Rabbah 30:14 ‘the lulav (palm-branch) is like a spine’.