That feeling is understandable, especially when we dive into texts like the Zohar. The Zohar, a foundational work of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), is a sprawling, poetic, and often enigmatic exploration of the secrets of the Torah and the universe.
But how do we, as modern readers, unlock its wisdom?
That's where the teachings of Baal HaSulam come in. Baal HaSulam, whose real name was Rabbi Yehuda Leib HaLevi Ashlag, was a 20th-century Kabbalist who dedicated his life to making the wisdom of the Zohar accessible to all. His commentary and explanations are like a bridge, helping us cross the chasm between the ancient world and our own understanding.
In his "Preface to the Zohar," Baal HaSulam offers a crucial key to unlocking the text. He reminds us that the Zohar isn't just some abstract cosmological treatise. It's fundamentally about us.
He explains that our soul, that spark of the Divine within us, exists in every world, on every plane of existence. And in each of those worlds, our soul needs to grow, to mature, to become complete.
Baal HaSulam lays out a principle: everything in the Zohar, even when it seems to be talking about the most abstract concepts – the sefirot (divine emanations), the angels, the heavenly realms – is ultimately about the soul of humankind. It's about what the soul receives, how it's nourished, and what it needs to thrive.
Think of it this way: imagine reading a detailed account of a complex ecosystem. You could get lost in the scientific descriptions of the plants, animals, and climate. But if you understand that the entire ecosystem is ultimately about the survival and flourishing of a single, specific organism, suddenly everything snaps into focus.
That’s what Baal HaSulam is saying about the Zohar. When we read about the sefirot, or the angels, or the palaces of heaven, we need to ask ourselves: what does this mean for my soul? How does this affect my journey of growth and completion?
The Zohar is full of layers of meaning, and it can be easy to get lost in the details. But Baal HaSulam gives us a powerful reminder: keep the soul at the center.
If we can understand everything in the Zohar as being focused on the needs and growth of the soul, then, according to Baal HaSulam, we will "understand and succeed in our undertakings."
So, the next time you find yourself wrestling with a passage in the Zohar, remember this: it's not just about abstract concepts. It's about you. It's about your soul. And it's about your journey towards wholeness. What does this ancient wisdom have to say about your life?