It’s a question that has echoed through Jewish mystical thought for centuries, and today, we're diving into a tiny but potent piece of the Idra Zuta to explore just that.
The Idra Zuta, part of the Zohar, is a profound text filled with secrets of Kabbalah, or Jewish mysticism. It's not always easy to grasp, but the rewards are immense.
Our passage focuses on a verse from Deuteronomy (Devarim 11:12): "From the beginning of the year to the end of the year, the eyes of Hashem (God) are upon it [Jerusalem]." Simple enough on the surface. But the mystics see layers upon layers of meaning.
So, where exactly are those eyes of Hashem fixed upon Jerusalem "from the beginning of the year?"
The text tells us that "the beginning of the year" refers to Binah. Binah, often translated as "understanding," is one of the sefirot, the ten emanations of God through which He reveals Himself and continuously creates both the physical realm and the chain of higher metaphysical realms. And here's where it gets interesting.
The Idra Zuta points out that the Hebrew word for Binah (בינה) is spelled defectively here, without the letter Aleph (א). Why does this matter? Because without the Aleph, the word can also suggest judgment. The text is telling us that judgment is attached to Binah's left side – even though Binah itself isn't purely judgment.
Think of it like this: Understanding without compassion can easily become harsh judgment. The Divine is always balancing the scales.
Okay, that's the beginning of the year. But what about "the end of the year?"
The text states: "…to the end of the year" (Devarim 11:12): the end of the year is truly there as said, “righteousness lodged in it,” which is the end of the year, namely, Malchut."
Malchut, meaning "kingdom" or "kingship," is the final sefirah. It represents the culmination of all the divine energies, the point where they manifest in the physical world. It's associated with tzedek, righteousness. So, according to this passage, the "end of the year" – the ultimate outcome – is where righteousness resides, in Malchut.
In essence, the verse is describing a cycle: from the potential for judgment inherent in understanding (Binah) to the realization of righteousness in manifestation (Malchut). The eyes of Hashem are on this entire process, guiding it, ensuring that even in the face of potential harshness, the ultimate goal is justice and compassion.
What does this mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that even when things seem difficult or unfair, there's a larger process at play. A process watched over by the Divine, moving towards a state of balance and righteousness. Maybe it's a call to cultivate understanding tempered with compassion, to strive for tzedek in our own lives, and to trust that even in the darkest times, the eyes of Hashem are upon us, guiding us toward a better end.