The Kabbalah, that mystical branch of Jewish wisdom, delves right into it. And a text called Kalach Pitchei Chokhmah, "138 Openings of Wisdom," gives us a glimpse into this profound union.
It talks about a joining, a merging of two into one. Think of it as two souls, so intertwined, they become a single entity on the level of Ruach – the spirit. The text tells us that through "Kisses," they become one, because the joining is complete in the interior. Even the external aspects, the "exterior vessels," connect with the greatest degree of connection possible.
What does this mean? It's not just about physical intimacy, but a meeting of minds, hearts, and souls.
And then comes a fascinating idea: "the Spirit that her husband sends into her." What is this “spirit”? This isn’t some literal sending of air. It’s about the giving of power, of influence. The text explains that before anything can truly happen, there needs to be a repair – a Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">tikkun. The "lights," referring to divine attributes or energies, need to be fixed, restored, so they can do what they are meant to do. Only then can they carry out their functions.
These lights, these divine energies, are always the same, but the influence they channel is constantly renewed. Think of it like a riverbed that’s always there, but the water flowing through it is ever fresh and new.
But to draw forth this influence, Nukva – often understood as the feminine aspect of God, the Shekhinah – needs a further repair: the arousal of the souls. This isn't just about waking them up, but preparing them to act. The text is telling us that this process requires a certain power, that "Spirit that her husband sends into her," to gather the souls to her, so she can accomplish this task.
What task? Making a vessel. The Shekhinah needs to create a container, a space, to receive and channel this renewed influence. This "vessel" isn't just passive; it's active, a dynamic force in bringing the divine flow into the world.
It’s a beautiful image, isn’t it? This idea of divine union, of repaired energies, of the constant renewal of influence. It speaks to the potential within each of us to connect deeply, to repair what's broken, and to become vessels for something greater than ourselves.