It seems straightforward, but like peering into the deepest ocean, the deeper we go, the more layers of meaning we find.
The Zohar, in Genesis 1:1, dives right into this mystery. It suggests that within that "beginning" itself, there was something concealed, an entity "not known to this palace" – meaning, not immediately apparent to our world. Intriguing, right?
The commentary Mikdash Melech illuminates this further, interpreting that "beginning" as the Father (undefined), the source from which this hidden entity springs. This Abba, the Ancient One, remains veiled from our immediate perception. The "palace," on the other hand, is seen as the Mother, called undefined.
But wait, there's more! Another interpretation flips the script slightly. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" can also be understood as the power of the Father (Abba) bringing forth the heavens and the earth. In this view, heaven and earth represent the Zeir Anpin (the Lesser Countenance, often associated with the son in Kabbalistic symbolism) and its feminine counterpart, the Nukva.
So, what’s the key takeaway here? Whether we're talking about the Ancient One or the Binah (Understanding) encompassing heaven and earth, the term "Father" is inextricably linked to that initial creative spark.
Mikdash Melech adds another layer, explaining that the heavens symbolize the right side of the Holy One, blessed be He, and the earth, His left. God extended His right side to create the heavens and His left to form the earth. The commentary Rechav HaChesed further connects this to the attributes of Chesed (loving-kindness) and Gevurah (severity). Chesed, it says, builds the male aspect (Zeir Anpin), while Gevurah builds the female aspect.
The verse in Isaiah 48:13, "Even My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand has stretched out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand up together," is then brought in. But what does “standing together” really signify? It’s not a literal, physical standing. Instead, it signifies the unity of the right and left sides, represented by the Hebrew word "et" (את). It’s a unification of divine attributes, a harmonious balance.
Mikdash Melech clarifies that the phrase "Even My hand has laid the foundation of the earth" is the voice of Binah (Understanding). Now, you might wonder, why not a literal standing together? Because, the text points out, the female aspect (Nukva) sometimes separates from the male aspect (Zeir Anpin), especially during times of exile. If they always stood together, this separation wouldn't be possible.
The text then concludes with a somewhat critical observation. It suggests that the author of the Zohar, in these interpretations, might be deviating from the traditional path of scriptural understanding as laid out by the sages. It directs us to a later section for a fuller explanation of this point.
What does all of this mean for us? Perhaps it’s a reminder that the simple words we read often hold universes of meaning. It invites us to delve deeper, to question, and to explore the rich tapestry of Jewish thought, even when it challenges conventional interpretations. The very beginning, it seems, is just the beginning of our journey.