You might be onto something. The Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a cornerstone of Kabbalistic literature, hints at just that.
It's a fascinating and intricate text, offering us glimpses into the mystical underpinnings of our world. In Tikkunei Zohar 46, we find ourselves exploring the deeper meanings behind the seemingly simple verse in Deuteronomy (22:7), "You shall 'surely' send" (shalei-aḥ te-shalaḥ). But what does sending birds away from a nest have to do with our souls?
The Tikkunei Zohar connects this verse to the very essence of our being: the Nefesh, Ruach, and Neshamah – the animating soul, the spirit, and the soul. These three are often understood as different levels of our spiritual makeup.
And then there's the intriguing mention of "the mother" (et ha-eim). The text associates the mother with the level of the soul, referencing Isaiah 50:1, "And through your sins your mother was sent away…" It's a powerful image, linking our actions to the well-being, the very presence, of the soul. The Tikkunei Zohar even suggests that "et" – a seemingly untranslatable word in Hebrew, often used to mark the direct object – comes to include the third reincarnation. Reincarnation! It adds another layer to the idea of our souls' journey, a cycle of return and refinement.
But here's where it gets really interesting. The Tikkunei Zohar speaks of "the visitors," extra souls that are grafted onto us on the eve of Shabbat. Think about that for a moment. On Friday night, as we welcome the Sabbath, are we also welcoming these extra sparks of divinity?
The text emphasizes the importance of receiving these "visitors" with joy, with radiant bodies and bright faces, with delight in this world. Why? Because, according to the Tikkunei Zohar, how we receive them here directly impacts how we are received in the world to come when our own soul, spirit, and animating soul depart from our bodies.
It’s like a cosmic echo. The hospitality we show in this world reverberates in the next.
There's a beautiful verse from Psalms (84:4) quoted: "Even the bird has found a home..." It's a comforting image, suggesting that even the smallest creature, even the transient soul, can find rest and belonging.
So, what can we take away from this passage in the Tikkunei Zohar? It's a reminder that our actions, our attitudes, and our very presence have profound spiritual implications. Welcoming Shabbat with joy isn't just a tradition; it's an opportunity to connect with something greater than ourselves, to receive the "visitors" with open hearts, and to shape our own destiny in the world to come.
Perhaps this Shabbat, as you light the candles and welcome the Sabbath Queen, consider the possibility of those extra souls joining you at your table. And ask yourself: how can I receive them – and live my life – with more joy, more radiance, and more delight?