The Tikkunei Zohar, a truly mind-bending section of the Zohar, offers us a glimpse into exactly that.

Ready to dive in?

This particular passage from Tikkunei Zohar 35 paints a picture – literally! – of the cosmos, all neatly inscribed and engraved. "In it, are inscribed and depicted and engraved, the images of higher and lower." Think of it as a grand cosmic blueprint, where everything from the loftiest spiritual realms to the humblest earthly details finds its place. But what's at the heart of this blueprint?

Well, according to the Tikkunei Zohar, it’s the image of Adam, the primordial human. "The depiction of Adam is inscribed there, and it is a ‘human form’." Not just any human, mind you, but Adam – a representation of humanity's potential to embody the divine. Adam is the microcosm that reflects the macrocosm. We are, in essence, walking, talking (and hopefully improving!) versions of the universe itself.

And around Adam? Here's where things get really interesting. The text continues: "The inscription of the lion is there, to the right, and the inscription of the ox, to the left, and the inscription of the eagle, in the middle." Lion, ox, eagle… sound familiar?

These aren't just random animals. They're powerful symbols, deeply rooted in Jewish mystical thought. They are the very same figures that surround the divine chariot in the vision of the prophet Ezekiel (Ez. 1:10). The text explicitly references this: "And the mystery of the word: (Ez. 1:10) And the image of their faces is the face of a man, and the face of a lion to the right of the four of them etc. [and four faces for the four of them] to each ‘beast’ there are four faces."

What's going on here?

Each of these "beasts" with their four faces, represents a different aspect of the divine. The lion embodies strength and kingship; the ox, service and dedication; the eagle, soaring intellect and spiritual vision. And notice where they are placed in relation to Adam: right, left, and middle. They are not just companions, but integral parts of the cosmic design, all centered around the human form.

So, why these four figures? The Tikkunei Zohar gives us the key: "These are the four letters of the holy Name – of YQV”Q – which shines through them." YQV”Q, usually vocalized as YHVH, is the Tetragrammaton, the unpronounceable, ineffable name of God. The four letters of this name, according to Kabbalah, represent the four levels of creation, the four worlds of existence (Atzilut, Beriah, Yetzirah, Assiah), and the very essence of the Divine. Each animal corresponds to one of these letters, channeling its power and energy into the world.

Think about that for a moment. The very fabric of reality, the divine presence itself, is interwoven with these symbols, with Adam at the center. We are not just observers in this cosmic drama; we are participants. Our actions, our thoughts, our very being, influence and are influenced by this grand design.

What does this mean for us, practically? It means that every choice we make has cosmic significance. It means that we have the potential to embody the qualities of the lion, the ox, the eagle—strength, service, vision—and to bring the divine light into the world. It also means that we are interconnected, not only to each other, but to the entire universe, all reflecting the divine name, YQV”Q.

Pretty heavy stuff, right? But incredibly inspiring. It invites us to see ourselves, and the world around us, in a whole new light.