Jewish mysticism often uses imagery like that to describe our connection to the divine. Take, for example, this passage from Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar 54, a section of the Tikkunei Zohar, which is itself a later, expansive companion to the core text of the Kabbalah, the Zohar. It paints a vivid picture of ascent and connection.
The passage speaks of the letter Vav (ו), the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Kabbalistic thought, Vav isn't just a letter; it's a conduit, a channel, a link. Think of it as a cosmic "and," connecting different realms of existence.
So, what happens when this Vav ascends? The text tells us that the seraphim – those fiery, angelic beings – are aroused, eager to receive it with their wings. Remember Isaiah's vision (Isaiah 6:2): "Seraphim were standing above it; each had six wings..." The Tikkunei Zohar connects this verse directly to the ascent of Vav. It’s a powerful image of divine welcome and embrace.
And what rides on the wings of these angels? The Vav, we're told, "comprises the six words of the Unity." These are the first six words of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4): Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad – "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One." The very essence of Jewish monotheism, the declaration of God's absolute oneness, is carried aloft on these celestial wings. That's how important the Vav is. Because of this ascent, we are told, "For the bird of the heavens will carry the sound" (Ecclesiastes 10:20).
But the ascent doesn’t stop there. The passage then speaks of "Daughter" – often understood in Kabbalah as the Shekhinah, the divine feminine presence, or as the community of Israel. This Daughter ascends through the "two arms," which represent Ḥesed (loving-kindness) and Gevurah (strength or judgment). These are two of the ten Sefirot, the emanations of God's divine attributes. Within these arms, we again find the six parts of the letter Vav.
The mystery of this is revealed in a verse from the Song of Songs (2:6): "His left hand is beneath my head, and his right hand embraces me." It's a beautiful image of intimacy and support, suggesting that the divine embraces us with both love and strength, guiding us on our own ascent.
So, what does it all mean? It's easy to get lost in the complex symbolism, but at its heart, this passage speaks of connection: the connection between the earthly and the divine, between different aspects of God, and between ourselves and the divine presence. : How do you connect to something larger than yourself? Where do you find those "wings" that lift you up? Maybe it's in prayer, in acts of kindness, in moments of quiet contemplation, or in the embrace of community. Maybe, just maybe, it's in the simple act of saying the Shema, feeling the weight of those six words carrying you towards something truly profound. Perhaps the Vav is not just a letter, but a constant invitation to ascend, to connect, and to be embraced by the divine.