The Kabbalists certainly did. And they found answers in the most unexpected places – even in the musical notes we use to chant the Torah. to a fascinating passage from the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, specifically Tikkun 59. It all revolves around the word matarah. Now, matarah can mean "target." But it also means "protector." How can one word hold such seemingly opposite meanings?
The Tikkunei Zohar sees a deep connection. It starts with a seemingly simple question: What exactly is the "target"? The answer is surprisingly poetic: it’s the cantillation note yeraḥ ben yomo – “a day-old moon." Yeraḥ, of course, means moon. And this isn't just any moon; it’s the holy moon.
Why is this "day-old moon" a target? Because, as the text says, she's "a target for 'the eye's daughter,' a small point inside, towards which he sends arrows, with the 'love of the eyes.'" This is beautiful, mystical language. It suggests a profound connection, a loving focus, even in the act of aiming. This "eye’s daughter" is a subtle point, almost hidden, that draws the attention.
But here’s the twist. This same matarah, this "target," is also a protector. The Shekhinah – the divine feminine presence – is a matarah, a protector of Israel, shielding them from the evil serpent Samael. Think of it as a cosmic shield, deflecting negativity.
And those whom the Shekhinah protects? Well, of them it is said, quoting Psalm 91: "You shall not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day." (Psalm 91:5). Powerful stuff. But it gets even more interesting. The verse continues: "With his limb (evrato) He will cover you..." (Psalm 91:4). What's this "limb" all about? The Tikkunei Zohar identifies this eiver, this "limb," as belonging to ha-ḥaiy, "the living" – that is, Yesod, the Righteous One. Yesod is the Sefirah, the divine attribute, associated with foundation, connection, and, yes, even the reproductive force of the universe. Ginzberg, in his Legends of the Jews, often highlights the vital role of Yesod in maintaining cosmic harmony.
So, what does it all mean?
The Tikkunei Zohar is painting a picture of a dynamic relationship. The Shekhinah, the divine feminine, is both a point of focus – a "target" for divine love and attention – and a shield, a "protector" against negativity. And this protection flows from Yesod, the source of life and connection.
It’s a reminder that even in our vulnerability, we are protected. Even when we feel targeted, there is a divine presence watching over us. The "arrow that flies by day" might be aimed at us, but we are covered by the protective "limb" of the Divine. It’s a beautiful and comforting thought, isn't it? A reminder that even in the darkest times, we are not alone.