And sometimes, just sometimes, the mystical texts offer a glimpse, a fleeting impression of that cosmic perspective.

The Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a later, deeply esoteric expansion on the Zohar itself, gives us one such glimpse. It focuses intensely on the Shekhinah, the Divine Presence, often understood as the feminine aspect of God, the aspect that dwells within creation, especially within the people of Israel.

The text paints a beautiful picture: the Shekhinah rests upon Israel. And here's the striking part – Israel, in exile, are described as the regel, the “feet,” upon which She stands. Imagine that image for a moment. We, in our imperfect, wandering state, are the foundation for the Divine Presence in this world.

And what does the Holy One, blessed be He, do in response? He praises Her, the Shekhinah, through us. The verse from Song of Songs (7:2) is invoked: "How beautiful are your phe-’amayikh in shoes..."

Now, phe-’amayikh can be translated as "steps." But in Hebrew, words often hold layers of meaning, like geological strata. So, what are these beautiful "steps"?

The Tikkunei Zohar offers a few interpretations, each rich with symbolism. One reading connects it to the three annual pilgrimage festivals – Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot. These are the pe-’amim, the "three times" a year when ancient Israelites would make their way to the Temple in Jerusalem, a physical act of devotion, a journey of the feet that mirrored a journey of the soul. How beautiful, the text implies, are those steps of devotion, those acts of connection.

But there's more. The text takes us back to a pivotal moment in Jewish history: the revelation at Mount Sinai. It quotes Zechariah 14:4: "And his feet shall stand on that day..." Whose feet? At Sinai, God’s presence was intensely revealed. The tradition teaches that at Sinai, the Divine "descended," so to speak, to meet the people. And the Tikkunei Zohar connects this standing at Sinai with the beautiful steps of the Shekhinah.

What does this all mean? The text is suggesting that the Divine finds beauty in our striving, in our attempts to connect, in our willingness to be a foundation, even in exile. Whether it's through the physical act of pilgrimage, or the spiritual ascent that happened at Sinai, or even our daily efforts to live ethically and meaningfully, these are the "steps" that the Divine finds beautiful.

It’s a radical idea, really. That our actions, our journeys – both literal and metaphorical – can be a source of praise, a source of beauty in the eyes of the Divine. It's a reminder that even when we feel lost or insignificant, we are, in a very real sense, carrying the Divine Presence with us, and that our steps, however faltering, can be steps of beauty.