The Tikkunei Zohar, a profound commentary on the Zohar, delves deep into the secrets of creation and the nature of God. In Tikkunei Zohar 68, the text highlights the immense power held within our very own lips, describing them as "gates of the chamber." What chamber? The chamber of prayer, of course. These aren't just any lips; they're worthy lips, capable of receiving and transmitting our deepest desires and intentions to the divine.
The passage then brings in a familiar plea from Psalm 51:17: "ADNY! Open my lips..." ADNY, often translated as "Lord," is a name we use to address the divine. It's a heartfelt request, an acknowledgement that we need help, that we need divine assistance to even begin to articulate what's in our hearts. We need God to clear our throat so we can speak clearly and be heard.
And then, Psalm 118:19: "Open for me the gates of righteousness..." It's not just about any opening; it's about opening to righteousness, to justice, to a connection with the divine order.
Why this focus on opening? Because, according to the Tikkunei Zohar, when a person opens their mouth in prayer, through His Shekhinah, something remarkable happens. The Shekhinah? That's the divine presence, the feminine aspect of God, often understood as the indwelling presence of God in the world and within us. So, when we pray with intention, with our hearts open, we invoke the Shekhinah, and immediately, Isaiah 58:9 kicks in: "Then you shall call, and Y”Y will answer..."
Now, who or what is Y”Y? Here's where it gets really interesting. The text tells us Y”Y is "He and His court of judgement." It's not just a single entity, but a divine assembly, ready to respond. And then comes this intriguing code: "A-Z then – eight letters which are YQV”Q EQY”Q – Father and Mother." This alludes to the Kabbalistic concept of the divine masculine and feminine energies, the balance and harmony within the Godhead. YQV”Q EQY”Q are divine names, representing these forces. So, when we pray, we're not just appealing to a singular, distant God, but to a dynamic, interconnected system of divine energies.
And the promise is clear: "Y”Y will answer... immediately!" He and His court of judgment: YQV”Q ADNY. The Father, the Mother, the Lord – all listening, all ready to respond.
So, what does this mean for us? It suggests that prayer isn't just about reciting words. It's about intention, about opening ourselves to the divine presence, about recognizing the power within our own voices to unlock the gates of righteousness. It’s about understanding that when we pray, we're not just sending a message into the void; we're engaging with a responsive, dynamic, and deeply interconnected divine reality.
Next time you pray, remember the Tikkunei Zohar. Remember the power in your lips, the presence of the Shekhinah, and the promise of an immediate answer. Open your mouth, open your heart, and see what happens.