In Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar 70, we find ourselves amidst a fascinating and somewhat cryptic discussion about the beings surrounding God's throne.
The text speaks of entities "exiting" and others "entering," a constant flow of divine energy and activity. And then… we get to the legs. Not just any legs, mind you. These are the legs of the ḥayyot (living creatures) and the Ophanim (wheels) described in Ezekiel's vision (Ezekiel 1). We're told that some of these legs are "straight," or rather "circular," a straight leg…circular! What does that even mean?
The Tikkunei Zohar then introduces another type of leg: "square" legs, belonging to the Ophanim. Here, the text references Ezekiel 1:17: "Upon their four sides in their going they went..." Implying a rigidity, a fixed direction, perhaps? These squared angels can only go in one direction, where as the circular angels, like vowel-points, can go any which way.
And then we read a verse that might sound familiar: "And the ḥayyot were rushing forward and back, like the appearance of the flash." (Ezekiel 1:14). The Hebrew word for "flash" here is bezeq – suggesting a sudden, brilliant burst of light.
So, what's the big picture here? Why these strange descriptions of legs and movement? The Tikkunei Zohar seems to be hinting at different aspects of divine energy and expression. The "circular" legs, we're told, are like vowel-points (nekudot in Hebrew). : vowel points give life and sound to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which the text describes as having "square legs." The letters are more solid, more defined, but the vowels are what gives them movement, meaning, and pronunciation.
In other words, we might say that the "circular" legs represent the dynamic, flowing, and less defined aspects of God's attributes. These are the energies that constantly move and change, bringing life and vitality. The "square" legs, on the other hand, might represent the more stable, structured, and defined aspects. The letters are the structure, and the vowels are the life!
The rushing back and forth of the ḥayyot, like a flash of bezeq, further emphasizes this dynamic nature. It's a constant interplay between these different aspects of the divine.
Ultimately, this passage from the Tikkunei Zohar invites us to consider the multifaceted nature of the divine. It's not just about understanding the literal descriptions of Ezekiel's vision, but about grasping the deeper spiritual realities they represent. The Tikkunei Zohar is reminding us that God is both structured and fluid, both defined and ever-changing. It’s this dance, this tension, that gives life to the entire cosmos.
What do you see when you look at the Merkavah?