It describes how souls exit, perhaps having completed their earthly task, their spiritual mission. And then, immediately, others are there, knocking, pleading: "Adonai, sefatai tiftach – ADNY! Open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise!" (Psalm 51:17). It's a powerful image, isn't it? This urgent desire to express devotion, to give voice to the awe and wonder within us.
These aren't just any souls, though. According to the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, these are the ones who sustain the Shekhinah. How? Through their pilgrimage, their faithful observance of the appointed times, the festivals – the mo'adim. They are, in a sense, the feet that support Her, the foundation upon which Her presence rests in the world.
And when they finally enter, what happens? The blessed Holy One, Kadosh Baruch Hu, praises Her through them. The verse from Song of Songs (7:2) is evoked: "How beautiful are your steps – mah yafu fe'amayikh – in sandals, O daughter of the noble one..." It's a stunning image of beauty and grace, suggesting that the very act of walking in faith, of observing these holy times, is itself an act of profound beauty.
It’s all connected. The footsteps, the festivals, the Shekhinah, and ultimately, the Divine praise.
But there's more. The text makes a direct link to Exodus 23:17: "Three times – shalosh pe'amim – in the year, all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD." The Hebrew word pe'amim, meaning "times" or "occasions," is subtly linked to the "steps" in the Song of Songs verse, fe'amayikh. It's not just about physical pilgrimage, but about the inner journey, the spiritual steps we take throughout the year during these special times.
So, what does it all mean? It suggests that our acts of devotion, our observance of the festivals, aren't just empty rituals. They're active participation in sustaining the Divine Presence in the world. They're the "feet" that carry the Shekhinah, the voice that sings Her praises.
Perhaps the next time we approach a festival, a Yom Tov, we can remember this image. We're not just observing a holiday; we're joining a cosmic dance, a sacred rhythm of souls seeking connection, and in doing so, bringing a little more light, a little more beauty, into the world.