It all boils down to the rainbow. Yes, that beautiful arc of color we see after the rain.
But not just any rainbow. The Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar isn't talking about a faded, washed-out bow. It's talking about a rainbow in its full, luminous glory. And until we see that, the text suggests, we shouldn't expect the arrival of the Messiah. Heavy stuff, right?
The passage we're looking at from Tikkunei Zohar 72 gets right to the point: "And, my son, all the while that those husks are not removed from the rainbow, the bow is not in its luminous colours." What are these "husks"? In Kabbalistic thought, "husks," or kelippot, represent the forces of negativity and impurity that obscure the divine light. They're the things that prevent us from seeing the world, and ourselves, as we truly are. Think of them as spiritual grime, clouding our perception.
So, until those husks are gone, until the world is cleansed and purified, the rainbow remains dimmed. And the text continues: "And let this be a sign in your hand: until you see the rainbow in its luminous colours, do not expect the ‘feet of the messiah’." It's a powerful image, isn't it? The "feet of the messiah" – a subtle way of referring to the Messianic era, the time of ultimate redemption and peace. The message is clear: spiritual work needs to happen first. We need to clear away the negativity before we can usher in a new era.
But there’s hope! The text doesn't just leave us hanging. It offers a promise: "And as soon as it shines with luminous colours, then immediately: (Gen. 9:16) ... and I shall see it to remember the eternal covenant..." The rainbow, in its full brilliance, becomes a reminder of God's covenant with humanity, a promise of protection and renewal. It's a sign that the work has been done, that the world is ready for something new.
And what happens then? "And then immediately is revealed, he of whom it is stated: (Ex. 3:12) And this is the sign to you that I have sent you – to fulfil through this: (Mic. 7:15) Like the days of your going out from the land of Egypt, I shall show him wonders." This is where it gets really interesting. The verse from Exodus refers to Moses, and the verse from Micah speaks of wonders reminiscent of the Exodus from Egypt. The implication? The coming of the Messiah will be a new Exodus, a new liberation, a new era of miracles.
Think about that for a moment. The path to redemption isn't passive. It requires active participation. It requires us to remove the "husks" from our own lives and from the world around us. To strive for purity, for clarity, for a world where the rainbow shines in its full, luminous glory. It’s a call to action, a reminder that we all have a role to play in bringing about a better future.
So, the next time you see a rainbow, take a moment. Is it vibrant? Does it fill you with awe? Or does it seem a little…muted? Perhaps it's a reminder that there's still work to be done.