The mystics of the Kabbalah certainly did. And in the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a companion to the Zohar, we get a glimpse of that very quest.
This particular passage from Tikkunei Zohar 74 plunges us right into a moment of intense spiritual drama. We're introduced to an elder, a wise figure, deeply concerned with revealing a profound secret.
He implores a rabbi, calling out, "Rabbi! Rabbi! I adjure you with this higher hidden point… to reveal the hidden mystery!" It's a powerful opening. He's not doing this for personal glory, mind you. His motivation is far grander. It's "for the honour of the Shekhinah," the divine feminine presence, the immanent aspect of God dwelling within creation.
What's this "treasured, hidden point" he's so desperate to reveal? The text hints at its elusiveness, quoting Job 28:21: "And it is unapparent to the eyes of all life…" It's something so fundamental, so deeply buried, that it evades even the most perceptive beings. And as the verse continues in Job 28:7, "A path the vulture knows not…" implying the incredible difficulty to attain it.
Think about that for a moment. The vulture, a creature known for its sharp vision and ability to find sustenance where others see nothing, is stumped. This hidden point is beyond even its keen senses. What could it possibly be?
The Tikkunei Zohar doesn't spell it out explicitly here. That's part of the beauty and challenge of Kabbalistic study. It invites us to delve deeper, to wrestle with the text, to search within ourselves for understanding. But the passage underscores its importance. This isn’t just any piece of information; it’s something vital to the glory of the Shekhinah itself.
What happens next is extraordinary. "Meanwhile, behold Rabbi ascended high into the air, to take permission from that point which is hidden there."
Wow.
The rabbi doesn't just answer questions or offer explanations. He physically ascends, journeys to a higher realm, to seek permission from the very source of this hidden point! This isn't a passive act of learning. It's an active, dynamic quest, a daring attempt to bridge the gap between the earthly and the divine.
What does it mean to "take permission?" Perhaps it suggests that some knowledge can only be revealed at the right time, under the right circumstances. Maybe it implies that true understanding requires humility and a recognition that we are not the ultimate authority.
This short passage from the Tikkunei Zohar leaves us with so much to ponder. It's a reminder that the most profound truths are often hidden, requiring immense effort and dedication to uncover. It speaks to the importance of seeking knowledge not for personal gain, but for the greater good, for the honor of the divine. And it highlights the incredible lengths to which the mystics were willing to go in their pursuit of wisdom.
What hidden points are you seeking in your own life? What are you willing to do to uncover them? And what permissions might you need to seek along the way?