But what does it all mean?
The Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a central text of Kabbalah, doesn't just read words at face value. It delves into their numerical values, their letter combinations, their hidden connections. It seeks to uncover the divine sparks embedded within the very fabric of language.
So, "Established" – in Hebrew, NaKhON. What’s so special about those letters? The Tikkunei Zohar breaks it down. The first Nun (נ) of nakhon, we're told, represents the "Faithful One" who is "seated." The second Nun (ן) is the "Faithful One" who is "standing." What bridges these two states? The middle letters, Khaf Vav (כו). These, the text says, allude to the verse "Like the glory (tipheret) of a man, to dwell in the house" (Isaiah 44:13). Tipheret, often associated with beauty, balance, and the sefira of the heart, becomes the connecting force.
Think of it this way: there's a grounded faithfulness, a stability represented by the seated figure. And then there’s a dynamic, active faithfulness, the one standing, ready to act. Tipheret, that inner glory, is what allows these two aspects of faith to coexist and harmonize.
But what about "from then" – az (אז)? This little word, az, also holds a key. The Tikkunei Zohar connects it to the verse, "Then shall you call out, and Y”Y will answer" (Isaiah 58:9). "Then" implies a moment of divine response, a time when our prayers are heard.
And what is this "az"? The text reveals that az is represented by the letters Y-A-Q-D-V-N-Q-Y (י-א-ק-ד-ו-נ-ק-י), which, when their numerical values are added up, equal 91—the same numerical value as AMeN (אמן)!
Whoa.
AMeN, of course, is the affirmation, the "so be it," the seal of truth. So, “then” is connected to Amen, and Amen, in turn, is bound to the divine response to our call. The implication? That our heartfelt prayers, offered with sincerity and faith, are met with a resounding "Amen" from the divine. It's a powerful idea, isn't it?
This passage from the Tikkunei Zohar isn't just an intellectual exercise. It's an invitation to see the depth and interconnectedness of everything. It's a reminder that even the smallest words can contain profound truths, and that the act of seeking those truths can bring us closer to the divine.
What does this mean for us today? Perhaps it means paying closer attention to the words we use, recognizing their potential power. Maybe it's about cultivating both a grounded and active faith, and seeking that inner tipheret to harmonize them. And definitely, it’s about believing in the power of our prayers, trusting that when we call out, there is a divine "Amen" waiting to meet us.