But according to the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, it holds the key to understanding exile, blessing, and ultimately, redemption.
Think about it. When the prophet saw Israel in exile, what gave him hope? According to the Tikkunei Zohar, he saw no respite except for the sake of zot – "this." It’s like saying, “Even in this darkest moment, this too shall pass. This situation is not the end.” The verse from Lamentations (3:21) echoes this sentiment: "Zot I shall return to my heart, therefore, I shall hope.” It's a powerful reminder that even when everything seems lost, there's still a reason to hold on.
But the power of zot doesn't stop there. The Tikkunei Zohar goes on to say that even Judah’s blessing came through zot. Remember the verse? (Deut. 33:7) "And zot to Judah..." It’s as if the potential for greatness, the seed of blessing, was already present, waiting to be recognized within "this" very person, within "this" tribe.
And even Moses, the greatest prophet, didn't bless Israel with grand pronouncements alone. According to the Tikkunei Zohar, he blessed them with zot: "And zot is the blessing..." (Deut. 33:1). It’s as if he was saying, "The blessing is right here, right now, in this moment, in this community, in this potential."
What happens if we miss this vital piece? What if we fail to recognize the power of "this"? The Tikkunei Zohar delivers a stark warning. Quoting Psalm 92:7, it says that whoever does not set his heart to zot is like "an ignoramus who will not know, and a fool who will not understand zot." It's a wake-up call to pay attention, to truly see the significance of the present moment, the people around us, and the opportunities before us.
So, what does it all mean? Is the Tikkunei Zohar suggesting that the word "this" is a magical incantation? Not exactly. It’s more about perspective. Recognizing the divine spark within the mundane, the potential for redemption within the present moment, the blessing hidden within the ordinary. It’s about opening our eyes and hearts to the power of zot, "this."
Perhaps the real question isn't just about understanding the mystical significance of a single word, but about how we choose to see the world around us. Do we see a world filled with despair and exile, or do we see a world pregnant with possibility, waiting for us to recognize the zot – the "this" – that holds the key to our own redemption?