Today, we're diving into Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar 92, a passage that might seem cryptic at first, but holds within it a powerful message about creation, sustenance, and the very voice of the Divine.
The passage begins by referencing the creation story in Genesis. Specifically, it points to the verse (Gen. 1:10) that reads, "And Elohim called the dry land earth." Elohim, one of the names of God, designates the earth. But it's not just about naming things. The Tikkunei Zohar interprets this as God calling the dry land "earth" specifically to bring forth vegetation and fruits. This, the text tells us, is akin to the Holy Land of Israel, but here, below. The act of naming isn't just about identification; it's about potential. God names the earth, and in that naming, sets the stage for life and abundance to spring forth.
Then comes the really interesting part. The text speaks of the "Middle Pillar." Now, in Kabbalah, the sefirot – the ten emanations of God – are often arranged in a symbolic tree, and the Middle Pillar represents balance, harmony, and the direct flow of divine energy.
According to Tikkunei Zohar, when this Middle Pillar "ascends to Father and Mother" (archetypal divine principles), it brings down sustenance. How? Through its "sound" voice. This voice rises above all the rivers and springs. And when it descends, it descends over all those same rivers and springs, but specifically those of the Torah.
What does this mean?
It's about more than just literal rivers. The "rivers and springs" are often understood as representing the flow of divine wisdom, of Torah. The voice of the Middle Pillar, then, is the very sound of divine inspiration, the source of sustenance for our souls. It's the energy that animates the teachings of the Torah, bringing them to life and making them relevant to our lives.
This idea echoes in Psalm 93:3, which the Tikkunei Zohar quotes: "The rivers have raised, Y”Y, the rivers have raised their voice..." Y”Y is often interpreted as an abbreviation for the Tetragrammaton, the unpronounceable name of God. The rivers raising their voice is an image of a powerful, reverberating expression of divinity.
Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews constantly highlights the concept of God speaking creation into existence. But here, it's not a one-time event. The voice continues, constantly sustaining and nourishing the world.
So, what's the takeaway?
Perhaps it’s this: the world around us, the very earth beneath our feet, is pregnant with potential. And that potential is unlocked, sustained, and nourished by a divine voice, a flow of wisdom that permeates everything. It's not a loud, booming voice, necessarily, but a subtle, constant current that we can access through study, through contemplation, and through connecting with the wisdom of the Torah.
Next time you're feeling disconnected, remember the rivers and springs. Remember the Middle Pillar. And listen for the voice. It's always there.