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, speaks directly to this feeling. It delves into the forces that can separate us from the ultimate source of goodness and wholeness, and what we can do about it.
The passage in Tikkunei Zohar 99 isn’t always easy to decipher, but at its heart, it’s about the power of yirah (fear/awe) and ahava (love) in our spiritual lives. When we truly strive to embody these qualities, something remarkable happens. The text tells us that the “Blessed Holy One” – that’s how we often refer to God – has sworn by Y-H, which, according to this passage, are fear and love, to remove certain negative influences from the world of the soul.
But what are these negative influences? The text refers to them as "dark-ones." These “dark-ones” (evil forces) are described as causing separation between Y-Q and V-Q. These are Kabbalistic terms referring to aspects of the divine, but for our purposes, think of them as representing the harmonious union within the Godhead – a union that reflects, and enables, wholeness in the cosmos and in ourselves. These forces of darkness seek to disrupt that very connection.
Why? Because separation is their bread and butter. Disconnection from the divine source weakens us, makes us vulnerable. It’s a pretty bleak picture. But there's hope.
The Tikkunei Zohar then quotes Exodus 17:16: "...for a hand is upon the throne of YaH..." This verse is often interpreted as a reference to God's unwavering commitment to fight against those forces that threaten to undermine divine unity and, by extension, our own spiritual well-being. The "hand" signifies divine power actively engaged in protecting the integrity of the "throne," which represents divine sovereignty and order.
What happens when these dark forces are at play? The text continues, "At that time, it is stated of humanity: ‘the heavens have donned darkness etc.’" It's a powerful image. When separation reigns, even the heavens themselves seem to be shrouded in shadow.
But here’s the good news, the powerful turnaround: when that darkness and blackening are removed from the soul, then immediately, “Every soul shall praise YaH…” (Psalm 150:6). This is what's possible. The verse explodes with joy and liberation, a direct result of the soul being freed from those obscuring forces. The darkness lifts, and we can once again connect with the divine.
It all comes back to fear and love – yirah and ahava. By cultivating these qualities, by striving to live in awe and reverence of the divine and to act with love and compassion towards ourselves and others, we actively participate in the process of removing those “dark-ones” and restoring harmony to our souls and to the world.
It's a reminder that we are not passive bystanders in this cosmic drama. We have a role to play. By embracing fear and love, we can help bring light into the darkness. So, what small act of love or reverence will you choose today?