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, invites us to do just that, to see the divine secrets hidden in plain sight. Specifically, Tikkunei Zohar 104 uses the colors of a candle to unlock a deeper understanding of the human soul and the very fabric of creation.
It all starts with a verse from Proverbs (20:27): "A candle of YHWH is the soul of adam." Adam, of course, meaning "human." But here's where it gets interesting. The Tikkunei Zohar breaks down the word adam into the Hebrew letters Yod, Heh, Vav, Heh – the letters that also comprise the most sacred name of God, YHWH (often referred to as the Tetragrammaton). Could it be that the human soul is somehow intrinsically linked to, even a reflection of, the divine?
The text goes on to say that a candle shines with three colors. These colors, we're told, represent the garments of the three Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. White for Abraham, symbolizing his attribute of loving-kindness (chesed). Red for Isaac, embodying strength and judgment (gevurah). And green for Jacob, representing harmony and compassion (tiferet), the balance between the other two. These are the fundamental building blocks of our spiritual heritage.
But what about the darkness? The text also mentions black as their "darkening." Where does that fit in? According to Isaiah (50:3), "I shall dress the heavens with darkness." The Tikkunei Zohar interprets this darkness as a veil, a concealment within which YHWH is enclothed. It's a reminder that the divine is not always easily visible; sometimes, we must look beyond the obvious to find the sacred hidden within.
Finally, we arrive at the color blue, or te-khelet in Hebrew. This color, the Tikkunei Zohar says, is the garment of the letter Yod, the first letter of YHWH, and "the essential point (takhlit) of everything." The Yod is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, a mere dot, yet it contains the potential for all of creation. Te-khelet, then, represents the infinite potential contained within that single point.
So, what does it all mean? It suggests that by contemplating the colors of a simple candle flame, we can access profound insights into the nature of the soul, the divine, and the very structure of reality. The light and dark, the various hues – they all speak to the complexities and nuances of existence.
Isn't it amazing how much meaning can be packed into such a small image? The Tikkunei Zohar invites us to look deeper, to find the divine spark within ourselves and within the world around us. The next time you light a candle, take a moment to really see it. You might be surprised at what you discover.