It’s a dance, a constant give and take, beautifully illustrated in the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a profound commentary on the Zohar itself.
Here, in Tikkunei Zohar 110, we get a glimpse into the intricate connection. It's not about one being superior, but about a mutual completion. He is Her ‘eyruv, a Hebrew word for a symbolic boundary or blending. In this context, it signifies the mixing of the Divine attributes of right and left, represented by the numerical values of 72 and 216. These numbers, derived from specific letter combinations (A-B-Y and R-Y-U), embody Ḥesed (loving-kindness) and Gevurah (strength/judgment), respectively. He, in essence, provides the balance, the blending of these forces.
And what is She to Him? She is His ‘aravit, His evening service, and His ‘ibur, His pregnancy. Think about that for a moment. The evening service, a time of introspection and drawing inward. Pregnancy, a time of nurturing and growth. She embodies these qualities for Him, a source of reflection and potential.
But it gets even more evocative. She is the talit, the prayer shawl, of the blessed Holy One. Imagine the Holy One enwrapped in Her, just as the verse from Psalms (104:2) says: "You enwrap light like a garment..." It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? The Divine Feminine as a comforting, protective presence, holding and surrounding the Divine Masculine.
And further, She is the tzitzit, the fringes, of the Righteous One. These fringes, traditionally worn on the corners of the talit, serve as a constant reminder of the commandments. The Righteous One is described as "the poor one in exile." This evokes the verse from Psalms (102:1): "A prayer for a pauper when he enwraps..." She becomes the very essence of remembrance and connection to the Divine commandments, even in times of vulnerability and displacement.
So, what does all this mean? It’s an invitation to see the Divine in a more nuanced way. Not just as a singular, all-powerful entity, but as a dynamic interplay of masculine and feminine energies. Each completing and supporting the other. Each essential to the whole. It challenges us to consider the balance of these qualities within ourselves, and within the world around us. Can we find the Ḥesed and Gevurah, the loving-kindness and strength, in our own lives? And how can we, like the Divine Feminine, offer a space of nurturing and reflection to those around us? Food for thought, isn't it?