Jewish mysticism delves into that very feeling, and reveals that even God, in a sense, experiences a similar yearning.

It's a radical thought, isn't it? God, waiting. But that's what we find hinted at in the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a profound and complex work of Kabbalah. Specifically, in Tikkun 111, we encounter a fascinating idea: God's "salvation" and "redemption" are intertwined with something else, something—or someone—described as "She."

Who is this "She"? The Tikkunei Zohar tells us that the blessed Holy One, HaKadosh Baruch Hu, doesn't have permission to emerge from exile until "She" emerges with Him. This "She" is often understood in Kabbalah as the Shekhinah, the Divine Presence, the feminine aspect of God dwelling within creation. Think of it as the indwelling God, the part of the Divine that's present with us, in the world, in our struggles.

So, what does it mean that God is waiting for the Shekhinah to emerge from exile? It suggests that the Divine is incomplete, in a way, until the Shekhinah is reunited with God. This reunion, this redemption, is the ultimate goal of Kabbalistic practice.

But there's more. The text goes on to say that "She" is also God's prophecy. This prophecy, it explains, comprises six levels, linked to the Hebrew letter Vav (ו), which has the numerical value of six. This Vav represents the Middle Pillar on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, the Sefirah (emanation) of Tiferet, often translated as beauty, harmony, or balance. Think of the Vav as a connecting point, linking different realms and aspects of reality.

And what about dreams? The Tikkunei Zohar then throws in another intriguing concept: "She" is also "dream," halom in Hebrew, considered to be "one sixtieth of prophecy." Now, where does that number come from? Talmud in Berakhot 57b, mentions this idea. The text goes on to say, "there is no 'elder' less than sixty." This refers to "Israel the Elder," Yisrael Sava, who "raises the letter Vav to six times ten, which is sixty."

It’s a complex image, isn’t it? This "Israel the Elder," is associated with wisdom, experience, and the ability to elevate the mundane to the sacred. By "raising the Vav to sixty," he’s elevating prophecy, and by association, dreams, closer to the Divine.

What are we to make of all this? It suggests that the Shekhinah, prophecy, and even our dreams are interconnected, all playing a role in the process of redemption. Dreams, even though they are only a fraction of prophecy, offer glimpses into the Divine realm, hints of what could be, of the potential for healing and wholeness.

Perhaps the Tikkunei Zohar is telling us that we, too, have a role to play in this cosmic drama. By connecting with our own inner Shekhinah, by seeking out prophecy in our lives, and by paying attention to the messages in our dreams, we can help to bring about the ultimate redemption.

So, next time you find yourself yearning for something more, remember the words of the Tikkunei Zohar. Remember that even God is waiting, and that "She," the Divine Presence, may be closer than you think, whispering secrets in your dreams and guiding you toward a more complete and redeemed world. What if the key to unlocking that redemption lies within you?