to a fascinating passage from the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a central work of Kabbalah, the Jewish mystical tradition.
The passage focuses on the number eighteen. Eighteen shakings, it says, correspond to the eighteen vertebrae of the spine. Our very physical bodies, the structures that hold us upright, are linked to something much deeper: the Etz Chaim, the Tree of Life. This is, of course, from the perspective of the body.
But what about the flip side? What about the side of shadows and choices? The Tikkunei Zohar doesn't shy away from that. It speaks of the Etz HaDa’at Tov v’Ra, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. And here's where the symbolism gets really interesting. Remember the four species we use during Sukkot? The etrog, the myrtle, the willow, and the palm branch, or lulav. In this context, they represent different kinds of people. The etrog, with its beautiful scent and taste, is likened to the righteous. The myrtle, fragrant but not tasty, is for the ordinary folks. And the willow, which lacks both scent and taste? That’s for the wicked. (Vayiqra Rabbah 30:12). Pretty blunt. So, what connects these two "trees?" What connects our spine to the choices we make, good or bad? The answer, according to the Tikkunei Zohar, lies with the Shekhinah, the Divine Presence. The Shekhinah, often understood as the feminine aspect of God, is described as having a kingdom that rules over all, as it says in Psalm 103:19, "...and His Kingdom rules over all."
Even though the Shekhinah is also described in Proverbs 3:18 as “a tree of life to them that grasp it,” She also reigns over the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. But from God's perspective, She is close to the King. Or, as some versions of the text state, "from those aspects, She is at times the female, near to the King."
What does this all mean? Well, it suggests a dynamic relationship. A constant interplay between the physical and the spiritual, between the choices we make and the divine presence that guides us. The Shekhinah, in Her multifaceted nature, bridges the gap. She's both the Tree of Life and connected to the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
It is important to remember that these are just allegories. We are not meant to take them completely literally.
So, next time you're feeling the weight of the world, or maybe just the weight of a difficult decision, remember this passage. Remember the connection between your spine, your choices, and the ever-present Shekhinah. Maybe, just maybe, understanding that connection can help us find a little more balance, a little more wisdom, in the palms of our hands.