This particular passage, from Tikkunei Zohar 114, dances around themes of remembrance, redemption, and the power hidden within our sacred days.
It begins with a verse from Genesis, (9:16) "...and I shall see it to remember the eternal covenant..." What is "it"? Tradition says it's the rainbow, a sign of God's promise after the flood. But the Tikkunei Zohar sees something deeper. It suggests that this "seeing" is an active process, a deliberate act of remembrance that unlocks something profound.
Then, almost immediately, the text throws us into a verse from Daniel (9:19): "Y”Y’ hear! Y”Y’ forgive! Y”Y’ listen! And act without delay!" Y”Y’ is a stand-in for the unpronounceable name of God. Why this urgent plea right after the mention of the covenant?
The connection, as the Tikkunei Zohar unveils, is that remembrance—that act of seeing and remembering the covenant—is the key to unlocking divine mercy and hastening redemption. It's like we're holding up a mirror, reflecting God's promise back to the divine, urging action.
And here's where it gets really interesting. The text then makes a surprising leap to Purim. Yes, the joyous, costume-filled holiday celebrating the Jews' deliverance from Haman's plot in ancient Persia.
The Tikkunei Zohar calls Purim a reflection of Yom ha-Ki-PuRiM—the Day of Atonement. Notice the similar names? It's not a coincidence. Purim, the text tells us, is destined to become a day of pure delight, a transformation of affliction into joy. A mirror image of Yom Kippur's intense introspection and repentance. In fact, the text is playing on the similarity of the names in Hebrew to make its point.
Why this connection between these seemingly disparate holidays? The text continues by stating that Purim is associated with the Shekhinah—the feminine aspect of God, the divine presence that dwells among us. And because of this connection to the Shekhinah, there's a tradition of abstaining from wearing leather footwear on Purim in some communities, an act of humility and connection to the earth.
But then, a shift! The text quotes Song of Songs (7:2): "How beautiful are your steps in shoes, O noble daughter..." This verse seems to contradict the previous statement. Why is the Shekhinah now being praised for her shoes?
The Tikkunei Zohar suggests that this verse refers to a future time, the time of redemption. A time when the Shekhinah will be fully revealed, adorned with "delight and joy and many good things." This future redemption, the text emphasizes, is coming soon!
So, what does it all mean? It seems the Tikkunei Zohar is suggesting that the act of remembering—remembering the covenant, remembering our history, remembering the divine presence within us—is not just a passive exercise. It's an active force that can transform our reality, bringing us closer to redemption.
And that Purim, with its topsy-turvy joy and celebration, offers us a glimpse of that future, a taste of the delight that awaits us when the Shekhinah is fully revealed. It's a reminder that even in the darkest of times, joy is possible, redemption is within reach, and the universe is constantly whispering secrets, waiting for us to listen.