It's woven right into the fabric of the cosmos, according to the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar.
This section of the Tikkunei Zohar, specifically Tikkun 116, dives deep into the mystical interplay between divine forces, personified in ways that might surprise you. Think of it as a cosmic dance, a constant flow of energy and influence.
At the heart of this dance is what's called the "Master of Receiving" or mekubbal, who is associated with the Middle Pillar. This pillar, in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, represents balance, harmony, and the path of reconciliation. And who receives from this Master? The Shekhinah, the Divine Presence, often seen as the feminine aspect of God.
But where does this receiving happen? Here's where it gets interesting. It happens on the right side. Why the right? Because, as the penitential prayer, taḥanun, reminds us, "Your right hand is extended to receive those who return." The right side, in Kabbalah, often symbolizes mercy, grace, and the welcoming embrace of the Divine.
Now, what about Halakhah? That's the whole body of Jewish law and tradition, the practical rules that guide our daily lives. In this cosmic picture, Halakhah is associated with the left side. And the text says that Shekhinah "receives" – the Aramaic word used here is qabilat – from the right side, from her "husband," and then descends full towards the Righteous One.
This is a powerful image. Imagine the Divine Presence, receiving the flow of grace and mercy from the Master of Receiving, and then channeling that energy downwards, towards the righteous individuals who uphold the world.
And that brings us to a verse from Psalms (37:25): "I have not seen a righteous person forsaken..." According to this passage in the Tikkunei Zohar, this isn't just a comforting thought. It's a direct consequence of this divine flow, this constant support emanating from the Divine Presence. Because of this flow, the righteous are never truly abandoned.
What does it all mean for us? Perhaps it's a reminder that even when we feel lost or alone, there's a constant flow of divine energy supporting us. Perhaps it's an invitation to embrace both the right and left sides of ourselves – the mercy and the discipline, the grace and the structure – and to strive for balance in our own lives.
It is a profound idea that speaks to the very essence of our being, and the relationship between God and the world. It's a beautiful and intricate tapestry of mystical thought, woven together with ancient wisdom and a deep understanding of the human condition. A tapestry that reminds us that we are all part of something much larger than ourselves.