Jewish mystical tradition recognizes this struggle, particularly when it comes to connecting with the Divine Feminine.

The Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, a core text of Kabbalah, delves into this very idea. It tells us that we should rejoice in "Her"—referring to the Shekhinah, the indwelling Divine Presence, often understood as the feminine aspect of God. But it’s not always easy, is it?

Deuteronomy (16:14) says, "And you shall rejoice in your festival." The Tikkunei Zohar connects this to the Shekhinah, saying she IS "the joy of the blessed Holy One." So, when we approach Her, when we seek that connection, we must be vigilant. We need to guard ourselves "from sadness, which is Lylyt, who is darkness, depression, sheol (the underworld), spleen."

Whoa, hold on a second. Lylyt? That's Lilith, right? Yes, here she's associated with negativity, a force that actively works against our joy. The text calls her a "blemish" (moom), and then quotes Leviticus (21:18): "...whoever has a blemish will not approach." It's a powerful image: sadness, depression, these things can block our access to the Divine.

But it's not all doom and gloom! There's a flip side. The Tikkunei Zohar goes on to quote Deuteronomy (16:17): "Each man according to his ability to give (matnat)..." This, the text says, refers to the Higher Shekhinah.

Think about that for a moment. Giving, offering what we can, connects us to the Higher Shekhinah. Proverbs (21:14) comes into play here: "A gift (matan) in secret will subdue anger..." Because She is concealed, the world to come is called "a gift" (matanah), and about that is stated:cxiLiturgical: Sabbath Morning ‘Standing’ Prayer ‘Moses will rejoice in the giving (matnat) of his portion’, because: (Ecc. 3:13) ... it is the gift (matat) of ELQYM.

The key here seems to be hiddenness. The Shekhinah is not always readily apparent. The World to Come, Olam Ha-Ba, is a "gift" because it is concealed, something we must strive to attain. And according to the Midrash, God offered the Torah to all the nations, but only Israel accepted it. The Torah, too, is a gift that requires effort to receive and understand.

So, what does it all mean? It sounds like connecting with the Divine Feminine, with the joy of the Holy One, is an active process. We must be aware of the forces that pull us down – the Lylyt within and without. And we must cultivate a spirit of generosity, of giving, to open ourselves to the hidden gifts that await.

Perhaps the takeaway is this: joy isn't just a feeling, it's a practice. It's a conscious choice to move towards the light, even when the shadows are nipping at our heels. And sometimes, the greatest gifts are the ones we have to work hardest to uncover.