It describes a time when God, so to speak, is "in the darkness," enclothed in tohu and bohu – "chaos and void," and ḥoshekh and tehom – "darkness and abyss." Imagine the universe before creation, a formless, empty expanse. That’s the image we're painting here.
The text continues that, at this time, it's "as if the letters are in separation, and not united there in exile." What does that mean? In Kabbalah, the Hebrew letters are not just tools for writing; they're the very building blocks of creation, imbued with divine energy. When these letters are scattered and separated, the divine unity is obscured. Think of it as a cosmic puzzle with all the pieces jumbled up.
But here's where the hope comes in. The Tikkunei Zohar promises that after this period of concealment, God will emerge from these coverings. And when that happens, the verse from Zechariah (14:9) will be fulfilled: “And Y”Y will be for King over all the earth, on that day Y”Y will be one and His Name one.” Y”Y is used here as a mystical substitute for the unpronounceable divine name, YHVH. Imagine a moment of ultimate unity, when all things are harmonized and God's presence is revealed.
What happens then? The Tikkunei Zohar describes an incredible celestial awakening. All the heavenly beings are stirred into joyous melody. Quoting Ezekiel (1:11), the text says "...and their wings are separated from above..." to receive Him with joy." This might sound strange, but remember that in mystical texts, descriptions are often symbolic. These "wings" could represent different aspects of divine service, all uniting in praise.
And it doesn't stop there. The text goes on: "...all of them will be running and returning, with melody and mission towards Him.” This “running and returning” is a powerful image, found also in Ezekiel (1:14): “And the angelic-beasts run and return, like the appearance of the flash.” It signifies a constant cycle of connection and service, bringing "tidings to Israel." These tidings represent the good news of redemption, restoration, and the ultimate revelation of God's presence in the world.
So, what can we take away from this? Perhaps it’s a reminder that even in times of darkness and fragmentation – when the world feels chaotic and disjointed – there's always the potential for unity, for healing, and for the divine light to break through. And maybe, just maybe, we all have a role to play in bringing those tidings to the world.