The answer, according to the Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei_Zohar" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="source-link">Tikkunei Zohar, might surprise you.
The Tikkunei Zohar, a central text of Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism), unveils a profound vision of the divine. It speaks of a time, the days of King Messiah, when something extraordinary will happen: all nations will be subjugated by Her hand, making Her sovereign over them. Who is this "Her"?
Here, "Her" refers to the Malkhut (מַלְכוּת), often translated as "Kingdom" or "Sovereignty." It's the final Sefirah, the last emanation of God's divine light in the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, representing the divine presence in the world. It’s through Malkhut that God's will becomes manifest, the channel through which divine energy flows into creation. And as it is written in Psalms 103:19, "…and His kingdom (malkhut) rules over all."
The Tikkunei Zohar emphasizes the importance of preserving faith in Malkhut, holding it in our hearts and expressing it with our words. Why? Because She, Malkhut, is "the faith of Israel." She is also the unity of the blessed Holy One. Think of it this way: twice every day, through prayer, Israel unifies the blessed Holy One through Her. This connection, this unwavering belief, is what binds us to the divine source.
But there's more. The text tells us, "worthy is he with whom She ‘keeps faith’ (omnah) in exile." The Hebrew word omnah (אמנה) signifies faithfulness, trust, and reliability. What does it mean for Malkhut to "keep faith" with us in exile? It means that even in the darkest, most challenging times, the divine presence remains, offering solace and strength. Those who remain faithful to Malkhut have nothing to fear. This reminds me of the resilience of the Jewish people throughout history, a testament to this enduring faith.
The passage even draws a parallel to the story of Adam in the Garden of Eden. God placed him there "to work it and to preserve it" (Genesis 2:15). According to the Tikkunei Zohar, "to work it" refers to fulfilling positive commandments, while "to preserve it" means adhering to negative commandments. In essence, we are all tasked with cultivating and safeguarding the divine presence in the world, just as Adam was in the Garden.
So, what does this all mean for us today? It’s an invitation to cultivate our faith, to connect with the divine presence in our lives, even – and especially – when things are difficult. It suggests that our actions, both in what we do and what we refrain from doing, contribute to the unfolding of the divine plan. Perhaps, the most profound message is this: that we are not alone. That even in exile, in times of uncertainty, Malkhut, the divine presence, remains faithful to us, offering a source of unwavering hope and strength.