The Zohar: 2 (The Zohar: Pritzker Edition) by Daniel C. Matt

Author:Daniel C. Matt
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780804782135
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Published: 2019-08-19T23:00:00+00:00

518. I—the first rung, to which he was originally linked Shekhinah, the Divine Presence, the realm of being through which God proclaims: “I am.” Abraham began his spiritual journey here. See above, pages 16–18.

519. Abram said, ‘יהוה‎ אדני (Adonai YHVH), My Lord God The verse continues: what can You give me, seeing that I go naked of children?’

520. יוד‎ נון‎ דלת‎ אלף (alef, dalet, nun, yod)… Abram opens his outburst with a double divine name, here spelled out letter by letter. The first name is אדני (Adonai), My Lord; the second consists of the letters הא‎ ואו‎ הא‎ יוד (yod, he, vav, he), though here pronounced Elohim. The “mystery” is that these names allude respectively to Shekhinah and Binah.

521. whoever has no son in this world is called ariri… See BT Yevamot 55a, in the name of Rabbah. The full verse in Leviticus reads: If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is indecency: he has exposed the nakedness of his brother; aririm they will be.

522. I am your shield—in this world… See Bereshit Rabbah 44:4.

523. one who has not attained sons in this world does not gain entry… See BT Bava Batra 116a: “Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Shim’on son of Yoḥai, ‘Whoever does not leave a son to succeed him incurs the full wrath of the blessed Holy One.’”

Cf. Zohar 1:13a, 48a, 115a, 186b, 228b; ZḤ 89b (MhN, Rut); Scholem, in Tarbiz 16 (1945): 146–47.

524. ויוצא (Va-yotse), He took (him) outside The verse reads: He took him outside and said: ‘Look now toward heaven and count the stars, if you can count them.’ Then He said to him, ‘So shall your seed be.’

525. צא (Tse), Leave, your astrological speculations!… See BT Shabbat 156a: “Rav Yehudah said in the name of Rav, ‘…ויוצא (Va-yotse), He took (him) outside…. He [Abraham] said before Him [God], “I have gazed at my horoscope, and I am not fated to engender a son.” He replied, “צא (Tse), Leave, your astrological speculations! Israel is immune from planetary influence.”’”

See Bereshit Rabbah 44:10: “Rabbi Shemu’el son of Yitshak said, ‘[Abraham said,] “My constellation oppresses me, declaring: ‘Abram does not engender.’” The blessed Holy One replied, “Just as you say: Abram and Sarai do not engender; Abraham and Sarah do engender!”’” By changing the names of Abram and Sarai (Genesis 17:5, 15), God freed them from their astrological fate and enabled them to engender Isaac.

See Tanḥuma, Shofetim 11; Zohar 1:78a; 3:148a, 281b (RM); ZḤ 72b (ShS).

526. כה (Koh), So, shall your seed be—mystery of the holy name Shekhinah, the Divine Presence, reveals God’s nature, and is therefore known as the divine name. She is also called Koh, “So, Thus, Here.” See Zohar 1:96a; 3:148a; Gikatilla, Sha’arei Orah, 12a–13a.

527. from there a son was linked to him, not from the other aspect Isaac derived from Shekhinah, not from astrological fate.

528. aspect emerging from the aspect of Gevurah… Shekhinah derives from Gevurah and manifests divine judgment, while Isaac symbolizes Gevurah.

529. from there fruit and verdure enter the world Souls emerge from Shekhinah through the passion of Gevurah.

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