Editing Sefer HaZohar (section)

== The Rebbeim and the Zohar ==
The approach of Chassidus is primarily based on the Zohar and the teachings of the Arizal (written by Rabbi Chaim Vital), and because of this, the Zohar is mentioned many times in Chassidus.

==== The Alter Rebbe ====

* The Zohar is mentioned many times in the book of Tanya.
* Maharam Halevi Yafe said in the name of the Alter Rebbe: There are three ways to remove foreign thoughts during prayer, etc., and also the language of the Zohar is beneficial for the soul even if one does not understand what he is saying.
* "Someone who is greatly occupied with business should study mostly Zohar even if he does not understand it, for what does it matter if he does not understand—even so, it is a segulah (spiritual remedy)."
* Learning the holy Zohar removes blockage of the heart.
* Rashbi writes about one who studies the Zohar that "they will leave exile." That is, in the merit of studying the Zohar, Israel will leave the exile.
* "One who studies the holy Zohar in this world will not sit in shame in the World to Come."
* "There are 13 things that remove all hindrances to prayer, etc., and the third is engagement and study of the words of mussar (ethical teachings) found in the Zohar, from the word 'illumination,' for it illuminates in a place of darkness, which is the heat of truth."
* The Tzemach Tzedek writes that he heard from the Alter Rebbe, who heard from his teacher the Maggid of Mezritch, that the Baal Shem Tov said not to study the wisdom of Kabbalah without studying Chassidus together with it, because one who is coarse and understands things literally and makes them material, can come, God forbid, to heresy.
* The Alter Rebbe used to give sermons on the Zohar to his sons and asked the Mitteler Rebbe to write them down. In the year תקע"ו/1816, these sermons were printed in the book "Biurei HaZohar" (Explanations of the Zohar).

==== The Tzemach Tzedek ====
The Tzemach Tzedek Created the book "Biurei HaZohar" (Explanations of the Zohar). "The Tzemach Tzedek said to R' Hendel during yechidus (private audience): Zohar elevates the soul."
[[File:התחלה ביאורי הזהר.png|thumb|The Begging of The Biurei HaZohar From The Tzemach Tzedek]]
==== The Rebbe ====
During a yechidus with the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu and Rabbi Avraham Shapira which took place on 1 Kislev 5744 (1983), the Rebbe extensively praised the virtue and importance of studying the inner dimensions of Torah in general - and the Zohar in particular, expressing his desire that the rabbis issue a proclamation ("kol koreh") to study the book. Among the things said:<blockquote>'''Rabbi Shapira''': And there are also letters from Rabbi Kook z"l in which he mentions in strong terms the necessity and need to study Kabbalah, without which it is impossible to study Torah truthfully [similar to what the Rebbe mentioned about what the Vilna Gaon wrote in his commentary on the book of Proverbs, that without studying the wisdom of the hidden aspects - one cannot achieve understanding of the revealed] and he writes that through this we delay the redemption, etc.

'''The Rebbe''': If his words had been accepted - there would have been no place for our meeting outside the Holy Land, because we would all already be in the Holy Land, together with Moshiach Tzidkeinu!</blockquote>In 5750 (1990) during the distribution of dollars, Rabbi Avraham Simcha Ashlag passed before the Rebbe and asked him to sign a proclamation that all of Israel should study the wisdom of Kabbalah, thereby bringing closer the complete redemption - based on what is stated in the Zohar that through the Zohar they will leave exile with mercy. The Rebbe replied to him that it is accepted in Chabad that Chabad Chassidus is built on the foundations of Kabbalah but in the method of Chochmah Binah Daas, and therefore whoever studies Chabad teachings also studies Kabbalah.

When the Admor repeated his request, the Rebbe replied that as a grandson of the Alter Rebbe, he cannot sign a ruling that one must study Kabbalah, as it might imply that one does not fulfill their obligation through Chabad teachings. The Admor continued and brought proof from the Alter Rebbe's language who writes "the words of the Baal Shem Tov according to the Kabbalah of the Arizal" which implies that it is not actually Kabbalah. But the Rebbe replied that since the Alter Rebbe writes explicitly in another Igeres HaKodesh, it is not possible that he contradicted himself elsewhere.

In a letter to someone who suffered from weakness in vision, the Rebbe wrote, among other things: ..."And he should also try to study or at least recite a few lines from the book of Tanya and the book of the Zohar, and I hope that he will be able to report good news that his eyesight is improving."

In 5731 (1971), after the publication of Likkutei Levi Yitzchok - containing notes and insights written by his father Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Schneerson on his personal copy of the Zohar, the Rebbe began to explain a weekly section from them at Shabbos farbrengens, and also to reference them in his Chassidic discourses. In 5750 (1990), these explanations began to be published in edited form by Rabbi David Feldman in the series of books Toras Menachem - Tiferes Levi Yitzchok.

In a talk on Rosh Chodesh Menachem-Av 5740 (1980), the Rebbe gave several instructions aimed at negating and nullifying the concept of exile, and among these the Rebbe instructed to study the Zohar, particularly those aspects that were explained in Chassidus.

On 6 Iyar 5751 (1991), the Rebbe instructed to study matters of [[Geulah - Redemption|Geulah]] and [[Yemos Hamoshiach|Moshiach]] from various parts of Torah, and within this list the Rebbe included: "And also - especially - in the inner dimensions of Torah, beginning with the Zohar (that 'through this composition of yours which is the book of the Zohar... they will leave exile with mercy')."