Editing Sefer HaZohar (section)

==== 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')."