Editing Shimon Bar Yochai (section)

==== Praises Given by the Tannaim ====
In the Zohar, "awesome praises" that the Tannaim gave to Rabbi Shimon are described: Rabbi Yehudah called him "Shabbat," and other Tannaim quoted the verse "the face of the Master, Hashem" about him.

The need for these praises is explained in Chassidus: through them, Rabbi Shimon was elevated from his level (which is the level of Chochmah/Wisdom), and connected with the Infinite Light, thus giving him special power to affect the world.

Another explanation for these praises comes from Rabbi Shimon's immeasurably higher level compared to the other Tannaim (since his level is that of Yechidah, which is completely united with the Holy One, blessed be He, without relating to the world, while the other Tannaim belong to the lower soul powers, and their main occupation is the work of refinement and battling with the world) - therefore, in order to cause him to descend and influence them, they needed to praise him.

According to this explanation, the content of these praises also becomes clear, as they emphasize the virtue of drawing down from the higher to the lower: Rabbi Yehudah called Rabbi Shimon "Shabbat" - since on Shabbat there is a special holiness above the other days, and at the same time it blesses the other days and influences them. Similarly, they quoted "the face of the Master, Hashem" about him, a verse that combines the two names - the name Havayah, which is God's essential and special name, together with "Master," the name Adnut, representing the descent of divine life-force to created beings.