Sefer HaZohar: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
The body of the Zohar consists of teachings from Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his companions on the Torah portions, and its language is mostly Aramaic. The book includes the "Idros" - "Idra Rabba" (the Great Assembly), "Idra Zuta" (the Small Assembly), and "Idra D'bei Mishkana" (the Assembly of the Tabernacle). | The body of the Zohar consists of teachings from Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his companions on the Torah portions, and its language is mostly Aramaic. The book includes the "Idros" - "Idra Rabba" (the Great Assembly), "Idra Zuta" (the Small Assembly), and "Idra D'bei Mishkana" (the Assembly of the Tabernacle). | ||
In the Idra Rabba, Rashbi reveals the Partzufim - Divine revelations in a spiritual and abstract form likened to the face of a man according to the verse "upon the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man above upon it." Ten companions present their teachings each in turn, and Rashbi concludes the discussion and reveals things that the companions knew only in outline. At the end of the "assembly," three of the companions pass away from the overwhelming sanctity as they were not sufficiently refined. | In the Idra Rabba, Rashbi reveals the Partzufim - Divine revelations in a spiritual and abstract form likened to the face of a man according to the verse "upon the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man above upon it<ref>"Yechezkel 1:26"</ref>." Ten companions present their teachings each in turn, and Rashbi concludes the discussion and reveals things that the companions knew only in outline. At the end of the "assembly," three of the companions pass away from the overwhelming sanctity as they were not sufficiently refined. | ||
In the Idra Zuta, it tells of Rashbi's passing and how he imparts secrets to his disciples that he had feared to reveal previously. Finally, Rashbi's soul departs with the word "chaim" (life). | In the Idra Zuta, it tells of Rashbi's passing and how he imparts secrets to his disciples that he had feared to reveal previously. Finally, Rashbi's soul departs with the word "chaim" (life). | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
Tikkunei Zohar is an additional part to the Zohar, containing seventy tikkunim (rectifications), which are seventy facets of Torah that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai interprets in the word "Bereishit." In the introduction to Tikkunei Zohar, the discourse "Patach Eliyahu" is presented. | Tikkunei Zohar is an additional part to the Zohar, containing seventy tikkunim (rectifications), which are seventy facets of Torah that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai interprets in the word "Bereishit." In the introduction to Tikkunei Zohar, the discourse "Patach Eliyahu" is presented. | ||
Men of deed used to study or recite daily during the days of mercy and forgiveness of the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Teshuvah several pages from Tikkunei Zohar, in order to complete it by Yom Kippur. Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz said: 'Fortunate is one who completes the book of Tikkunei Zohar in these days.' | Men of deed used to study or recite daily during the days of mercy and forgiveness of the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Teshuvah several pages from Tikkunei Zohar, in order to complete it by Yom Kippur<ref>End of the introduction to the book "Kisei Melech" by the author of "Mikdash Melech," "Elef HaMagen" Siman 581, Section 8, Subsection 17.</ref>. Rabbi Pinchas of Koretz said: 'Fortunate is one who completes the book of Tikkunei Zohar in these days<ref>It is also accepted from the mouth of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov who expressed that "the custom of reciting Tikunim in Elul, the melody of the Tikunim, and also the weakness of heart that each person has because they stay in the Beit Midrash longer than usual, from all this, elevated matters and great tikunim (rectifications) are made above." And the author of the 'Ben Ish Chai' writes: "Almost the majority of householders hold fast to studying the Tikunim. This is their way and custom every year from Rosh Chodesh Elul until Yom Kippur... The reason that the study of Tikunim spread during the days of teshuvah more than the Zohar is because according to its nature, it rectifies more in the place where sin damages. Therefore, during the days of teshuvah, which are from the month of Elul, everyone is accustomed to the book of Tikunim." And similarly in the Chida: 'One whom G-d has granted wealth should redeem his sins with tzedakah, and he should increase in these days charity and the study of Zohar, Tikunim, Mishnayot, and Tehillim.' (Imrei Pinchas Section 4, 59. Sichot HaRan 127. Introduction of Benayahu on Tikunei Zohar. Avodat HaKodesh. Moreh B'Etzba Siman 8, 248)</ref>.' | ||
Regarding this custom of studying "Tikkunei Zohar" in Elul, the Rebbe said in 5722 (1962): "I searched in various places whether this custom was accepted among Chabad Chassidim, and did not find decisive evidence one way or another until I found in a talk from Pesach 5694 (1934) which describes the month of Elul in Lubavitch and there it says: '...others say Tikkunei Zohar...' Seemingly, why specify Tikkunei Zohar? - The month of Elul is the appropriate time to study Shaar HaTeshuvah, Derech Chaim, and the like, and even if studying Zohar - why specifically Tikkunei Zohar, and not the Zohar book itself? And from these words it is proven that the aforementioned custom in the book Kisei HaMelech (studying Tikkunei Zohar in the month of Elul) was also accepted in Lubavitch." And the Rebbe concludes: "This does not mean that one must study (or at least recite) Tikkunei Zohar, but in any case, it is an accepted custom among Chabad Chassidim." | Regarding this custom of studying "Tikkunei Zohar" in Elul, the Rebbe said in 5722 (1962): "I searched in various places whether this custom was accepted among Chabad Chassidim, and did not find decisive evidence one way or another until I found in a talk from Pesach 5694 (1934) which describes the month of Elul in Lubavitch and there it says: '...others say Tikkunei Zohar...' Seemingly, why specify Tikkunei Zohar? - The month of Elul is the appropriate time to study Shaar HaTeshuvah, Derech Chaim, and the like, and even if studying Zohar - why specifically Tikkunei Zohar, and not the Zohar book itself? And from these words it is proven that the aforementioned custom in the book Kisei HaMelech (studying Tikkunei Zohar in the month of Elul) was also accepted in Lubavitch." And the Rebbe concludes: "This does not mean that one must study (or at least recite) Tikkunei Zohar, but in any case, it is an accepted custom among Chabad Chassidim." | ||
| Line 75: | Line 75: | ||
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. | 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 | 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')." | ||
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
| Line 81: | Line 81: | ||
* Category: Sages of the Zohar | * Category: Sages of the Zohar | ||
* [[Kabbalah]] | * [[Kabbalah]] | ||
* [[ | * [[Shimon Bar Yochai|Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai]] | ||
[[he:זוהר (ספר)]] | [[he:זוהר (ספר)]] | ||
[[Category:Kabbalah]] | [[Category:Kabbalah]] | ||