Why do intelligent leaders and advisors take the wrong path? Here the Zohar speaks to the well-known story of the powerful mystic Bilaam, who was paid gold and bought off to condemn the Hebrews, and neither he nor his assistants now see the angel blocking his path, which only his own donkey sees, and even miraculously speaks to…
How can we purify ourselves, cleanse ourselves of negativity? The Zohar responds to the bizarre and purposely incomprehensible methodology in this week’s parsha – the red heifer. This was a cow that would be sacrificed and its ashes ground with clear water to be consumed to accomplish a purification. How would that work? Sages have been discussing it for…
Where does anger come from? Expectations disappointed? Hurt feelings? In commenting on this week’s parsha, the Zohar speaks about the anger of Korach who was a relative of Moses and Aaron and believed he should have equal status to them. Moses attempts to pacify him, reminding him of the responsibilities he already has, but Korach remains angry. And the Zohar says…
What are the consequences of lies? The Zohar answers this in response to the lies told by the scouts – the spies – sent to discover the nature of the agriculture and the peoples who lived on Canaan. They came back with giant fruits – grapes, pomegranate and fig – and claimed the people there were hostile…
The lighting of the Menorah lamp in the Mishkan was Aaron’s responsibility, with the flowered goblets and flames turned inwards toward the center – a metaphor for the harmony we seek, and the Zohar speaks of this kindling in its own metaphor as a bridegroom coming out of the bedroom. The Zohar often uses sensual imagery of…
What are the priestly blessings? The Zohar speaks of the priests, when raising their hands for these famed blessings that are in this parsha Naso, should raise the right hand above the left. The Sephirot of Kabbalah cosmology tells us the right is the side of mercy. The Zohar also speaks that the priest should have the…
Who are we? This parsha lists the 12 tribes and each of the flags and the Zohar comments that our essence is the combination of the aspects represented by the four faces – the lion for strength, endurance and caring reflecting the facet of the Sephirot Chesed colored blue; the ox for discipline, judgement called Gevura…
Zohar here offers a release from what is one of the most troubling parhsas. In it – often read fast and softly to reduce its power – are harsh warnings of the consequences of abandoning Torah and ethical behavior. These are described in excruciating details, but says the Zohar, at night when the damaging demons emerge, if we focus…
Who is responsible? Much of this parsha is devoted to issues of caring for the other and the Zohar speaks of our duty to feed the hungry and release the slaves. The image of us being bound to Hashem by a heavenly yoke (here emblazoned with the letters of the Tetragrammaton and the radiating colors of the Sephirot that…
The Zohar addresses the 49 days of the omer – seven weeks, with seven sephirot each with seven aspects for each of the seven days of each week – all leading to the receiving of the Torah, likened to the wedding night. Union. And amidst the changing moon, the Zohar mentions the use of a straight shofar…