📕 TUESDAY PRAYER: HOCHMA-MAIN READING OF THE WEEK – THE ZOHAR BOOK
READING: SUNSET MONDAY
Main Reading for PRAYER OF MANY, today with ENGLISH ZOHAR READING, page 230
ARVUT OF : Robin Anderson
Ohr Hochma is designated by the letter Ayin. Since Ohr Hochma is revealed
only during the ascent of the lower Shabbat to the Upper, Ohr Hochma is
divided into two parts: one half for the Upper Shabbat, and one for the lower.
Hence, the passage of Vayechulu (Beresheet, 2:1) consists of thirty-five words
that refer to half of the Light of the Upper Shabbat, whereas the blessing itself
consists of thirty-five words that refer to half of the Light of the lower Shabbat.
And the common soul, called the “Assembly of Israel” or Malchut (Shabbat), is
adorned with this Light.
Since the circle and the square merge and assume the name Shabbatot (two
Shabbats), the Light of both the circle and the square is defined as protecting—
GUARD. And, although the word GUARD alludes to restrictions and borders
that one must observe and fear violating, whereas the Upper Shabbat (designated
by a circle) has no restrictions and borders, due to the joining of the two Shabbatot
into one, there still appeared restrictions and borders.
The Upper Shabbat is called REMEMBER, and not OBSERVE, as it is
completely free of restrictions. However, since it merged with the lower Shabbat,
called OBSERVE, it, too, needs to GUARD, which normally relates to Malchut
alone. Only due to Malchut’s ascent to Bina did the need to guard, which is
present in Malchut, arose in Bina. But Bina herself remains only in the property of
REMEMBER, for only egoistic desires to receive pleasure need GUARDING.
The Upper Shabbat (Bina) is designated by the letters MI = Mem-Yod. The
lower Shabbat (Malchut) is designated by the letters MA = Mem-Hey, and has the
form of a square, which implies a presence of controversy between its properties—
the right and the left sides, which give it its square form.
- There are two types of peace below: one is Yaakov (Tifferet), and the other
is Yosef (Yesod). Therefore, PEACE is written twice in the greeting: “PEACE,
PEACE to the distant one and to the near one.” “The distant one” refers to
Yaakov, and “the near one” refers to Yosef. Or, as it is written, “From afar I
see the Creator,” “Came to a stop far in the distance.”
“Below” signifies ZON, containing one of the properties, Yaakov or the Sefira
Tifferet de ZA. ZON also contain the property called Yosef, or Yesod. Both these
Sefirot indicate the place of a potential Zivug between ZA and Malchut, for Peace
signifies Zivug. The Upper Zivug (Yaakov) is intended for reception of Ohr Hochma
from Above, and the lower Zivug (Yosef) fills Malchut only with Ohr Hassadim.