๐ What is the Zohar?
The Zohar (ืึนืึทืจ, meaning “Radiance” or “Splendor”) is the central text of Kabbalah, written in a cryptic, mystical style. It’s like the Sonnentheologie of Judaism in a way—full of metaphor, divine light, cosmic harmony, and inner transformation.
๐งโ๏ธ Origins & Authorship
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Traditionally attributed to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (2nd century CE), a sage who supposedly received the teachings while hiding in a cave for 13 years.
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Historically, most scholars agree it was written by Moses de León in 13th-century Spain, although he may have drawn from older traditions and oral teachings.
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Written mostly in Aramaic, but not the classical dialect—more like a mystically-tinged, poetic Aramaic with Hebrew influences.
๐ What’s in the Zohar?
The Zohar is a mystical commentary on the Torah (Pentateuch)—but not in the usual sense. It reads the Torah as a symbolic, multilayered text, pointing to:
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The inner workings of the divine (the Sefirot)
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The structure of the soul
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The dynamics between God and the Shekhinah (Divine Presence, often seen as feminine)
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Creation, exile, redemption, and the mystical role of humanity in restoring harmony (a.k.a. Tikkun Olam)
๐ฏ๏ธ Key Concepts
๐ณ Sefirot – The Tree of Life
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Ten emanations or aspects of God’s unfolding into the world.
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From Keter (Crown, divine will) down to Malkhut (Kingdom, the world of action).
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Like rays of divine light flowing from the Infinite (Ein Sof) into creation.
๐ Ein Sof – The Infinite
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The unknowable, limitless source of all being.
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Beyond all names, attributes, or comprehension.
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Echoes of apophatic theology and Neoplatonism.
๐ Shevirat ha-Kelim – The Breaking of the Vessels
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A myth of cosmic rupture: when divine light tried to enter the world, the vessels couldn’t hold it and shattered.
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Explains evil and chaos in the world—and humanity’s role in healing it.
๐ฅ Tikkun – Repair
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Our spiritual practices, prayers, and ethical actions repair the broken vessels.
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Kabbalah becomes a cosmic mission, not just personal salvation.
โจ Zohar & Light
Since you brought up Sonnentheologie earlier, this fits beautifully:
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The Zohar is obsessed with light—it begins with “Let there be light” as a mystical code for divine emanation.
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Light = divine knowledge, presence, and love flowing into the world.
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The righteous are called “those who shine”, and studying the Zohar is said to illuminate the soul.
Links:
Zohar Products
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