Alright, buckle up, because we're diving into the Zohar with a friendly fun twist!
So, Rabbi Hizkiyah kicks things off with this poetic line: "As a rose among thorns" (Song of Songs 2:2). But hold up—this isn’t just your garden-variety rose. The Zohar tells us that the rose represents the Congregation of Israel (aka the collective spiritual soul of the Jewish people). Now, this isn’t your basic flower; it's a rose with attitude—beautiful but surrounded by prickly thorns, symbolizing the challenges and struggles that Israel faces. Life, right? Always a mix of beauty and difficulty.
But here’s where it gets deep: The rose has red and white colors, and these represent Judgment (red) and Mercy (white). The Congregation of Israel (and let’s be real, all of us) has this same duality—sometimes we get strict, and sometimes we show compassion. It’s like the eternal balance between being tough when you need to be and knowing when to let things go.
Oh, and did you know a rose has 13 petals? Bet you didn’t. Well, in Zohar-speak, those 13 petals symbolize the 13 Attributes of Mercy that surround and protect Israel. Think of it like having a VIP security detail—but instead of bodyguards, it’s HaShem's mercy keeping you safe from all sides.
The text also throws in some numerology magic by linking these 13 petals to the 13 words between the first and second mentions of Elohim in the Torah. It’s like a spiritual sandwich, with mercy as the bread holding everything together.
Then, the Zohar shifts gears and talks about the 5 strong leaves that surround the rose, which are described as the "gates of salvation." Imagine the rose perched on these 5 leaves, which give it strength and stability. The Zohar connects this to the idea of the Cup of Blessing—you know, that cup we raise during meals (because what’s spirituality without a good meal involved?). The cup, like the rose, rests on five fingers, reminding us that everything—Judgment, Mercy, Salvation—works together in harmony.
And just when you think it’s all about flowers and cups, the Zohar drops a Genesis reference. When the light (Ohr) was created—"Let there be Light!"—it wasn’t just your ordinary light switch moment. This light was hidden, and it got tucked away in the Covenant (Brit). So the rose, this mysterious light, and the entire creation narrative are all interconnected. The rose doesn’t just bloom; it bears fruit—the seed of future generations, continuing the spiritual lineage.
So, TL;DR:
- The rose = Israel (aka you, me, all of us).
- The thorns = life’s challenges.
- Red and white = Judgment and Mercy.
- 13 petals = HaShem’s Attributes of Mercy surrounding us.
- 5 leaves = salvation, stability, and spiritual protection.
In Zohar world, even a rose can be a cosmic symbol, teaching us that the balance of Judgment and Mercy, hardship and salvation, is all part of HaShem's divine plan. So, next time you see a rose, just remember—you’re basically looking at a metaphor for the entire spiritual existence of the Jewish people. No big deal.
(This was a short summary of Zohar Chapters 1-5)
In my book Pick Me Up HaShem, you’ll find many prayers that explore how HaShem is constantly drawing us closer to Him, inviting us into a deeper relationship through prayer and reflection. These prayers are designed to help you connect with the divine presence in a way that transcends mere requests and taps into the true purpose of prayer.
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