By April 13, 2008 Read More →

Zohar 1:72b

Jewish Mysticism
It is written, “[When the bow is in the clouds] I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant” (Gen. 9-16), for the desire of the Holy One, blessed be He, is towards it constantly and the one who is not worthy through it cannot enter before the Master. Thus it is written, “I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant.” “I will see it,” what [is the meaning of] “I will see it”? This is a secret, as it is said, “Put a mark on the foreheads etc.” (Ezek. 9-4) to be manifest on them. Others say that this is the inscription of the holy sign on the flesh. R. Judah said- Certainly everything is this way, but the rainbow that is seen in the world exists in a supernal mystery. When Israel will go out from the exile, this rainbow will be adorned in the colors of the bride who is adorned for her husband. That Jew said to him- Thus my father said to me when he departed from this world- Do not expect the feet of Messiah until that rainbow is seen in the world, adorned in the bright colors and illuminating the world. Then you can expect the Messiah. From where do you know? As it is written, “I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant.” Now it is seen in darkened colors to be a reminder that a flood will not come. However, in that time it will be seen in bright colors and it will be adorned in the ornamentation of a bride who is adorned for her husband. Then [is it appropriate to say] “and remember the everlasting covenant” (lizkor berit ‘olam). The Holy One, blessed be He, remembers that covenant that is in exile and He lifts her up from the dust, as it is written, “they will seek the Lord their God and David their king” (Hosea 3-5), and it is written, “they shall serve the Lord their God and David, the king whom I will raise up for them” (Jer. 30-9). “I will raise up” from the dust, as it says, “I will raise up again the fallen booth of David” (Amos 9-11). Thus [it is written] “”I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant,” to raise her up from the dust.

Translated by Elliot Wolfson in “Re/membering the Covenant- Memory, Forgetfulness, and History in the Zohar,” in Jewish History and Jewish Memory- Essays in Honor of Joseph Hayim Jerushalmi, 214-246. Edited by E. Carlbach, D. S. Myers, and J. Efron. Hanover and London- Brandeis University Press, 1998.

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