E-Lectures Glossary
ZoharArguably the most important work in Jewish mysticism, the Zohar sets forth a kabbalistic world-view, describing the relationship between the Godhead and the various levels of existence. The Zohar purports to be a record of discussions between the Talmudic Sages, who lived between the second and fifth centuries BCE, in what is supposed to be the Aramaic of their time, under the leadership of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yohai (2nd Century BCE). However, scholars agree that it was really written by Rabbi Moshe De Leon (1250-1305), or by a circle of scholars associated with, him around the turn of the 13th century.The Book (as it is known in Hebrew: Sefer Ha-zohar i.e. The Book of (the) Radiance, or Glory), is composed of quite a few treatises. The largest treatise, Zohar on the Torah, is arranged as a midrashic commentary to the Pentateuch (mainly covering Genesis through Laviticus) and the other treatises were either inserted into this work or appended to it. Thus the part of the Zohar known as Midrash ha-Ne'elam on the Torah parallels small parts of the Zohar on the Torah, but includes shorter sayings by more Sages without describing any interaction between them. Using a mixture of Hebrew and Aramaic, as apposed to the Aramaic of the Zohar, it deals with only a limited number of kabblistic ideas -- such as creation, the soul, the world to come and the end of the messiah -- while leaving out major topics such as the secrets of the God Head and the Other Side. There are also similar treatises on the scrolls of The Song of Songs, Ruth and known as Midrash ha-Ne'elam on Shir ha-Shirim, Ruth and Eicha. Sifra de-Zniuta is a short enigmatic treatise that touches upon most of the major central ideas of kabbalah, while concentrating on the Secret of the God-Head. It does not mention any Sages and is not continuous with the parts of the Zohar before or after it (neither at the end of Zohar Teruma, nor according to the Krimona addition, where it is included in Parashat Bereshit). The Idra Rabba tells of congregating of 'the comrades' in which rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai begins by explaining parts of the Sifera de-Zniuta and each 'comrade' responds in tern, together explaining the secrete of the God-Head using the imagery of the human body. The Idra Zuta describes the last gathering of rabbi Shimon bar Yohai and his disciples. Rabbi Shimon speaks at length, mainly summarizing the ideas expressed in the Idra Rabba, and he passes away in a state of elated spirit while speaking the word 'life'. The Idra Zuta is appended to the end of Zohar Ha'azinu and also tells of Rabbi Shimons death and funeral. Tikunei Ha-Zohar and Raya Mehemana were composed slightly after other parts of the zohar, probably by students of rabbi Moshe De Leon. Both books use similar terminology and deal with similar topics; they are also both organized in a less logical and more associative manner than the earlier parts of the Zohar; the setting for both is mainly the heavenly assembly, where rabbi Simon bar Yochai and his disciples meet other-worldly spirits, such as Abraham Isaac and Jacob, Elijah, the Messiah and especially Moses, the trustworthy shepherd. Tikunei Ha-Zohar was published as a separate book, composed of 'tikunim' that are more or less parallel to chapters in this book. The Hebrew word tikun (pl. tikunim), literally meaning mending or fixing, took on special significance in the Zoharic literature referring to the mending of the world, or worlds. Each tikun begins with the first word of the Bible 'bereshit' (literally, at first) and expounds a few verses from Genisis. includes seventy 'tikunim' and a number of additional ones from a different manuscript. A number of 'tikunim' were also published in the Zohar Hadash. Raya Mehemana, is a treatise concerning the reasoning behind the commandments. In the printed additions, it has been inserted into the main body of the Zohar, connected to the sequence of the verses of the bible, but as attested by a few rare manuscripts, this was not its original form. Moses, the Raya Mehmana (i.e. 'loyal' or 'trustworthy' shepherd) who received the commandments, plays a central role in the treatise appearing to the rabbis and explaining the commandments. Links
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel |