Trumah: Chapter 14

Just as they (Kegavna)

Synopsis

This section deals with the secret of Shabbat. Malchut is called 'Shabbat' when she is united in the secret of one, so that Zeir Anpin should dwell upon her. Then the Holy Throne of Glory is united. We are reminded again of how, when the Shabbat enters, she unites and separates from the Other Side. The people bless her with joy, and must never address her with a verse of judgment, for all judgments are suspended. It would not be good to awaken the prosecutors below, who have fled to conceal themselves in holes beneath the sand of the great abyss because of the holiness of the Shabbat. Rather the holy people should have goodwill and great love, so that they arouse blessings above and below together.

Relevance

The merging of lower and upper worlds is, perhaps, the most predominant theme that weaves itself throughout the Zohar. And nowhere else, we are told, is this unification more readily attainable than on the day of Sabbath. This passage provides the image of an egg as both symbol and analogy to illustrate this recurring theme. Fragile yet strong, the shell will only break when the time is right for birth. Enclosed in their shell, the white and the yolk can safely unite in secret. And later, by the splitting of the shell, new life arises from that union.

On Sabbath, the secret union takes place safe from harm, safe from evil. Afterward, the fruit of this blessed union comes to life among us. The great Light and unity of Shabbat shines in full splendor as we contemplate this profound Kabbalistic narrative. Judgments flee from our midst and the Other Side is expelled from our lives. The cosmic equivalent of the weekday Sabbath, the Age of Messiah, dawns as our eyes touch these words and our souls embrace these truths.