Vayechi: Chapter 59

"Judah you are he whom your brethren shall praise"

Synopsis

Rabbi Shimon explains that the kingship was given to Judah, since he is the fourth leg of the supernal Throne and the Chariot to the attribute of Malchut. Rabbi Shimon proceeds by discussing the meaning of the verse, "The King's daughter is all glorious within." This, we learn, signifies that the Female Principle within Atzilut is clothed by and joined with Gvurah. The discourse then turns to address the verse, "So He drove out the man" This refers to Adam, who by his sin, brought death upon himself and the entire world, and drove the Female Principle out of the Garden of Eden. We learn that fiery flames guard the way to the Tree of Life, the Female Principle, which rests on the angels Metatron and Sandalfon. We also learn that after she was driven out, the Female Principle was flawed until she was rectified - first by Noah, and then by Abraham. She stood in wholeness by Abraham and his sons, and Judah cleaved to her and became stronger in his kingship because of this. Indeed, the verse, "The sons of your father shall bow down before you," signifies that all the tribes shall bow down to Judah. We also learn that Judah, referred to as a "lion," escaped the Angel of Death. The mighty Shechinah is also compared to a lion and a lioness because of her strength and because she crouches to await her prey, the idolatrous nations. Finally, we are told that the verse, "The staff shall not depart from Judah," indicates that the Shechinah shall rise up in exile.

Relevance

An abundance of Light radiates throughout this complex passage of the Zohar. This Light helps correct the original sin of Adam, which in turn, assists in weakening the grip of the Angel of Death over mankind. Our souls are strengthened by the Light of Noah, Abraham and Judah, which helps us correct our owns transgressions and cleanse us of negativity, which also helps correct the original sin of Adam.