Unlocking The Zohar LAITMAN KABBALAH PUBLISHERS Michael Laitman UNLocKINg THE zoHAR copyright © 2011 by MIcHAEL LAITMAN All rights reserved Published by Laitman Kabbalah Publishers www.kabbalah.info [email protected] 1057 Steeles Avenue West, Suite 532, Toronto, oN, M2R 3X1, canada 2009 85th Street #51, Brooklyn, New York, 11214, USA Printed in canada No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. ISBN 978-1-897448-59-5 Library of congress control Number: 2011903649 copy Editor: c. gerus Associate Editors: N. Burnot, D. Rudder, g. Shadmon, D. Aharoni, A. Sofer, L. gur, L. Navon, M. Admoni, A. ohayon, D. Nahari, M. Visel, P. Yahod Netanel, S. Mimon, T. Yichia zohar for All Editors: B. girtz, M. cohen, A. cherniavsky, T. Yfhar, H. Rozenwasser, L. Vigdor, L. Peles chen, A. Mula, L. Shema Pinhas, M. Yichia, D. Akerman, N. Doyev, Y. Wolfman, g. Baumfeld, M. Sinklair, S. Havani, H. Levi, g. Izhakov, K. gabay, T. Refaeli, N. Levi, N. Hassid, A. Rozenwasser, Y. gruver, B. Farjoon, M. Bar, V. Dvash Translation: c. Ratz cover and Layout Design: Studio Yaniv, B. Khovov Executive Editor: o. Levi Publishing and Post Production: Uri Laitman FIRST EDITIoN: DEcEMBER 2011 FIRST PRINTINg 2011 CoNTeNTS FoREWoRD ......................................................................................5 ParT I - The GreaTNeSS of The Book of Zohar ......... 7 Chapter 1: the Wisdom of the Zohar ..............................................9 Time to Act .....................................................................................12 A Hidden Treasure .........................................................................21 Chapter 2: Nature aNd us ...............................................................22 Discovering Nature’s overall Law ..................................................24 The zohar—a Book of Many Layers ................................................27 Letters and Words ..........................................................................30 Chapter 3: the Zohar returNs to all ............................................31 The Allegory about the King and the Queen ................................46 Chapter 4: a ladder to the Zohar .................................................48 The Sulam [Ladder] commentary .................................................51 Acknowledgement of Spiritual Leaders of the Writings of Baal HaSulam ..............................................................53 zohar for All ...................................................................................54 The Necessity to Engage in The zohar ..........................................59 ParT II - The World WaS CreaTed for Me ................. 63 Chapter 5: the aCtual reality ........................................................65 Chapter 6: outer is iNNer ................................................................77 Chapter 7: as oNe maN iN oNe heart ............................................88 They Helped Every Man His Friend ..............................................91 A Prayer of Many ............................................................................93 ParT III - UNloCkING The Zohar ................................... 95 chapter8: BeiNg like the Creator ...................................................97 The Middle Line .............................................................................99 From Darkness to Light................................................................ 101 Tears ..............................................................................................104 Eternal Pleasure ............................................................................106 Chapter 9: the “raBBi shimoN” system .........................................108 A Spiritual Support System .......................................................... 110 Chapter 10: the upper Worlds ..................................................... 114 All Are His Words ........................................................................ 121 Chapter 11: the experieNCe of readiNg iN the Zohar .................122 Why Makes Salt So Important? ....................................................126 o Fairest Among Women ............................................................127 Jacob, Esau, Laban, and Balaam ..................................................128 Fear Not, You Worm of Jacob ......................................................130 The Sea Monsters ......................................................................... 131 What Is Hell? ................................................................................134 The gate over the Deep ..............................................................135 on My Bed at Night .....................................................................137 The Friends...................................................................................138 Selected Questions about the Study of The zohar ......................140 Endnotes ....................................................................................... 147 aPPeNdIx 1: Selected References in Praise of The zohar .................................149 aPPeNdIx 2: Introductions of Baal HaSulam to The Book of zohar ............... 175 aPPeNdIx 3: zohar for All, Selected Excerpts ................................................... 217 Further Reading ...............................................................................413 About Bnei Baruch ..........................................................................427 foreWord “And the wise shall shine as the brightness of the firma- ment”…They are the ones who exert in this brightness, called The Book of Zohar. The Book of Zohar, Behaalotcha [When You Raise], Item 88 he Book of Zohar contains a very special force that can T bring us to perfect, utter bliss. It is thrilling, exciting, and mesmerizing to the point that those who read it crave never to stop reading. For those delving into it, The Zohar is a source of energy and vitality. With The Zohar, we can begin a new life and bond with the good and pleasurable that exists in the world. Unlocking the Zohar is the introductory volume in a series of books titled Zohar for All, which is a reader-friendly edition of The Book of Zohar. To make the best of the series, it is recommended to first read this book, which will usher the reader into the right approach when reading The Zohar, thus maximizing the benefits of engaging in it. 5 6 uNloCkiNg the Zohar No prior knowledge is required when reading this book. Part 1 explains the essence of the wisdom of The Zohar, the reasons for its concealment for so many years, and how it can benefit us today. Part 2 talks about the way we perceive reality and the plan of creation, and finally, how we will unlock The Zohar together to hopefully decode its secret. As a special treat for the curious among the readers, Appendix 3 contains selected excerpts from Zohar for All. After reading this book, you will be able to feel the power of The Zohar and enjoy its benefits. The Zohar is to be concealed ... until the arrival of the last generation at the end of days, and then it will appear. Rav Isaiah Horowitz (the Holy Shlah) Foreword 7 The GreaTness of The Book of Zohar aA one who has never seen the light of The Book of Zohar has never seen light in his life. Rabbi Tzvi Hirsh Eichenstein of Ziditshov1 The prohibition from Above to refrain from open study of the wisdom of truth was for a limited period, until the end of 1490. Thereafter, it is considered the last generation, in which the prohibition was lifted and permission has been granted to engage in The Book of Zohar. And since the year 1540, it has been a great Mitzva (commandment) for the masses to study, old and young. Abraham Ben Mordechai Azulai2 And because Israel are destined to taste from the tree of life, which is The Book of Zohar, through it, they will be delivered from exile with mercy. The Book of Zohar, Nasso [Take], Item 90 Now the time requires accelerated acquisition of the inner Torah. The Book of Zohar breaks new paths, makes a highway in the desert. The Zohar and all its yield are ready to open the doors of redemption. The Rav Raiah Kook3 The livelihood of the person of Israel depends on The Book of Zohar. Rav Yitzhak Yehuda Yehiel Safrin of Komarno4 aA I The Wisdom of The Zohar 1 time to aCt The whole of the wisdom of Kabbalah is only to know the guidance of the Higher Will, why It has created all these creatures, what It wants with them, and what the end of all the cycles of the world will be. Ramchal, Pitchei Hochma (Doors of Wisdom), Door no. 30 he Zohar is THE book of the wisdom of Kabbalah, the Twisdom of truth. It is surfacing today to lead us forward to a higher dimension. Yet, what is so special about The Zohar and about the Kabbalah? Why is this wisdom taking center stage specifically for those living today? Humanity is ever developing. In ancient times, people’s needs were very basic: food, shelter, and procreation. These are natural desires, as well as existential needs. In time, greater needs and greater desires have arisen in us: for wealth, domination, respect, and knowledge. 11 12 uNloCkiNg the Zohar Throughout history, we have been trying to satisfy the needs that emerged in us. We have been trying to find within these changes happiness, love, and a good life. Today, we see that this chase was futile. While each generation