Zohar Acherai - Section 9 - How Good and How Pleasant

It is recommended to study the section prior to reading the Synopsis.

Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai Section 8

It is best to study the Zohar in the following manner:

1. Read out loud the Aramaic Verse. If you need to transliterate in order to read with the sounds of the lettersthe verse see below. If you use the transliteration tool than make sure you scan the Aramaic first and last.

2. Read the English Translation - if you desire to understand and realize that your understanding will limit the energy you receive. This is why it is important to scan the aramaic verse first.

3.Write out your understanding of the verse. Send it to yeshshem@hotmail.com in an email. Use the Parasha Name and verse number in the subject. By sending your understanding you give yeshshem.com permission to post this to web page and any other uses Yeshshem may see a beneficial use.

4. Now read chanoch's Commentary or additions to enhance and or modify your own personal understanding.

SYNOPSIS:

Rabbi Shimon talks about "how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity," explaining that it means male and female turned toward one another. He says that righteousness and justice go together, otherwise things are not well with the world. The rabbis had been complaining because rain was needed, and Rabbi Shimon says that is because male does not reside within the female, but everything is about to return to its proper place and there will soon be rain. then they talk about the interpretations of "I am black, but comely" and the following verses. Returning to the title verse, we hear that it refers to the friends, who fear God and speak about Him to one another, and have peace and brotherly love.

Relevance of the Passage

The relevance of the passage is not yet clear.

Pasook 58. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

תַּנְיָא א"ר יוֹסֵי, זִמְנָא חֲדָא, הֲוָה צְרִיכָא עַלְמָּא לְמִטְרָא, אָתוּ לְקָמֵיהּ דר"ש, ר' יֵיסָא וְרִבִּי חִזְקִיָּה וּשְׁאָר חַבְרַיָּיא. אַשְׁכְּחוּהוּ דַּהֲוָה אָזִיל לְמֵחֱמֵי, לְר' פִּנְחָס בֶּן יָאִיר, הוּא ור"א בְּרֵיהּ. כֵּיוָן דְּחָמָא לוֹן, פָּתַח וְאָמַר, שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת הִנֵּה מַה טוֹב וּמַה נָעִים שֶׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם יָחַד. מַאי שֶׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם יָחַד.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

We have learned that Rabbi Yosi said, once the world needed rain. Rabbi Yesa, Rabbi Chizkiyah and other friends came before Rabbi Shimon. They found him and his son going to see Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair. When he saw them, he said, "A poem of ascent of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity" (Tehilim 133:1). HE QUESTIONS: What is meant by "brothers to dwell together in unity"?

chanoch's Commentary

This is an introductory pasuk.

Pasook 59. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

כד"א, וּפְנֵיהֶם אִישׁ אֶל אָחִיו, בְּשַׁעֲתָא דַּהֲווֹ חַד בְּחַד מַשְׁגִּיחִין אַנְפִּין בְּאַנְפִּין, כְּתִיב, מַה טוֹב וּמַה נָעִים. וְכַד מְהַדֵּר דְּכוּרָא אַנְפּוֹי מִן נוּקְבָּא, וַוי לְעָלְמָא. כְּדֵין כְּתִיב, וְיֵשׁ נִסְפֶּה בְּלֹא מִשְׁפָּט. בְּלֹא מִשְׁפָּט וַדַּאי, וּכְתִיב, צֶדֶק וּמִשְׁפָּט מְכוֹן כִּסְאֶךָ, דְּלָא אָזִיל דָּא בְּלָא דָּא, וְכַד מִשְׁפָּט, מִתְרַחֵק מִצֶדֶק, וַוי לְעָלְמָא.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

HE ANSWERS: THIS IS as is said, "And their faces shall look one to another (lit. 'man to his brother')" (Shemot 25:20), BROTHERS MEANING MALE AND FEMALE, for the time that ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT faced each other, it is written, "How good and how pleasant." However, when the male turns his face away from the female, woe is to the world. Then it is written, "But sometimes ruin comes for want of justice" (Mishlei 13:23) and assuredly without justice, MEANING WITHOUT ZEIR ANPIN CALLED JUSTICE, WHO DOES NOT LOOK OR GIVE ABUNDANCE TO THE FEMALE CALLED RIGHTEOUSNESS. The verse, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne" (Tehilim 89:15) means that one does not go without the other. When justice, WHICH IS ZEIR ANPIN, moves afar from righteousness, WHICH IS MALCHUT, woe is to the world.

chanoch's Commentary

This verse is clear as written. This pasuk is important for each of us to take its message into our lives. One can not be Righteous without justice. The verse does not say judgment. Do you want to be Righteous? Then you need to learn how not to say the letter of the law since this statement implies judgment and not justice.

Pasook 60. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

וְהַשְׁתָּא חֲמֵינָא, דְּאַתּוּן אֲתִיתוּן, עַל דִּדְכוּרָא לָא שַׁרְיָא בְּנוּקְבָּא, אָמַר, אִי לְדָא אֲתִיתוּן גַּבָּאי תִּיבוּ. דְּהַאי יוֹמָא אִסְתַּכַּלְנָא, דְּיִתְהַדָר כֺּלָּא לְמִשְׁרֵי אַנְפִּין בְּאַנְפִּין. וְאִי לְאוֹרַיְיתָא אֲתִיתוּן, שָׁרוּ גַּבָּאי. אָמְרוּ לֵיהּ, לְכֺלָּא, קָא אֲתֵינָא לְגַבֵּי דְּמֺר, יִשְׁתְּמִיט חַד מִינָן, לְבַשְּׂרָא לַאֲחָנָא, שְׁאָר חַבְרַיָּיא, וַאֲנָן נֵתִיב לְקָמֵיהּ דְּמֺר.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

I see that you have come now because the Male does not reside within the Female AND, AS A RESULT, THERE IS NO RAIN IN THE WORLD. He said, If you have come to me for this reason, then go back, as this day I have seen that everything will return to be face to face AND THERE WILL BE NO LACK OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN IN THE WORLD. However, if you have come here to study Torah, then stay with me. They replied to him: We came to our master for both of them, FOR RAINFALL AND FOR STUDY OF TORAH. Allow one of us to report to our brethren ABOUT THE SALVATION OF RAIN, while we, and the other friends with us, will remain with our master.

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is giving us information about how to unify male and female - Righteous and Justice.

Pasook 61. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

עַד דַּהֲווֹ אַזְלֵי, פָּתַח וְאָמַר, שְׁחוֹרָה אֲנִי וְנָאוָה בְּנוֹת יְרוּשָׁלָיִם וְגוֹ'. אָמְרָה כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל קָמֵי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא, שְׁחוֹרָה אֲנִי בְּגָלוּתָא, וְנָאוָה אֲנִי בְּפִקּוּדֵי אוֹרַיְיתָא, דאע"ג דְּיִשְׂרָאֵל בְּגָלוּתָא לָא שַׁבְקֵי לוֹן. כְּאָהֳלֵי קֵדָר, דְּאִינּוּן בְּנֵי קְטוֹרָה, דְּאִתְקַדְּרוּ אַנְפַּיְיהוּ תְּדִירָא, וְעִם כָּל דָּא כִּירִיעוֹת שְׁלֹמֺה, כְּהַהוּא חֵיזוֹ שְׁמַיָא לְמִדְכֵּי, דִּכְתִּיב, נוֹטֶה שָׁמַיִם כַּיְרִיעָה.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

As they were walking, he said, "I am black, but comely, O daughters of Jerusalem..." (Shir Hashirim 1:5). The Congregation of Yisrael said before the Holy One, blessed be He: I may be black in exile but I am comely with the commandments of the Torah. Even though Yisrael are in exile, they do not forsake THE PRECEPTS. "Like the tents of Kedar" (Ibid.), MEANING EVEN THOUGH I AM like the children of Keturah, whose faces are always black, still I am like "the curtains of Solomon" (Ibid.), MEANING like the view of heaven for purity, as it is written, "Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain" (Tehilim 104:2). SOLOMON (HEB. SHLOMO) IS THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE, THE KING OF PEACE (HEB. SHALOM).

chanoch's Commentary

With Rabbi Ashlag's Comments the verse is clear as written.

Pasook 62. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

אַל תִּרְאוּנִי שֶׁאֲנִי שְׁחַרְחוֹרֶת. מ"ט אַל תִּרְאוּנִי, בְּגִין שֶׁאֲנִי שֶׁחַרְחֺרֶת. שֶׁשְּׁזָפַתְנִי הַשָּׁמֶשׁ, דְּלָא אִסְתָּכַּל בִּי שִׁמְשָׁא, לְאַנְהָרָא לִי כַּדְקָא יֵאוֹת. יִשְׂרָאֵל מַה אִינּוּן אַמְרִין. בְּנֵי אִמִּי נִחֲרוּ בִּי. מַאן אִינּוּן בְּנֵי אִמִּי, אִלֵּין רַבְרְבִין מְמָנָן תְּרִיסִין עַל שְׁאָר עַמִּין.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

"Do not look upon me, because I am black" (Shir Hashirim 1:6), MEANING what is the reason you should not look upon me? Because I am black AND THEREFORE YOU CANNOT SEE ME. "Because the sun has scorched me" (Ibid.), MEANING the sun did not look at me, REFERRING TO ZEIR ANPIN, to properly shed light upon me. What do Yisrael say to this? "My mother's children were angry with me" (Ibid.). Who are the children of my mother? These are appointed ministers who protect the other nations.

chanoch's Commentary

The children of my mother are called Elohim. Why did the Zohar not call the appointed ministers by the Name Elohim?

Pasook 63. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

ד"א, בְּנֵי אִמִּי מַמָּשׁ. כד"א, הִשְׁלִיךְ מִשָּׁמַיִם אֶרֶץ וְגוֹ'. וְכַד הִשְׁלִיךְ מִשָּׁמַיִם אֶרֶץ, שָׂמוּנִי נוֹטֵרָה אֶת הַכְּרָמִים. מ"ט. דְּכַרְמִי שֶׁלִּי לֹא נָטָרְתִּי. וְתָנֵינָן, בְּנֵי אִמִּי וַדַּאי אִסְתְכָּמוּ עָלַי, כְּלוֹמַר, כַּד אִתְעָדֵי אֶרֶץ, מִשָּׁמַיִם, כְּמָה דְּאוֹקִימְנָא, דִּכְתִּיב, וַתֵּתַצַּב אֲחוֹתוֹ מֵרָחוֹק.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

Another explanation is that THE SHECHINAH SPOKE literally OF "my mother's children," REFERRING TO THE SFIROT OF ZEIR ANPIN, THE CHILDREN OF BINAH WHO IS THE MOTHER OF THE SHECHINAH, as the verse says, "And cast down from heaven (to) earth..." (Eichah 2:1). So when ZEIR ANPIN threw from heaven the earth, MEANING THE SHECHINAH, "they made me the keeper of the vineyards" (Shir Hashirim 1:6), REFERRING TO THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD. SHE HAS TO POUR ABUNDANCE TO THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD SO THAT YISRAEL WILL DRAW SUSTENANCE FROM THEM. What is the reason? BECAUSE "my own vineyard," NAMELY YISRAEL, "I have not kept" (Ibid.), BECAUSE THEY SINNED. We thus learn that "the children of my mother," NAMELY THE SFIROT OF ZEIR ANPIN, agreed against me, TO DISTANCE ME, meaning the earth was removed with this, REFERRING TO MALCHUT, from heaven, DENOTING ZEIR ANPIN. We established that it is written, "And his sister stood afar off" (Shemot 2:4). THE SHECHINAH, CALLED THE SISTER OF ZEIR ANPIN, STOOD FROM A DISTANCE, MEANING ZEIR ANPIN HAD CAUSED HER TO STAND AT A DISTANCE.

chanoch's Commentary

With Rabbi Ashlag's comments the verse is clear as written.

Pasook 64. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

וְהָכָא אִתְּמַר וַדַּאי, הִנֵּה מַה טוֹב וּמַה נָעִים שֶׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם יָחַד. וּבְהוּ אוֹקִימְנָא, גַּם יָחַד. כד"א וְאַף גַּם זֺאת בִּהְיוֹתָם, שֶׁבֶת אַחִים בִּכְלַל, כֵּיוָן דִּכְתִּיב, גַּם, לְאַכְלְלָא כָּל אִינּוּן דִּלְעֵילָּא, דְּכָל שׁוּלְטָנוּתָא בְּהַהוּא אֲתַר אִשְׁתְּכַח.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

IN CONTRAST TO WHAT IS WRITTEN, "AND HIS SISTER STOOD AFAR OFF," it is surely said, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together (Heb. gam) in unity" WHEN MALCHUT, WHICH IS THE SISTER OF ZEIR ANPIN, STANDS NOT AT A DISTANCE BUT TOGETHER. Regarding them, ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT, we have explained "also together" the same way as "And yet (Heb. gam) for all that (Heb. zot fem.)" (Vayikra 26:44), GAM BEING THE SECRET OF MALCHUT CALLED ZOT. SIMILARLY, "GAM IN UNITY" REFERS TO MALCHUT. IN TRUTH, it would have been included in the brothers sitting together AND THERE WOULD BE NO NEED TO INSCRIBE THE WORD GAM. Since "Gam (Eng. 'also')" is written it is meant to include all of those higher above ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT; THAT IS, THEY ARE YISRAEL SABA AND TEVUNAH. For the whole reign is now in that place YISRAEL SABA AND TEVUNAH.

chanoch's Commentary

With Rabbi Ashlag's Commentary the verse is clear as written.

Pasook 65. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

ד"א. הִנֵּה מַה טּוֹב וּמַה נָעִים וְגוֹ'. אִלֵּין אִינּוּן חַבְרַיָּיא, בְּשַׁעֲתָא דְּאִינּוּן יַתְבִין כַּחֲדָא, וְלָא מִתְפָּרְשָׁן דָּא מִן דָּא. בְּקַדְמֵיתָא אִתְחָזוּן גּוּבְרֵי מַגִּיחֵי קְרָבָא, דְּבָעוּ לְקָטְלָא דָּא לְדָא. לְבָתַר, אִתְהֲדָרוּ בִּרְחִימוּתָא דְּאַחְוָה. קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא מַהוּ אוֹמֵר, הִנֵּה מַה טּוֹב וּמַה נָעִים שֶׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם יָחַד. גַּם, לְאַכְלְלָא עִמְּהוֹן שְׁכִינְתָּא. וְלֹא עוֹד, אֶלָּא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אָצִית לְמִלּוּלַיְיהוּ, וְנִיחָא לֵיהּ וְחַדֵּי בְּהוּ. הה"ד אָז נִדְבְּרוּ יִרְאֵי יְיָ' אִישׁ אֶל רֵעֵהוּ וַיַּקְשֵׁב יְיָ' וַיִּשְׁמָע וַיִּכָּתֵב סֵפֶר זִכָּרוֹן לְפָנָיו וְגוֹ'.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

Another explanation for, "Behold, how good and how pleasant..." These are the friends, when they sit together and don't sit apart from one another. At first they appear as people at war with each other, wanting to kill one another. Afterwards, they return to each other in brotherly love. What does the Holy One, blessed be He, say ABOUT THEM? "Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together (Heb. gam, Eng. 'also') in unity." The word gam comes to include the Shechinah. Moreover, the Holy One, blessed be He, pays attention to what they say, and has enjoyment and rejoices with them. This is the essence of the verse, "Then they who feared Hashem spoke to one another: and Hashem hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him..." (Malachi 3:16).

chanoch's Commentary

Over the centuries various philosophers have reached a conclusion that there is a Creator and he has left other entities in charge of the worlds. This pasuk is clearly stating that HaShem is involved even with the Sefirot on an intimate relationship. As HaShem listens and acts upon the words - the interactions with the Sefirot.

Pasook 66. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

וְאַתּוּן חַבְרַיָּיא דְּהָכָא, כְּמָה דַּהֲוֵיתוֹן בַּחֲבִיבוּתָא בִּרְחִימוּתָא, מִקַּדְמַת דְּנָא, הָכִי נָמֵי, מִכָּאן וּלְהָלְאָה לָא תִּתְפָּרְשׁוּן דָּא מִן דָּא, עַד דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא יַחְדֵּי עִמְּכוֹן, וְיִקְרֵי עָלַיְיכוּ שְׁלָם. וְיִשְׁתְּכַּח בְּגִינֵיכוֹן שְׁלָמָא בְּעָלְמָא. הה"ד לְמַעַן אַחַי וְרֵעָי אֲדַבְּרָה נָא שָׁלוֹם בָּךְ.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

My friends, just as you have had affection for each other until now, do not part from one another from now on until the Holy One, blessed be He, rejoices with you. He will call peace upon you and, for your merits, peace will prevail in the world. This is the meaning of the verse, "For my brethren and friends' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within you" (Tehilim 122:8).

chanoch's Commentary

The verse speaks to the students of Rabbi Shimon. Yet it also speaks to you and me as well.

Pasook 67. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Acherai

אָזְלוּ. עַד דַּהֲווֹ אַזְלֵי, מָטוּ לְבֵי רִבִּי פִּנְחָס בֶּן יָאִיר. נָפַק רִבִּי פִּנְחָס, וּנְשָׁקֵיהּ. אָמַר, זָכֵינָא לְנַשְּׁקָא שְׁכִינְתָּא. זַכָּאָה חוּלָקִי אַתְקִין לְהוּ טִיקְלֵי דְּעַרְסֵי, קַפְטוּרֵי דְּקִילְטָא. אָמַר רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן, אוֹרַיְיתָא לָא בָּעֵי הָכִי, אַעְבָּר לְהוֹן, וְיָתִיבוּ. א"ר פִּנְחָס, עַד לָא נֵיכוּל, נִשְׁמַע מִמָּארֵיהּ דְּאוֹרַיְיתָא מִלָּה. דְּהָא ר"ש כָּל מִלּוֹי בְּאִתְגַּלְיָיא אִינּוּן, אִיהוּ גַּבְרָא דְּלָא דָּחִיל מֵעֵילָּא וּמִתַתָּא, לְמֵימַר לוֹן, לָא דָּחִיל מֵעֵילָּא, דְּהָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אִסְתָּכַּם בֵּיהּ, לָא דָּחִיל מִתַּתָּא, כְּאַרְיֵה דְּלָא דָּחִיל מִבְּנֵי עָנָא. אָמַר רִבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן לְרִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרִיה, אֶלְעָזָר קוּם בְּקִיּוּמָךְ, וְאֵימָא מִלָּה חַדְתָּא, לְגַבֵּי דְּרִבִּי פִּנְחָס וּשְׁאָר חַבְרַיָּיא.

Transliteration

Please use a Transliteration tool to read the Aramaic Verses. This enhances the energy transfer since it uses both sight of the Hebrew Letters and Sound as well. You may find a transliteration tool on the dailyzohar website or through an internet search for "Hebrew Transliteration".

Translation

They went. As they were going, they reached the home of Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair. Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair came out, kissed RABBI SHIMON, and said: I have earned the right to kiss the Shechinah. How fortunate is my lot. He set up for them expensive bed sheets. Rabbi Shimon said: The Torah does not require this. He removed THE SPREADS and they sat down. Rabbi Pinchas said: Before we eat, we will hear a discourse from the master of Torah, as all the words of Rabbi Shimon are open as a revelation. He is a man who need not be afraid from above or below of preaching them. He fears not what is above, as the Holy One, blessed be He, agrees with him. He is also not fearful of those below, just as a lion fears not the flock of sheep. Rabbi Shimon said to Rabbi Elazar, his son: Elazar, stand where you are and recite a novel Torah interpretation before Rabbi Pinchas and the other friends.

chanoch's Commentary

This is a introduction and transition verse.