Zohar Naso - Section 14 - An Unmarried Priest May Not Serve

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

Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Naso Section 14

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:

We are told that a priest who does not have a wife is not permitted to carry out his duties because the Shechinah does not dwell in someone unmarried, and it is imperative for a priest to have the Shechinah dwell in him.

THE RELEVANCE OF THE PASSAGE:

The relevance of the passage is not yet revealed.

Pasook 143. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Naso

אָמַר רִבִּי אֶלְעָזָר, הַיְינוּ רָזָא דְּתָנֵינָן בְּזֹאת, כִּי מֵאִישׁ לֻקֳּחָה זֹּאת. וּכְתִיב לְזֹאת יִקָּרֵא אִשָּׁה, וְזֹאת אִתְכְּלִילַת בְּאִישׁ, דְּהַיְינוּ חֶסֶד, וְזֹאת נוּקְבָּא. חֶסֶד דְּכַר. וּבְגִין כַּךְ דְּכַר דְּאָתֵי מִסִּטְרָא דְּחִוָּורָא דָּא, אִקְרֵי חֶסֶד. וְזֹאת אִתְקְרֵי צֶדֶק, דְּאַתְיָא מִסְטַר סוּמָקָא. וּבְגִין כַּךְ אִקְרֵי אִשָּׁה. וְהַיְינוּ דִּכְתִּיב וְצִדְקָתוֹ, מַאי וְצִדְקָתוֹ. צִדְקָתוֹ דְּחֶסֶד, בַּת זוּגוֹ, דְּאִתְבָּסְמָא דָּא בְּדָא. וּבְגִין כַּךְ תָּנֵינָן, כָּל כֹּהֵן שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בַּת זוּג, אָסוּר בַּעֲבוֹדָה, דִּכְתִּיב וְכִפֶּר בַּעֲדוֹ וּבְעַד בֵּיתוֹ.

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

Rabbi Elazar said: This is the secret that we learned of "this (Heb. zot)," WHICH REFERS TO MALCHUT, "because she (zot) was taken out of man" (Beresheet 2:23). It is also written: "She (zot) shall be called woman" (Ibid.) and zot is included in man, WHO IS ZEIR ANPIN, which is Chesed, and zot is female. Chesed is male. Therefore, the male that comes from the white side, WHICH IS CHESED, is called Chesed and Zot is referred to as righteousness, since she comes from the side of red, THAT IS LEFT AND JUDGMENT. That is why she is called "woman (Heb. ishah)," WHICH IS DERIVED FROM FIRE (HEB. ESH) AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. That is the reason it is written: "And His righteousness TO CHILDREN'S CHILDREN" (Tehilim 103:17). IT IS NOT WRITTEN: 'AND HIS CHESED'. What is the meaning of "His righteousness"? This is the righteousness of Chesed, its spouse, for they sweeten one another, SINCE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS INCLUDES ALSO THE MALE THAT IS CHESED. THAT IS WHY IT IS WRITTEN: "HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Therefore we have learned that any priest that does not have a wife is not permitted to carry out his duties, since it is written: "and make atonement for himself, and for his house" (Vayikra 16:17).

chanoch's Commentary

With Rabbi Ashlag's comments, this pasuk is clear as written. The pasuk specifies a spiritual law of the Priest.

Pasook 144. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Naso

אָמַר ר' יִצְחָק, מִשּׁוּם דְּלֵית שְׁכִינְתָּא שַׁרְיָא, בְּמַאן דְּלָא אַנְסִיב, וְכַהֲנֵי בַּעְיָין יַתִּיר מִכָּל שְׁאַר עַמָּא, לְאַשְׁרְיָיא בְּהוּ שְׁכִינְתָּא. וְכֵיוָן דְּשָׁרַת בְּהוּ שְׁכִינְתָּא, שַׁרְיָא בְּהוּ חֶסֶד, וְאִקְרוּן חֲסִידִים. וּבַעְיָין לְבָרְכָא עַמָּא, הה"ד וַחֲסִידֶיךָ יְבָרְכוּכָה. וּכְתִיב, תֻּמֶּיךָ וְאוּרֶיךָ לְאִישׁ חֲסִידֶךָ. וּמִשּׁוּם דְּכַהֲנָא אִקְרֵי חָסִיד, בָּעֵי לְבָרְכָא. וּבְגִין כַּךְ כְּתִיב, דַּבֵּר אֶל אַהֲרֹן וְאֶל בָּנָיו לֵאמֹר כֹּה תְבָרֲכוּ. מַאי טַעֲמָא. מִשּׁוּם דְּאִקְרוּן חֲסִידִים, וּכְתִיב וַחֲסִידֶיךָ יְבָרְכוּכָה.

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

Rabbi Yitzchak said: THEREFORE, A PRIEST IS NOT PERMITTED TO DO HIS DUTIES IF HE HAS NO WIFE, since the Shechinah does not dwell in someone who is not married. It is more imperative for the priests to have the Shechinah dwelling among them than the rest of the nation. When the Shechinah rests on them, Chesed resides among them and they are considered pious men (Heb. Chassidim). They are required to bless the nation and this is what is meant by: "And Your pious ones shall bless You" (Tehilim 145:10). It is also written: "Let Your Tummin and Your Urim be with Your pious one" (Devarim 33:8). Since the priest is considered pious, he needs to bless, which is why it is written, "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, In this way you shall bless" (Bemidbar 6:23). The reason is that they are considered pious and it is written, "And Your pious ones shall bless You."

chanoch's Commentary

With Rabbi Ashlag's comments, this pasuk is clear as written. Today this law is not followed. It has been forgotten. Unmarried Cohenim do participate in the Duchening, in my experience.