Zohar Prologue - Section 15 - The Heavens and the Earth

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

Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue Section 15

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:

The Zohar discusses particular forces and beings of darkness that dwell in lower worlds, and that often move within our midst. Much of the turbulence and turmoil of life originates from these entities. The Zohar empowers us to banish not only darkness, but also the negative forces that give rise to it.

Pasook 151. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

פָּתַח רָבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן וַאֲמַר, בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים. הַאי קְרָא אִית לְאִסְתַּכְּלָא בֵּיהּ, דְּכָל מַאן דַּאֲמַר אִית אֱלָהָא אָחֳרָא אִשְׁתְּצֵי מֵעָלְמִין, כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמַר כִּדְנָה תֵאמְרוּן לְהוֹם אֱלָהַיָא דִי שְׁמַיָא וְאַרְקָא לָא עֲבַדוּ, יֵאבַדוּ מֵאַרְעָא וּמִן תְּחוֹת שְׁמַיָּא אֵלֶּה. בְּגִין דְּלֵית אֱלָהָא אָחֳרָא בַּר קוּדְשָׁא בְרִיךְ הוּא בִּלְחוֹדוֹי.

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 Shimon opened the discussion by saying, "In the beginning Elohim created" (Beresheet 1:1). This verse has to be examined carefully, because whoever claims that there is another El shall be wiped from the world. As it is already written, "Thus shall you say to them: The Elohim who have not made the heavens and the earth, they shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens" (Yirmeyah 10:11), because there is no other Creator besides the Holy One, blessed be He, alone!

chanoch's Commentary

This verse is clear as written

Pasook 152. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

וְהַאי קְרָא אִיהוּ תַּרְגּוּם, בַּר מִמִּלָּה דְּסוֹף קְרָא. אִי תֵימָא בְּגִין דְּמַלְאָכִין קַדִּישִׁין לָא נִזְקָקִין לְתַרְגּוּם וְלָא אִשְׁתְּמוֹדְעָן בֵּיהּ, מִלָה דָא יָאוֹת הִיא לְמֵימַר בְּלִישְׁנָא קַדִּישָׁא, בְּגִין דְּיִשְׁמְעוּן מַלְאָכִין קַדִּישִׁין, וִיהוֹן נִזְקָקִין לְאוֹדָאָה עַל דָּא. אֶלָּא וַדַּאי בְּגִין כָּךְ כְּתִיב תַּרְגּוּם, דְּלָא נִזְקָקִין בֵּיהּ מַלְאָכִין קַדִּישִׁין, וְלָא יְקַנְאוּן בב"נ לְאַבְאָשָׁא לֵיהּ, בְּגִין דִּבְהַאי קְרָא, בִּכְלָלָא אִינוּן מַלְאָכִין קַדִּישִׁין, דְּהָא אִינוּן אֱלֹהִים אִקְרוֹן, וּבִכְלָלָא דֵּאֱלֹהִים הֲווֹ, וְאִינוּן לָא עֲבַדוּ שְׁמַיָּא וְאַרְקָא.

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

This verse is written in Aramaic, with the exception of the word "THESE," which appears at the end of the verse. If you suggest that it is because the holy angels do not listen to the translated form, REFERRING TO THE ARAMAIC LANGUAGE, and are not familiar with it, THEN ON THE CONTRARY, this verse should have been said in the holy language so that the holy angels would hear IN ORDER that they approve of it. AND HE REPLIES: This is certainly the reason why it is written in the translated form (Aramaic), as the holy angels do not listen to it. Thus they do not envy man nor do him evil. Because in this verse EVEN the holy angels are included, as they are called Elohim AS WELL, and are included in the term Elohim, yet they have not created the heavens and earth!

chanoch's Commentary

What Verse is being referred to ? It is the vdedrse from Jeremiah in pasuk 151. A close inspection tells us that the verse is not in Hebrew but Aramaic. This means the Angels do understand it yet are not bothered by it since their leaders like Michal and Gavriel are also called Elohim. Elohim that have not created teh Heavens and the earth are not able to be under the Heavens and not on the Earth.

Pasook 153. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

וְאַרְקָא, וְאַרְעָא מִבָּעֵי לֵיהּ, אֶלָּא בְּגִין דְאַרְקָא אִיהִי חָדָא מֵאִינוּן שְׁבַע אַרְעִין דִּלְתַתָּא, וּבְהַהוּא אֲתַר אִית בְּנֵי בְּנוֹי דְּקַיִן, לְבָתַר דְּאִתְתָּרַךְ מֵעַל אַפֵּי אַרְעָא נָחֵית לְתַמָּן וַעֲבֵיד תּוֹלָדוֹת, וְאִשְׁתַּבַּשׁ תַּמָּן, דְּלָא יָדַע כְּלוּם. וְאִיהוּ אַרְעָא כְּפִילָא דְּאִתְכְּפַל מֵחֲשׁוֹכָא וּנְהוֹרָא.

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 SAYS: THE VERSE READS, "the earth (Aramic arka)," when it should have used the word 'ar'a (Eng. 'land'). AND HE EXPLAINS: Because Arka is one of the seven lands down below. And in that place, the descendants of Cain live. BECAUSE after he had been banished from the face of the earth, he went down there and begot children. And there he became confused and lost all knowledge. And it is a double land that consists doubly of darkness and light.

chanoch's Commentary

Who is He? Rabbi Shimon is saying that the second time the word earth is used in the verse from Jeremiah should be Land. Is it possible that Rabbi Shimon is saying scripture is incorrect? i find that hard to accept. The land ARka is one of the levels of what we in the modern world refer to as the Inner Earths. this is discussed more fully elsewhere in the Zohar.

Pasook 154. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

וְאִית תַּמָּן תְּרֵין מְמַנָּן שַׁלִּיטִין דִּי שָׁלְטִין, דָּא בַּחֲשׁוֹכָא וְדָא בִּנְהוֹרָא, וְתַמָּן קִטְרוּגָא דָּא בְדָא, וְשַׁעֲתָא דְּנָחֵית לְתַמָּן קַיִן, אִשְׁתָּתְּפוּ דָּא בְדָא וְאִשְׁתְּלִימוּ כַּחֲדָא. וְכֹלָּא חָזֵי דְּאִינוּן תּוֹלְדוֹת דְּקַיִן. וְעַל דָּא אִינוּן בִּתְרֵין רָאשִׁין, כִּתְרֵין חֵיוָון בַּר דְּכַד הַהוּא נְהוֹרָא שָׁלִיט, נָצַח דִּילֵיהּ וְנָצַח עַל אָחֳרָא. וְעַל דָּא אִתְכְּלִילוּ דִי בַּחֲשׁוֹכָא בִּנְהוֹרָא וַהֲווֹ חַד.

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

And there are two ruling commissioners there, one that governs over the darkness and one over the light. And they are hostile to each another. When Cain went down there, they joined one another and made peace. And all realized that they were the descendants of Cain. Therefore, they have two heads, just like two snakes, except when THE COMMISSIONER who rules over the light overcomes his, namely the light, and overcomes the other, namely the commissioner of the darkness. Accordingly, those that belong to the darkness became included within THOSE OF the light; thus, they became as one.

chanoch's Commentary

the verse is clear as written except it is out of the experience of most people and therefore is difficult to reconcile into your own experience.

Pasook 155. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

אִינוּן תְּרֵין מְמַנָּן, עַפְרִירָא וְקַסְטִימוֹן, וְדִיּוֹקְנָא דִּלְהוֹן כִּדְיוֹקְנָא דְּמַלְאָכִין קַדִּישִׁין בְּשִׁית גַּדְפִין. חַד דְּיוֹקְנָא כְּתוֹרָ"א, וְחַד דְּיוֹקְנָא כְּנִשְׁרָא. וְכַד מִתְחַבְּרָן, אִתְעֲבִידוּ דְּיוֹקְנָא דְּאָדָם.

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

These two commissioners are CALLED Afrira and Kastimon, and their images are like the images of the holy angels with six wings. One has the image of an ox, and the other the image of an eagle. And only when they become united do they assume the image of man.

chanoch's Commentary

The name afrira is spelled עפרירא. This name can be parsed into two words Afar and Ira. Afar translates as ashes. Kabbalah teaches that ashes is different from dust in that once burned to ashes there is no more lifeforce; while dust still can sprout life since it is similar to dirt but not sufficient size. Ira translates as apprehensive, timid, or respectful. One can perceive clearly that this light is what has been appropriated by the negative system. The other Name takes some extension analysis that i do not yet have time to do. the discussion of the ox and the eagle is also hinting of the vision of Ezekiel. This is a hint to the reality that the negative system is similar yet different than the positive system.

Pasook 156. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

כַּד אִינוּן בַּחֲשׁוֹכָא, מִתְהַפְּכִין לִדְּיוֹקְנָא דְנָחָשׁ בִּתְרֵין רָאשִׁין, וְאָזְלִין כְּחִוְיָא, וְטָאסִין גּוֹ תְהוֹמָא, וְאִסְתַּחְיָין בְּיַמָּא רַבָּא. כַּד מָטָאן לְשַׁלְשְׁלָאָה דְּעַזָּ"א וַעֲזָאֵ"ל מַרְגִּיזִין לוֹן וּמִתְעָרֵי לוֹן, וְאִינוּן מְדַלְגִּין גּוֹ טוּרֵי חֲשׁוֹכָן, וְחָשְׁבֵי דְּקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בָּעֵי לְמִתְבַּע לוֹן דִּינָא.

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

When they are enveloped with darkness, they change their forms into that of snake with two heads and move like a snake. They fly around in the abyss and bathe in the Great Sea. And when they reach the chains of Azza and Azael, they irritate and arouse them. Then they leap into the mountains of darkness, thinking that the Holy One, blessed be He, wishes to call upon them for judgment.

chanoch's Commentary

In my opinion the word being translated wishes is actually hoping. This whole pasuk is a metaphor and also actually true description of the midrash regarding the work of the High Priest on Yom Kippur. It hints to the Name Azazel from the entity that receives the goat sent to the wilderness and the valley of Gehinom where the iron alter for the false god M something. i just can't remember it today.

Pasook 157. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

וְאִלֵּין תְּרֵין מְמַנָּן שָׁאטִין בְּיַמָּא רַבָּא, וּפָרְחִין מִתַּמָּן, וְאָזְלִין בְּלֵילְיָא לְגַבֵּי נַעֲמָה אִמְהוֹן דְּשֵׁדִין, דְּטָעוֹ אֲבַתְרָהָא דָּחֲלִין קַדְמָאִין, וְחָשְׁבִין לְמִקְרַב לְגַבָּהּ. וְאִיהִי דְּלֵיגַת שִׂתִּין אַלְפִין פַּרְסִין, וְאִתְעֲבִידַת בְּכַמָּה צִיּוּרִין לְגַבֵּי בְּנֵי נְשָׁא, בְּגִין דְּיִטְעוֹן בְּנֵי נְשָׁא אֲבַתְרָהּ.

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

And these two commissioners swim in the Great Sea and fly off from there. They then go at night to Na'amah, the mother of the demons, by whom the first sons of Elohim were misled (BERESHEET 6:2). Although they wish to go near her, she leaps away 6,000 parasangs. Then she turns, CHANGING HER FORM into many different shapes in the eyes of human beings, so that they may be led astray after her.

chanoch's Commentary

The number 6000 refers to two different yet similar things. One is the human year 6000 years after Creation which is the year of the Armageddon War. the other is using the names of the positive system as applying to the negative system since the Sefirot of the negative system may have different Names . 6000 refers to zeir anpin of chochmah.

Pasook 158. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

וְאִלֵּין תְּרֵין מְמַנָּן פָּרְחִין וּמְשַׁטְּטָן בְּכָל עָלְמָא, וְאַהַדְּרָן לְאַתְרַיְיהוּ, וְאִינוּן מִתְעָרִין לְאִינוּן בְּנֵי בְּנוֹי דְּקַיִּן בְּרוּחָא דְיִצְרִין בִּישִׁין, לְמֶעְבַּד תּוֹלָדוֹת.

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

And these two commissioners fly off and wander around the entire world. Then they return to their places. And they arouse the descendants of Cain, with a spirit of evil inclinations, to beget children.

chanoch's Commentary

Are these descendants of Cain in the physical world? or are they referring to the citizens of Arka?

Pasook 159. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

שְׁמַיָּא דְּשָׁלְטִין תַּמָּן לָאו כְּהָנֵי. וְלָא אוֹלִידַת אַרְעָא בְּחֵילָא דִלְהוֹן זְרוֹעָא וְחַצְדָא כְּהָנֵי, וְלָא אֲהַדְּרָן אֶלָּא בְּכַמָּה שְׁנִין וְזִמְנִין. וְאִינוּן אֱלָהָא דִי שְׁמַיָא וְאַרְקָא לָא עֲבַדוּ, יֵאבַדוּ מֵאַרְעָא עִלָּאָה דְתֵבֵל, דְּלָא יִשְׁלְטוּן בָּהּ, וְלָא יְשָׁטְטוּן בָּהּ, וְלָא יְהוֹן גָּרְמִין לִבְנֵי נְשָׁא לְאִסְתָּאֳבָא מִמִקְרֵה לֵילְיָא. וְעַל דָּא יֵאבַדוּ מֵאַרְעָא וּמִן תְּחוֹת שְׁמַיָא דְּאִתְעֲבִידוּ בִּשְׁמָא דְּאֵלֶּ"ה, כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמָר.

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

The heavens that govern there are not like OUR HEAVENS, and the land bears neither seed nor fruit by their labor, AS DOES OURS. And THE SEEDS will not GROW again until many years and seasons have passed. And these are DESCRIBED by THE WORDS, "The Elohim who have not made the heavens and the earth, they shall perish from the earth" referring to the upper earth, which is CALLED 'Tevel' (Eng. 'world'), so that they may not rule over it and not wander about in it, nor cause human beings to be defiled by nocturnal emission. Therefore, "they shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens" that were created by the name "these," as we have already learned.

chanoch's Commentary

Tevel is the word for our physical world which after the Sin of Adam is fallen to be an aspect of the Tree of Knowledge Good and Evil. These Elohim of Afrira and K will be relegated to the levels of Creation below the upper worlds.

Pasook 160. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Prologue

וְעַל דָּא הַאי קְרָא תַּרְגּוּם, דְּלָא יַחְשְׁבוּן מַלְאֲכֵי עִלָּאֵי דַּעֲלַיְיהוּ אָמְרִין, וְלָא יְקַטְרְגוּ לָן. וְעַל דָּא רָזָא דְּאֵלֶּ"ה, כְּמָה דְּאִתְּמָר, אִיהוּ מִלָּה קַדִּישָׁא דְּלָא אִתְחַלַּף בַּתַּרְגּוּם.

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

Thus, this verse is written in the translated (Aramaic) form in order not to let the supernal angels think that it is said about them - so that they will not be hostile to us. Therefore, the secret of the WORD "these (Heb. eleh)," is as we have already stated. It is a holy word that is not to be translated into Aramaic.

chanoch's Commentary

Why is the eleh not to be translated. Eleh is spelled אלה. This word can be translated as "to the physical world." Thus if the positive Angels understood this word they might fear the effect of the Creation of Mankind.