Zohar Vayeitze - Section 4 - Samael and the Wife of Harlotry

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

Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeitze Section 4

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:

This is a discussion of the dual nature of evil, as revealed by Jacob’s story. The Klipot, or ‘shells’ of negativity, have both male and female aspects. The text personifies the softer, female aspect of evil as a whore - “the wife of harlotry”- dressed up in her finery to seduce men. A foolish man is seduced by evil’s glittering facade and by distracting displays of false affection. After an individual has consorted with evil, its illusion of softness melts away, replaced by the hard and punitive male aspect, [do not pronounce this name] Samael, who is an avenger and a killer. Jacob, a wise man, is tempted by the evil’s feminine charms, and is almost seduced by the Other Side – but at the last moment, he sees its true nature and turns away. Samael is so vexed at losing a victim that he fights Jacob, as it is written, “And there wrestled a man with him…” Jacob is strong enough to defeat Samael, yet he is also forever scarred by the struggle when the demon “touched the hollow of his thigh.” This mark is his badge of honor.

THE RELEVANCE OF THE PASSAGE:

Far too frequently, we fall prey to the illusions of our material existence, and this is never without cost. Our egos may be seduced by flattery and opportunities for gaining prestige and honor. Pride and social pressures make true spiritual growth and fulfillment almost impossible to achieve, setting the stage for perhaps the greatest of all metaphysical battles, the struggle with our own ego. The sages understood this challenge, and gave us the ability to invoke the might of Jacob through the Hebrew letters that compose this passage. As we are strengthened in the face of evil, we gain the power to see through its attractive façade, and to overcome the temptations that hinder our journey towards the Light.

Pasook 23. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeitze

סִתְרָא דְסִתְרִין, מִגּוֹ דְתוֹקְפָא דְטִיהֲרָא דְיִצְחָק, מִגּוֹ דוּרְדַּיָא דְחַמְרָא, נְפַק חַד נְעִיצוּ קְטִירָא, כָּלֵיל חַד דְּכַר וְנוּקְבָא, סוּמְקָא כְּוַורְדָא, מִתְפָּרְשָׁן לְכַמָּה סִטְרִין וּשְׁבִילִין. דְּכוּרָא אִקְרֵי סמא"ל, נוּקְבֵיהּ כְּלִילָא בְּגַוֵּיהּ תָּדִיר. כְּמָה דְאִיהוּ בִּסְטַר קְדוּשָׁה, הָכֵי נָמֵי בְּסִטְרָא אָחֳרָא, דְּכַר וְנוּקְבָא כְּלִילָן דָּא בְּדָא. נוּקְבָא דִּסמא"ל, נָחָשׁ, אִקְרֵי: אֵשֶׁת זְנוּנִים, קֵץ כָּל בָּשָׂר, קֵץ הַיָּמִים.

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

A deep mystery is found in the strength of Isaac's light OF HOLINESS, and from the dregs of wine, WHICH ARE KLIPOT. One shape emerged FROM BOTH, made of GOOD AND EVIL, male and female, as one. It is red as a rose and extends to many sides and paths, HAVING MANY ASPECTS. The male is called 'Samael' and the female is always included within him. As on the side of holiness, ZEIR ANPIN AND NUKVA ARE ALWAYS INCLUDED ONE WITHIN THE OTHER; so it is on the Other Side, a male and female are included within one another. The female of Samael is called a 'serpent', "a wife of harlotry," "The End of all Flesh" (Beresheet 6:13), and the end of days.

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is confusing. How can both good and evil come from Holyness? How can it be that in spirituality both good and evil are called one shape? The second part of the pasuk consists of code words all referring to the female of the negative system.

Pasook 24. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeitze

תְּרֵין רוּחִין בִּישִׁין מִתְדַּבְּקָן כַּחֲדָא, רוּחָא דִדְכוּרָא דַּקִּיק. רוּחָא דְּנוּקְבָא, בְּכַמָּה אוֹרְחִין וּשְׁבִילִין מִתְפַּרְשָׁא, וּמִתְדַּבְּקָא בְּהַהוּא רוּחָא דִּדְכוּרָא. קַשֵּׁיטַת גַּרְמָהּ בְּכַמָּה תַּכְשִׁיטִין, כְּזוֹנָה, מְרַחֲקָא קָיְימַת בְּרֵישׁ אוֹרְחִין וּשְׁבִילִין, לְפַתָּאָה בְּנֵי נָשָׁא.

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

Two evil spirits cling together. THE ILLUMINATION OF the spirit of the male is a thin light, NAMELY, ONLY THE SIX EXTREMITIES WITHOUT THE HEAD. And the spirit of the female materializes in many ways and paths, BEING AN ENTIRE PARTZUF, HEAD, AND BODY, FOR IN THE KLIPAH, THE FEMALE IS LARGER THAN THE MALE. She cleaves to the spirit of the male, wearing ample jewelry like an abominable whore standing on main roads and pathways to seduce men. This teaches us that she values only those who start walking the path of Hashem and are apt to fall into her trap. Therefore, she is viewed as standing at the main (lit. 'start OF') ROAD TO HASHEM'S DEVOTION. BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE accustomed to the ways of Hashem, the whore is separated from them and has no power over them.

chanoch's Commentary

The important aspect of this pasuk is that the female of the negative system goes after the people who start on the path of Torah to get closer to HaShem. Actually when we study reincarnation we learn that all souls have fallen into the clutches of the negative system and only are reincarnated when the negative system thinks they will seduce more people - more of the people who follow the path to HaShem.

Pasook 25. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeitzei

שַׁטְיָא דְּקָרֵיב בַּהֲדָהּ, אַתְקֵיפַת בֵּיהּ, וּנְשָׁקַת לֵיהּ, מָסְכַת לֵיהּ חַמְרָא דְּדוּרְדַיָא, דִּמְרוֹרַת פְּתָנִים. כֵּיוָן דְּשָׁתֵי, אַסְטֵי אֲבַתְרָהּ, לְבָתַר דְּחָמַאת לֵיהּ סָטֵי אֲבַתְרָהּ, מֵאוֹרְחָא דִקְשׁוֹט, אַפְשֵׁיטַת גַּרְמָהּ, מִכָּל אִינוּן תִּקּוּנִין דַּהֲוַת מִתְתַּקְנָא לְגַבֵּי דְהַהוּא שַׁטְיָא.

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 a fool approaches her, she holds and kisses him, ans she pours him wine full of dregs and snake's venom. After he drinks, he whores after her. When she sees him whoring after her and turning from the path of truth, she removes all the decorations she put on for that fool, AS WILL BE EXPLAINED.

chanoch's Commentary

The above pasuk is an allegory regarding people who are following the illusion of material wealth and honor.

Pasook 26. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeitzei

תִּקּוּנִין דִּילָהּ, לְפַתָּאָה לִבְנֵי נָשָׁא: שַׂעֲרָהָא מְתַקְנִין סוּמְקָן כְּוַורְדָא, אַנְפָּהָא חִוְורִין וְסוּמְקִין, בְּאוּדְנָהָא תַּלְיָין שִׁיתָּא תִּקּוּנִין אַטוּנָא דְמִצְרַיִם, תַּלְיָין עַל קַדְלָהָא כָּל חֵילֵי דְאַרְעָא דְּקָדָם, פִּיהָ מִתְתַּקְנָא בִּפְתִיחוּ דַּקִּיק יָאֶה בְּתִקּוּנָהָא, לִישָׁנָא חֲדִידָא כְּחַרְבָּא, שְׁעִיעָן מִלָּהָא כְּמִשְׁחָא, שִׂפְוָוהָא יָאָן סוּמְקִין כְּוַורְדָא, מְתִיקוּ בְּכָל מְתִיקוּ דְעַלְמָא, אַרְגְּוְונָא לְבָשַׁת, אִתְתַּקָּנַת בְּאַרְבָּעִין תִּקּוּנִין, חָסֵר 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

Her seductive features include her hair, which is red as a rose, and her face, which is white and red. In her ears there are six earrings of Egyptian fabric. On her neck hang all the powers of Eastern lands. Her mouth is decorated by a small slit of a comely shape; her tongue is sharp as a sword; her speech as smooth as oil; and her lips as beautiful and red as a rose. Wearing purple and having forty decorations less one, she is sweeter than all that is sweet in the world.

chanoch's Commentary

Everything listed in this pasuk are describing physical attributes of beauty and they also are metaphors for negative items.

Pasook 27. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeitze

שַׁטְיָא סָטֵי אֲבַתְרָהָא, וְשָׁתֵי מִכַּסָּא דְחַמְרָא, וַעֲבֵיד בָּהּ נִיאוּפִין, וְאַסְטֵי אֲבַתְרָהּ. מָה עָבְדַת, שַׁבְקַת לֵיהּ נָאִים בְּעַרְסָא, וְסָלְקַת לְעֵילָא, וְאַלְשִׁינַת עֲלֵיהּ, וְנָטְלָא רְשׁוּ, וְנַחֲתָא, אִתְעַר הַהוּא שַׁטְיָא, וְחָשַׁב לְחַיְיכָא בַּהֲדָהּ כְּקַדְמֵיתָא, וְהִיא אַעֲדִיאַת תִּקּוּנָהָא מִינָהּ, וְאִתְהַדְּרַת גִּיבַּר תַּקִּיף קָאֵים לְקִבְלֵיהּ, לָבֵישׁ לְבוּשָׁא דְּנוּרָא מְלַהֲטָא, בִּדְחִילוּ תַּקִּיף מְרַתְתָא גַּרְמָא וְנַפְשָׁא. מַלְיָיא דְּעַיְינִין דַּחֲלָן, חַרְבָּא שְׁנָנָא בִּידֵיהּ, טִיפִּין מְרִירָן תַּלְיָין מֵהַהוּא חַרְבָּא, קָטֵיל לֵיהּ לְהַהוּא שַׁטְיָא, וְאַרְמֵי לֵיהּ לְגוֹ גֵּיהִנֹּם.

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 fool follows her, drinks of her wine, and fornicates with her. What does she do? She leaves him sleeping in his bed, goes up to denounce him, and receives permission TO KILL HIM. She then descends ON HIM. The fool awakes thinking of lusting after her, as before. At this point, she has taken off the decorations and has become a mighty oppressor who wears a garment of burning fire that causes great horror and frightens the body and soul. That oppressor has horrible eyes and a sharp sword on which there are bitter drops. The oppressor kills the fool and throws him into Gehenom.

chanoch's Commentary

This is a description of the effect of people who are attracted to the physical negativity. Remember the procedure. When something physical is lost from your life be thankful that it is lost because it is an indication that you are being tested to avoid you becoming an idol worshipper of this thing.

Pasook 28. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeitzei

יַעֲקֹב נָחַת לְגַבָּהּ, וַאֲזַל לְאַתְרָהּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וַיֵּלֶךְ חָרָנָה, וְחָמָא כָּל תִּקּוּן בֵּיתָא, וְאִשְׁתְּזֵיב מִינָהּ. דְּכוּרָא דִילָהּ סמא"ל, אַבְאֵישׁ קַמֵּיהּ, וְנָחַת לַאֲגָחָא בֵּיהּ קְרָבָא, וְלָא יָכֵיל לֵיהּ, דִּכְתִיב וַיֵּאָבֶק אִישׁ עִמּוֹ וגו'. כְּדֵין אִשְׁתְּזֵיב מִכֹּלָּא, וְאִשְׁתְּלֵים בִּשְׁלִימוּ, וְאִסְתַּלַּק בְּדַרְגָּא שְׁלִים, וְאִתְקְרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. כְּדֵין סָלֵיק בְּדַרְגָּא עִלָּאָה, וְאִשְׁתְּלֵים בְּכֹלָּא, וַהֲוָה עַמּוּדָא דְאֶמְצָעִיתָא, וַעֲלֵיהּ כְּתִיב וְהַבְּרִיחַ הַתִּכוֹן וגו'.

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

Jacob went down to her, TO THE WIFE OF HARLOTRY, and went to her place, as it is written, "and went toward Charan," A PLACE OF WRATH AND JUDGMENTS. He saw all the decoration of her house there and was saved from her, AND SO HE RETURNED TO THE Land of Yisrael. Her male, Samael, was vexed THAT HE WAS SAVED FROM HER. He came down to fight with him but to no avail, as it is written, "and there wrestled a man with him..." (Beresheet 32:25). Then was he saved from them all, completely perfected, and raised by a whole grade. And he was named Yisrael, which consists of the letters Li-Rosh (lit. 'it is my head'). Wholly perfected, he became the middle pillar, of which it is written, "And the middle bar" (Shemot 26:28).

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is explaining an unusual understanding regarding Jacob Wrestling with Satan.

Pasook 29. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeitzei

מַהוּ וַיִּגַּע בְּכַף יְרֵכוֹ, לֵיהּ לָא יָכִיל, אֲבָל נָגַע בְּכַף יְרֵכוֹ, דְּאִינְהוּ נָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא, דְּנָפְקוּ מִן יַרְכוֹ דְאַהֲרֹן, וְעַל יַעֲקֹב כְּתִיב וְהַבְּרִיחַ הַתִּיכוֹן בְּתוֹךְ הַקְּרָשִׁים מַבְרִיחַ מִן הַקָּצֶה אֶל הַקָּצֶה. עד כאן סתרי תורה

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

What is meant by: "he touched the hollow of his thight" (Beresheet 32:26)? He could not prevail against him, so he touched the hollow of his thigh, denoting Nadab and Abihu, who came from Aaron's thighs. And of Jacob it is written, "and the middle bar in the midst of the boards shall reach from end to end" (We do not consider this paragraph part of the article.)End of Sitrei Torah (Secrets of the Torah)

chanoch's Commentary

Where do you think this paragraph belongs in the Zohar - Which Parasha?