Zohar Vayera - Section 19 - "Garden of Eden and Gehinom

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

Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera Section 19

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:

Man is constantly tested by his own negative inclination in order to provide him with the opportunity to exercise free will. Man activates free will the moment he resists his natural selfish tendencies. The righteous people of this world are those who have conquered their negative natures and subjugated all Evil Inclinations. It is upon their merit that our physical world is sustained. A man who conquers his own negative nature and ego is far stronger and far greater than the man who conquers armies or builds empires.The Zohar explains that the Garden of Eden and Hell exist both in our physical realm and in the Supernal Worlds. The true righteous dwell in the Garden of Eden above, while the most wicked of men dwell in the lower realm of Hell. There is a story in the Talmud that Hell on Earth was discovered and visited by a great sage some 2000 years ago. This sage stormed the gates of Hell and stole away the knife from the Angel of Death. The Creator explained to the sage that the system of Hell is a necessary process in order to help cleanse the souls of the wicked so that they, too, may be able to partake in the world-to-come. The Creator, therefore, called for the sage to return the knife.

THE RELEVANCE OF THE PASSAGE:

The Garden of Eden is not only a long sought-after paradise located in some remote island in the world-to-come, but it is also a state-of-mind that we experience in the here and now. We connect ourselves to the Garden of Eden on Earth, arousing tranquility, happiness, and inner peace in our soul. We begin to sense and grasp the significance of the hardships that strike in our personal life. During difficult times, when life feels like Hell on Earth, afflictions have a cleansing effect on our soul. Awareness and acceptance of this spiritual truth accelerates the process, and trying times pass more quickly.

Pasook 239. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

רַבִּי פָּתַח, בְּהַאי קְרָא, וְאֵלֶּה הַגּוֹיִם אֲשֶׁר הִנִּיחַ ה' לְנַסּוֹת בָּם אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. אֲמַר רַבִּי, חָזֵי הֲוֵית בְּהַהוּא עָלְמָא, וְלֵית עָלְמָא קָאֵים, אֶלָּא בְּאִינוּן דְּשַׁלִּיטִין עַל רְעוּתָא דְּלִבְּהוֹן. שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר עֵדוּת בִּיהוֹסֵף שָׂמוֹ וגו'. אֲמַר רַב יְהוּדָה, לָמָּה זָכָה יוֹסֵף לְאוֹתָהּ הַמַּעֲלָה וְהַמַּלְכוּת, בִּשְׁבִיל שֶׁכָּבַשׁ יִצְרוֹ. דְּתָנִינָן כָּל הַכּוֹבֵשׁ אֶת יִצְרוֹ, מַלְכוּתָא דִּשְׁמַיָא אָחֵיל עֲלֵיהּ.

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 opened the discussion by quoting the verse, "Now these are the nations which Hashem left, to test Yisrael by them..." (Shoftim 3:1). Rabbi said, I have been looking into that world, NAMELY THE ETERNAL WORLD, and saw that the world can exist only because of righteous people who have control over the desire of their hearts. As it is written, "this he ordained in Jehosef for a testimony..." (Tehilim 81:6). Rabbi Yehuda then said, Why did Joseph merit that high grade and kingdom? The answer is because he overcame his lust. As we have learned, the heavenly Kingdom awaits he who overcomes his lustful desires.

chanoch's Commentary

With Rabbi Ashlag's comments, this pasuk is clear as written. Please notice the different phrases. - desire of their hearts and lustful desires. What is the difference? Is sex or creative ideas a desire of the heart?

Pasook 240. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

דַּאֲמַר ר' אַחָא, לֹֹא בָּרָא הַקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לַיצה"ר, אֶלָּא לְנַסּוֹת בּוֹ בְּנֵי אָדָם. וּמִי בָּעֵי קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא לְנַסּוּתָא בִּבְנֵי נָשָׁא. אֵין. דַּאֲמַר ר' אַחָא, מנ"ל, מִדִּכְתִיב כִּי יָקוּם בְּקִרְבְּךָ נָבִיא וגו'. וּבָא הָאוֹת וְהַמּוֹפֵת וגו'. כִּי מְנַסֶה ה' אֱלֹקֵיכֶם 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

As Rabbi Acha has said, The Holy One, blessed be He, has created the Evil Inclination solely for the purpose of trying humanity. And does the Holy One, blessed be He, intend on trying humanity? Yes. How do we know this? From the verse, "If there arise among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams...And the sign or the wonder came to pass...For Hashem your Elohim tests you..." (Devarim 13:1-3)

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is clear as written. What is the purpose of the various tests of men? One answer is to reward greater amounts when tests are passed. Of course this reward is not ever in this world. Another answer is to remove bread of shame by overcoming each test.

Pasook 241. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

וּלְמָה בָּעֵי נַסוּתָא, דְּהָא כָּל עוֹבָדוֹי דְּבַר נָשׁ אִתְגְּלֵי קַמֵּיהּ, אֶלָּא שֶׁלֹּא לָתֵת פִּתְחוֹן פֶּה לִבְנֵי אָדָם, רְאֵה מַה כְּתִיב וְלוֹט יוֹשֵׁב בְּשַׁעַר סְדוֹם דַּהֲוָה יָתֵיב לְנַסּוּתָא לִבְרִיָּיתָא. אָמַר רָבִּי יִצְחָק, מַאי דִּכְתִיב וְהָרְשָׁעִים כַּיָּם נִגְרָשׁ וגו'. אֲפִילּוּ בִּשְׁעַת דִּינוֹ שֶׁל רָשָׁע הוּא מֵעִיז פָּנָיו, וַאֲזַי הוּא בְּרִשְׁעָתוֹ קַיָּים, רְאֵה מַה כְּתִיב טֶרֶם יִשְׁכָּבוּ 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

And why does He intend on trying it, as all the deeds of humankind are well known to Him? So as that humankind should have no excuse to complain. See what is written, "and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom," WHICH MEANS that he was sitting and reproving the people. Rabbi Yitzchak asks, What is the verse, "But the wicked are like the troubled sea..." (Yeshayah 57:20)? Even when the wicked is on trial, he shows insolence and confirms his guilt. As it is written, "But before they lay down..." (Beresheet 19:4).

chanoch's Commentary

With Rabbi Ashlag's comments, this pasuk is clear as written. Since it is "normal" to compare myself to others when someone receives more HaShem can demostrate the receiver of more passed more tests.

Pasook 242. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

אָמַר ר' יִצְחָק, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁבָּרָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא גַּן עֵדֶן בָּאָרֶץ, כָּךְ בָּרָא גֵּיהִנֹּם בָּאָרֶץ. וּכְשֵׁם שֶׁבָּרָא גַּן עֵדֶן לְמַעְלָה, כָּךְ בָּרָא גֵּיהִנֹּם לְמַעְלָה. גַּן עֵדֶן בָּאָרֶץ, דִּכְתִיב וַיִּטַּע ה' אֱלֹקִים גַּן בְּעֵדֶן וגו'. גֵּיהִנֹּם בָּאָרֶץ, דִּכְתִיב אֶרֶץ עֵפָתָה כְּמוֹ אֹפֶל 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

Rabbi Yitzchak continued, Just as the Holy One, blessed be He, created the Garden of Eden upon earth, so did He create Gehenom as well. And just as He created the Garden of Eden above, so did He create Gehenom there. The earthly Garden of Eden is referred to in the verse, "And Hashem Elohim planted a garden eastward in Eden..." (Beresheet 2:8) and earthly Gehanom is referred to in the verse, "A land of gloom, as darkness itself..." (Iyov 10:22)

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is clear as written. This pasuk is giving us Torah source for the 2 levels of Garden of Eden and 2 levels of Gehinom. Why do you think that mankind does not realize there are 4 and not 2?

Pasook 243. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

גַּן עֵדֶן לְמַעְלָה, דִּכְתִיב וְהָיְתָה נֶפֶשׁ אֲדוֹנִי צְרוּרָה בִּצְרוֹר הַחַיִּים אֶת ה' אֱלֹקֶיךָ. וּכְתִיב וְהָרוּחַ תָּשׁוּב אֶל הָאֱלֹקִים אֲשֶׁר נְתָנָהּ. גֵּיהִנֹּם לְמַעְלָה דִּכְתִיב וְאֵת נֶפֶשׁ אֹיְבֶיךָ יְקַלְּעֶנָּה בְּתוֹךְ כַּף הַקָּלַע.

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

There is a Garden of Eden above, as is written, "but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with Hashem your Elohim..." (I Shmuel 25:29) and, "and the spirit shall return to Elohim who gave it" (Kohelet 12:7). And there is a Gehenom above, as it is written, "and the souls of your enemies, these shall he sling out, as out of the hollow of a sling" (I Shmuel 25:29).

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is clear as written.

Pasook 244. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

גַּן עֵדֶן לְמַטָּה כִּדְקָאֲמָרָן. גַּן עֵדֶן לְמַעְלָה, לְנִשְׁמָתָן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים גְּמוּרִים, לִהְיוֹת נִזּוֹנִין מֵאוֹר הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁל מַעְלָה. גֵּיהִנֹּם לְמַטָּה, לְאוֹתָם הָרְשָׁעִים שֶׁלֹּא קִבְּלוּ בְּרִית מִילָה, וְלֹֹא הֶאֱמִינוּ בְּהַקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא וְדָתוֹ, וְלֹא שָׁמְרוּ שַׁבָּת, וְאֵלּוּ הֵם עכו"ם, שֶׁנִּדּוֹנִים בָּאֵשׁ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר מֵהָאֵשׁ יָצָאוּ וְהָאֵשׁ תֹּאכְלֵם וגו'. וּכְתִיב וְיָצְאוּ וְרָאוּ בְּפִגְרֵי הָאֲנָשִׁים 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

The Garden of Eden below is as we have said. The Garden of Eden above is for the souls of the completely righteous, so that they may be replenished by the Great Light of above. Gehenom down below is for those wicked who refused to perform circumcision, did not believe in the Holy One, blessed be He, nor in His religion, and did not keep the Shabbat. And these are those who worship the stars and constellations, and who are condemned with fire. As it is written, "and they came out from fire, and fire shall devour them..." (Yechezkel 15:7) and, "And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcasses of the men..." (Yeshayah 66:24)

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is clear as written.

Pasook 245. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

גֵּיהִנֹּם לְמַעְלָה, לְאוֹתָם פּוֹשְׁעֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁעָבְרוּ עַל מִצְוֹת הַתּוֹרָה, וְלֹא חָזְרוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה, שֶׁדּוֹחִים אוֹתָם לַחוּץ, עַד שֶׁיְקַבְּלוּ עוֹנְשָׁם. וְהוֹלְכִים וְסוֹבְבִים כָּל הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר סָבִיב רְשָׁעִים יִתְהַלָּכוּן.

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 Gehenom above is for those sinners of Yisrael who have transgressed the precepts of Torah, and have not repented. They are rejected and stay outside until they are punished. And they wander around the whole world, as it is written, "The wicked walk on every side..." (Tehilim 12:9)

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is clear as written.

Pasook 246. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

וְשָׁם נִדּוֹנִים שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ לְאַחַר כֵּן, מָדוֹרָם עִם אוֹתָם שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ עָנְשָׁם בְּמוֹתָם כָּל אֶחָד וְאֶחָד כְּפִי הַמָּקוֹם הָרָאוּי לוֹ. וְהָרְשָׁעִים שֶׁל עכו"ם, נִדּוֹנִים תָּמִיד בָּאֵשׁ וּבַמַּיִם, וְשׁוּב אֵינָם עוֹלִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר וְאִשָּׁם לֹא תִכְבֶּה.

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 they are sentenced to stay there for twelve months. Later, they reside with those who received their punishment at their death, each to a place according to what he deserves. The sinners who worship the stars and the constellations are constantly punished by fire and water, and they never emerge again, as it is written, "Neither shall their fire be quenched" (Yeshayah 66:24).

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is clear as written.

Pasook 247. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

מִשְׁפַּט הָרְשָׁעִים בַּגֵּיהִנֹּם, כְּמָה דִּכְתִיב, וַה' הִמְטִיר עַל סְדֹם וְעַל עֲמֹרָה גָּפְרִית וָאֵשׁ וגו'. וְשׁוּב אֵינָם עוֹלִים, וְלֹא יָקוּמוּ לְיוֹם הַדִּין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר אֲשֶׁר הָפַךְ ה' בְּאַפּוֹ וּבַחֲמָתוֹ, בְּאַפּוֹ: בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה. וּבַחֲמָתוֹ: בָּעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

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 sinners are sentenced in Gehenom according to what is written, "Then Hashem rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire..." (Beresheet 19:24). And they never emerged from there and shall not rise for the Day of Judgment, as it is written, "which Hashem overthrew in His anger, and in His wrath" (Devarim 29:22). "In His anger" refers to this world; "and in His wrath" refers to the World to Come.

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is clear as written.

Pasook 248. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

אֲמַר ר' יִצְחָק לְהַאי גַּוְונָא אִית גַּן עֵדֶן לְמַעְלָה, וְאִית גַּן עֵדֶן לְמַטָּה. אִית גֵּיהִנֹּם לְמַטָּה, וְאִית גֵּיהִנֹּם לְמַעְלָה. אֲמַר ר' יַעֲקֹב, הָרְשָׁעִים שֶׁקִּלְקְלוּ בְּרִית מִילָה שֶׁבָּהֶם, וְחִלְּלוּ שַׁבָּת בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא, וְחִלְּלוּ אֶת הַמּוֹעֲדוֹת, וְשֶׁכָּפְרוּ בַּתּוֹרָה, וְשֶׁכָּפְרוּ בִּתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים, וְכַדּוֹמֶה לָהֶם, יוֹרְדִים לַגֵּיהִנֹּם שֶׁלְּמַטָּה, וְנִדּוֹנִים שָׁם וְשׁוּב אֵינָם עוֹלִים.

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, In keeping with what I have explained, there is a Garden of Eden above and another below; there is a Gehenom below and another above. Rabbi Ya'akov said, The wicked who have defiled their circumcision, desecrated the Shabbat in public, desecrated the festivals, and have rejected the Torah, the resurrection of the dead, and so on, all shall enter Gehenom below. They shall be punished there and shall never rise up again.

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is clear as written.

Pasook 249. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

אֲבָל יָקוּמוּ לְיוֹם הַדִּין, וְיָקוּמוּ לִתְחִיַּית הַמֵּתִים, וַעֲלֵיהֶם נֶאֱמַר וְרַבִּים מִישֵׁנִי אַדְמָת עָפָר יָקִיצוּ אֵלֶּה לְחַיֵּי עוֹלָם וגו'. וַעֲלֵיהֶם נֶאֱמַר וְהָיוּ דֵּרָאוֹן לְכָל בָּשָׂר. מַה דֵּרָאוֹן, דַּיי רָאוֹן, שֶׁהַכֹּל יֹאמְרוּ דַּיי בִּרְאִיָּיתָם, וְעַל הַצַּדִּיקִים שֶׁבְּיִשְׂרָאֵל נֶאֱמַר, וְעַמֵּךְ כֻּלָּם צַדִּיקִים וגו'. (ע"כ מדה"נ).

Transliteration

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Translation

But they shall rise on the Day of Judgment and for the resurrection of the dead. They are described by the words, "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2). And they are also described by the words, "and they shall be abhorrent to all flesh" (Heb. dera'on) (Yeshayah 66:24). What is dera'on? Dai-Ra'on, WHICH MEANS that all shall say, Dai ('enough') - Ra'on ('of seeing them') THEY SHALL HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF SEEING THEM. But of the righteous in Yisrael, it is said, "Your people shall also be all righteous..." (Yeshayah 60:21).End of Midrash Hane'elam

chanoch's Commentary

This pasuk is clear as written, with Rabbi Ashlag's comments.

chanoch adds: i have made little comments in this section. CCan we resolve the conflicts expressed especially in the last pauk? The answer is yes. We learn the resolution in the study of reincarnation.