Zohar Vayera - Section 21 - "But His Wife Looked Back"

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

Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera Section 21

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 divulges the spiritual significance of a Biblical story about Lot and his wife. In the literal story, Lot's wife is turned into a pillar of salt when she turns to look behind her husband. In reality, she looked into the face of the Angel of Destruction. The Angel of Destruction can only wreak havoc and devastation when we look him in the face.

THE RELEVANCE OF THE PASSAGE:

Our five senses restrict us to a narrow, limited view of reality. We journey through life wearing blinders. Consequently, we stumble into negative circumstances that create upheaval and turmoil. However, we can receive assistance from the Creator, enlightening our consciousness to His spiritual direction. This assistance guides and protects us so that we never come face-to-face with destructive entities at anytime in our life.

Pasook 287. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

וַתַּבֵּט אִשְׁתּוֹ מֵאַחֲרָיו, מֵאַחֲרֶיהָ מִבָּעֵי לֵיהּ, אֶלָּא מִבָּתַר שְׁכִינְתָּא, ר' יוֹסֵי אֲמַר, מִבַּתְרֵיהּ דְּלוֹט, דִּמְחַבְּלָא אָזִיל אֲבַתְרֵיהּ, וְכִי אֲבַתְרֵיהּ אָזִיל, וְהָא הוּא שַׁדַּר לֵיהּ, אֶלָּא בְּכָל אֲתַר דַּהֲוָה אָזִיל לוֹט, אִתְעַכַּב מְחַבְּלָא לְחַבָּלָא, וְכָל אֲתַר דְּאָזִיל כְּבָר, וְשָׁבִיק לַאֲחוֹרֵיהּ, הֲוָה מְהַפֵּךְ לֵיהּ מְחַבְּלָא.

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

Of the verse, "But his wife looked back from behind him" (Beresheet 19:26), he asks, Why is it written "from behind him" rather than 'from behind her,' namely, behind the Shechinah. AND Rabbi Yosi replies, "from behind him" MEANS from behind Lot, as the Angel of Destruction went behind him. AND HE ASKS, How could THE ANGEL OF DESTRUCTION have followed behind him after sending him away? AND HE REPLIES, The Angel of Destruction refrained from destroying any place where Lot went. But the Angel of Destruction overthrew the place from which he had departed.

chanoch's Commentary

With Rabbi Ashlag's Commentary, this pasuk is clear as written.

Pasook 288. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayera

וּבְגִין כָּךְ, אֲמַר לֵיהּ, אַל תַּבֵּט אַחֲרֶיךָ, דְּהָא אֲנָא אֲחַבֵּל בַּתְרָךְ, וְעַל דָּא כְּתִיב, וַתַּבֵּט אִשְׁתּוֹ מֵאַחֲרָיו. וַחֲמַת מְחַבְּלָא, כְּדֵין וַתְּהִי נְצִיב מֶלַח. דְּהָא בְּכָל זִמְנָא דִּמְחַבְּלָא, לָא חָמֵי אַנְפּוֹי דְּבַר נָשׁ, לָא מְחַבֵּיל לֵיהּ, כֵּיוָן דְּאִתְּתֵיהּ אֲהַדְּרַת אַנְפָּהָא, לְאִסְתַּכָּלָא אֲבַתְרֵיהּ, מִיָּד וַתְּהִי נְצִיב מֶלַח.

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 is why THE ANGEL OF DESTRUCTION said to him, "Look not behind you," because everything behind you I will destroy. Therefore, it is written, "But his wife looked from behind him," and saw the Angel of Destruction. As a result, "she became a pillar of salt." As long as the Angel of Destruction does not see a person's face, he does not destroy them. But as Lot's wife did turn her face back to look "from behind him," she immediately "became a pillar of salt."

chanoch's Commentary

With Rabbi Ashlag's Commentary, this pasuk is clear as written. This does not answer the question, why a pillar of salt? Students of Kabbalah can answer this question. Also what was her motivation? This enters into her becoming salt.