Zohar Vayeshev - Section 2 - Generations of Jacob

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

Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeshev Section 2

It is best to study the Zohar in the following manner:

1. Read outloud 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:

Here follows a discussion of the significance of Joseph as the first-named in the list of "the generations of Jacob." Also, Rabbi Aba comments on the importance of the number seventeen in relation to Jacob and Joseph.

THE RELEVANCE OF THE PASSAGE:

Joseph corresponds to the Sfirah of Yesod, the portal and gateway through which all the Light of the Upper Worlds flows into our world. The Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob denote this supernal realm, whereas Joseph signifies the funnel through which the sacred Light emerges into physical reality. Here, we connect ourselves to this "cosmic funnel" where we receive the Divine and effulgent Light that shines in the Upper Worlds. The number seventeen is the numerical value of the Hebrew word for good [tov]. Thus, forces of goodness are amassed and drawn into our lives through the mystical powers attached to the number seventeen, as expounded upon in this passage.

Pasook 21. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeshev

אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדוֹת יַעֲקֹב יוֹסֵף וגו', בָּתַר דְּאִתְיַשֵּׁב יוֹסֵף בְּיַעֲקֹב, וְאִזְדַּוַּוג שִׁמְשָׁא בְּסִיהֲרָא, כְּדֵין שְׁרָא לְמֶעְבַּד תּוֹלְדוֹת, וּמַאן אִיהוּ דַּעֲבֵיד תּוֹלְדוֹת, אַהֲדַר וַאֲמַר יוֹסֵף, דְּהָא הַהוּא נָהָר דְּנָגֵיד וְנָפֵיק, אִיהוּ עָבֵיד תּוֹלְדוֹת, בְּגִין דְּלָא פָּסְקִין מֵימוֹי לְעָלְמִין, וְאִיהוּ עָבֵיד תּוֹלְדוֹת בְּהַאי אֶרֶץ, וּמִנֵּיהּ נָפְקִין תּוֹלְדוֹת לְעַלְמָא.

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 are the generations of Jacob: Joseph" (Beresheet 37:2). After Joseph settled in Jacob, and the sun WHICH IS ZEIR ANPIN mated with the moon WHICH IS THE NUKVA he began to produce generations. And who is he that brings forth offspring? The scripture continues saying, "Joseph." For the river that flows and comes out OF EDEN IS YESOD THAT IS DESIGNATED JOSEPH. It is he who is the progenitor of the offspring because his waters never cease to flow!

chanoch's Commentary

This verse is describing chariots. Joseph is one of the children of Jacob yet he is his own chariot. The verse is describing the relationship between Tiferet and Yesod which is in essence always connected to Malchut. Notice the words are Joseph settled in Jacob. this is either incorrect or it is describing the elevation of Malchut. You decide.

Pasook 22. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeshev

דְּהָא שִׁמְשָׁא, אַף עַל גָּב דְּאִתְקַרַב בְּסִיהֲרָא, לָא עָבֵיד אִיבִּין, בַּר הַהוּא דַרְגָּא דְּאִקְרֵי צַדִּי"ק, וְיוֹסֵף אִיהוּ דַרְגָּא דְיַעֲקֹב לְמֶעְבַּד אִיבִּין, וְלַאֲפָקָא תּוֹלָדִין לְעַלְמָא, וּבְגִין כָּךְ כְּתִיב, אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדוֹת יַעֲקֹב יוֹסֵף.

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 sun, WHO IS ZEIR ANPIN, unites with the moon, the Nukva, but can only bear fruit on the grade that is called 'Righteous', and on no other grade NAMELY YESOD. THUS, IT IS CALLED Joseph, who is the grade of Jacob, who can bear fruit and bring forth generations to the world. Thus, it is written, "These are the generations of Jacob: Joseph..."

chanoch's Commentary

The question asked in the commentary above is now answered. Put the answer into your own words.

Pasook 23. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeshev

אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדוֹת יַעֲקֹב יוֹסֵף, כָּל מַאן דַּהֲוָה מִסְתַּכֵּל בִּדְיוֹקְנָא דְיוֹסֵף, הֲוָה אֲמַר, דְּדָא הוּא דְיוֹקְנָא דְיַעֲקֹב. תָּא חֲזֵי, דִּבְכֻלְּהוּ בְּנֵי יַעֲקֹב, לָא כְתִיב אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדוֹת יַעֲקֹב רְאוּבֵן, בַּר יוֹסֵף, דִּדְיוֹקְנֵיהּ דָמֵי, לִדְיוֹקְנָא דַּאֲבוֹי.

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 are the generations of Jacob: Joseph" ANOTHER INTERPRETATION IS THAT anyone who gazed at the facial image of Joseph thought it was the facial image of Jacob. Come and behold, it is not written THIS WAY when referring to any other children of Jacob. FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS NOT WRITTEN, 'These are the generations of Jacob: Reuben' OR 'SHIMON' ETC. Only in reference to Joseph IS IT WRITTEN, "THESE ARE THE GENERATIONS OF JACOB: JOSEPH..." THE REASON IS THAT the facial image of Joseph was the same as his father's image.

chanoch's Commentary

Or is it that only Joseph is a chariot for a central column Sefirah?

Pasook 24. from the Zohar Sulam Commentary on Parasha Vayeshev

בֶּן שְׁבַע עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה. אֲמַר רִבִּי אַבָּא, רָמַז לֵיהּ קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא דְּהָא כַּד אִתְאֲבֵיד מִנֵּיהּ יוֹסֵף, בֶּן שְׁבַע עֶשְׂרֵה שְׁנִין הֲוָה, וְכָל אִינוּן יוֹמִין דְּאִשְׁתָּאֲרוּ, דְּלָא חָמָא לֵיהּ לְיוֹסֵף, הֲוָה בָּכֵי עַל אִינוּן שְׁבַע עֶשְׂרֵה שְׁנִין, וְכַמָּה דַּהֲוָה בָּכֵי עֲלֵיהּ, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא יְהַב לֵיהּ, שְׁבַע עֶשְׂרֵה שְׁנִין אָחֳרָנִין, דְּאִתְקַיֵּים בְּאַרְעָא דְמִצְרַיִם, בַּחֲדוּ בִּיקָרָא וּבִשְׁלִימוּ דְּכֹלָּא, בְּרֵיהּ יוֹסֵף הֲוָה מַלְכָּא, וְכָל בְּנוֹי קַמֵּיהּ הֲווֹ, אִינוּן שְׁבַע עֶשְׂרֵה שְׁנִין, הֲווֹ חַיִּין לְגַבֵּיהּ, וּבְגִין כָּך בֶּן שְׁבַע עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה הֲוָה אִיהוּ, כַּד אִתְאֲבֵיד מִנֵּיהּ.

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

"Joseph being seventeen years old" (Beresheet 37:2). Rabbi Aba said that the Holy One, blessed be He, indicated to Jacob that Joseph was seventeen years old at the time he was lost. All the days that remained AFTER HE REACHED SEVENTEEN YEARS OF AGE, during which time he did not see Joseph, Jacob was crying over him. Because he was crying during those years, the Holy One, blessed be He, gave him another seventeen years, during which he lived in the land of Egypt with happiness, honor, and fulfillment. His son, Joseph, was king and all his sons were there before him. Those seventeen years were considered as life for him. Hence, the text informs us that Joseph was seventeen years of age when he lost him.

chanoch's Commentary

An alternative teaching is that 17 is the gematria of Tov which translates as "good". The Torah is telling that Joseph is good. Yesod is good. Creation is good. Any other adjectives?