Zohar Vayikra - Section 2 - "And i Came to my Garden

Section 2 - "I Came to my Garden"

It is recommended to read/scan the section prior to reading the Synopsis.

Zohar Section 2 from Parasha VAYIKRA of the Sulam Commentary

SYNOPSIS:

Rabbi Chiya and Rabbi Shimon discuss the title verse and give several explanations for it. Having chosen Yisrael for His own, God wished to separate them from others and to protect them. The very day that the tabernacle was erected on earth, another tabernacle was erected on high, but Moses could not enter the newly built tabernacle until sacrifices were offered. The title verse also refers to the Upper Garden of Eden, since all are sustained by the flow of the river that issues from there.

Pasook 26. from the Zohar on Parasha Vayikra

וַיִּקְרָא אֶל מֹשֶׁה וַיְדַבֵּר יְיָ' אֵלָיו מֵאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד לֵאמֹר. רִבִּי חִיָּיא פָּתַח וְאָמַר, בָּאתִי לְגַנִּי אֲחוֹתִי כַלָּה אָרִיתִי מוֹרִי עִם בְּשָׂמִי אָכַלְתִּי יַעְרִי עִם דִּבְשִׁי שָׁתִיתִי יֵינִי עִם חֲלָבִי וְגוֹ', הַאי קְרָא לָאו רֵישֵׁיהּ סֵיפֵיהּ, וְלָאו סֵיפֵיהּ רֵישֵׁיהּ. כְּתִיב אָכַלְתִּי יַעְרִי עִם דִּבְשִׁי שָׁתִיתִי יֵינִי עִם חֲלָבִי, לְבָתַר אִכְלוּ רֵעִים. מַאן דִּמְזַמֵּן לְאָחֳרָא, כַּד מְזוֹנָא מִתְתַּקָּן קָמֵיהּ. בָּתַר דְּאִיהוּ אָכַל הֵאַיךְ יַזְמִן לְאָחֳרָא.

Transliteration

Due to a spiritual aspect of revealing light sometimes we will ask you to transliterate the Aramaic above yourself. In this way you will help to reveal a greater amount of light. You will find the link to transliterate the Hebrew and Aramaic at http://dailyzohar.com/hebtrans.php

Translation

"And Hashem called to Moses, and spoke to him out of the Tent of Meeting saying" (Vayikra 1:1). Rabbi Chiya opened the discussion with the verse: "I came to my garden, my sister, my bride. I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk" (Shir Hashirim 5:1). The beginning of the verse disagrees with its ending and its ending with its beginning. It says, "I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk" and following this IT IS WRITTEN, "Eat, O dear ones" (Ibid.). One who invites others TO EAT does so when the food is set before him. However, once he has eaten, how can he invite another TO EAT WITH HIM? YET, IT IS WRITTEN, "I HAVE EATEN MY HONEYCOMB...I HAVE DRUNK MY MILK," INDICATING THAT HE HAS ALREADY EATEN.

chanoch's Commentary

The question asked by the Zohar seems reasonable. It is only when we apply the codes of the Torah that the question is unnecessary. Wine and Milk represent the left and right columns. This is true for the other analogies as well. Now apply the two columns to the codes of HaShem and Moshe. HaShem represents the central column; Moshe represents desire and left column of Malchut. HaShem is asking Moshe to move to teh central column. Thus the two aspects of right and left do not apply.

Pasook 27. from the Zohar on Parasha Vayikra

אֶלָּא זַכָּאִין אִינּוּן יִשְׂרָאֵל, דְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בָּעָא לְדַכְּאָה לְהוֹן, וְאִתְרְעֵי בְּהוֹן מִכָּל שְׁאָר עַמִּין עע"ז, וּמִדְּאִתְרְעֵי בְּהוֹן בָּעָא לְסַלְּקָא לְהוֹן מִכָּל מְקַטְרְגֵי עָלְמָא. ת"ח, בְּיוֹמָא דְּאִתְּקַם מַשְׁכְּנָא לְתַתָּא, בְּהַהוּא יוֹמָא אִתְתְּקָם מַשְׁכְּנָא אָחֳרָא לְעֵילָּא עִמֵּיהּ, דִּכְתִּיב הוּקַם הַמִּשְׁכָּן סְתָם, וְהַהוּא יוֹמָא חֶדְוָותָא דְקוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא הֲוָה.

Transliteration

Due to a spiritual aspect of revealing light sometimes we will ask you to transliterate the Aramaic above yourself. In this way you will help to reveal a greater amount of light. You will find the link to transliterate the Hebrew and Aramaic at http://dailyzohar.com/hebtrans.php

Translation

HE ANSWERS, Yisrael were fortunate that the Holy One, blessed be He, wanted to purify them and chose them from among all the nations. Having chosen them, He wanted to distance them from all persecutors in the world. Come and see, the very day that the tabernacle was erected below, another tabernacle on high was erected with it on the very same day, as is written, "the tabernacle was erected" (Shemot 40:17), not specifying further BECAUSE IT ALSO INCLUDES THE TABERNACLE ON HIGH, WHICH IS Malchut. That day was the time of rejoicing for the Holy One, blessed be He.

chanoch's Commentary

When HaShem resides in the central column, neither needing to exact judgment and only giving goodness to His Creations is it a time of rejoicing for the Holy One and also his Creations.

Pasook 28. from the Zohar on Parasha Vayikra

כֵּיוָן דְּאִתְּקַם מַשְׁכְּנָא מַה כְּתִיב, וְלֹא יָכוֹל מֹשֶׁה לָבֹא אֶל אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד. כַּד חָמָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא כַּךְ אָמַר, וּמַה ע"י דְּמֹשֶׁה אִתְּקַם, וְאִיהוּ לְבַר, מִיַּד וַיִקְרָא אֶל מֹשֶׁה. אָ"ל: מֹשֶׁה, חִנוּכָא דְּבֵיתָא בְּמַאי הֲוָה, בִּסְעוּדָתָא, אָדָם כִּי יַקְרִיב מִכֶּם קָרְבָּן לַיְיָ'. הה"ד בָּאתִי לְגַנִּי אֲחוֹתִי כַלָּה וְגוֹ'.

Transliteration

Due to a spiritual aspect of revealing light sometimes we will ask you to transliterate the Aramaic above yourself. In this way you will help to reveal a greater amount of light. You will find the link to transliterate the Hebrew and Aramaic at http://dailyzohar.com/hebtrans.php

Translation

What is written once the tabernacle was erected? "And Moses was not able to enter the Tent of Meeting" (Shemot 40:35). When the Holy One, blessed be He, saw this, He said, 'THE TABERNACLE was erected by Moses, yet he remains out of it?' Immediately, "And Hashem called to Moses" (Vayikra 1:1). He said to him, 'Moses, what does a housewarming dedication (Heb. chanukat habayit) consist of? a feast!' "If any man of you bring an offering to Hashem" (Ibid. 2). HE THEREFORE BEGAN TO SPEAK OF SACRIFICES, WHICH ARE A FEAST FOR A SWEET SAVOR, AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE TO HASHEM. This is the meaning of: "I came to my garden, my sister, my bride" (Shir Hashirim 5:1). THIS VERSE IS INTERPRETED AS A REFERENCE TO THE SACRIFICES.

chanoch's Commentary

The Zohar is telling us that this famous verse from Shir HaShirim is bringing the vessel closer to the light just like the Karbon - sacrifice brings the bringer of the sacrifice closer to HaShem. This also brings us information about the ritual of Chanuka Habayit which most people have forgotten about. Most people have a Housewarming party to celebrate the acquisition of a new house. The Zohar is telling us that this needs to be a dedication to the Creator so that the house is connected to the Creator.

Pasook 29. from the Zohar on Parasha Vayikra

ד"א בָּאתִי לְגַנִּי, דָּא גַּן עֵדֶן דִּלְעֵילָּא. אֲחוֹתִי כַלָּה, דָּא כְּנֶסֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, דִּבְהַהוּא יוֹמָא אִזְדַּוְּוגוּ זִוּוּגִין בְּכֹלָּא, אִזְדַּוְּוגוּ זִוּוּגִין בְּהַהוּא גַּן עֵדֶן, בְּגִין דְּאִתְבָּרְכוּ כֻּלְּהוּ מִשַּׁקְיוּ דְּנַחֲלָא, וְאִתְקַשָּׁרוּ כָּל חַד בְּחַבְרֵיהּ, הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִּיב אָרִיתִי מוֹרִי עִם בְּשָׂמִי אָכַלְתִּי יַעְרִי עִם דִּבְשִׁי שָׁתִיתִי יֵינִי עִם חֲלָבִי כֻּלְּהוֹן אִתְשַׁקְיָין וְאִתְרַוּוּ מִמַּבּוּעָא דְּנַחֲלָא.

Transliteration

Due to a spiritual aspect of revealing light sometimes we will ask you to transliterate the Aramaic above yourself. In this way you will help to reveal a greater amount of light. You will find the link to transliterate the Hebrew and Aramaic at http://dailyzohar.com/hebtrans.php

Translation

Another explanation: "I came to my garden" refers to the upper Garden of Eden. "My sister, my bride" refers to the Congregation of Yisrael, NAMELY MALCHUT. On the day IN WHICH THE TABERNACLE WAS ERECTED, pairs were coupled in all SIX EXTREMES OF ZEIR ANPIN, WHICH ARE ALLUDED TO IN THE VERSE: "I CAME TO MY GARDEN." Pairs were also coupled in that UPPER Garden of Eden OF ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT, for all of them were blessed from the flow of the river, WHICH IS BINAH, and each bonded with its fellow. Thus, it is written, "I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk" (Ibid.), for they were all irrigated and saturated from the fountain spring of the river, WHICH IS YESOD OF BINAH.

chanoch's Commentary

This Zohar teaches us that the Malchut of Binah is always connected to Yesod. This is an important spiritual lesson to learn about unity and separation.

Pasook 30. from the Zohar on Parasha Vayikra

אִכְלוּ רֵעִים שְׁתוּ וְשִׁכְרוּ דּוֹדִים, כָּל אִינּוּן דִּלְתַתָּא. וְכֻלְּהוּ עַנְפִין כֻּלְּהוּ, אִתְבְּרָכוּ וְאִתְּזָנוּ, כַּד אִלֵּין אִתְבְּרָכוּ לְעֵילָּא. וּבְמָּה מִתְבָּרְכָאן וּמִתְבַּסְּמָאן, כֻּלְּהוּ בְּרֵיחָא דְּקָרְבְּנָא.

Transliteration

Due to a spiritual aspect of revealing light sometimes we will ask you to transliterate the Aramaic above yourself. In this way you will help to reveal a greater amount of light. You will find the link to transliterate the Hebrew and Aramaic at http://dailyzohar.com/hebtrans.php

Translation

"Eat, O dear ones, and drink; drink deep, O loving companions" (Ibid.). THIS REFERS TO all those lower LEVELS IN BRIYAH, YETZIRAH AND ASIYAH and all the branches, which are all blessed and sustained when these ZEIR ANPIN AND MALCHUT, WHICH ARE ALLUDED TO IN THE VERSE "I CAME," are blessed on high. Through what are they blessed and sated? Entirely through the aroma of the sacrifices.

chanoch's Commentary

The verse is telling us aroma of sacrifices is the method to bring unity and reduce separation. What do you think this means when we do not have actual animal sacrifices since the Temple does not exist?

Pasook 31. from the Zohar on Parasha Vayikra

תָּא חֲזֵי, בְּשַׁעֲתָא דְּנַחְתַּת כ"י לְאַשְׁרָהָא דִּיּוּרָהָא בְּאַרְעָא, קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא אָמַר לֵיהּ, לְהַאי קְרָא, בְּגִין דְּאִשְׁתְּכָחוּ בִּרְכָאן וְחֶדְוָה בְּכֻלְּהוּ עָלְמִין, וְאִתְבַּסְּמַת הִיא, לְנָפְקָא מִנָּהּ בִּרְכָאן לְכֹלָּא. דְּכַד אִלֵּין שִׁית אִתְבָּרְכָאן, כְּדֵין כֻּלְּהוּ עָלְמִין אִתְבָּרְכָאן כַּחֲדָא לְתַתָּא, וּמִתְבָּרְכָאן לְעֵילָּא. וְיִשְׂרָאֵל אִתְבְּרָכוּ מְכֻּלְּהוּ. ד"א בָּאתִי לְגַנִּי אֲחוֹתִי כַלָּה. ר' יִצְחָק אָמַר, לָא אִזְדַּוְוגָא קוּדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא בכ"י, אֶלָּא בְּזִמְנָא דְּאִלֵּין שִׁית אַתְרְוָון, מִשַּׁקְיוּ דְּנַחֲלָא דְּלָא פָּסַק. רעיא מהימנא

Transliteration

Due to a spiritual aspect of revealing light sometimes we will ask you to transliterate the Aramaic above yourself. In this way you will help to reveal a greater amount of light. You will find the link to transliterate the Hebrew and Aramaic at http://dailyzohar.com/hebtrans.php

Translation

Come and see: When the Congregation of Yisrael, MALCHUT, descended to rest on earth IN THE TABERNACLE, the Holy One, blessed be He, addressed MALCHUT with this verse: "I CAME..." for blessings and joy were present throughout the worlds. She, MALCHUT, was sweetened so that blessings may go forth from her to all. For when the six EXTREMES OF ZEIR ANPIN are blessed, WHICH ARE ALLUDED TO IN THE VERSE "I CAME," then all the worlds are blessed together below and on high, and Yisrael are blessed from all of them. Another explanation of: "I came to my garden, my sister, my bride." Rabbi Yitzchak said, The Holy One, blessed be He, unites with the Congregation of Yisrael, MALCHUT, only when these six EXTREMES OF ZEIR ANPIN, WHICH ARE ALLUDED TO IN THE VERSE: "I CAME," are saturated from the flow of the river which does not stop, BINAH.

chanoch's Commentary

this Pasook is teaching us that human beings espedially the Children of Israel are capable of traveling in all of the worlds. This is an important spiritual lessons since without knowing this mankind will not strive to go to the upper worlds.

Pasook 32. from the Zohar on Parasha Vayikra

פָּתַח וְאָמַר בָּאתִי לְגַנִּי אֲחוֹתִי כַלָּה, אִיהִי מַלְכוּת, אֲדֹנָ"י. אָרִיתִי מוֹרִי, דָּא חֶסֶד, דַּרְגָּא דְּאַבְרָהָם, דְּאִתְּמַר עֲלֵיהּ אֵלֵךְ לִי אֶל הַר הַמּוֹר. עִם בְּשָׂמִי, דָּא נֶצַח, דַּרְגָּא דְּאַהֲרֹן, דִּכְתִּיב בֵּיהּ וְאַתָּה קַח לְךָ בְּשָׂמִים רֹאשׁ. וְאִינּוּן דְּרוֹעָא יְמִינָא, בְּיַרְכָא יְמִינָא. וְרָזָא דְּמִלָּה, נְעִימוֹת בִּימִינְךָ נֶצַח. וְאִינּוּן תְּרֵין בִּרְכָּן לָקֳבְלֵיהּ, חַד מָגֵן אַבְרָהָם, וְתִנְיָינָא עֲבוֹדָה, דְּהוּא רְצֵה.

Transliteration

Due to a spiritual aspect of revealing light sometimes we will ask you to transliterate the Aramaic above yourself. In this way you will help to reveal a greater amount of light. You will find the link to transliterate the Hebrew and Aramaic at http://dailyzohar.com/hebtrans.php

Translation

Ra'aya Meheimna (the Faithful Shepherd)

He opened the discussion with the verse: "I came to my garden, my sister, my bride." This is Malchut, WHICH IS CALLED Adonai. "I have gathered my myrrh" refers to Chesed, which is the level of Abraham regarding whom it states: "I will get me to the mount of myrrh" (Shir Hashirim 4:6), MEANING THE MOUNTAIN OF MORIAH. "With my balm" refers to Netzach, which is the level of Aaron regarding whom it states: "Take you also to you the best spices" (Shemot 30:23). They are THE UNION OF the right arm, WHICH IS CHESED, with the right leg, WHICH IS NETZACH. This is alluded to in the verse: "at Your right hand are pleasures for evermore (Heb. netzach)" (Tehilim 16:11). The two corresponding blessings IN THE AMIDAH PRAYER are, 'Magen Abraham (lit. 'Shield of Abraham')', WHICH IS CHESED, and the other is 'Retze (lit. 'be favorable')' WHICH IS NETZACH.

chanoch's Commentary

Have you considered how the right arm and right leg becomes unified. when this is true can the body stand and support itself as well as move forward? contemplate this well.

Pasook 33. from the Zohar on Parasha Vayikra

אָכַלְתִּי יַעְרִי, דָּא גְּבוּרָה פַּחַד יִצְחָק. עִם דִּבְשִׁי הוֹד, דַּרְגָּא דְּדָוִד, וְהַיְינוּ דְּרוֹעָא שְׂמָאלָא, עִם יַרְכָא שְׂמָאלָא. שָׁתִיתִי יֵינִי עִם חֲלָבִי, גּוּף וּבְרִית, יַעֲקֹב עִם שְׁלֹמֹה. לְבָתַר אִכְלוּ רֵעִים שְׁתוּ וְשִׁכְרוּ דּוֹדִים, י"ב שְׁבָטִים, בי"ב בִּרְכָאן. תּוֹסֶפֶת בִּרְכַּת הַמִּינִין, מַאן אָכִיל לָהּ, הַהוּא דְּאִתְּמַר בֵּיהּ בָּאתִי לְגַנִּי אֲחוֹתִי כַלָה.

Transliteration

Due to a spiritual aspect of revealing light sometimes we will ask you to transliterate the Aramaic above yourself. In this way you will help to reveal a greater amount of light. You will find the link to transliterate the Hebrew and Aramaic at http://dailyzohar.com/hebtrans.php

Translation

"I have eaten my honeycomb" (Shir Hashirim 5:1): This is Gvurah, WHICH IS CALLED 'The fear of Isaac'. "With my honey" (Ibid.): This is Hod, the level of David, and this is THE UNION OF the left arm, WHICH IS GVURAH, with the left leg, WHICH IS HOD. "I have drunk my wine with my milk": This is the torso, WHICH IS TIFERET, and the member of the Covenant, WHICH IS YESOD, that is, Jacob, WHO IS TIFERET, with Solomon, WHO IS YESOD. Then come: "Eat, O dear ones, and drink; drink deep, O loving companions," who are the Twelve Tribes and the twelve blessings OF THE AMIDAH PRAYER and the additional blessing regarding heretics, THAT IS 'VELAMALSHINIM (LIT. 'AND FOR SLANDERERS')'. Who eats it? The one regarding whom it states: "I came to my garden, my sister, my bride."

chanoch's Commentary

the Sages created a structured prayer which is called the Amida - standing or the Shemonah Esra - 18 "blessings". Today it has a 19th Blessing which was added after it became solidified. This 19th Blessing is for slanderers - those who corrupt the true teachings. this pasook is teaching that the slanderers will receive harsh judgment expressed by the concept of honeycomb

Pasook 34. from the Zohar on Parasha Vayikra

וְאִית דְּפָלִיג לוֹן בְּרָזָא אָחֳרָא, אָרִיתִי מוֹרִי עִם בְּשָׂמִי, גּוּף וּבְרִית, יַעְרִי עִם דִּבְשִׁי, שׁוֹקָא יְמִינָא עִם שְׂמָאלָא. יֵינִי עִם חֲלָבִי, דְּרוֹעָא שְׂמָאלָא בִּימִינָא, דְּאִינּוּן יֵינִי גְּבוּרָה, חֲלָבִי חֶסֶד. ע"כ רעיא מהימנא

Transliteration

Due to a spiritual aspect of revealing light sometimes we will ask you to transliterate the Aramaic above yourself. In this way you will help to reveal a greater amount of light. You will find the link to transliterate the Hebrew and Aramaic at http://dailyzohar.com/hebtrans.php

Translation

Some divide THE SIX EXTREMES OF ZEIR ANPIN according to a different hidden meaning. "I have gathered my myrrh with my balm" refers to the torso and the member of the Covenant, TIFERET AND YESOD. "I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey": These are the right leg and the left leg, WHICH ARE NETZACH AND HOD. "I have drunk my wine with my milk" is the left arm with the right, WHICH ARE CHESED AND GVURAH, for wine refers to Gvurah and milk to Chesed.

End of Ra'aya Meheimna - The Faithful Shepherd - The soul of Moshe Rabeinu.

chanoch's Commentary

the Zohar is explaining that the code words can have multiple meanings and it is important for us to realize this and allow both to act correctly. In essence there is no right answer just answers that are right relative to the souls involved.