Description
Sefer ha-Zohar (The Book of Radiance) has amazed and overwhelmed readers ever since it emerged in medieval Spain toward the end of the thirteenth century. Written in a unique, lyrical Aramaic, this masterpiece of Kabbalah exceeds the dimensions of a normal book; it is virtually a body of literature, comprising over twenty discrete sections. The bulk of the Zohar consists of a fascinating mystical commentary on the Torah, from Genesis through Deuteronomy.
This sixth volume of The Zohar: Pritzker Edition completes the Zohars commentary on the book of Exodus. Some of the volume focuses on the Dwelling (or mishkan) built by Moses and the Israelites in the Sinai Desert. The mishkan symbolizes Shekhinah, the feminine presence of God who dwells on earth. The construction of the mishkan is intended to ensure Her intimacy with the peopleand especially with Moses, who is actually called Her husband.
The dramatic episode of the Golden Calf receives special treatment. The worship of the calf is seen as a rejection of Shekhinah. Normally, She would have restrained the wrath of Gods masculine aspect and prevented Him from striking Israel; but having been rejected, She instead departed, leaving the people vulnerable. Whereupon the blessed Holy One hinted to Moses that it was up to him to defend Israel from divine destruction. By invoking the three patriarchs, Moses pinned Gods arms, as it were, and immobilized Him, saving his people.
With the appearance of this volume, The Zohar: Pritzker Edition has reached its halfway point. The projected Volumes VII-IX will complete the Zohars main commentary on the Torah. Volumes X-XII will include the Zohars commentary on various other books of the Bible (such as Ruth and Song of Songs) as well as several independent compositions.
Author: Daniel C. Matt
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Published: 10/05/2011
Series: Zohar: Pritzker Edition #6
Pages: 472
Weight: 2.31lbs
Size: 10.30h x 7.34w x 1.43d
ISBN: 9780804776639
Language: English
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.