Expert: Marilyn - 10/7/2007

Question
Hello Marilyn,

How have you been? I have been praying for you as you asked, my question is what is this book of Zohar? and this Sophia that certain people bring up in our debates every so often, I know a little about The Zohar as it is a Jewish book on mysticism, but what exactly it is is a little out of my knowledge.

I hope all is well and once agin thenkyou in advance for your answers to my questions, you're the best!!!!

                                      Blessings, Junior

Answer
Hello Junior!

Great to hear from you.  Thank you for your prayers!  

I started to read a book titled "God is a Verb:  Kabbalah and the Practice of Mystical Judaism," by Rabbi David A. Cooper awhile back.  I got sidetracked and haven't gotten back to it, but I fished it out and looked for anything it had on Zohar.

Page 34, "The "Zohar" discusses the universe, as a whole, in far broader terms than merely the physical universe.  Indeed, the physical universe, as vast is it may be, is dwarfed in comparison with the mystical universe that embraces angelic and demonic realms.  Whereas the physical universe is measured in time and distance, the mystical universe is measured in terms of levels of awareness.  These levels should not be viewed as separate boundaries, for awareness is a continuum."  

Page 35, "The "Zohar" says, "To create the world, It (Ein Sof, Infinite Nothingness) emanated s secret spark (awareness) from which emerged and radiated all light.  The upper world was constituted of this light.  Then a [different dimension] of light, a light without brightness (lower consciousness), was fashioned into the lower world.  As it is composed of unilluminated light, the lower world is attracted to the upper world.

"The erotic imagery of the merging of lovers is a common theme in the "Zohar."  Jewish mystics generally agree that the "Song of Songs," with its allusion to love and sexuality, holds more secrets of the universe than any other scriptural work.  For example, concerning the verse, "I am my beloved's and his desire is towards me," the "Zohar" says, "The inner meaning of this verse is that the stirring below is accompanied by a stirring above, for there is no stirring above until there is stirring below."

"This mystical description suggests that everything above and below is interconnected...."

This book mentions the "Zohar" by name one more time on page 193.  Regarding charity, "...When the Holy One loves someone, It sends this person a gift in the shape of a poor person, so that the loved one should perform a good deed through giving charity.  Through this merit, the giver of charity will draw to himself or herself a 'cord of grace,' from the universal source of lovingkindness, which will wind around his or her head and imprint a mark on the forehead so that when punishment falls on the world, the destroying angel will notice the mark and leave him or her alone."

The Kabbala or Kabbalah writings reached their peak between the 13th and 16th centuries.  It is largely rejected by current Judaic thought as medieval superstition, but is basic to the Hasid.  Books of Kabbala include:  Sefir Jezirah/The Book of Creation and The Zohar/Book of Light, written in Aramaic in about the 13th century.

I recommend this book from which I've been quoting, if you need to get a handle on the overview of Kabbalah and Jewish mystic writing as a whole.  It is well written, easy to read and fascinating.  Though, as a Christian, my impression of Kabbalah it that it is the writings of Jews who've rejected Jesus as Messiah and the Triune God concept.  In it they're trying to explain things that make perfect sense to the well versed Christian.  

"Sophia" is Greek for "wisdom" and is a Gnostic concept.  Sophia is feminine, analogous with the soul.  She is the mother of creation with her consort Jehovah.  Believers see her portrayed in Proverbs and as literally married to Solomon. They also say "Song of Songs" is about Sophia and her relationship with Solomon.

Sophia and Jehovah sent Yeshua (Jesus, in Greek) to fix the mistakes they made in creating the material world.  And to create a path by which souls on earth may be freed from the material universe.  She gave birth to a negative "aeon" who is seen in the Old Testament--that mean, bossy God who binds people up.  He is not the same as Sophia's consort.  

The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was created for worship of Sophia.  Eastern Orthodox obviously recognize her, but refer to her as one and the same with Logos, The Word.  Russia Orthodox had a fellow write a book about Sophia, but his work was renounced a heretical.  

Gnostics see Sophia as a fallen being while Christians who believe in Sophia do not see her that way.  Some think of Mary as the manifestation of Sophia.  

For believers in Kabbalah, Sophia is the feminine aspect of God.  Also, called, in Hebrew, Chokhmah, the Wisdom of God.

Blessings to you also,

Marilyn