Summary
Shimon bar Yochai: Zohar IV
Book of Shining; Hajej Sara, Toldot
In the first book of the fourth volume, Hajej Sara, Sarah's life is discussed:
There is a hidden meaning in the mention of the length of Sarah's [שרה] life in the Torah, because such details are not presented in the case of any other female character - just as no other woman is devoted to an entire section in St. letter. The Zohar notes and explains the symbols in the passage concerning Sarah, as well as the meaning of various statements that cannot be properly interpreted without the Kabbalah as a key. We know, namely, that Sarah, just like Abraham [אברהם], was never overcome by negative attitudes, and that she inherited a divine life for herself, her husband and, later, her son.
Left to himself, man does not have the strength to remove the dark side of his nature. Spiritual giants like Abraham and Sarah, on the other hand, represent a generation that had enough spiritual strength to overcome the Tendency to evil (jecer ha'ra [יצר הרע]). Their existence in this physical dimension, as well as their presence in the Torah, is the real source of this energy, for all generations. Sarah's generosity and godliness, as well as the energy of a sublime life, permeate us through the Aramaic words of this section.
In the second book of the fourth volume, Toldot, we talk about the offspring of Abraham and Sarah:
Rabbi Hija sheds light on the relationship between the Creator and the Torah. We learn how the world survives thanks to the study of the Torah and why it is man's paramount duty to persevere in this endeavor. Rabbi Yitzhak and Rabbi Yehuda explain the significance of the blessing that extends from Abraham to Isaac and further, to Jacob, in which there is a synergy of all previous blessings. We also learn that the true servants of the Creator are not only the Israelites, but also all those who diligently study the Torah.
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