Daily Zohar # 4699 – Lech Lecha – Keep the Light of sustenance flowing

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Hebrew translation:

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Zohar Lech Lacha
Continued from previous DZ
#184
And if you ask, “But we see that many kings of the nations ruled even when the Temple stood in the world,” come and see: During the First Temple, before Israel defiled the land, the other nations did not rule over it firmly. They only received sustenance from the remnants of the Light flow; from this residual flow, they held their power. Therefore, their dominion was not very strong. But once Israel sinned and defiled the land, they, as it were, pushed the Shechinah from her place, and she moved closer to another place. Then, the other nations gained dominion, as they were given permission to rule.

#185
Come and see: The Land of Israel is under the sole authority of the Holy One, Blessed be He, and no other appointed being has dominion over it. But when Israel sinned and offered incense (Ketoret) to other gods within the land, they, as it were, pushed the Shechinah from her place. By drawing and serving ketoret to other gods to connect them to the Shechinah, they inadvertently granted those gods authority. Incense creates a bond; through this bond, those foreign entities drew sustenance from the Shechinah and gained control. As a result, the other nations ruled, and the prophets were nullified. All the higher spiritual levels ceased to influence the land.

Notes:
The Zohar illustrates the profound spiritual impact of idolatry in the Land of Israel, explaining that Israel’s offerings to other gods disrupted the exclusive connection between the Shechinah and the land. By creating a bond with foreign entities, Israel unwittingly granted them influence, weakening the Shechinah’s protective presence and enabling foreign rule. This passage underscores the significance of maintaining spiritual purity in the Land of Israel and the consequences of allowing foreign forces to infiltrate sacred spaces. It serves as a reminder of the importance of fidelity to the service of Hashem and the detrimental effects of turning away from the Shechinah.

#186
The dominion of the other nations was not removed because they drew the Shechinah’s flow toward themselves. Therefore, during the time of the Second Temple, the control of the other nations was not removed, and all the more so during the time of exile, when the Shechinah’s sustenance flow is among the other nations, in places where other appointed Ministers have dominion. As a result, they all draw sustenance from the Shechinah, who has come close to them.

Notes:
The Zohar explains the continued dominance of foreign nations during the Second Temple and exile as a result of the Shechinah’s flow being drawn toward them. This shift occurred due to Israel’s actions, which brought the Shechinah closer to foreign lands, allowing these nations to draw sustenance from her presence. This passage emphasizes the spiritual consequences of Israel’s relationship with the Shechinah, as her proximity to foreign nations has unintended effects on the balance of power and prosperity. The Zohar text serves as a reminder of the impact of Israel’s spiritual actions on the Shechinah’s placement and the distribution of the Light of sustenance in the world.

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