Daily Zohar # 4743 – Miketz – Reflecting on the inevitability of death
Daily Zohar 4743
Hebrew translation:
198. בֹּא רְאֵה, יֵצֶר טוֹב צָרִיךְ שִׂמְחָה שֶׁל תּוֹרָה, וְיֵצֶר הָרָע שִׂמְחָה שֶׁל יַיִן וְנִאוּפִים וְגַסּוּת רוּחַ, וּמִשּׁוּם כָּךְ צָרִיךְ אָדָם לִרְגֹּז תָּמִיד מֵאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם הַגָּדוֹל, יוֹם הַדִּין, יוֹם הַחֶשְׁבּוֹן, שֶׁאֵין לוֹ לָאָדָם לְהָגֵן עָלָיו אֶלָּא מַעֲשָׂיו הַכְּשֵׁרִים שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֶׂה בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה כְּדֵי שֶׁיָּגֵנּוּ עָלָיו בְּאוֹתָהּ הַשָּׁעָה.
199. בֹּא רְאֵה, וַיִּירְאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים כִּי הוּבְאוּ בֵּית יוֹסֵף. וּמַה כֻּלָּם הָיוּ גִבּוֹרִים, כֻּלָּם חֲזָקִים, וְעֶלֶם אֶחָד שֶׁהֵבִיא אוֹתָם לְבֵית יוֹסֵף פָּחֲדוּ – כְּשֶׁיָּבֹא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִתְבֹּעַ אוֹתוֹ לְדִין אֶת הָאָדָם עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכמָּה.
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Zohar Miketz
Continued from previous DZ
#197
And it answers: Indeed, as we have learned, a person should remember the evil inclination of the day of death. This is certainly correct, for the purpose is to break the person’s heart. The evil inclination only resides where joy stems from wine and arrogance of spirit. But when a broken spirit is found within a person, it separates from him and does not dwell upon him. Therefore, one must remember the evil inclination of the day of death so the body is humbled and departs from him.
Notes:
Humility and a broken spirit subdue the evil inclination. Reflecting on the inevitability of death breaks the pride and arrogance that allow the evil inclination to reside within a person.
#198
Come and see: The good inclination requires the joy of Torah, while the evil inclination seeks the pleasure of wine, promiscuity, and arrogance of spirit. Therefore, a person must continually provoke the evil inclination with thoughts of that great day—the Day of Judgment, the Day of Reckoning. On that day, nothing will protect a person except for the good deeds they performed in this world, which will shield them at that moment.
#199
Come and see: “וַיִּרְאוּ הָאֲנָשִׁים כִּי הוּבָאוּ בֵּיתָה יוֹסֵף”—”And the men were afraid because they were brought to Joseph’s house” (Genesis 43:18). Even though they were all mighty and strong, one young man who brought them to Joseph’s house caused them to fear. If this was their reaction in the presence of a young man, how much more should one fear and tremble when the Holy One, Blessed be He, brings a person to be judged?
Notes:
The fear Joseph’s brothers felt before entering his house serves as a lesson: one should approach the judgment of the Holy One, Blessed be He, with profound awe and humility.
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