Daily Zohar # 4835 – Acharei Mot – The Turning Sword between heavens and earth

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Hebrew translation:

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Zohar Acharei Mot
Continued from previous DZ
#312
Four heads are ascended together, and they are unified in one form. One head ascended from the bathing, from which it was purified. Two does (female deer), measured equally, rose from that bathing, as it is written: “כְּעֵדֶר הַקְּצוּבוֹת שֶׁעָלוּ מִן הָרַחְצָה” “Like a flock of shorn sheep that came up from the washing” (Songs 4:2). In their hair, is the appearance of a precious stone with four colors.
Another interpretation: The middle line, which is Tiferet, mediated and unified the two lines (right and left) together, and thus, four keys were made. Then, Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferet, and Malchut ascend upward and become Chokhmah, Binah, and Da’at—which are the four heads: Chokhmah, Binah, and the right side of Da’at, which is Tiferet that ascended, representing Chessadim. The left side of Da’at, which is Gevurah, and Malchut that ascended, representing Gevurot (Judgment). And thus it is said: “Four heads ascended as one”—that is, through the unification of the four keys, Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferet, and Malchut were transformed into Chokhmah, Binah, and Da’at. However, all of these four heads are really one head, as it says: “And they are unified in a single image”—meaning they form one unified shape, one inner essence. They are nonetheless described as four heads, according to the four Mochin within it: Chokhmah, Binah, the two aspects of Da’at—the three lines (right, left, center), and Malchut, which receives from them.
#313
Four wings cover the body, and small hands are beneath their wings. And five are engraved within five (i.e., each hand has five fingers). They fly upward and upward above the Heichal (Palace), which is beautiful in form and beautiful in appearance.
Wings – These are coverings. There are four because, as is known, when Malchut rises into Binah, four aspects are formed: Right and left in Binah – namely, Binah and Malchut within Binah. Right and left in Malchut – namely, Binah and Malchut within Malchut. From the judgments (Dinim) within these four aspects, four wings emerge that cover the body to conceal the light of Chochmah. Thus, it is written: “Four wings cover the body” – they obscure the light of Chochma in the place of their body. But beneath these coverings, there are small hands. Hands are symbolic of Chessed and Gevurah, each composed of five fingers – corresponding to Chessed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, and Hod, in the secret of the phrase:  “שאו ידיכם קדש” “Lift your hands in holiness” (Psalms 134:2) –thus the hands draw down Chokmah.
They are called “small hands” because they only illuminate with the six sefirot of Zeir Anpin of Chochmah—not the full light of Chochmah itself.
Notes:
Four wings represent the judgmental aspects (Din) that cover and conceal the inner light of Chochmah, a concealment that originates from the rise of Malchut into Binah. Beneath the wings are small hands, symbolic of Chessed and Gevurah, drawing light and mercy in a measured way through five sefirot. These hands ascend through prayer and holiness (as in “Lift your hands in holiness”), reaching from Malchut (the beautiful palace) up to Binah, the source of inner perception and understanding.
This ascent is not a full illumination of Chokmah but a measured drawing of partial light, suitable for gradual spiritual development.
#314
A strong young man emerges, holding a sharp sword, which turns itself—both toward males and toward females, carrying the measuring vessel of the ephah between heaven and earth.
And at times, he carries it throughout the entire world, and all measures are measured by it, as it is written: “אֵיפַת צֶדֶק” “A just ephah and a just hin (measuring unit) shall you have” (Leviticus 19:36). “אלים” (strong) — this is explained to mean “אמץ” (mighty), for the term “חזק ואמץ” “chazak ve’ematz” (be strong and courageous) is translated as “תקף ועלם” “takif ve-alem” (powerful and youthfully strong).
Notes:
The Turning Sword is a direct allusion to Genesis 3:24, where the flaming sword that turns in all directions guards the way to the Tree of Life. Here, it is refined: the sword “turns toward males and females,” suggesting that it judges all equally, regardless of gender. Or, it operates on both masculine and feminine energies (Ze’ir Anpin and Nukva, or Chesed and Gevurah). It may symbolize the balance of Din and Rachamim (judgment and mercy).
The ephah between heaven and earth symbolizes The balance between spiritual and physical realms. The transmission of Divine justice downward into the world.
The use of both sword and measure shows that judgment is both precise and cutting, yet grounded in fairness. This reinforces the principle that the world is maintained through justice (Din) but that justice is tempered by spiritual clarity and universal equity—symbolized by the just ephah held between heaven and earth.

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