The Zohar and Kabbalah

This is from the Introduction by Rabbi Michael Berg to The Zohar, The First Ever Unabridged English Translation with Commentary (22 volumes).


The Zohar is far more than a mere commentary on the Torah. It is the very heart of Kabbalah, the ancient spiritual science that is, both literally and metaphorically, a key to understanding the very principles governing the whole of creation - both seen and unseen, Divine and demonic, from the blinding stellar heights of enlightenment to the deepest depths of ignorance. Global events and the general malaise of our times have made many of us increasingly aware of the aching need, both within and without, for change, transformation, for some kind of genuine metaphysical and ethical system to replace what has become a moral and spiritual void. We crave a system that will redefine and explain such basic concepts as good and evil. For we live in an age where even the fundamental elements of spiritual philosophy have become meaningless. But we also yearn for a system that would make sense of the horrors, chaos, fear and uncertainty surrounding us, in neighborhood or nation - this new dark age that has seemingly enveloped the world. Techno-terror; eco-death; bio-war; cyber-terrorism - they are all synonyms for the individual's helplessness in the face of vast and incomprehensible forces of destruction and evil. But the real problem - fear - lies within us, and we are not helpless to conquer that.

The teachings of the Zohar, even if only partially understood, will help all people to regain control of their lives and bring harmony to the environment - and from thence to the world. They are not so much ancient as timeless, which means their wisdom originates beyond time and thus applies to all times and all places. In revealing the hidden nature of what we call 'reality', this wisdom provides the tools and information needed to bring both an individual life and the fabric of a society back in line with the eternal order.

The Zohar equates the Five Books of the Torah to the human body, and the Kabbalah to the soul. The “body” of the Torah was given in writing upon Mount Sinai; its inner meaning, the “soul” of the Torah, was given orally and was destined to remain unknown until revealed in the land of Israel. When Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai uncovered the concealed aspect of the Torah in the Zohar, he wrote it side by side with the written Torah to prove that the Torah and the Kabbalah are two sides of the same coin. The Torah exposes the outer clothing, and the Kabbalah exposes the unseen inner structure. This is, of course, very similar to the actual relationship between the soul and the body. The Torah reveals the words of the Creator; the Kabbalah teaches what is really intended by those words. According to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, the body of the Torah can be understood by all those who wish to learn. The secret teachings, however, were said to be reserved for a select few in each generation; but Kabbalists know that it is now necessary to share this knowledge with all who seek it.

The following translation of the Zohar strives to open a door to the great cosmic mysteries for those who are genuinely interested in understanding the structure and laws of the universe. It is thus utterly vital for the spiritual and physical survival of humanity; and its teachings are designed to lead humanity to the days of Mashiach, the long-prophecied return of a golden age, when peace, compassion, wisdom and love will prevail among people, when harmony will rule in the depths below as it does in the heights above. Such are the true goals of all metaphysical systems - not to mystify, puzzle, or provide the misanthropic with an illusion of superior knowledge. Transformation of consciousness is the point, for from that comes the elevation of global consciousness. Given our current condition, we cannot afford to ignore the gift of these Holy words any longer. It is time to change the world…
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