Introduction to the Book of Zohar (PDF) - Kabbalah Media Archive

P R E FAC E T O T H E B O O K O F Z O H A R
read something, somehow show him the right direction, and try to generate
more or less adequate sensations.
Each of us can see for himself how often confused thoughts visit
us, and we can never be sure where we really are.
When the person enters the spiritual world, he cannot stand
firmly on his feet, but continues treading on a very long path of realization,
accumulation of knowledge, and studying various forms dressed
in matter.
Only when the person reaches the World of Atzilut and begins to
raise the Kelim of the Worlds of BYA (Gadlut of the Soul), can one say
that he has risen above the common mistake of working with abstract
forms.
Accordingly, the most stringent ban prohibits the study of the Upper
Worlds, and no true Kabbalist would do it, let alone those studying
Zohar. There is no use in mentioning the “essence” of even the
smallest part in creation, for we are incapable of comprehending it.
Since we fail to comprehend the essence of objects in our corporeal
world, we will fail even more when trying to comprehend spiritual
manifestations.
I can as little grasp the essence and abstract form of, say, a pencil
(I cannot imagine the notion of a pencil detached from its matter). Only
the form clothed in matter and mater itself constitute an absolutely reliable
source of knowledge.
Thus, we have before us the four aspects from our example in the
World of Beria:
• The vessel of Beria, which represents the red color and is defined
as essence or the matter of the World of Beria;
• The filling of the vessel of the World of Beria with the Upper
Light, which is the form in matter;
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