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

INTRODUCTION
TO THE BOOK OF ZOHAR
his Introduction is one of four explanations that Baal HaSulam
Twrote T
for the “Book of Zohar” to furnish a person with an outlook
on evolution, to show where this book leads, and to what goals and
heights it should elevate him. In this book, Baal HaSulam researches the
deepest layers of the universe. He tries to explain the properties of our
reality, to unveil its depth and the extent of our comprehension of it. He
tells us how we can change it and ascend to a different, Upper Reality.
Most importantly, this Introduction speaks about our active part
in this process. It is very good and commendable to be simply studying
Kabbalah. Yet, can we change anything with the help of this knowledge?
This is where the study should lead us. This is the only aspect of Kabbalah
that should interest us.
“Introduction to the Book of Zohar” is a very deep, summarizing
text. While “Introduction to the Study of the Ten Sefirot” speaks of the
person’s path and the levels he ascends on his way to the Goal, this
composition is an immersion into the universe. As a submarine dives
into the ocean, so does the Zohar descend with us to the unimaginable
depths of reality.
As the article, “The Essence of the Wisdom of Kabbalah” says, the
task of Kabbalah is to reveal the Creator to the person. The Creator created
man and conceals Himself to let him rise to His level. Otherwise,
we would feel no need to reach out to Him, to grow and become similar
to Him. The Creator is like a loving mother who teaches her child to
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