Children of the Rainbow
Translation and commentary of the Zohar by Rabbi Peretz Auerbach
In the following passage, the Zohar explains the phenomenon of
the transference and manifestation of supernal spiritual loving-kindness ( chesed)
from the "parents" - the partzufim of Abba and Imma to
their "children" - Zeir Anpin and Nukva. In particular, it is via
the six intermediate sefirot of Zeir Anpin that this energy is directed towards
its "final" destination, that of Nukva.
When do they [the lights of chesed, gevura,
tiferet, netzach, and hod, manifest in the sefira of
yesod] appear? At the time when the rainbow is revealed in the world.
Because at the time the rainbow appears then they are revealed.
The beaming colors of the rainbow represent the shining of the
attributes chesed, gevura and tiferet into the world.
And at that time [when the rainbow appears], "The time of
song has arrived" (Songs 2:12) [implying] the time to cut the wicked from the
world.  | | " Through singing to G-d, the powers of evil are annihilated...." | | |
Through singing to G-d, the powers of evil are annihilated. The
best way to do this is through praising G-d and singing to Him, ridding evil
from one's own heart.
Why will they [the wicked] be saved?
The sins of the wicked in the generation of the Flood caused
destruction. What prevents this from re-occurring?
Because the buds appear in the land.
Because the lights of chesed, gevura and tiferet
shined down and sweetened the judgments caused by the sins.
And were it not that they [the buds] appeared, they [the
wicked] would not be left in the world, and the world would not endure. | | " Children... generate such merit as to justify the world's endurance, despite its sins...." | | |
And what makes the world endure and caused the Patriarchs
to be revealed?
What awakening from below, in this world, caused the drawing of
these spiritual lights from above?
The voice of the children who speak words of Torah.
Being below the age of maturity, children are not responsible
for their deeds, and are therefore free from sin. The words of Torah emanating
from their pure lips therefore generate such merit as to justify the world's
endurance, despite its sins.
And because of these youths of the world, the world is
saved. Relating to them, the verse states, "Doves of gold we will make for you" (Songs 1:11), for these are
the children, the youths, the lads, as it is written, "And you shall make two
golden cherubs." (Ex. 25:18) | | " The children's' melodious chanting of words of Torah is likened to the sweet song that the doves sing...." | | |
How do we know that this verse refers to the children? Rabbinic
tradition teaches that the faces of these cherubs, or angelic figures, in the
Holy Temple were like that of children. and were made of gold. (Chagiga
13b) From this we can deduce that the gold mentioned in the aforementioned verse
hints to children. These are allegorized in the Song of Songs as "doves of
gold", because the children's' melodious chanting of words of Torah is likened
to the sweet song that the doves sing.
Also, the dove is known throughout the words of the Sages as
being always loyal to its mate. Children are similar in that they are always
loyal to G-d. The cherubs also have the faces of children because angels
share with children the quality of being free of sin. And the Torah hints to us
the connection between the two verses specifically through the word "gold",
because this exalted quality is rare like gold.
In terms of the verse in context of the Song of Songs, the
Jewish people are expressing their love for G-d by telling how we have our
children sing the words of Torah to Him.
Visitor Comments: 1
albert luyten, from Belgium/Ghana, 3/10/2006
I am interested in Kabbala bec
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