One day Rabbi Yudai met Rabbi Shimon on the road and asked him, "My teacher, it is written concerning Shabbat, that Isaiah says, as it is written: "Thus says G‑d of the eunuchs that keep My Sabbaths and choose the things that please Me, and take hold of My covenant. To them will I give, in My house and within My walls..." (Isaiah 51:4-5) What does this mean?"

Rabbi Shimon said: Cappadocian [an insult based on his city of origin]! Fasten your donkey to a fence and get down, for words of Torah require attentiveness [and you cannot concentrate properly while riding]. Turn around and follow me, and pay attention. He replied: It is for the master's sake that I have come all this long way, and in following him I shall behold the Shechinah.

He [Rabbi Shimon] said to him: Come and see. This verse has already been considered by the Colleagues but they have not explained it sufficiently. "Thus says G‑d of the eunuchs." Who are these "eunuchs"? These are students of the Torah who study Torah and make themselves "eunuchs" [restrain themselves from marital affairs] during the six days of the week. And on Shabbat night they hasten to have their marital union, for they know the supernal secret of the right time when the Matron [malchut] is united with the King.

Those Colleagues who know this secret focus their hearts on the faith of their Master [for lower unification done in holiness and modesty arouses this faith] and are blessed with offspring on that night. Therefore, it is written: "That keep My Shabbatot," as it is said in the verse: "But his father kept the matter in his mind" (Gen. 37:11) ["keeping" in both instances means "waiting"].

They are called "eunuchs" surely because they wait for the Shabbat in order to please their Master, as it is written: "and choose the things that please Me," meaning His union with the Matron; "and take hold of My covenant" means the same, "My covenant" in general. Worthy is portion of he who is sanctified in this Holiness and knows this secret.

BeRahamim LeHayyim: We learned this last November. Remember? The eunuch analogy never fails to get me in the guts. The rule the Zohar is offering could be restated like this: "Friday night is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their Shechinah."

Marital relations is not only good for domestic harmony below but also Above. What's good for us is good for G‑d! Tenu Oz Le'Elokim is amazingly true. That our actions below have supernal effects we have learned before. That our marital union too reflects upwards and causes supernal coupling is amazing, and is thus the intention suggested on the day of Holiness — Shabbat.

What does this mean for you, and why is it revealed now?

[Bracketed annotations from Metok Midevash and Sulam commentaries]