Into the Light: Selections from the Kabbalistic Zohar, Part 2 of 2

Let us continue with selections from the Greater Holy Assembly, a volume of the Zohar, in which Rabbi Schimeon expounds on how faithful believers in God who have lived virtuously will be taken into the Light and cared for by God when they leave this world.

“[…] Rabbi Schimeon said: ‘It is strange that he who is girded about the loins and clothed with a heavy garment was not found in the place of our conclave when those holy matters were revealed!’ Meanwhile, Elihu entered, and three beams of light shone in his countenance. Rabbi Schimeon said unto him: ‘Why was it that he was not present (otherwise, Why was not my Lord present) in the sculptured square of his Lord in the nuptial day?" He answered unto him: ‘Through thy life, Rabbi, seven were chosen before Him, the Holy One – may He be blessed! (otherwise, seven days are prostrate before the blessed God) all those who could come and abide with Him, before that ye could enter into the House of Conclave. And I prayed that I might come among the others, and I wished to adhere unto His shoulders (otherwise, And I asked Him, that it might be permitted me to enter in, but He constrained my shoulders), and I could not. For in that day was I sent that I might perform miracles for Rav Hamenuna the elder and his companions, who had been taken away into the palace (otherwise: into the prison) of the King. And I performed a miracle for them, and cast down the King’s rampart (otherwise: I cast down the wall of the royal palace for them), with whose chains they were bound; so that (their) forty-five warders were kept back. And I led forth Rav. Hamenuna and his companions, and brought them up unto the valley of Aunu; and they have been set free. And I have given unto them bread and water, seeing they had not eaten for three days. And all the day I quitted them not. And when I returned (hither), I found the Veil expanded which all these Columns upheld; and three of the Companions (had ascended) above it. And I spoke unto them, and they answered: “This is the portion of God the most Holy One – may He be blessed! from the nuptials of Rabbi Schimeon and his companions.”

Blessed are thou, Rabbi Schimeon, and blessed is thy portion and that of those companions who are sitting in thy presence. How many paths are prepared for ye in the world to come! How many Lights of Lights are prepared that they may enlighten ye! And come, behold! Therefore, on this day, there are bound together for thee fifty crowns for Rabbi Benchas Ben Yair, thy father-in-law, and I walk with him. And all those are rivers of the mountains of pure balm, for assuredly his place and lot is chosen.’ […]”